Honey is a natural sweetener and cough suppressant. It is also rich in beneficial prebiotics and antioxidants. It has been used for thousands of years as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments.
You can find white label honey at farmers markets and at stores that specialize in local foods. It is also available online.
Natural sweetener
Whether it’s honey, maple syrup or oats, natural sweeteners may seem like welcome additions to clean label formulation efforts. However, working with these ingredients is not always straightforward. Each of these natural sweeteners has different nutrient, flavor and textural profiles and are also different in terms of calorie density. For example, a tablespoon of honey contains more than double the number of calories than a tablespoon of sugar.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that natural sweeteners should still be used in moderation. In addition to the fact that they can cause a spike in blood glucose levels, over-consumption of all sweeteners can lead to obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. The non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are also becoming increasingly unpopular amongst consumers.
Natural cough suppressant
A spoonful of honey soothes a cough and promotes immune health. However, you should never give honey to infants under the age of 1 due to a risk of botulism poisoning. It can also raise blood sugar levels.
This recipe for homemade cough syrup uses three pantry ingredients and can be made in a pinch. The lemon juice in the syrup adds zesty sweetness and contains vitamin C, which helps strengthen immunity and reduce symptoms of a cold or flu. The thyme in this remedy is an herb that acts as a natural expectorant, loosening mucus and making it easier to cough up. Studies have found that honey outperforms the cough suppressant dextromethorphan and the antihistamine diphenhydramine in easing nighttime coughing. It also improves sleep.
Natural remedy for allergies
Many people use honey as a natural remedy for allergies because it is thought that eating local honey helps desensitize your body to pollen to which you are allergic. This may reduce allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and throat.
It is important to note that consuming honey in large amounts can raise blood sugar levels, which is not good for people on low-sugar diets. This is because honey contains a significant amount of carbohydrates.
In addition, children under the age of one should never be given honey because it could lead to botulism, a rare and life-threatening illness. Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways to help your child overcome seasonal allergies. Using herbs such as stinging nettle, quercetin, and grape seed extract can be helpful.
Natural remedy for digestive issues
Honey has been shown to help soothe an upset stomach. It contains chemicals that can relax the muscles in your stomach and move food through your digestive tract faster. It also has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulating properties that can relieve indigestion and gas.
Honey also contains a small amount of the nutrients niacin and vitamin C. Its superpowered flavonoids and polyphenols can help combat oxidative stress, which can lead to health issues such as diabetes and heart disease.
To get the most benefit from honey, choose the raw variety. Raw honey isn’t treated with heat, so it may look cloudy or have a mix of colors. It also may contain yeast and bee spores, but these don’t pose any risk for healthy people. However, if you’re immunocompromised or pregnant, you may want to avoid raw honey.
Natural remedy for colds
One of the best natural remedies for colds is honey. It soothes a sore throat and can relieve a cough. In addition, it contains beneficial bacteria that ward off harmful bacteria in the digestive tract. You can add honey to hot tea or a glass of water for a traditional cold and flu remedy.
You can also use a spoonful of honey to rinse your sinuses. Alternatively, mix one teaspoon of honey in a saline solution and spray it in your nose to help soothe the irritation caused by nasal congestion.
Another natural way to ease cold symptoms is by consuming more vitamin C. This is important because a depressed immune system may make you more prone to getting a cold. You can get your vitamin C by consuming lemons, oranges, and leafy greens.