The goodness of honey...

(Published on 30 January 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Insomnia is something that many live with. A friend of mine was dousing herself with pills to keep from staying awake all night… but with not much relief. “Believe in grandmother's remedies?” I asked her on one of the many occasions when she seemed exhausted and frayed. I could have suggested just about anything – for she was ready to try whatever it would take to catch some shut eye. Old fashioned cures have been proven effective by modern medical research. The physicians of Rome, prescribed honey to their patients who had trouble sleeping. Even to this day, a glass of warm milk sweetened with honey is believed to help ensure a restful night. Honey acts as a sedative and is also very useful in bed wetting disorders.

Various ingredients of honey have helped it to become a natural product with high nutritional and medicinal value. Honey is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, iron and phosphate. It contains vitamins B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3 as well as small quantities of copper, iodine, and zinc. Several kinds of hormones are also present.

The medicinal quality, taste, colour and aroma of honey differs according to the geographical area and the species of plants from which it has been collected. As per Ayurveda there are eight types of honey depending on the type of bee which collects it. ‘Makshika,’ is honey collected by small honey bees and is considered as the best with immense medicinal properties. From time immemorial, honey has always played an important role in the pursuit of health and vitality. It is said that Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, realised the healing power of honey way back in the 1st century BC and prescribed it regularly to his patients. Honey has various therapeutic uses and is known to have the following qualities:

– Healing quality
The most ancient use of honey is as a healing agent for wounds, burns and cuts. During the First World War, honey was mixed with cod liver oil to dress soldier’s wounds. Even today, medical professionals from Eastern European countries continue to dress wounds with honey. Honey prevents further infection of wounds and burns. Modern science acknowledges honey as an anti-microbial agent. This property enables it to arrest infection.

– Remedy for sore throat and cold
Since honey arrests infection it is the best natural remedy for sore throats, coughs and general cold. Honey has long been used in various natural sore throat remedies. Even today many cough syrups and preparations for sore throats are honey based.

– Contains antioxidants that support good health
Honey contains antioxidants that help to eliminate the free radicals in our bodies that contribute towards many chronic diseases. Antioxidants are non-nutritive agents that can decrease the activity of cell-damaging free radicals. The darker varieties of honey contain large quantities of a particular antioxidant called flavonoids. ‘Pinocembrin,’ a unique antioxidant is only found in honey.

– Acts as a preservative
Honey does not spoil and is a preservative. Honey slows chemical reactions that cause foods to get rancid. This beneficial characteristic of honey is due to its antioxidant agents.

– Energy provider
As honey contains sugars which are quickly absorbed by our digestive system and converted into energy, it can be used as an instant energiser. Honey is more energy-packed and sweeter than sugar. However it has a low calorie level. Honey rapidly diffuses through the blood. Its free sugar molecules make the brain function better since the brain is the largest consumer of sugar. Honey thus reduces mental fatigue.

– Supports blood formation
Honey provides energy needed by the body for blood formation. In addition, it helps in cleansing the blood. It has some positive effects in regulating and facilitating blood circulation.

– Enhances Skin
Honey is a wonderful beauty aid that nourishes the skin and the hair. Antioxidant-rich honey plays an important role in skin care and is used to produce alpha hydroxy acids, a vital ingredient in skin creams and moisturisers. These acids are said to help skin shed dead surface cells and increase the rate of cell renewal. Honey also helps the skin retain its moisture.

Honey restores the damaged skin and gives soft, young looks. Here are some great beauty tips from the desk of Miss Know-All. Now don’t complain that I did not share my beauty secrets with you my ‘dahlings.’

þ Honey mixed with ground almonds makes an excellent facial cleansing scrub.
þ Mix 1 teaspoon of honey, with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and a 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice to treat dry patches of skin.
þ Honey is good for chapped lips as well as for acne because it has antibacterial properties.
þ A tablespoon of honey whisked together with an egg white, 1 teaspoon of glycerine and 1/4 cup of flour makes a brilliant firming mask.
þ Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 teaspoons of whole milk to create an effective moisturising pack.
þ For lustrous and shiny hair, mix 1 teaspoon of honey into 4 cups of warm water and use as hair rinse.

Ever doubted the goodness of honey?
To quote Martin Elkort: "Nobody disputes the role of the dog as man’s best friend, but a convincing argument can be also made for the honeybee."

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com