Summer Honey Smoothie

Summer Honey Smoothie

Ingredients:

(Makes approximately 2 serves)

• 300ml Apple Juice
• 1½ tablespoons of liquid honey
• 200g natural yogurt
• 250g frozen summer fruits.

Method:

1. Add the Apple juice, Honey, Frozen Fruits and Yogurt into a blender.
2. Start the blender and blend until smooth.
3. Taste for sweetness, add further honey as required.
4. Pour into glasses and enjoy on a hot day.

Summer Honey Smoothie

Summer Honey Smoothie

Ingredients: (Makes approximately 2 serves)

• 300ml Apple Juice
• 1½ tablespoons of liquid honey
• 200g natural yogurt
• 250g frozen summer fruits.

Method:

1. Add the Apple juice, Honey, Frozen Fruits and Yogurt into a blender.
2. Start the blender and blend until smooth.
3. Taste for sweetness, add further honey as required.
4. Pour into glasses and enjoy on a hot day.

How to Use Manuka Honey

How to Use Manuka Honey

To experience the most benefit, you should take a dose of about 1-2 tablespoons of Manuka honey a day. The easiest way is to just take it straight, but if it is a little too sweet for you, then you can add it to your favorite herbal tea, over yogurt, or on sprouted grain toast.

If you want to enhance the immune boosting effect or heal a sore throat, add 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Research shows that the antimicrobial properties of cinnamon and Manuka honey are so powerful, that they can really help you recover fast!

Honey Detox Drink Recipe

Dr. Axe’s secre detox drink recipe not only tastes great, it will help you burn fat, lose weight, balance blood sugar levels, and get your body healthy!

1 glass of water (12-16 oz.)

2 Tbsp.apple cider vinegar  apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 dash cayenne pepper (optional)

honey

Blend all ingredients together.

Manuka Honey Benefits

Manuka Honey Benefits

Manuka honey health benefits have been touted in the natural health world for a long time and even more in recent years because a growing body of research is starting to support thousands of years of folk medicine use. Some of the top Manuka honey uses are:

 

SIBO, Low Stomach Acid, Acid Reflux

Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), low stomach acid and acid reflux go hand-in-hand. Because of Manuka honey’s known natural antibiotic qualities, it is a great medicine for any bacteria related disorder. In fact, in a recent study, one dangerous bacteria related to all three conditions, Clostridium difficult was found to be quite susceptible to Manuka honey’s bactericidal effects.  So taking Manuka honey is very beneficial at reducing reflux and balancing your digestive system to heal stomach and intestinal imbalances

Acne and Eczema

The Internet is filled with patient testimonials that Manuka honey works marvelously for acne and eczema patients. At this time there are no clinical trials to support these claims, but this doesn’t bother me at all. Taking into account its proven antimicrobial and healing properties, it makes every bit of sense to assume that honey can help with these skin conditions. Most people claim that applying honey on affected areas for a few minutes, and then washing off with gentle soap and water usually does the trick. Repeat this every day or every other day for the best results!

Staph Infections (MRSA)

You’ve probably heard of the super bug that has plagued hospitals the past several years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (or MRSA). What has happened is that antibiotic overuse and drug ineffecti veness has caused certain strains of Staph to become virtually indefensible using typical hospital and nursing home medical protocols. Spreading so rapidly, most people affected by MRSA end up getting so infected that they require invasive procedures or devices such as surgeries, artificial joints or intervenes tubing to save their lives.

This past March, however, UK researchers from Cardiff Metropolitan University have offered us some natural hope. They discovered that Manuka honey down-regulates the most potent genes of the MRSA bacteria. Some scientists now suggest that regular topical use on cuts and infections (especially in the hospital and nursing home setting) may keep MRSA naturally at bay.

 Burns, Wounds & Ulcers

According to a recent article in the Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products, “The use of honey leads to improved wound healing in acute cases, pain relief in burn patients and decreased inflammatory response in such patients.”  Moreover, because of its rich anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics, Manuka honey has been shown to prevent infection in people with venous ulcers.  It has also been used quite effectively as a wound dressing to promote rapid, improved healing.

