.png)
Raw Honey
Updated: Sep 11
Honey is mentioned many times in the scriptures, including John the Baptist living off honey while living in the wilderness and Christ partaking of it after his Resurrection. For those familiar with the Book of Mormon, God guided two different civilizations across the ocean to the promised land (North America), bringing with them honey bees to provide nourishment and healing. All of this leads me to believe raw honey is a pretty important nutrient, healer and gift from God that we should all have and partake of, not to mention how good it tastes!
First let me be clear that all of the healing benefits I will be sharing with you today do not apply to the honey bear you probably have in your kitchen cupboard or that you purchase on the grocery store shelf. That stuff has been highly heated with additives like water or corn syrup mixed in making it anything but healing. So what you are looking for is raw, unheated honey. Look for it from local sellers, farmer's markets, health food stores, and even Costco carries some.
Benefits of Raw Honey
Increases calcium absorption to help arthritic joints and osteoporosis, when combined with apple cider vinegar. (1 Tbsp of each alone or mixed with fresh juice or water)
An effective treatment for colds, flu, respiratory infections and a generally depressed immune system. Whereas sugar shuts down the immune system, a good quality honey will stimulate it into action.
Can help to boost gastrointestinal ulcer healing.
Works as a natural and gentle laxative to aid the body with constipation and poor digestion.
Local honey can help with allergies and hay fever.
Provides an array of vitamins and minerals; and supplies instant energy without the insulin surge caused by white sugar.
One or two teaspoons last thing at night can help with insomnia (for even better result mix that honey in a warm cup of chamomile tea).
Effective internally against bacteria and parasites.
Contains natural antibiotics, which help kill microbes directly.
A teaspoon of honey before bed aids water retention and calms fears in children, which helps with bed wetting.
Place a teaspoon of honey in a basin of hot water and inhale fumes after covering your head with a towel over the basin to treat nasal congestion. (even more effect when peppermint leaves are also added, once you are done inhaling, strain and drink).
Helps with fatigue as it is primarily fructose and glucose, so it's quickly absorbed by the digestive system. Honey is a unique natural stabilizer: Ancient Greek athletes took honey for stamina before competing and as a reviver after competition.
Sore Throat - Let a teaspoon of honey melt in the back of the mouth and trickle down the throat. Eases inflamed raw tissues (even more effect when cayenne powder is added (1/4 tsp. cayenne powder to 1 Tbsp. raw honey) For strep throat add a minced garlic clove to the cayenne honey. Do not eat or drink for 15-20 minutes after swallowing.
As a stress reliever honey in water is a stabilizer, calming highs and raising lows. Use approximately 25 percent honey to water. (For best result dissolve the honey in chamomile/catnip tea)
For anemia, honey is a great blood enricher by raising corpuscle content. The darker the honey, the more minerals it contains. (Mix with blackstrap molasses for iron rich blood builder.
For headaches and migraines use a teaspoon of honey dissolved in half a glass of warm water (or better herbal tea). Sip at the start of a migraine attack, and, if necessary, repeat after another 20 minutes.
Dissolve honey in an equal quantity of warm water. When cooled, apply as a lotion or eye bath for conjunctivitis (pink eye) or any other eye conditions.
Antimicrobial effect against many bacteria and fungi so it can aid the body in healing urinary tract, bladder, and gall bladder infections.
First Aid
Antiseptic properties cleanse wounds.
Drawing agent for poisons from bites, stings or infected wounds.
When applied topically, speeds the healing of tissues damaged by infection and/or trauma.
Contains vitamins, minerals and enzymes, as well as sugars, all of which aid in the healing of wounds:So writes Dr. Cass Igram, D.O. in The Survivor's Nutritional Pharmacy. “In a fascinating modern development, scientists and doctors are beginning to rediscover the effectiveness of honey as a wound treatment. In recent years, honey has been used effectively in clinical settings for the treatment of fist-sized ulcers extending to the bone, as well as for first, second and third degree burns. Complete healing has been reported without the need for skin grafts and with no infection or muscle loss.” Apply directly to such conditions, cover with a sterile bandage, and change daily.
Has been known to deep sores and tissue damage, such as diabetic sores and bed sores.
This also is the same procedure for infected wounds, ulcerations and impetigo.
Garlic honey (add ¼ cup fresh or powdered garlic per 1 cup raw honey, stir and let sit for two weeks) can also be applied directly to infected wounds, which will help clean up the area of infection.
