Honey is the most known apicultural product, it is a substance
that the bees produce through a complicated process of
elaboration, where they absorb the nectar and deposit it in
their stomach, then go back to the beehive to deliver it,
throwing up repeated times; this way ferments, acid and albumen
are added to the nectar. It contains most of the essential
mineral elements that our system needs. There have already been
found, in the honey, more than 180 different nutritional
substances.
The beekeeping is a very old activity. Evidences from Egypt,
Mesopotamia and Greece describe ancient beekeeping and the honey
is also mentioned in the Bible. It was considered sacred, and
was also used to pay taxes and debts. Besides all this, it was
used to draw and paint as well. Honey contains proteins,
essential minerals and vitamins. It is a food of elevated energy
and is also known for its medicinal and therapeutic assets.
Honey is a food of easy digestion and enthusiastically
assimilated by humans, constituting a healthy source of energy.
Honey consumed as food is important for the balance of the
biological process of the organism. It contains glucose and
fructose, which goes directly into the blood, becoming an
energetic product. Honey can be used as food, as a natural
sweetener and as medicine. After some time of use, it assists in
the control of rheumatism and arthritis, prevents all types of
respiratory illnesses and helps in the digestion. Honey is also
used on the skin and is an ingredient for some shampoos. It is
used extensively in the cosmetic industry as well (creams,
cleanness facemasks, tonics, etc.) because of its astringent and
softening qualities.
Eating honey will improve your quality of life, since it
stimulates and increases physical resistance; it is slightly
sedative, discouraging insomnias; it helps in the healing, it is
anti-septic, digestive and laxative, helping in the treatment of
gastritis; it is an expectorant fighting the cough, also of
smokers. Used externally, it speeds up the healing of wounds and
minor burnings, besides hydrating the skin.
With honey - and nothing else -, Nigerian doctors were able to
cure serious wounds, burnings and ulcers of skin in 59 patients,
which were submitted previously to conventional treatments with
antibiotics without any satisfying results. First, the doctors
gathered samples of the wounds to be studied in laboratory. The
results had shown that the infections were caused by common
bacteria - therefore more resistant - as the Pseudomonad, found
frequently in infections. After that, the honey was applied on
the infected skin. One week later, no micro organism appeared in
the laboratory examinations. For the reason that it is slightly
acid, extremely viscous and absorbs water, the honey cleaned the
wounds, diminished their size and protected them from new
infections. According to the Nigerian doctors, honey also has
the property of being a bactericidal agent.
It has been indicated to prevent, control or cure the following
illnesses:
* Respiratory diseases * Cramps * Intestinal disturbances *
Digestive disturbances * Throat irritation * Urinary irritation
* Irritation of the eyes * Dental caries * Illnesses of the
liver * Rheumatic pains * Physical fatigue * Insomnia * Skin
burn * Stomach ulcer, etc.
The flavour, aroma and colour of the honey differ according to
its botanical origin, in accordance with the flowers from where
the bee has removed the nectar to manufacture it. The climate,
humidity and even the altitude will interfere in these
characteristics of the honey. Usually, the clear honey presents
weak flavour and aroma. The honey of darker coloration is richer
in proteins and minerals.
Here goes an advice: honey fattens less than sugar. 1 tea-spoon
or 5g of honey = 16,4kcal. It is also the best option for
athletes. Biologists concluded that honey is the best source of
carbohydrates and energy for athletes and mature people.
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