Honey: useful and medicinal properties, contraindications

The benefits and harms of honey is a question that interests almost everyone, since most people have respect for this product. Much is known about the healing properties of the delicacy, but care must be taken when using it.

How honey is obtained

The product is a flower nectar processed by bees and enriched with dozens of bioactive substances. First, the nectar is processed in the mouth of the collecting bees, then it goes to the other bees inside the hive and is processed again. In the process, it is saturated with valuable enzymes and loses moisture, acquiring a thick and dense consistency.

After processing the nectar, the bees seal the honeycomb with wax, and it is at this stage that the beekeepers start collecting raw materials. At the end of the day, the bees are fumigated with smoke, which has a soporific effect on them, and the frames with honeycombs are removed.

Further, the honeycomb is either subjected to heating and compression, as a result of which softened honey flows into the prepared container, or a special device is used - a honey extractor. In this case, the honeycomb is rotated, and the treat leaves the cells under the influence of centrifugal force, and at the end of the process, the whole honeycomb is returned to the hive.

After that, the product remains only to insist a little so that small particles of wax rise to the surface and filter.

Chemical composition and calorie content of honey

In terms of its composition, the natural product is unusually rich, and this explains the benefits and harms of honey for the human body. The product contains:

• sucrose, fructose and glucose;
• useful acids - malic and citric, lactic;
• vitamins B1-B5, B6, B9 and B12;
• vitamins A, E, K, C and PP;
• amino acids;
• zinc, fluorine, magnesium and potassium;
• iodine, manganese, sulfur, chlorine and iron;
• phosphorus, calcium, copper and cobalt.

The calorie content of the product is quite high - about 330 kcal per 100 g. But the daily intake for an adult is only 100-200 g, respectively, in the diet, the delicacy is present in moderate quantities and does not lead to weight gain.

Types of honey and their healing properties

A wide variety of delicacies can be found in specialty stores, markets and farmers. Each variety has beneficial properties, but the varieties differ slightly from each other.

1. Lime... One of the best varieties, it has a pronounced sweetness and a pleasant smell. For medicinal purposes, the treat is used to treat colds and coughs, viruses and infections.
2. Buckwheat... A fast sugar variety made from the nectar of buckwheat flowers. It belongs to the elite varieties, provides effective assistance not only for colds, but also for stomach ulcers, as well as for vitamin deficiency.
3. Acacia... Fragrant honey well suited for diabetics. Rarely causes allergies, recommended for baby food, has a beneficial effect on the nervous and digestive systems.
4. Donnikovy... Honey with a pleasant smell and rich aftertaste is used to treat purulent processes and inflammations, to prevent heart and thyroid diseases.
5. Oregano honey... A light variety that effectively helps with insomnia and nervous stress. It is beneficial for diseases of the liver and gallbladder, has a mucolytic effect.
6. Sunflower... It belongs to the best varieties and quickly acquires a sugary structure, is used to cleanse the body of toxins and to prevent oncology. It is good for the heart and blood vessels, improves digestion and has a healing effect on the respiratory system.

The health benefits and harms of honey of different varieties differ slightly. But for the treatment of specific diseases, it is recommended to pay attention to the type of product, some varieties demonstrate the best effect.

Why honey is useful

Among the many useful properties of the product, there are several main ones. Namely, honey:

• helps fight germs, infections and inflammations;
• has a mild analgesic effect and strengthens the immune resistance;
• brings tremendous benefits for colds, bronchitis, coughs and sore throats;
• restores the mineral and vitamin balance in the body and eliminates the symptoms of anemia and vitamin deficiency;
• removes toxins, toxins, heavy metal salts - this is the benefit of honey for the liver;
• increases endurance and helps to restore strength after exercise;
• improves metabolic processes and promotes the healing of ulcers - there will be benefits from honey for the stomach;
• eliminates insomnia and serves as the prevention of neuroses;
• protects joints from destruction and removes salts from them - honey is beneficial for gout.

