Honey has been valued as a medicinal remedy for many centuries primarily because of its healing properties. An Egyptian papyrus of 2000 BC records a prescription for a wound salve which includes a mixture of grease, honey and fibre. In ancient times honey was considered so valuable that it was used in place of gold to pay taxes.

In Roman mythology, Amor, the god of love, dipped his arrows in honey.

Honey is the oldest sweetener known to man, and was just about the only sweetener until sugar cane was discovered.

Ordinary white sugar and honey differ nutritionally in every way. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food composition tables, a pound of granulated white sugar - either cane or beet - contains nothing but carbohydrates and calories. Everything else is removed in processing which includes all protein, minerals and vitamins present. One pound of white sugar contains only 451.7 total carbohydrate and 1,748 calories.

Extracted or strained honey contains some of every major nutrient except Vitamin A.

Included in one pound of honey are:

1.4 grams of protein

23 milligrams of calcium

73 milligrams of phosphorus        4.1 milligrams of iron
.02 milligrams of riboflavin        1.0 milligrams of niacin
16 milligrams of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)        

360.9 total carbohydrate

1,333 calories

Honey applied under a dry dressing promotes the healing of ulcers and burns. It is more effective than commonly used antibiotics at inhibiting the growth of bacteria and other micro-organisms.


For a recipe with honey, please click here. [doc0044]


References:
Complete Home Remedies - Dr James Le Fanu
Wonderful World of Honey - Joe Parkhill