Honey is my favourite sugar substitute. It’s considered a “real food,” as it’s made from the sweet nectar of flowers gathered by bees.
Raw honey is an alkaline-forming food containing plant based proteins, live enzymes and pollens. It’s also loaded with valuable vitamins like: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 + vitamin C. It also contains minerals like: Magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, sulphur, zinc + phosphate.
Honey should always be consumed in raw/unpasteurized form. This is essential in order to obtain it’s awesome health benefits. If honey has been pasteurized, this means it’s been heavily heated, the valuable enzymes and other crazy goodness will be quickly destroyed. The label on the jar should clearly read RAW or UNPASTEURIZED.
Raw honey has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Honey has also been found to keep levels of blood sugar fairly constant compared to other types of sugar. It promotes body and digestive health, is a powerful antioxidant, strengthens the immune system and can eliminates allergies (especially when it’s been collected from local bees).
It is the pollen in unfiltered honey that seems to provide relief to allergy sufferers. Small amounts of pollen act as as an inoculant against large amounts in the air that trigger reactions like the runny nose and itchy eyes of hay fever. via Sally Fallon
Sugar containing foods are something many of us avoid. However, honey actually supports Bifido-bacteria – a healthy bacteria strain present in the gastrointestinal tract – which is essential for efficient digestion and good health. Honey also contains pre & probiotics, which help the growth and activity of Bifido-bacteria. Honey also tends not to ferment in the stomach making it a great remedy to counteract indigestion.
Other Benefits:
- Honey is a great aid in relieving morning sickness.
- Honey is good for sore throats + laryngitis.
- A salve made of honey can be applied to eczema. *I always suggest trying a small amount first to see how your skin reacts.
- Calcium absorption and hemoglobin count can be increased by raw honey to prevent anemia.
We use raw honey in everything from herb tea to baking, even in our homemade verison of gatorade.