There will be benefits from the product and for the appearance - the use has a beneficial effect on the condition of the hair and skin. With the help of treats, many skin lesions and inflammatory diseases are treated.

Honey in oncology is known as not only a preventive, but also a therapeutic agent. The benefits of honey for leukemia are especially known - the delicacy slows down the spread of malignant cells and promotes the renewal of healthy tissues.

For women

The benefits of honey for women are primarily in the beneficial effect of the product on the reproductive system. The delicacy helps to normalize the monthly cycle and improves a woman's ability to conceive, helps to slow down the aging of the body. It also benefits from a positive effect of the product on the cardiac and vascular systems - the delicacy helps to get rid of migraines and pressure surges, improves the psycho-emotional background.

For men

The benefits of honey for men's health are very wide. This sweet product helps fight inflammation and helps to heal ailments of the urogenital area. The great advantage of the delicacy is that it protects the body of men from strokes and heart attacks.

The properties of the delicacy contribute to the preservation of good potency even in adulthood. The benefits of honey for men also include a positive effect on endurance - the product strengthens the body and makes a man stronger and more energetic. The benefits of honey for prostatitis are expressed in the fact that the delicacy helps to relieve inflammation and reduces pain.

Is it possible to use honey during pregnancy

Honey is beneficial for pregnant women - it relaxes the uterine muscles, thereby reducing the risk of miscarriage, and improves lymph flow, helps prevent anemia in a woman.

Is honey good for breastfeeding?

During lactation, the benefits and harms of bee honey are ambiguous. Although the beneficial properties of the product remain in demand for the mother's body, it can cause severe harm to the child. The treat is extremely allergenic - in order to avoid negative reactions, it is better not to introduce it into the diet until the end of feeding.

At what age can honey be given to children

The benefits of honey for children are enormous - the delicacy protects the child from viruses and infections, improves digestive processes and strengthens the nervous system. With regular use of the product, the child learns better and experiences less stress.

It should be remembered that for the first time you can offer kids a healthy treat not earlier than 3 years old. Due to the fact that the product is a pronounced allergen, it can harm the baby and lead to serious digestive upset.

Is it possible to lose weight with honey

Despite the fact that the product is very sweet, it is actively used in dietary nutrition. The intrinsic calorie content of the delicacy is at an average level; in moderate quantities, it does not contribute to weight gain. But its stimulating effect on metabolism helps the body get rid of toxins, excess fluid and toxins, and accordingly, the process of losing weight is accelerated. When losing weight, there will be benefits from a spoonful of honey on an empty stomach in the morning, it is also worth noting the benefits of honey as a sugar substitute.

The benefits of honey for weight loss include the fact that if you consume a little delicacy every day, the absence of the usual sweets is much easier to bear. During the diet, it is permissible even to eat honey before bedtime, but in small quantities so that the delicacy does not turn out to be harmful.

The benefits and harms of honey on an empty stomach

Honey on an empty stomach in the morning is beneficial for the digestive system, it wakes up the stomach to work, starts metabolic processes in the body and gives vigor. The recipe for so-called honey water is highly respected - for its preparation you just need to dilute a small spoonful of the product in a glass of warm liquid. The benefits of honey on an empty stomach will be even with ulcers and gastritis, since the remedy can normalize acidity.

But in the same way, the benefits of honey in the morning on an empty stomach can be harmful. If you do not have breakfast within 40-60 minutes after taking a sweet product, then the level of glucose in the body will sharply decrease, which will lead to weakness and loss of strength. In addition, honey and the pancreas do not always interact safely - a delicacy eaten in the morning instead of breakfast can harm and provoke irritation of this organ.

Health recipes with honey

Traditional medicine can tell a lot about the benefits and dangers of using honey. The properties of the sweet product are used in dozens of medical recipes - bee honey is used to treat symptoms of even very serious ailments.

