Angela R. Wilson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Honey is sweet and pleasing to the pallet, but taste is not the only good thing about this viscous substance. Although honey has more calories than typical white sugar, it offers more flavor and usually requires a smaller amount when cooking and baking.  Raw honey is an unprocessed food that comes straight from a beehive.  The honey sold in stores is less sticky and easier to serve after increased heat temperatures. 

Honey has antioxidants known as phenolic and flavonoid acids that help the body keep various health issues at bay, like heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. There are many types of honey.  Clover Honey, Wildflower Honey, Acacia Honey, Alfalfa Honey, and Manuka Honey are a few of the more popular sorts. The darker the honey, the greater the antioxidant. The antioxidants and nutrients in honey can also help facilitate a healthy diet and help manage diabetes.

Honey is also medicinal and has long been used to treat wounds and burns. When applied to wounds, the micronutrients nourish the unhealthy tissue and stimulate tissue growth while promoting healing. Honey also moisturizes the skin while giving it a protective barrier.  A medical grade of honey can be used to treat first and second-degree burns, pressure ulcers, and leg and foot ulcers.  This sterilized form of honey comes from bees that gather honey from trees in New Zealand and Australia.  Medical grade honey can be in the form of gels, dressings, and pastes and added into adhesives.  Make sure you consult your physician before using medical grades of honey on any cuts, wounds, or burns. 

Honey is also known to soothe a sore throat when added to warm lemon water or hot tea. It may also be used as a cough suppressant for children between 1-5 years old. Although studies have shown that honey can be just as effective as cough medicine for children, giving honey to infants under one is not wise due to the risk of infant botulism.

If you have honey at home and are considering using it for healing purposes, do your research and consult your doctor or physician to increase your knowledge and maximize honey’s benefits.

References

WebMD. (2022). Honey: Are There Health Benefits? https://www.webmd.com.

Sass, C. (2023). What Are the Health Benefits of Honey? https.//www.health.com

Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. (2023). The Benefits of Honey. How to Incorporate It You’re your Diet. https://health.clevelandclinic.org.