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lapazfarm
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I just finished reading Fruitless Fall (an EXCELLENT read, btw) and was intrigued by his appendix which discusses the many health benefits of honey. I've heard of the antibiotic qualities before, but was not aware of the other benefits such as a teaspoon at night boosting metabolism and improving sleep, cough suppression in children, better regulation of blood sugar levels, amongst others.
Has anyone here experienced noticeable health benefits from switching from refined sugar to honey? I think I'm going to give it a try.
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Theresa
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JennGM
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I haven't done it, Theresa, but saw this in the WP Magazine this Sunday, and thought it was applicable. He started raising bees for his health.
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Angie Mc
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Last flu season I added honey to our preventive/curative plan. It did help with cough and it helps get teas down. So I'm curious about the "bossting metabolism" and "regulation of blood sugar levels."
This raw honey is sooooooooo yummy and spreadable so we use it on toast and pancakes instead of other syrups and jellies.
Theresa, is it the combination of ditching refined sugar + using honey that brings noticeable health benefits? How would something like stevia fit in? Anyone in the know?
Love,
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Angie Mc
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JaysFamily
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We've used honey for years. It's very good for the skin, and it sometimes helps with sores. We have not seen any results for allergy prevention and treatment for our family. I have to admit that I'm skeptical that it helps regulate blood sugar. It is a sugar, so if you are insulin resistant or diabetic, it will cause your blood sugar to spike.
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JaysFamily wrote:
| ... We have not seen any results for allergy prevention and treatment for our family.... |
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I have heard about eating local honey, and this benefit, and was thinking about buying some. I haven't read any studies about it though. Has anyone here noticed a help in eating local honey?
Maybe I'll order some, next year, and give it a shot, anyhoo. At the very least, I'll something yummy to put on toast and rolls, plus I'll be supporting a local business!
In Christ,
Stacy in MI
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lapazfarm
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JaysFamily wrote:
| I have to admit that I'm skeptical that it helps regulate blood sugar. It is a sugar, so if you are insulin resistant or diabetic, it will cause your blood sugar to spike. |
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Oh, gosh I just returned the book yesterday or I would look it up. It has something to do with honey being a combination of sucrose and fructose, makes it easier to regulate blood sugar levels...I wish I could remember. I didn't pay as much attention to that part as I was more interested in the other benefits, especially the sleep aid part as I have a lot of restless nights.
Angie Mc wrote:
Theresa, is it the combination of ditching refined sugar + using honey that brings noticeable health benefits? How would something like stevia fit in? Anyone in the know?
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I think it is two separate issues. One is the actual health benefits of honey itself, the other is the benefits of eliminating refined sugar. So, stevia would help in the elimination of refined sugar, but would not get you the honey benefits, I suppose.
I can see I need to check that book out again for myself. I had gotten it to preview as a nature study read for my son, and I enjoyed it so much.
Of course there are other benefits of buying local honey--supporting local economy, etc. Did you know that much of the imported honey (Chinese) and industrial honey is only 50 percent honey and the rest is "honey analog"-a kind of flavored corn syrup. Plus I am not so fond of all of the antibiotics and such that have been found in imported honeys. I am on a mission today to seek out a source of local honey. I wish I could raise my own, but not in a situation to do that right now (I'd just be feeding bears.)
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Eating local honey has the benefit of reducing allergies IF you're allergic to the pollens that the honey is made from. A desensitizing process. That's why it has to be local honey to work at all.
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Angel
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well, I was just using manuka honey to help heal my C-section incision. It worked MUCH better than using neosporin. I also took some along with my oral antibiotics and it was only then that I started really feeling better. Could be coincidence, but I think the honey really helped.
As far as allergies go, this is what I have found: my allergies are much better if I avoid refined sugars and cut down on caffeine and grains, use honey as a sweetener instead, and take raw fermented cod liver oil + fish oil for added Omega-3. The honey doesn't make a difference alone, but altogether my allergies responded to that diet. Now I'm drinking coffee and eating sugar again and I'm a wreck.
