Since ancient times, people have appreciated honey — both for its taste and for its undeniable dignity. Without exception, people have learned to use all the products of beekeeping for the benefit of their health, but honey, of course, is out of competition. But in terms of its healing and nutritional properties, taste and aroma, honey is the undisputed leader.
Types of Honey
Speaking about this gift of bees, we must understand that it can be different. Honey varieties vary depending on which flowers the bees collected nectar from. Theoretically, honey can be monoflorous (if the bees visited only one plant species) and polyphilic (if the insects collected nectar from different flowers or trees). But in fact, monofleral honey is rare, and the variety is determined by the predominant plant.
Different varieties differ not only in color and taste, aroma and consistency, but also in chemical composition. Thus, their effect on the body will be somewhat different. For example, the popular lime honey, light and very fragrant, best treats colds, and buckwheat honey — dark, with a slight bitterness is considered the most useful for those who suffer from heart disease.
If you have an apiary and there is no plantation of any honey plant, then in this case the honey will be polyphilic, that is, mixed. Its varieties are usually named after the type of area where the bees arrived: meadow, forest, steppe or mountain. But since the vegetation even on neighboring lawns can be different, mixed varieties do not have clear characteristics and descriptions — their taste, color and aroma differ.
Features and Use of honey
The healing properties of honey are determined by its chemical composition. 75-80% of this product is carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, sucrose). It also contains vitamins (A, C, E and B vitamins), organic acids, enzymes, mineral salts (iron, copper, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, iodine, sulfur) and other compounds that are useful for the human body.
The use of honey is useful not only for those who want to get rid of the disease, but also for healthy people, that is, for the prevention of various ailments and strengthening the immune system. This mixture is pleasant to the taste and can be included in your daily diet, adding to various dishes. Especially useful for the body is the combination of honey with nuts and cereals, cottage cheese and dried fruits.
But do not forget about the sense of proportion: excessive consumption of honey can provoke an allergic reaction or lead to other adverse consequences. The normal daily dose of honey (with regular use) is 70-100 g (2.5-3.5 oz) (about 3 tablespoons of the product).
You can conduct 3-4 times a year 2-month therapeutic and preventive “honey” courses: honey dissolved in water is taken 3 times a day for 1.5-2 hours before meals or 3 hours after meals. In this case, the recommended dosage (per adult): 30-60 g (1-2.1 oz) in the morning, 40-60 g (1.4-2.1 oz) in the afternoon and 30-60 g (1-2.1 oz) in the evening (100-180 g – 3.5-6.3 oz per day).
Honey has anti-inflammatory, strong bactericidal properties and is able to suppress various pathogenic microorganisms, including staphylococci, streptococci,intestinal and dysentery bacilli.
The ability of honey to activate the activity of the salivary glands, improve digestion, and have a mild laxative effect in combination with its anti-inflammatory properties makes this product effective in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Honey increases blood circulation, increases the tone of the heart and blood vessels, has a mild calming and hypnotic effect.
Harm of honey and contraindications to its use
But speaking of the undeniable benefits of honey, we should not forget about the contraindications to its use. Not all of this valuable product is useful.
But speaking of the undeniable benefits of honey, do not forget about the contraindications to its use. Not all of this valuable product is useful. For example, an absolute contraindication to the use of honey and other substances with its use can lead to allergies.
Pregnant women and mothers who breastfeed their children should not eat honey without first consulting their doctor. Even if you have never had an allergy to this product, it can occur in a child. Patients with diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis should also consult a specialist.
Poison honey
Everyone has probably heard about counterfeit honey. But we will not talk about it, although it is also a “wrong” product,and it is unlikely that it will benefit the body. Did you know that honey can be poisonous?
If bees collect nectar from certain plant species, the resulting honey can lead to poisoning. Its use causes dizziness, vomiting and even loss of consciousness.
Unfortunately, there are no obvious external signs of such poisonous honey. How, then, can you protect yourself? Perhaps the only way out is to buy medicinal bee products only from trusted sellers. If there are large thickets of poisonous plants in your area, do not rush to buy honey from local beekeepers.
Eat honey and be healthy!
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