For colds and coughs

Vitamins and other useful components in the composition of the product awaken the immune system to active work and help fight viruses and bacteria. At the first sign of a cold, it is recommended to dilute 2 large spoons of treats and 4 large spoons of fresh lemon juice in a glass of lukewarm water.

The healing agent can be taken orally in the amount of a couple of glasses a day, or you can simply rinse your mouth and throat every few hours. The benefits of honey for colds will be expressed in the fact that it quickly eliminates a sore throat, lowers the temperature and stops the development of a cold.

With bronchitis

It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of honey for the lungs and bronchi - the product quickly removes inflammation, prevents the development of infections, and helps to cough up properly. For bronchitis, it is customary to use a classic medical recipe:

• 100 g of good honey is mixed with the same amount of butter and lard;
• add 15 ml of aloe juice and a small spoonful of cocoa;
• heat the mixture to a warm state;
• in the amount of 1 large spoon is added to a glass of milk and drunk twice a day.

The ingredients of the remedy will have a complex effect on the body and help to quickly get rid of coughs and malaise.

For insomnia

Since the product copes well with nervous disorders, a spoonful of honey at night will be beneficial for problems with sleep. It is recommended to drink the product with a glass of warm milk or plain water; you need to take the product about half an hour before bedtime.

The benefits of honey at night will be expressed in the fact that it will help physically relax and distract from stressful thoughts. Therefore, it will turn out to fall asleep faster, and in the middle of the night the body will not wake up.

With atherosclerosis

Honey benefits the heart and blood vessels - it improves blood circulation, fights harmful cholesterol. Therefore, with atherosclerosis, you can take a healing remedy from honey with horseradish:

• fresh horseradish is grated in a volume of 1 cup and left to infuse for a couple of days;
• then add a large spoonful of honey and the same amount of carrot and beet juice to the horseradish.

You need to take the remedy an hour before eating, twice a day. In total, the treatment needs to be continued for 1.5 months - only over a long period of time the properties of honey and other components can truly cleanse and strengthen the vessels. Also, with this treatment, there will be benefits from honey for hypertension.

For diseases of the oral cavity

The bee product has antiseptic and analgesic properties. For gum disease and toothache, it is recommended to do the following remedy:

• 2 large tablespoons of dry chamomile are poured with boiling water and heated for a couple of a quarter of an hour;
• the broth is cooled, filtered and 2 small spoons of honey are added to it;
• Use a useful remedy several times a day to rinse your mouth thoroughly.

Drinking a decoction will help to quickly stop inflammatory processes. The remedy will also benefit from bad breath. Since the properties of chamomile and honey will clear the mucous membranes, the breath will become fresher.

With heavy and painful periods

The healing properties of the treat will help ease painful periods and reduce blood loss. The greatest benefit will be brought by a remedy based on a bee product and medicinal herbs:

• dry chamomile, valerian and mint are mixed in equal volumes of 1 large spoon and poured with boiling water;
• kept in a water bath for half an hour;
• allow the product to cool to a warm state and filter it;
• add 2 large spoons of honey to the herbs.

The tool must be taken twice a day in a glass, the effect occurs almost instantly.

Is it possible to use honey for diabetes

Honey benefits diabetics, despite all its sweetness, the product does not lead to a sharp increase in sugar levels. The delicacy consists mainly of glucose and fructose, which are absorbed without the participation of insulin.

The benefits of honey in diabetes mellitus is that the product helps to better tolerate dietary restrictions. In addition, the delicacy prevents the accumulation of toxins, which means it prevents the development of severe complications against the background of the underlying disease.

The use of honey in cosmetology

Bee honey is not only a medicinal, but also a cosmetic agent. It allows you to maintain and even in adulthood maintain the beauty and health of skin and hair.

Facial Mask Recipes

Pure honey brings benefits to the face - it softens the skin, increases its elasticity, eliminates inflammation and acne.But much more often, to increase the benefits of honey masks, the main component is mixed with other ingredients - fruits, cosmetic oils, dairy products, clays.