As far as that goes, you could look into the GAPS diet which is supposed to "fix" abnormal digestive flora (and connects the abnormal flora to autism and ADHD in addition to digestive disorders and asthma). It gets rid of sugar and all grains but allows honey, which apparently doesn't feed yeast growth.
Actually -- a fascinating book. Just sort of a daunting diet. 
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JaysFamily
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Oh, we always use raw honey from two blocks away. Then again, the allergies in this family are somewhat extreme, so it might work on people who have mild allergies. Even if it had no health benefits, we'd still keep a bunch of it around. It's just too delicious! We exclusively use raw honey and organic evaporated cane sugar.
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lapazfarm
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Awesome info.
Angela, I read your blog post about the manuka honey and am definitely adding it to our medicine kit.
JaysFamily, since you use it so much, can you offer any tips on substituting honey for sugar in recipes?
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Mackfam
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lapazfarm wrote:
Awesome info.
Angela, I read your blog post about the manuka honey and am definitely adding it to our medicine kit.
JaysFamily, since you use it so much, can you offer any tips on substituting honey for sugar in recipes? |
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I substitute honey for sugar in a lot of the things I make. Some of it can be done by taste, but I generally sub 2/3 cup of honey for every cup of sugar called for because honey is sweeter than sugar. You'll also need to cut back on your liquids or play with your dry ingredients a little so that dry to liquid proportions even out. I've seen it suggested that you might need to add baking soda to recipes because of honey's acidic properties, but I've never done this - I probably should though. And, watch things like cookies closely because they brown and bake faster.
If you're interested in reading more about the amazing health properties of honey, I recommend Honey, Garlic, Vinegar by Patrick Quillin. It's been several years since I read it, but I remember several very interesting bits about all 3 of these amazing foods.
I really recommend local honey! We've seen wonderful benefits with seasonal allergies since we've incorporated more and more local raw honey in our diets over the years.
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JaysFamily
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You can substitute equal amounts of honey for sugar, up to about a cup. Like Jen, I usually reduce the amount a little since honey is so rich.
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We have switched from honey to sugar, I'm sitting here right now enjoying a coffee with honey in it!
We are in winter down under at present, I usually catch everything going around. I needed to keep well this year due to a musical production commitment, can't lose my voice! So every morning I get my water bottle, fill it and add apple cider vinegar and raw honey...it has kept me perfectly well the whole winter through, even though there are coughs and colds in the home aplenty.
I'm also reading a wonderful book written by a priest, Father Romano Zago, "Cancer can be cured!" a recipe that has outstanding results even with secondary cancers, and the simple recipe consists of ~ aloe vera candelabra ~ raw honey ~ whiskey. The raw honey, Father says, is able to move to all parts of the body, the remote corners. It is the vehicle that carries the Aloe, which cleanses and removes the impurities it finds along the way... So I am particularly passionate about honey at present.
I'd love to have a couple of bee hives in the back yard, it would be a great experience for our family as it was for me when I was growing up. (Except for the odd bee in my very long hair!  )
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SeaStar
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Can we talk about what you store your honey in? I find that the local honey in glass jars just drips and runs every time I try to use it. I make a mess I have gone back to the plastic honey bear for everyday use- on biscuits for ds or in drinks in the winter.
What about the glass jar with the wooden spoon thing- is that less messy to have out to use for every day use?
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CrunchyMom
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SeaStar wrote:
Can we talk about what you store your honey in? I find that the local honey in glass jars just drips and runs every time I try to use it. I make a mess I have gone back to the plastic honey bear for everyday use- on biscuits for ds or in drinks in the winter.
What about the glass jar with the wooden spoon thing- is that less messy to have out to use for every day use?
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AMEN. It IS a mess, isn't it?
I had heard that in studies, honey was found to be more effective than cough syrups.
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We use honey in lemonade (hot lemonade) for sore throats.. the lemon is also soothing.
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Honey