It can painlessly removes pus, scabs and dead tissue from wounds and stimulates new tissue growth.
Makes a sterile, painless and effective wound dressing. Apply it directly to open cuts, abrasions and burns, and cover it with a piece of gauze.
Apply freely over burns. It cools, removes pain and aids fast healing without scarring. Apart from being a salve and an antibiotic, bacteria simply cannot survive in honey.
Heals skin conditions of many kinds such as; ulcerations, infection, rashes, boils, eczema, etc.
Beauty Care
Use as a deep facial cleanser - Mix honey with an equal quantity of oatmeal, and apply as a face pack. Leave on for half an hour, then wash it off. Great as a deep cleanser for acne and other unwanted skin blemishes.
Softens and moistures the skin.
Hair conditioner - Mix honey with an equal quantity of olive oil, cover head with a warm tower for half an hour then shampoo off. Feeds hair and scalp. Your hair will never look or feel better!
Safety
Heating over 100 degrees can destroy the healing benefits.
Avoid giving to infants under 12 months as their digestive systems are still developing and they are more susceptible to bacterial spores that honey may contain.
"My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste." -Proverbs 24:13
Now just think how healing honey can be when combined with different herbs, specific to a certain ailment or illness in the body. You can use medicinal honey just as you would any other remedy, syrup or medicine.
Basic Dosage
You can simply swallow the honey or stir it into some warm water to dissolve it first and then drink the honey water or just use as you would in your culinary arts. Continue use until symptoms subside.
Adult 1 tsp, 3 times a day
Children ½ tsp, 3 times a day
Antibiotic blend
2 Tbsp garlic powder (use high quality organic or make your own)
1 cup raw honey
The antibiotic properties of both the raw honey and the garlic combine in this blend to be pretty potent and powerful. Use as mention above for 10 days. This can also be used as an antibiotic ointment for treating any type of infection, including bacterial and fungal infections.
Anti-viral Blend
1 part oregano
1 part sage
4 Tbsp dried herb per 1 cup raw honey
Because of the strong properties of this blend, I would only use this for adults. This is a great blend for fighting off nasty bugs and illness and for use in culinary dishes. Makes a great first aid ointment to cleanse, disinfect and prevent infection in cuts and wounds.
Cough and Cold Blend
1 part ginger powder
1 part marshmallow root powder
1 part astragalus powder
4 Tbsp herb blend per 1 cup raw honey
You can use this honey blend in lieu of cough syrup to soothe inflamed tissue, lubricate and moisturize the throat and lungs, aiding in dry coughs, will kill viruses and boost the immune system.
Citrus Blend
1 part dried lemon zest(or peel)
1 part dried orange zest (or peel)
4 Tbsp of each for a total of 8 Tbsp per 1 cup of raw honey
Citrus is so refreshing and cleansing, it also supports the liver, kidney, and nervous system, as well as boosts the immune system, relieves congestion, fights viruses and bacteria, relieves stress and anxiety and even curbs the appetite.
Immune Booster Blend
1 part elderberries
1 part rosehips
½ cup herbs per 1 cup of raw honey
Use for preventing illness and also when treating any illness. This blend is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to boost and maintain the immune system, as well as provide the body with needed nutrients during an illness.
Respiratory Blend
1 part rosemary
1 part thyme
4 Tbsp dried herb per 1 cup of raw honey
Not only do these two herbs pair well for flavor, they are also the perfect pair for respiratory conditions. Use for croup, bronchitis, chest colds, sore throats, any congestion in the lungs and sinus passages.
Stress Away Blend
1 part chamomile
1 part rose petals
4 Tbsp dried herb per 1 cup of raw honey
Take this when having trouble sleeping or for calming the nerves. Helps with anxiety, restlessness, uplifting the spirits and enhancing mental function. Will also settle an upset stomach and great blend for children.
Tummy Ease Blend
1 part peppermint
1 part spearmint
4 Tbsp dried herb per 1 cup raw honey
Take this for any digestive complaints; gas, bloating, stomach ache, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, etc.
Single Herb Honey
There is great power and flavor in just a single herbal honey. Cinnamon, peppermint, thyme, and lavender are a few our favorites!
Resources for Further Learning
The Herbal Kitchen by Kami McBride - section with great herbal honey recipes
