Common name:
Sanskrit: Madhu
Hindi: Shahad
English: Honey
Telugu: Tene
Introduction:
Honey has been a valuable natural resource for humans for centuries, serving as a nutritional supplement and traditional medicine for treating various ailments such as cancer and wound healing. Research indicates that honey may be beneficial in treating various diseases due to its phytochemical, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Honey may also be beneficial in treating cancer due to its diverse antioxidant content.
Honey is produced by various species of bees, with honey bees being the most well-known. Bees extract sugary plant or insect secretions, such as flower nectar or aphid honeydew, and process them to create honey. This process occurs both within the hive during storage and during regurgitation and enzymatic activity within individual bees. Honey is sweet due to its high proportion of fructose and glucose monosaccharides, making it a valuable natural therapeutic agent. Honey's rich antioxidant content makes it a valuable addition to any health regimen.
Chemical Components:
Nutrient | Amount per 100g |
Energy | 320 kcal |
iron | 1.5 mg |
Calcium | 13 mg |
Carbohydrates | 80 g |
Dietary Fibre | 0.2 g |
Fructose | 38.5 g |
Glucose | 31 g |
Sucrose | 1 g |
Other sugars | 11.7 g |
Magnesium | 64 mg |
Potassium | 295mg |
Sodium | 1.6-17 mg |
Chlorine | 0.4-56 mg |
Fluoride | 0.4-1.34 mg |
Copper | 0.02-0.6 mg |
Zinc | 0.05-2 mg |
Daily use and home remedies:
1. Honey can be used as sleep aid.
A spoonful of raw honey taken half an hour before bedtime may hold the key to a restful sleep. Honey contains fructose and glucose, which increase insulin levels, facilitating the entry of tryptophan into the brain. This combination, after a turkey supper, induces sleep. Tryptophan is converted into serotonin, melatonin, and melatonin, which controls the sleep cycle. Fructose regulates liver glucose breakdown, promoting even glucose metabolism and uninterrupted sleep.
2. Honey used as pre-workout.
Your body requires glucose to get through the day whether or not you exercise. Your body breaks down sugars to replenish cells with energy. The inherent sugars in honey can just provide you with the extra energy you need to finish your intense workout. Not to mention the abundance of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants found in unpasteurized honey.
3. Honey is also used as stomach soother.
Manuka honey, a unique honey produced by the Manuka bush, is a natural remedy for stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria. It contains methylglyoxal (MGO), a potent antibacterial compound, making it an effective stomach soother. Despite its slower healing time compared to prescription medications, Manuka honey remains a successful natural healing method.
4. Honey used for burn treatment.
Honey is a fantastic home treatment for sunburn and minor burns. As soon as possible, cover the wounded area heavily with honey, letting it do the rest. Its numerous medicinal qualities, including minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants, will hasten the healing process. You can also dab honey onto gauze or a bandage and apply it to the burn to prevent a sticky situation. Replace every 24 hours minimum.
5. Wound Healing properties of honey.
Pharmacy products for wound treatment often contain alcohol, drying up the skin. Honey, a more sensitive product, can clean wounds by absorbing moisture and contaminants. Manuka Honey, with its antibacterial properties, can speed up skin healing by drying out bacteria that cause infections, making it a more effective alternative to normal honey.
6. Often honey can be used as facemask.
A face mask is one of our favorite home applications for honey. To provide a cleaning, moisturizing, or relaxing effect, use honey alone or in combination with other commonplace things. Apply a simple honey face mask on damp skin, let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, and then wash it off with warm water. No longer need to visit the spa!
7. Honey for acne treatment.
When having trouble with acne caused by germs A fantastic natural therapy option is manuka honey. It can get rid of microorganisms in addition to removing pollutants from the skin. Avoid getting honey in your eyes when applying directly to the face. After 20 minutes, give it a quick washing with warm water. For a moisturizing effect, mix in a few drops of jojoba oil. Within a few weeks, if you incorporate this into your everyday regimen, you should see improvements.
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8. Honey reduces Acid Reflux.
The antibacterial components of honey have a remarkable effect on the digestive system; mix one teaspoon of honey with a glass of warm water or just take it straight from the spoon. While many people know that honey relieves sore throats, it's less well recognized that it helps relieve acid reflux.
9. Honey can cure hangover.
Honey's fructose and glucose content can aid in your speedy recovery from that all too common hangover. You can experience a renewed sense of vitality for an additional night out, and headaches and nausea are no longer an issue.
10. Honey can also be used during bath Time.
Enjoy a warm, soothing bath with honey for yourself. Turn on the water and add a few drops of your favorite essential oils along with two tablespoons of olive oil and three tablespoons of honey. Get a glass of wine, pour yourself some, and let the worries slip. Your skin will be soft and moisturized and you’ll have a new favourite beauty treatment!
11. Hair Care using honey.
When you use honey for hair care, you can say goodbye to dry, dull hair and achieve beautiful, shining locks. Your natural, healthy hair can be restored and nourished with the aid of honey shampoo and conditioner.
12. Honey can reduce the itchiness cause by mosquito Bites.
Honey is a well-known remedy for irritated and itchy skin. Feel the pain subside after applying it straight to the mosquito bite. Infection risk is decreased by the antibacterial qualities. When going camping or engaging in summer activities, it is an essential equipment.
Home remedies :
1. Honey and Milk
Take one or two teaspoons of honey. Mix it with one or two teaspoons of milk to make a paste. After 5–6 minutes of applying this combination to your skin, wash it off with tap water. To relieve dry skin, apply this treatment two to three times a week.
2. Honey and Multani mitti
Add two teaspoon of Multani mitti. Mix with two teaspoons of honey and rose water. Evenly combine to create a paste. Apply to the hands, neck, and face; let sit for five to six minutes. Use tap water to give it a thorough wash. For soft, radiant skin free of acne, use this treatment two to three times a week.
3. Honey and curd conditioner
Measure half cup of curd. Then stir in 3–4 teaspoon honey. Place on hair and leave on for forty to forty-five minutes. Apply tap water to rinse. To achieve lustrous, silky hair, use it once a week.
4. Honey with warm water
Drink one glass of warm water. Mix thoroughly after adding one to two teaspoons of honey. For optimal digestion, drink it in the morning preferably empty-handed.
5. Honey with ginger juice
Take one teaspoon of juiced ginger. Mix in one or two teaspoons of honey. To relieve a painful throat and cough, take once in the morning and once at night before bed.
6. Honey and lemon water
Drink one glass of warm water. Add a ½ lemon to it. Add one or two teaspoons of honey now, and thoroughly stir. To control cholesterol, boost metabolism, and facilitate weight loss, drink it in the morning preferably empty-handed.
Uses:
Important note:
Allergies, diarrhea, and degradation of teeth enamel can result from consuming excessive amounts of honey.
Avoid mixing honey in boiling water or milk.
You should see your doctor before consuming honey if you have diabetes, heart problems, or are breastfeeding.
Children younger than 12 months old should not be given honey due to the risk of botulism poisoning.
Since honey is manufactured from pollen, those who are allergic to it may experience allergic responses.
Side effects:
There aren't many negative consequences associated with honey; nevertheless, using honey topically could temporarily sting.
Although allergies to honey are uncommon, pollen or the bee protein in honey may be the source of allergic reactions.
Overdosing on honey can cause tissues to become dehydrated, which can be remedied using saline packs.
In the case of diabetic people, there is theoretically a chance that applying honey to the huge open lesion will cause blood glucose levels to rise.
Available brands:
Reference:
4. Textbook of pharmacognosy by C.K. Kokate, A.P. Purohit, S.B. Gokhale.
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