Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Health benefits of honey By Henrylito Tacio Health 101
A TEASPOON of honey before bed seems to calm children's coughs and help them sleep better, according to a new American study that relied on parents' reports of their children's symptoms.
What is remarkable is the fact that the folk remedy did better than cough medicine or no treatment in a three-way comparison.
Honey may work by coating and soothing an irritated throat, the study said.
"Many families are going to relate to these findings and say that grandma was right," noted Dr. Ian Paul of Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine who headed the study.
Honey has been used as a folk remedy for ages for ailments ranging from allergies to indigestion.
Honey is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, iron and phosphate.
It contains vitamins B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3 all of which change according to the qualities of the nectar and pollen. In addition, copper, iodine, and zinc exist in it in small quantities. Several kinds of hormones are also present in it.
For at least 2700 years, honey has been used to treat a variety of ailments. But it's only in recent times that scientists have been investigating the use of honey in modern medicine.
In Hamilton, New Zealand, scientists at the honey research unit of the University of Waikato have found that honey kills a wide range of bacteria. Part of honey's antibacterial activity can be explained by what's known as an "osmotic" or "water-withdrawing" effect. Honey reportedly has a density of about 1.36 kilogram per liter (that's 40% denser than water!).
"Honey has very little water - that's what makes it thick and gooey - whereas bacteria are made mostly of water," explained Dr. Peter Molan, professor of biological sciences and the unit's director. "So when certain kinds of bacteria come into contact with honey, the honey basically sucks the water out of the bacteria like a sponge, and the bacteria die."
Even though honey tastes sweet, it's actually quite acidic. The pH of honey is commonly between 3.2 and 4.5. This relatively acidic pH level prevents the growth of many bacteria.
Do you have a cut? Honey is therefore a natural antiseptic. Medical journals cite more than 600 cases in which honey was employed to treat wounds. By applying honey to your wounds, you prevent infections. Honey contains anti-microbial agents, which prevents infections by killing the bacteria in and around your wounds.
Instructs 'The Folk Remedy Encyclopedia: Olive Oil, Vinegar, Honey and 1,001 Other Home Remedies': "When using honey it may help to heat it up before putting it on your wound (caution test the heat before you place it on the wound). Many types of bacteria can't survive in honey, so wounds heal, swelling eases, and tissue can grow back."
Some studies suggest that the topical use of honey may reduce odors, swelling, and scarring when used to treat wounds; it may also prevent the dressing from sticking to the healing wound.
Honey may also be good for your skin. It has the ability to attract water. It is also safe for sensitive skin. Health experts recommend: Just mix one teaspoon of honey with one teaspoon of olive oil and one-half teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply to hands, elbows, heels of your foot, among others, and wash off after 15 minutes.
You can also use honey as mouthwash by mixing one tablespoon of honey with a cup of warm water. Honey reportedly cleans teeth and dentures, and kills germs in the mouth. Also, honey works well on chapped lips and for acne because it has antibacterial properties.
Here's a word of caution: Due to the natural presence of some spores which cannot be destroyed by their digestive tracts, children under one year of age should not be given honey. Infants, on the other hand, can contract botulism from honey.
Honey produced from some flowers may cause honey intoxication. Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, excessive perspiration, nausea and vomiting. Less commonly, low blood pressure, shock, heart rhythm irregularities and convulsions may occur, with rare cases resulting in death. Honey intoxication is more likely when using "natural" unprocessed honey and honey from farmers who may have a small number of hives. Commercial processing, with pooling of honey from numerous sources generally dilutes any toxins.
