Honey

Description

Honey is the carbohydrate secretion deposited in the honeycomb by Bees.  To prepare Honey, the worker bee collects nectar from various flowers and stores it briefly in its "honey-bag" (crop).  It is then influenced by secretions from glands in the bee's head and thorax.  This action causes the conversion of Sucrose into the Simple Sugars Fructose and Glucose.  On returning to the hive, the bee regurgitates the liquid as honey into the honeycomb where it is extracted for marketing.

The therapeutic potency of Honey varies among different Honeys.  There is evidence that Manuka Honey (Leptospermum scoparium) from New Zealand may be the most potent Honey for therapeutic purposes.  Honeydew Honey (from the conifer forests of mountain regions of central Europe) also has superior antimicrobial effects.

Digestive System

 Honey (Manuka Honey) may prevent/treat Colitis:  ^[1]

 Honey (Manuka Honey) may reduce Inflammation in Ulcerative Colitis patients.  ^[2]

 Honey may alleviate the Diarrhea associated with Gastroenteritis (by destroying the Detrimental Bacteria that are implicated in Gastroenteritis).  ^[3]

 Honey (Manuka Honey only) may suppress the Helicobacter pylori Detrimental Bacteria that is responsible for many cases of Ulcers - Duodenal and Ulcers - Gastric.  ^[4]

Immune System

Generally, Honey is more effective for the inhibition of Detrimental Microorganisms when applied topically - i.e. it is not as potent against Detrimental Microorganisms when consumed orally.