Honey is one of nature's most splendid gifts to mankind.

It possesses unique nut ritional and medicinal properties Food Value The sugars in honey are glucose, fructose and sucrose. Glucose is the simplest o f the sugars. It occurs in the blood of live animals, in fruit and vegetable jui ces. It restores the oxygen that is replaced by lectic and acid when fatigue set s in. Fructose, which is also known as levulose or grape sugar, crystallises mor e easily than, glucose and builds up tissues. Sucrose is a combination of glucose and fructose. Dextrine, which is a gummy sub stance, is found in small amount in honey, but it makes honey so digestible. Latest research indicates that the pollen in honey contains all 22 amino acids, 28 minerals, 11 enzymes. 14 fatty acids and 11 carbohydrates. Unfortunately much of these nutritive qualities are lost by heating the honey for commercial use. Natural Benefits and Curative Properties Honey is one of the finest sources of heat and energy. Energy is generated mainl y by the carbohydrate foods and honey is one of the most easily digested form of carbohydrats. It enters directly into the bloodstream because of its dextrine c ontent and this provides almost instantaneous energy. It is a boon to those with weak digestion. All organs in the body respond favourably when honey is eaten. Honey is considered as an all-purpose medicine for all types of deseases. One spoon of fresh honey, mixed with the juice of half a lemon in a glass of luk ewarm water and taken first thing in the morning is an effective remedy for cons tipation and hyperacidity. Fasting on this honey-lemon juice water is highly ben eficial in the treatment of obesity without loss of energy and appetite. A mixture of honey and alcohol is believed to promote growth of hair. Heart Diseases Honey is easily digested and assimilated; it is the best sweet food, as it does not cause flatulence and can prevent it to a certain extent, promoting the activ ity of the bowels. It can be easily added to the five meals a day & recommended in cases of arteriosclerosis and of weak hearts. As it would be unwise to leave such a hard working organ as the heart without food over the long hours of the n ight, heart patients should take before going to bed a glass of water with honey and lemon juice in it, and also to take it when awakening at night. Honey is us eful in cardiac pain and palpitation of the heart. Anaemia Honey is remarkable in building haemoglobin in the body, which is largely due to the iron, copper and manganese contained in it. It is beneficial in the treatme nt of anaemia as it helps maintain the right balance of haemoglobin and red bloo d corpuscles. Pulmonary Diseases Honey is highly beneficial in the treatment of all diseases of the lungs. It is said if a jug of honey is held under the nose of an asthma patient and he inhale s the air that comes into contact with the honey, he starts breathing easier and deeper. The effects last for about an hour or so. This is because honey contain s mixture of 'higher' alcohols and ethereal oil and the vapours given off by the m are soothing and beneficial to the asthma patients. It usually brings relief w hether the air flowing over the honey is inhaled or whether it is eaten or taken either in milk or water. Some authorities recommend one year old honey for resp iratory diseases.

Skin Diseases Honey applied externally, is considered useful in the treatment of wounds and so res. Honey soothes pain, acts as an antiseptic, hastens healing and is especiall y effective in curing burns and carbuncles. Irritating Cough The use of honey is highly beneficial in the treatment of irritating cough. As a demulcent or soothing agent, it produces a soothing effect on the inflammed muc us membrane of the upper respiratory tract and retrieves irritating cough and sy mptoms like difficulty in swallowing. For the same reason, it is used in the man ufacture of various cough mixtures. Honey gargles are also useful in irritant co ugh. Insomnia Honey is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia. It has hypnotic action in brin ging sound sleep. It should be taken with water, before going to bed, in doses o f two teaspoonfuls in a big cupful of water. Babies generally fall asleep after taking honey. Oral Diseases Honey is valuable in keeping the mouth healthy. Applies daily over the teeth and gums, it cleans and gives sparkle to the teeth. It prevents deposit of tarter a t the base of the teeth and prevents decay and early falling of the teeth. Being a mild antiseptic, it prevents the growth of harmful micro-organisms. It also k eeps the gums in the healthy state, increasing their vascularity. In case of ulc ers in the oral cavity, honey helps in their early healing and prevents further sepsis and pyogenic infection related bad odour and pus formation. Gargling with honey water is very useful in gingivitis due to inflammation of the gums. Eye Diseases Honey is an excellent remedy for various eye ailments. Applied daily in the eyes , it improves the eye-sight. It is very useful in the treatment of itching of th e eyes, trachoma, conjunctivitis and other similar diseases. Its regular interna l as well as external application will prevent glaucoma in the initial stage of the disease. Honey is valuable in the prevention of cataract formation. Two grams of onion ju ice and honey each, mixed together, should be kept safe in a clean bottle. It sh ould be applied locally to the eyes with a glass rod. This is a very effective r emedy for immature cataract. It resolves the already coagulated protein fibres a s well as prevents further coagulation. Diseases of Stomach Honey is useful in maintaining the health of the stomach. It tones up the stomac h, helps in proper digestion and prevents stomach diseases. It also decreases th e over production of hydrochloric acid thereby preventing symptoms like nausea, vomiting and heart burn. When putrified faecal matter and undigested foods are p resent in the alimentary canal, honey acts as a laxative and emetic and clears t he digestive canal of the waste matter. Old Age Honey is specially useful in providing energy and heat to the body in old age. I

t dries up the phlegm and clears the system of mucus to which a person generally falls victim to in old age. One or two teaspoonful of honey in a cupful of boil ing water, taken while still warm, is a refreshing and strengthening drink. Source: http://www.lazydesis.com/beauty-health/312111-benefits-honey.html#ixzz1Y OUidhsm