Healing with honey

FARZANA SHAKIR lists the properties of one of nature’s most resilient and therapeutic natural foods

The preventive and curative medicinal qualities of honey have been widely recognised by every culture and civilization since ancient times. In its purest form it is regarded as the most complete food in the world. Honey is the only natural food source that contains twenty-two nutrients, multivitamins and antibiotic properties.

Research has proven that honey can cure most diseases, and scientists have begun to accept it as an effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. A big plus is that it can be used without any side effects to treat a myriad of conditions. Here is a list of some of the more commonly known maladies that can be controlled and healed by regular use of honey.

Heart Disease

Honey reduces cholesterol in the arteries. Eaten regularly for breakfast, it can save a patient from heart attack. It also works wonders for those who have already had an attack since daily intake at breakfast will prevent them from having another one. Honey strengthens the heartbeat and relieves the symptoms of shortness of breath. As you age, arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged. Many nursing homes have treated patients successfully, finding that honey revitalizes the veins and arteries.

Diabetes

Sugar is referred to as a dead and lifeless food with no nutritional value. Its consumption is regarded as hazardous and fatal for diabetic patients but scientists believe that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients.

Arthritis

Chronic arthritis can be cured by taking two spoons of honey in a cup of hot water, morning and night. One research study found that when doctors treated patients with a mixture of one tablespoon honey and half teaspoon cinnamon powder before breakfast for a week, of the 200 people treated, 73 were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis, began walking without pain.

Bladder Infections

Honey destroys infection-causing bacteria in the bladder to relieve irritation and pain. For effective relief, mix two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink.

Toothache

A combination of honey and cinnamon has proven effective in treating toothache. Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth at least three times a day until the tooth stops hurting.

Cholesterol

Given to a cholesterol patient, honey was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. When taken three times a day, it is capable of curing chronic cholesterol. Pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of high cholesterol.

Colds And Flu

Those suffering from common or severe colds are advised to take one tablespoon of warm honey daily as this cures most chronic coughs and colds and clears up the sinuses. Many pharmaceutical companies make use of the healing powers of honey and base their cold and cough syrups on it. Scientists have proven that honey contains a natural ingredient which kills influenza germs and guards the patient against flu.

Stomach Ailments

Honey is the mildest and easiest to digest of foods. It is readily accepted by the body, even by those suffering from digestion problems. Honey cures stomach aches and clears stomach ulcers from their roots. According to studies conducted in India and Japan, it relieves the stomach of gas. Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

Immune System

Daily use of honey fortifies the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Honey contains various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles. Its natural antibacterial and anti-microbial properties assist in fighting diseases.

Longevity

A low calorie health food such as honey, if taken regularly, prolongs life and slows down the ageing process. It keeps the skin fresh and soft as it has the ability to renew skin cells and moisturizes it. Honey has the same level of antioxidants as some fruits and vegetables and so it prevents the development of free radicals that can damage the body.

PIMPLES

Applying a paste of honey and cinnamon to pimples overnight and washing off in the morning with warm water is thought to remove pimples from the roots.

Skin Infection

Honey is used to fight many skin and dermal infections. It is also used as a first aid to treat burns and wounds. Applying honey on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and other skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS

Boil honey and cinnamon powder in a cup of water and drink before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping. This helps in losing weight and if taken regularly will not allow the accumulation of fat in the body.

Apart from these, honey has also been proven to reduce fatigue, manage bad breath, treat ear infections, maintain blood sugar levels, improve endurance in athletes, boost fertility and treat eye infections. And these are just some areas in which research has already been done, but honey is under continual scrutiny by scientists and more useful cures are being discovered every day.

(This article is not intended as advice. Consult your doctor before adopting the practices listed)

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