Just 65 calories per tablespoon

You feel a headache coming on. What do you do? Reach for the Panadol. Cough? Pour yourself some cough medicine. Cut yourself? Grab the nearest antiseptic lotion. Why do we rely on man-made medicine when we already have one of nature’s strongest healing agents stacked away in our cupboards? Its uses are practically endless and it’s been recommended by the best – it tastes good too.

The health benefits of honey have been long observed by many ancient civilizations. The ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks and Romans all used honey for the treatment of wounds and gut diseases. It is also mentioned in religious books. The Bible speaks of a land “flowing with milk and honey.” The Quran has a chapter entitled Al-Nahl (The Bees), in which it refers to honey as having remarkable healing properties, it says:

”There issues from within their (bees) bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for mankind. Verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought”. (Quran 16:69)

The medicinal benefits of honey have been ignored in recent times, and its true power is yet to be fully appreciated and exploited. Islam encourages research and innovation in every subject, especially in one that can have so many benefits for mankind. Below is a collection of the latest research into the health benefits of honey.

Nutritional goodness

Honey is a nutritious food and contains a mammoth amount of minerals and vitamins, which vary depending on where the honey was made. Darker honey is full of antioxidants, which remove free radicals from our bodies and increase immunity. Calcium and iron are also present in varying amounts. Honey contains vitamins A1, B1, B6, B12, C, D, E and folic acid. With 65 calories per tablespoon, it is an excellent source of energy and is often used by athletes to improve performance.

Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties

Honey reduces bacterial contamination, promotes wound healing and prevents scarring. This is largely due to its acidity and production of hydrogen peroxide. Its acidic property means that bacteria are unable to grow, and when applied to wounds, honey is diluted with the fluids from the damaged tissue. This causes the enzyme, glucose oxidase, to produce hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is used in antiseptic lotions made by pharmaceutical companies.

What makes honey better than these antiseptic lotions is that unlike the chemist’s version, the hydrogen peroxide in honey is constantly being produced and only a small amount of it is required to kill bacteria. Large quantities of hydrogen peroxide are used in antiseptic lotions because it breaks down very quickly. These large amounts not only kill the bacteria at the site of the wound but also damage skin cells. If applying to the skin, cover honey with a bandage or plaster. Alternatively mix it with some yoghurt when rubbing it onto your skin to avoid a sticky mess.

Antibiotic and anti-diarrhoeal properties

Honey has the ability to rid the body of harmful microbes, even antibiotic resistant ones. It has been clinically proven to eradicate MRSA bacteria, which may lead to staphylococcus infections that are resistant to most antibiotics. A recent study shows that food poisoned individuals (due to salmonella and e-coli) treated with honey had a much lower mortality rate compared to those that were not. Honey also has anti-diarrhoeal properties.

Coughs, colds and flu.

Honey coats and soothes irritated throats, and is so good at treating coughs and has been proven to be much better than cough medicine. Other symptoms of cold and flu, including headaches and runny nose are also reduced with the use of honey.

Dieting

A tablespoon of honey contains about sixty-five calories, almost a third more than sugar. However, its fat digesting properties mean you will actually lose weight by eating it. Despite being full of sugar, it also helps to keep blood sugar levels balanced. Replacing honey with sugar can dramatically reduce cholesterol (more so than sweeteners), and therefore the risk of heart disease. Though these are not exactly cures, it means that obesity, high cholesterol and harmful blood sugar levels are potentially avoided.

Natural antioxidant

New research shows honey to be a natural antioxidant. Antioxidants are effective at reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, cataracts, different inflammatory conditions and immune system decline. Dark honey such as buckwheat honey is believed to contain higher levels of antioxidants than the light coloured varieties. Studies have shown that honey may contain the same level of disease-fighting antioxidants as some common fruits.

Dentistry

A very recent study has introduced the bizarre notion of honey being used by dentists. We have all been told that sugar is enemy to our teeth and honey is full of it. However, it has been shown that honey can be used to treat dental plaque and gingivitis, peptic ulcers and bacterial gastro-enteriti. It also helps maintain and protect teeth and prevent bad breath.

Other cures

Honey can help the alleviate allergies. So if you suffer from hay fever, a dollop of honey should help deal with that runny nose and itchy eyes. It also helps with conjunctivitis, treats decubitus and diabetic ulcers and decreases the effects of arthritis.

The benefits of honey will continue to be discovered and will play a much larger role in future medicine. The next time you are feeling unwell, reach for the honey — we shouldn’t need to read endless proofs before believing the words of Allah (swt), though it is always nice to see something revealed over a thousand years ago only now being rediscovered by science. So pick up a spoon now and down some of that golden yumminess.

Credits: Teaspoon photo from Healthnode.org blog; Honey jars photo from mercola.com blog