Honeybee_ Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper - C. Marina Marchese [57]
HONEY AS AN OINTMENT: Honey can help to keep external wounds, such as cuts and minor burns, clean and free from infection and can minimize scarring. Because of the hygroscopic qualities of honey, it absorbs water and causes the skin to hold moisture. It also acts as a mild antiseptic, so honey can help to prevent the growth of bacteria. In July 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave clearance to a manufacturer of products of wound and skin care to sell active manuka honey for medical use.
Manuka honey, found only in New Zealand, is made from the flowers of the tea tree bush and is known for its high antibacterial properties. It has been shown to inhibit the growth of the bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers and dyspepsia, including Heliobacter pylori and other gastrointestinal bacterias, like E. coli and Streptococcus faecalis. This marks the first time the FDA has approved a honey or honey-based product as a medical treatment specifically for first-and second-degree burns and traumatic and surgical wounds.
HONEY FOR DIGESTION: It was the Romans who first discovered honey’s beneficial effects on digestive disorders. They would prescribe honey as a mild laxative. Honey has also been used as a treatment for upset stomachs, gas, indigestion, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, and constipation. Honey is believed to help destroy certain bacteria in the gut by acting as a preserving agent.
HONEY AS A CLEANSER: A cup of hot water mixed with apple cider vinegar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a teaspoon of honey will act as a liver cleanser while boosting your energy levels.
HONEY FOR QUICK ENERGY: Honey is easily absorbed by the body and is source of natural, unrefined sugars and carbohydrates, which provide both an instant energy boost and long-lasting effects. For this reason, many athletes eat honey during training sessions.
CHAPTER 12
All About Honey
The United States alone has more than three hundred different varieties of honey—more than any other single country. Honey is produced in every one of our fifty states; North Dakota, California, Florida, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and Texas are the top producers. Our vast range of flora and fauna and our variety of climates and weather contribute to the many varietals of honey available in this country.
One can travel to practically any part of the world and find beekeepers keeping bees and harvesting honeys unique to their region. There are thousands of honey varietals found around the world, each with its own distinctive characteristics and flavors. Besides having different flavors and characteristics, honey comes in a wide variety of forms and styles, such as liquid, creamed, and comb or chunk honey—each a culinary delight of its own merit.
The United States imports as much honey as it produces domestically. Forty percent of U.S. honey is used at the table, and the other 60 percent is used in food manufacturing. The average American eats approximately 1.3 pounds each year, and this number is growing. In general, honey is experiencing a renaissance, and Americans are consuming and appreciating honey more than ever. Restaurants and gourmet food shops have awoken to the call, and honey is now following the trend of artisanal wine, cheese, coffee, tea, and chocolate. And beekeepers are the stars. Honey is more common than you think, and it is easy to find unusual types.
It is sustainable, natural, and good for you, and in your own area, you can often find honey made by local bees and harvested by local beekeepers.
WHAT EXACTLY IS HONEY?
Most of us can’t resist a little something sweet from time to time, and some of us have a serious sweet tooth. So it’s no wonder many of the