Honey has been used as food and medicine for thousands of years, and researchers are still discovering more about it. Raw honey is mostly natural sugars, but it also contains small amounts of minerals, amino acids, enzymes and antioxidant polyphenols, and darker honeys generally have more antioxidants than light ones. Australia is home to some outstanding varieties, including Jarrah, Leptospermum (Manuka-type) and native stingless bee honey.
Important: never give honey to babies under 12 months old, not even a taste. It can contain bacterial spores that cause infant botulism, a serious illness.
Wellness
Natural antibacterial. Honey has natural antibacterial properties, and some types, especially Leptospermum (Manuka) honey, are particularly strong.
Wound healing. Sterile, medical-grade honey is used in hospitals and wound dressings to help heal minor wounds and burns and reduce scarring. Use medical-grade honey products from a pharmacy rather than honey from the pantry on broken skin, and see a doctor for anything more than a minor wound.
Antioxidants. Honey’s polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Coughs and sore throats. Studies show a teaspoon of honey can ease coughs in children over 12 months and adults about as well as some over-the-counter cough medicines. Warm water with honey and lemon is a soothing drink for a sore throat.
Immunity and digestion. Honey contains prebiotic compounds that may support good gut bacteria and your immune system, though research is still at an early stage. Honey isn’t a treatment for gastroenteritis, stomach ulcers or infections; see your doctor for those.
Weight management
Still a sugar. Honey is a little sweeter than sugar, so you may use less, but a tablespoon has around 270 kilojoules (64 Calories), slightly more than the same amount of sugar. It won’t help you burn fat, so enjoy it as a treat in small amounts.
Beauty
Gentle face mask. Honey is naturally moisturising and mildly antibacterial, making it a lovely gentle mask for oily skin or mild breakouts. Smooth a thin layer of raw honey over clean skin, leave it for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.
Shiny hair. Mix a teaspoon of honey into a mug of warm water and pour it through your hair after the final rinse for softer, shinier hair.
Cooking with honey
- Stir honey into yoghurt with a little finely grated orange zest and cinnamon for a delicious breakfast.
- Mix honey with soy sauce, garlic and five spice for a fantastic marinade for tofu, firm fish, chicken or pork.
- Pour boiling water over honey, lemon zest and a cinnamon quill in a plunger for a beautiful tea.
- Stir raw honey into natural yoghurt and set it with gelatine for a healthy panna cotta, and serve with chargrilled fruit.
In a world of new products, the tried and true are sometimes overlooked. When you want a touch of sweetness, reach for a good local honey and savour a little, another way to love your body more today.
This article is general information about food and wellbeing, not medical advice. Please talk to your GP or a qualified health professional about any health condition, medication or major change to your diet.
