Health Benefits of Raw Honey

Not only is honey tasty and sweet, it’s raw form also offers a number of health benefits to the body. It’s far better for you than than other sugar or substitute sweeteners.

When you can, it’s always a better option to purchase raw honey that is organic or locally grown. This ensures the honey has been harvested from local bees in your area. By buying locally you are giving your body immune stimulants to help it adapt to the environment. It’s more potent as well and has a fresher taste to it.

Health Benefits

Raw honey is great for dealing with a number of issues. It’s a great substance that is all natural. Not only is it great for giving your body natural energy, but it’s great for helping to keep the body regular. It’s also cholesterol free and can help for those trying to keep their levels in control.
Honey can be helpful for pregnant women suffering with morning sickness. It’s possibly even a better remedy than soda crackers. It’s also great for aiding with dry or sore throat.

Raw honey is great for natural energy. It helps give your metabolism a boost by burning off carbohydrates in the body. It helps with supplying strength to the body and helps with muscle fatigue by boosting your endurance.

Honey combined with cinnamon can help relieve bladder infections as well as upset stomachs and arthritis. It is great for slowing hair loss down and has also been shown to help with bad breath.

Local raw honey can help decrease allergies. Be sure it’s local, if you’re using it for allergies, since honey from bees across the country won’t always help you.

Some studies even suggest raw honey to have anti-cancerous properties. Eating a spoonful of honey each day is a great way to give your body necessary antioxidants. Antioxidants are friends – especially if you ever indulge in any not-so-healthy habits (not that you do, right?).

Dr. Oz refers to raw honey as being liquid gold, and it’s no wonder. Raw honey contains necessary vitamins such as B1-B6, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, and phosphate, not to mention the wealth of enzymes.

Many people are making honey a part of their everyday diet, and when you are in the market for this valuable food, buying organically is a better option. This helps to avoid any pesticides that might get carried from the flowers to the beehive. Organic raw honey is untouched and contains no chemicals or pesticides. However, do not give honey to small children especially in those under 1 year of age as it contains Clostridium botulinum which has been linked to infant botulism.

Raw honey can be used as a replacement for sugar in any recipe. Use half as much. For example, if a recipe calls for half a cup of sugar, use a quarter cup of raw honey. I never use it in my baking, since baking it obviously kills any enzymes – it’s not raw after you bake it! I do like to use it in frostings and beverages, though. You can even just put a little on toast or crackers or just take a spoonful. :)

I haven’t found a local source for raw honey, yet, unfortunately. I’ve been using Y.S. Eco Bee Farms Raw Honey and absolutely loving it. I add it to beverages and salad dressings and find that by using it in place of sugar, I don't have the crash I normally would with regular sugar. It tastes really fresh and sweet, too. It's been a great stand-in for me as I look for a local source.

One of my favorite drinks lately is iced coffee with raw honey. I kind of just throw the ingredients together but a rough recipes is:

• 6 cups of brewed coffee, cooled
• 1.5 cups vanilla almond milk
• 1/2 cup raw honey
• an extra splash of vanilla for good measure

Mix it all up in a 2 quart pitcher, stick it in the fridge to cool & enjoy! I like to mix the honey in with the coffee is still a little warm (not hot) since it's easier to dissolve. Then I just let it cool a bit longer before mixing all the ingredients together. It's rather good warm too. The only thing you need to remember is that if the raw honey gets too hot, it's not raw any more. 

Please do share any raw honey miracle stories in the comments or even any recipes you'd like to share - it's great stuff!