For example, to get rid of acne and blackheads, the properties of such a mask will be useful:

• 2 large spoons of white or green cosmetic clay are mixed with honey in equal proportions;
• evenly spread over the skin for 20 minutes;
• after this time, wash off with plain warm water.

The benefits of a honey face mask will be double, if the bee product nourishes the skin, then the clay regulates the level of its oil content and tightens the pores.

Hair beauty mask recipes

Honey is beneficial for hair as it stops hair loss and stimulates hair growth. Useful ingredients in the delicacy nourish the follicles under the scalp, make the hair stronger and shinier.

In case of hair loss, there will be no harm from such a mask - for 3 minutes, a pure undiluted product is simply rubbed into the scalp. After that, the head is briefly wrapped in a towel and the valuable properties of the treat are allowed to be properly absorbed. If you do the procedure three times a week, your hair will quickly regain strength.

Honey body wrap

The benefits of honey for the body are that it helps fight cellulite and speeds up the process of losing weight. Usually the product is used for wraps.

1. The product is heated with steam so that it becomes liquid and soft, and then it is applied with massage movements to the desired areas of the body.
2. For maximum effectiveness, an intensive massage should be carried out for several minutes - the product should be properly absorbed into the skin.
3. After that, the body should be wrapped in plastic wrap and lie under a warm blanket for 40 minutes.

At the end of the beneficial procedure, the remaining honey is washed off with water, without using soap or shower gel.

How honey is used in cooking

The main culinary directions in which the healthy delicacy is used are baked goods, pastries and desserts. The product is used for making pies and cakes, muffins and cookies, gingerbread and gingerbread, pastries.

Along with this, the product is used as an addition to the second and first courses. In small quantities, it is added to soups and salads, spiced with a delicacy of stew or fried meat, pork and chicken wings with a bee delicacy are especially tasty. Cottage cheese with honey has a pleasant taste, sometimes the product can be found in cocktails and smoothies.

The harm of honey and contraindications to use

No matter how great the product is, you need to treat it with caution, sometimes it can cause severe harm. Contraindications for treats are:

• cirrhosis of the liver;
• cholelithiasis and absence of the gallbladder;
• increased acidity of the stomach;
• recently suffered a heart attack;
• obesity;
• breast-feeding.

The product is strictly contraindicated in the presence of allergies. The benefits of honey for the body on an empty stomach remain controversial; when consumed in the morning, the product can both improve health and cause harm.

Does honey lose its properties when heated

For culinary and medical use, it is not recommended to heat the product too much. The fact is that at temperatures above 40 ° C, it loses most of its beneficial properties and turns into ordinary sweet syrup. That is why it is not customary to add the delicacy to hot drinks - you need to wait until they cool down a little.

How to check the naturalness of honey at home

A diluted or outright fake product is often found in shops and markets. It is not easy to recognize it by its appearance, but there are other ways to distinguish a fake:

1. If you scoop up a healthy natural product with a spoon, then it will drain slowly, forming a "slide" in the container below. The counterfeit product will flow quickly and spread because its structure is quite liquid.
2. A natural bee delicacy is absorbed into the skin if you rub it between your fingers, a fake one rolls into lumps.
3. If you dissolve a fake product in a glass of water, and then add a few drops of iodine, the solution will turn blue - this will clearly indicate the presence of flour or starch in the treat.

A real honey treat, regardless of variety, should emit a floral aroma with a slight bitter note. But a fake often has a caramel smell and taste.

How and how much honey can be stored

The natural bee product retains its beneficial properties for about a year, provided it is stored properly. You need to keep it in a dark place at a temperature of 10-20 ° C, for example, in a closed kitchen cabinet. You can also put the product in the refrigerator, this will prolong its safety.

Containers for treats should only be glass - iron storage jars are not suitable, as they will cause oxidation of the product.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of honey are determined by its naturalness. A real bee product, in the absence of allergies, can bring tremendous health benefits and heal many unpleasant ailments.

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