Tooth Decay & Gingivitis

Several studies have come out recently describing how Manuka honey can help cure gingivitis and periodontal disease. Due to its superior antimicrobial properties, researchers from the School of Dentistry, University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand) discovered that chewing or sucking on a Manuka honey product not only caused a 35% decrease in plaque, it led to a 35% reduction in bleeding sites in people suffering from gingivitis!  Also calcium, zinc, and phosphorus are all important nutrients for healing teeth.

IBS and IBD

When evaluating the effect that Manuka honey has on experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats, researchers from Chandigarh Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research discovered several astounding findings:

·         Manuka honey at different doses provided protection against TNBS-induced colonic damage.

·         There was significant protection with Manuka honey 5 g/kg as well as with 10 g/kg body weight compared with the control.

·         All the treated groups showed reduced colonic inflammation and all the biochemical parameters were significantly reduced compared with the control in the Manuka honey treated groups.

·         Manuka honey at different doses restored lipid peroxidation as well as improved antioxidant parameters. Morphological and histological scores were significantly reduced in the low dose Manuka honey treated group.

·         In the inflammatory model of colitis, oral administration of Manuka honey 5 g/kg and Manuka honey 10 g/kg body weight significantly reduced the colonic inflammation.

So Manuka honey not only healed intestinal inflammation and pain, but also repaired free radical damage, and protected against further damage!

 Sore Throats and Immunity

In 2007, data published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggested that, “A 5.8-kDa component of Manuka honey stimulates immune cells via TLR4.” This is interesting because previous studies have indicated that honey stimulates cytokine production from human monocytes.

Coupling with this 2011 research showing how Manuka stops the growth of sore throat-causing Strep bacteria, it is no wonder that so many people benefit almost instantly from taking a spoonful of honey when they don’t feel well. And recently it has even been approved by the National Cancer Institute to be used to heal inflammation in the throat from chemotherapy!

Allergies and Sinusitis

There are many anecdotal accounts of people receiving allergy relief after eating honey are all over the internet. There is even a study with honey and birch pollen that had remarkable results. The participants were given regular honey, honey with birch pollen added to it, and some used only their allergy medicines as a control group. The results were impressive:

“…patients reported a 60% lower total symptom score, twice as many asymptomatic days, and 70% fewer days with severe symptoms, and they used 50% less antihistamines compared to the control group.”

They also found that there was very little difference between the birch pollen honey users and the regular honey users! So, taking Manuka honey on a regular basis can really help your seasonal allergies and lessen your need for medications!

Beauty Treatment & Health Booster

Taken daily Manuka honey has an elixir effect that boosts energy and enhances your quality of life. Because of its nutrient dense profile, it boosts vitality, youthful energy, and has been known to improve skin tone and texture.

Use it in a homemade face wash to exfoliate and fight free radicals in the skin. Use it in your sshampoo or a hair mask, to boost the shine of your hair. One of my favorite uses is in a detox drink, to get the most benefits inside and out!

Improves Sleep

Manuka Honey helps to promote restful deep sleep. It slowly releases the glycogen needed for essential bodily functions during sleep. Adding honey to milk at bedtime helps the body release melatonin into the brain which is necessary for deep sleep.

There are many health disorders associated with poor sleep such as, heart disease, type II diabetes, stroke, and arthritis. Since honey is proven to aid in quality sleep; it also helps lower the risk of these and many other heath problems.

 

Unique Manuka Factor

Unique Manuka Factor

In 1981, researchers at the New Zealand University of Waikato discovered that Manuka honey has a considerably higher level of enzymes than regular honey. These enzymes create a natural hydrogen peroxide that works as an antibacterial. Some strains of this New Zealand honey are particularly rich in hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal and dihydroxyacetone.

This medicinal trilogy helps make up what is referred to as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF), a global standard in identifying and measuring the antibacterial strength of Manuka. Essentially, the UMF is a guarantee that the honey being sold is of a medicinal quality.

UMF is not found in the nectar of all Manuka flowers and, comparatively speaking, regular Manuka only contains the hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property that is common to most types of honey.

What separates UMF Manuka from other Manuka varieties is that it has both the natural hydrogen peroxide and its own natural UMF antibacterial property, which greatly enhances it effectiveness. The UMF properties of Manuka is extremely stable and, unlike the hydrogen peroxide common in most honey, is not easily destroyed by heat, light and enzymes in the body.

