Byron Bay Honey is fully HACCP approved and complies with the international food safety standards set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
Ancient History, Honey and Health
Throughout human history there have been countless accounts of honey’s health giving properties.
Records are dating back to the time of ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece.
Early shamanic traditions used honey and so did the Greek physician Hippocrates, who is regarded the ‘father of modern medicine’. To this day all physicians around the world are swearing to uphold the ethical standards of his Hippocratic oath. He lived in the first century before Christ (BC) and praised honey’s healing powers by prescribing it to his patients. He designed many cures based on honey particularly for the treatment of colds, flus, fevers, respiratory problems, skin disorders, sores and ulcers.
Chemical analysis reveals some of honey’s amazing properties. It carries various trace-elements, small amounts of vitamins, such as thiamine, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, pantygiothenic acid, rydoxine, inhibine and niacin. Honey is best used raw, since excessive heating and filtering of honey can eliminate these properties. It contains about 39% fructose, 31% glucose, 2% sucrose (all natural sugars) and about 17% water. Natural treatments are applied for skin conditions, weightloss, colds and flus. Frequently raw honey was applied orally or externally to the skin.
The Magic of Natural honey
In ancient Egyptian they took natural, raw honey orally or placed it externally onto the affected part of the body wrapping it with a clean cloth as a dressing. Their records from as early as 2500 BC describe forms of treatment for wounds, cuts, ulcers and burns. Apparently if successful the wound would dry out and heal satisfactorily with minimum of scaring left. It has been reported that honey has the property of drawing out water from cells of bacteria, causing them to de-hydrate and die. Certainly it forms a barrier to further infection from outside, since it contains a natural antibiotic substance called inhibine.
Honey is said to be effective in regulating the hydrostatic balance of the body. It can reduce the amount of water held in the fatty tissue. There are articles on weight loss recommending regular vigorous exercise or weight-training. They claim that eating one teasoon of honey before bedtime fuels the liver, allowing the body to activate hormones which burn fat. We found a recipe based on Ayurvedic medicine recommending raw honey to address weight loss by natural means. They are suggesting to start the day by drinking the juice of half a lemon mixed in a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of raw honey.
Another common use which most of us have enjoyed relates to honey's soothing qualities to address coughing and sore throats. From the famous 'alcoholic toddy' to hot lemon and ginger drinks or herbal teas made from European lime-tree blossoms, it finds all kinds of applications when suffering fron colds and flus. We are not claiming that these accounts are based on thorough medical research. There are certainly sceptics disputing any fantastic claim made by advocates of honey. But maybe these records dating back to ancient human history indicate that honey has stood the test of time. However it is fair to say, that from ancient Egypt to the followers of alternative medicine today, honey has always played an important role in the pursuit of health and wellbeing.
We have become aware of cutting edge research by German naturopathic hospitals which are currently running trials to treat severe forms of burns by applying specific formulas of raw honey. There is also much discussion about resistant strains of bacteria which do not respond well to readily available antibiotic medication. It is alarming that we are moving towards a time where certain bacteria and diseases show signs of becoming immune to modern drugs. Maybe we will soon experience a revival of crtain forms of treatment based on the magic of natural, raw honey.
For more health applications see our delicous and healthy Honey Recipes
Disclaimer: Byron Bay Honey does not claim any particular health benefits of their products. All health related issues should be discussed in confidence with your medical practitioner.