Honey
Honey is a product of nature that is used in many therapeutic purposes. It is produced by bees from plant nectar. Honey contains more than 200 substances. It consists mainly of water, sugar, fructose, glucose and also contains fructose sugars (Fructo-oligosaccharides), amino acids, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. The composition of the honey varies according to the plant that produces the honey from its companion. Generally, however, all types of honey contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, Ascorbic (vitamin C), and tachovs Vitamin C, catalase, superoxide dismutase, reducted glutathione, melard reaction products, and some peptides. Most of these compounds work together in the antioxidant effect.
Honey, when produced and collected, can be contaminated with germs from plants, bees and dust, but its antimicrobial properties kill most of them, but spores that can produce spores, such as bacteria that cause botulism, can only be given to babies If the honey is produced by a medical level, ie exposure to radiation inhibits the activity of bacterial spores, and in this article details about the benefits of honey, which have been proven scientific evidence.
The historical importance of honey
Honey has been an important place in folk medicine and alternative medicine for centuries. It was used by ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks and Romans to treat wounds and bowel problems, but is not used in modern medicine due to lack of sufficient scientific studies supporting the therapeutic roles and benefits of honey. Honey occupies a special place for Muslims because of its mention in the Holy Quran, where God says: (Come out of the belly of a drink of different colors in which the healing of people) , He says: (In which rivers of water and wine and rivers of milk has not changed taste and rivers of wine for the pleasure of drinkers and rivers of honey refinery) , As mentioned in the benefits of some of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.
benifits of Honey
Among the many benefits of honey are what comes:
- Healing burns: The external use of preparations containing honey helps to heal the burns on which honey is placed. The honey works to sterilize the burning site, accelerate tissue regeneration, and reduce inflammation.
- Prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastritis, duodenal ulcers, ulcers caused by bacteria and rotavirus. Honey prevents the adhesion of bacteria in epithelial cells by affecting the bacterial cells, thus preventing the early stages of inflammation, Honey, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and honey affect the helecobacter pylori that causes ulcers.
- Resistance to bacteria, where the activity of honey as an antimicrobial one of the most important findings found for honey, which was known in 1892, where it found the effects of resisting about 60 species of bacteria, which include bacteria and air bacteria.
- The treatment of fungal infections, where non-diluted honey prevents the growth of fungi, and works diluted honey to stop production of toxins, and found the effects in many types of fungi.
- Anti-virus, natural honey has found the effects of resistance to viruses, and was found to be safe and effective in the treatment of mouth ulcers, genital herpes virus caused by similar amounts of Acyclovir used in treatment, and found to prevent the activity of the virus (Rubella virus) With the rubella virus.
- Improved diabetes, studies found that daily consumption of honey causes a slight decrease in the level of glucose, cholesterol and body weight in people with diabetes, and found that honey slows the high blood sugar compared to table sugar or glucose.
- Some studies suggest that the use of honey can improve untreated diabetic feet.
- To reduce coughing, it was found that taking honey before bed relieves the symptoms of coughing in children aged 2 years and above with similar efficacy to the drug dextromethorphan in doses given without prescriptions.
- Treatment of certain eye conditions, such as blepharitis, keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal and thermal and chemical eye burns. One study found that the use of honey as a supplement to 102 people with unresponsive treatment improved Of 85% of these cases, while the remaining 15% did not accompany any development in the disease. It was also found that the use of honey in conjunctivitis caused by infection reduces redness, secretion of pus, and reduces the time to get rid of bacteria.
- Many studies have found that honey is a good source of carbohydrate especially for athletes before and after resistance exercises, and aerobic exercises, and is believed to improve athletic performance.
- Honey can be used to conserve food, and it has been found to be a suitable substitute and does not affect beneficial bacteria found in some foods such as dairy products. Prebiotics, on the contrary, have been found to support the growth of Bifidobacterium due to its low-sugar content.
- Honey has anti-inflammatory properties and is immune to the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as the negative effect on the stomach.
- The compounds in the honey as antioxidants, as mentioned above, found that dark honey contains higher percentages of phenolic acids, and therefore has a higher activity as an antioxidant, and known phenolic compounds have health benefits, such as cancer resistance, inflammation, heart disease, To stimulate the body’s immunity, and relieve pain.
- The use of honey reduces the chance of oral ulcers due to radiation therapy. It was also found that taking 20 ml of honey or using it in the mouth reduces the intensity of oral infections due to radiation therapy, relieves pain in swallowing and loss of weight associated with treatment.
- The antioxidants present in honey reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Many of the compounds present in honey have promising properties for study and use in the treatment of future heart disease. Honey has antithrombotic properties and is resistant to temporary hypoxia that affects the membranes due to lack of blood supply Anti-ischemic, anti-oxidant, and laxative, reducing the chance of thrombosis and oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL). One study found that eating 70 g of honey for 30 days for overweight people reduces the level of cholesterol (LDL), triglyceride, and C-reactive protein. Thus, the study found that eating honey reduces the risk factors for cardiovascular disease in people who increase these factors without causing an increase in weight. In another study, (HDL). It is also found that ingestion of artificial honey (Fructose + Glucose) raises triglycerides, while natural honey reduces them.
- Some studies have found cancer-resistant effects in honey.
- Natural honey helps in the treatment of fatigue, dizziness, and chest pain.
- Honey can relieve the pain of tooth extraction.
- Improve the blood level of enzymes and minerals.
- Relieving menstrual pain. Studies on experimental animals also found the benefit of honey in menopausal menopause, such as preventing uterine atrophy, improving bone density, and preventing weight gain.
- Some preliminary studies have found that using honey with olive oil and beeswax reduces the pain, bleeding, and itching associated with hemorrhoids.
- Some preliminary studies have found the ability of honey to improve weight and some other symptoms in malnourished children.
- Preliminary studies have found that a 21-day use of honey reduces the itching to greater degrees of zinc oxide ointment.
- Some preliminary studies suggest positive effects of honey in asthma cases.
- Some preliminary studies suggest a positive role for honey in cases of cataracts.
- Some preliminary studies suggest that the use of Egyptian honey with royal food in the vagina increases the chances of fertilization.
- Some preliminary studies suggest that chewing a skin made of manuka honey works to reduce dental deposits a little, and reduces bleeding of gums in cases of gingivitis.