Manuka Honey Nutrition Facts

                    Manuka Honey Nutrition Facts

What makes Manuka honey different is its amazing nutritional profile. Regular raw honey is already known for its tremendous nutritional and immune boosting abilities. Generally speaking, the typical raw unfiltered honey is a rich source of:

·         Amino acids

·         B vitamins (B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid)

·         Calcium

·         Copper

·         Iron

·         Magnesium

·         Manganese

·         Phosphorus

·         Potassium

·         Sodium

·         Zinc

Yet with Manuka honey, the nutritional content is up to 4 times that of normal flower honeys. This is what is called the Unique Manuka Factor.

Manuka Honey

Manuka Honey

Manuka honey, produced in New Zealand by bees that pollinate the Manuka bush, is one of the most unique and beneficial forms of honey in the world. There are many Manuka honey uses that range from healing sore throats and digestive illnesses, to curing Staph infections and gingivitis.

Historically honey has been used for medicinal purposes dating back thousands of years. Seeing that it is one of nature’s richest antimicrobial sources, it shouldn’t surprise us to hear that many archeologists claim that while excavating the tombs of Egyptian royals from thousands of years ago, they discovered unspoiled honey in pots! (1)

Whether it was with the Far Eastern Vedic tradition or ancient Greek mythology, or in Biblical times, where the promised land was known as the “land flowing with milk and honey.” cultures around the globe have praised honey for being an amazing healing treasure.

Yet because of industrialization, honey isn’t what it used to be. Like most things today, not all honeys are created equal. In addition to the more than 300 varieties of honey to choose from, you have the following options:

·         Raw or pasteurized

·         Filtered or unfiltered

·         Comb (with the edible beeswax inside) liquid, or whipped

·         Local or imported

As a rule of thumb, you get what you pay for. Most products at conventional supermarkets are not much different from high fructose corn syrup. To get good honey today, you pretty much have to go to your local health food store, local farm co-op or go online to purchase the real deal.

Honey Bee Facts

Honey Bee Facts

• A bee flies at a rate of about 15 miles per hour. Their wings flap11,400 times per minute, which is why it sounds like they are “buzzing”.

• Bees are insects with two stomachs, six legs, two pairs of wings, a head, an abdomen and five eyes. They can see ultra violet lights and can perceive movements that are separated by 1/300th of a second.

• Bees are the only insects in the world that make food for humans and they are estimated to be around for thirty million years.

• They must visit 2 million flowers, traveling 55,000 miles on average to be able to make a pound of honey.

• Honey bees account for 80% of all insect pollination and so agriculture depends on bees greatly. Lack of honey bee pollination could result in a significant decrease in the yield of fruits and vegetables.

• 30 – 35% of all foods eaten is derived from honey bee pollination: almonds, melons, cherries, cucumbers, alfalfa, avocados, cranberries, plums, prunes, apples, apricots and more.

• There are three kinds of bees in a hive: Queen, Worker and Drone.

As the only sexually developed female, queen mates with approximately 18 drones, can lay 2000 to 2500 eggs in a day and can live for up to 2 years.

Drones live to mate with the queen, but not more than one in a thousand get the opportunity to mate. They have no other functions in the hive.

The workers are sexually undeveloped females with a life expectancy of roughly 28 to 35 days. They do all the work: Cleaning, feeding the babies, looking after the queen, building honeycombs, guarding the hive, gathering nectar and pollen from flowers, collecting water and propolis.

• It is estimated that 1100 honey bee stings are required to be fatal.

• There are five products that come from the hive: Honey, beeswax, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly.

• And last but not least for the honey bee facts, communication between honey bees is simply by “dancing”, this is how they give direction and information about flowers’ distance to each other. How cool is that!!

 

Honey Chamomile Toner

 Honey Chamomile Toner

    Ingredients

·         1 cup - water

·         2 tablespoons - chamomile flowers (or 1 bag of chamomile tea)

·         1 teaspoon - honey

·         2-6 tablespoons - apple cider vinegar

Directions
Pour freshly boiled water into a mug or heatproof container with the chamomile. Allow the tea to steep for ten minutes. Remove tea bag or strain the solids from the tea. Add the honey and vinegar to the tea, then stir well to dissolve the honey. Pour the mixture into a clean bottle.

