Honey, a Natural Antibiotic and Antioxidant
Photo Credit: Honey, originally uploaded by Blinc.
Honey is a potent antibiotic and antioxidant. Honey has been shown to inhibit bacterial growth and in some cases, it is superior to antibiotics. It is extremely valuable in wound healing and may be able to avert amputation of an infected limb. It also has powerful antioxidant properties. Darker colored honey, particularly Manuka honey from New Zealand, has the most efficacious antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Honey is a substance arising from the diligent enterprise of bees. From the gathering of nectar from flowers, the mixing of saliva, and the fluttering of thousands of wings to prevent fermentation, honey is the product of laborious love. The use of honey dates back to antiquity. In the 5th-4th century BC Greece, Plato advocated the use of honey in his dietary recommendations for its health and nutritional benefits. Honey was reputed to inspire artistic epiphanies and moments of poetic insight. In Egypt, honey was the most common medicinal. In fact, 500 out of 900 ancient Egyptian remedies incorporate honey as a main ingredient. The ancient Romans, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks, and Egyptians utilized honey for gastrointestinal disturbances and wound healing.