To Use
After cleansing your face, dab the toner onto your skin liberally using a cotton ball or soft cloth. Follow with a moisturizer as needed. This toner will remain fresh for about one month. After 30 days it is best to discard any toner that is left and make up a new batch.

 

Honey Facial Wash

                       Honey Facial Wash

Ingredients

1 teaspoon - honey

1 drop - lavender essential oil

Warm water

Directions

Place honey on the tips of your fingers, and add 1 drop of essential oil to the honey. Rub the honey on your fingertips to warm the honey. Massage the honey onto your dry face (avoiding your eye area). Allow the honey to sit on your face for a few minutes, then rinse off with warm water and a facial cloth

 

Eating Real Honey?

                                             Eating Real Honey?

Many of you know that I love exploring and surveying honey on the shelves and in the world wide web. It opens my eyes to see how much real honey is coveted and how honey can be so craftily marketed all over the world. The following products are what I have found and observed and my spontaneous thoughts on them. We have to be leary when buying honey because labels and claims can get really wild!

                                                              1. "Creamy Honey"

 

Being creamy doesn't equate to "no water added" or "100% pure". Liquid honey can be 100% pure too. And creamy honey can also be adulterated. Look, honey merchants, educating consumers on honey is already hard enough; so don't add to the confusion please

2. "Concentrated Honey"

See if you can appreciate this whole string of descriptions - "natural honey", "pure honey", and honey "in pure concentrated form". The more its contents are described, the more suspicious if there's any real honey in it. Somehow, I just find that the term "concentrated form" sounds more appropriate for processed sugary syrups. What do you think?

3. "Honey Sauce"

 

"Corn syrup sauce" would be a more honest name for this product than "honey sauce". Notice "honey" is not first but fourth on the list of the ingredients. It's disturbing to see how the number of ingredients has dramatically increased on just a teeny weenie packet of "honey". And I wonder if people have given up on reading labels because they have just grown too long to be read?

4. "Honey Fructose"

If people really know what "fructose" is, I don't think this supposedly healthy product can still stick and hang around. "Fructose" is literally translated into Chinese as "fruit sugar", which automatically sells well in countries populated by Chinese. Yet another high fructose corn syrup in dark disguise.

5. "Sugar Free Honey"

I am not surprised to see this, especially when the tide of "going sugar free" is turning more and more aggressive. Its real contents? 0% honey and 100% Maltitol, which has been marketed as a healthy, natural sugar substitute for diabetics.

6. "Blended Honey"

Looking at the proportion of ingredients - 40% pure honey, 60% syrup, you would agree that "Blended Corn Syrup" would be a more correct label than "Blended Honey". Well, of course no one is surprised, but I sometimes wonder how many people would enquire about the "syrup" they are eating.

7. "Honey Syrup"

Oops, no ingredients listed on the bottle, just two claims "natural and artificial flavour" and "instantly dissolves even in cold beverages" in its product description. Recognise how hard these sweeteners are trying to pit against real honey?

8. "Rock Sugar in Honey"

Just when you think that things can't go any worse with those honey jars in the stores, I found this one which made me shake my head for a while. For those who have never seen real honeycombs before, those pieces of those so called "Chinese rock sugar" would easily come across as honeycomb pieces. And the ingredient indication its jar label says "100% pure New Zealand honey". I just can't believe these jars of honey could escape the eyes of our food authorities.

9. "Honey", Really?

These three tiny packets of sweeteners are collected from three different restaurants, but they are all by "Smuckers". The first is basically corn syrup and the second contains water, sorbitol (a highly processed sugar alcohol) and a host of unpronounceable chemicals. By the time it comes to the third with a "honey" label, I am not sure if it's really honey anymore, and the missing section on "ingredients" doesn't help. What kind of food does this brand believe in?

10. "Imitation Honey"

Spotted on the shelves of Target when I was in the US, this is probably the most honest bottle I have seen on this list. There is practically zero effort in hiding anything (so at least honey consumers are not duped and can easily stay away from this). Blatantly named "imitation honey", it contains maltitol, an artificially produced sugar alcohol. So, its target consumers are obviously believers of sugar-free sweeteners.