What Makes Organic Honey Different?
Winnie the Pooh may have been
trying to teach a lesson when he wanted honey every time he got a
"rumbly in his tumbly." From weight loss to skin clearing to pain
relief, the benefits of honey are vast. When harvested organically, it
becomes a healthy, medicinal treat that surpasses in taste any
doctor-ordered prescription.
Organic vs. Non-Organic
Organic
honey production involves stringent guidelines to protect the honey
from contamination by pesticides and antibiotics. Not only do these
antibiotics and pesticides alter the taste of pure honey, but they also
are believed to cause cancer and aplastic anemia when consumed in large
doses by humans. Other than these facts, organic and non-organic honey
are equal in beneficial properties.
Greek Oregano Health Benefits
Hippocrates, the great Greek philosopher and scholar, used oregano
for medicinal purposes. He used it as both an anesthetic and for
digestive problems. Oregano’s key chemical components are Acetate,
Borneol, Bisabolene , Carvacrol, Caryophyllene, Cymene, Geranyl,
Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Terpinene and Thymol. All of these
chemicals are present in the leaves and in the oils, so they have both
topical and internal benefits.
It has been thought to be an effective treatment for bacteria and
parasite infestation in the colon and intestines. In fact, Mexican
researchers have found it effective in combating giardia, an intestinal
infection caused by a microscopic parasite.
Because of its anti-parasitical affect, its oil has been used in head
lice treatments. Herbalists recommend it for the treatment of E-coli.
Oregano also has anti-inflammatory benefits. Some people rub the oil
on inflamed joints and muscles. Topically, it can also be used as an
antiseptic and anti-bacterial spread to relieve acne, cold sores, and
minor cuts and scrapes.
It has been used in the treatment of allergies and even to regulate
menstrual periods. Some cultures use it as a powerful pain killer. A few
drops of the oil in juice consumed for 3-5 days may help clear up a
sinus infection.
Oregano also has a large amount of antioxidants in its oil and
leaves. It has 42 times the antioxidants as a medium sized apple, 30
times more than a white potato and 12 times more than an orange.
Ways to Prepare Oregano
Oregano is most commonly used as a seasoning in stews, pizzas and
tomato based sauces. Fresh oregano leaves can enhance the flavor of
salads and soups as well as Mediterranean dishes.
It is labor intensive to squeeze the oils from the leaves and stems.
Oregano Cautions and Concerns
Not everyone should take oregano. Especially women who are pregnant
should avoid digesting or absorbing oregano. It can weaken the lining of
the embryonic sack.
If you are allergic to mint, sage, basil or thyme, you might also be
allergic to oregano. Though used in the aid of digestive problems, it
can cause the opposite effect in some people.
Oregano oil may reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron, which is
another reason women and children in particular should not consume large
amounts of oregano. Seek medical advice about an iron supplement if
oregano is a staple in your culture’s cuisine.
Honey and Cinnamon Remedy
The combination of honey and cinnamon has been used in both
oriental
and
Ayurvedic
medicine for centuries. Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known to
mankind and honey's popularity has continued throughout history. The two
ingredients with unique healing abilities have a long history as a
home remedy.
Cinnamon's essential oils and
honey's enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide
qualify the two "anti-microbial" foods with the ability to help stop
the growth of bacteria as well as fungi. Both are used not just as a
beverage flavoring and medicine, but also as an embalming agent and are
used as alternatives to traditional food preservatives due to their
effective
antimicrobial properties.
People have claimed that the mixture is a
natural cure
for many diseases and a formula for many health benefits:
1) HEART DISEASES: Apply honey and cinnamon powder on bread instead of using jam or butter and eat it regularly for breakfast.
2)
ARTHRITIS:
Apply a paste made of the two ingredients on the affected part of the body and massage slowly.
3)
HAIR LOSS:
Apply a paste of hot
olive oil,
a tablespoon of honey, a teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath, leave it for 15 min and wash.
4) BLADDER INFECTIONS: Mix cinnamon powder and honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink.
5) TOOTHACHE: Apply a paste of cinnamon powder and honey and on the aching tooth.
6)
CHOLESTEROL:
Add honey to cinnamon powder mixed in boiled water or green tea and drink.
7) COLDS: Make a glass of lukewarm honey water mixed with
cinnamon powder to help boost your immune system during the cold season.
It may also help to clear your sinuses.
8) INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on a spoonful of honey taken before food relieves acidity.
9) LONGEVITY: Regularly take
tea
made with honey and a little cinnamon powder.
10) PIMPLES: Mix honey with cinnamon powder and apply paste on the
pimples
before sleeping and wash away the next morning.
11) OBESITY: To
reduce weight,
daily drink a mixture of a teaspoon of honey with half a teaspoon of
cinnamon powder boiled in water with an empty stomach in the morning
about half an hour before breakfast. Read:
Cinnamon and Honey Recipe. <-- Don't Miss It!
Cinnamon has an insulin boosting property (water soluble
compounds called polyphenol type A polymers) which have the ability to
boost insulin activity about 20 fold and can benefit
people who have high sugar levels (obese people, pre-diabetics and diabetics). Also, read the honey hibernation diet theory to find out how honey contributes to the metabolizing
of undesirable cholesterol and fatty acid, provides a fuelling
mechanism for the body, keep blood sugar levels balanced, and let our
recovery hormones get on with
burning body fat stores.
12)
BAD BREATH: Gargle with honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water so that breath stays fresh throughout the day.
Bioactivity of Greekhoney extracts on breast cancer (MCF-7), prostate cancer (PC-3) and endometrial cancer (Ishikawa) cells: Profile analysis of extracts
Historically, honey has been important in Greek culture. The chemical composition and the potential of Greekhoney extracts (thyme, pine and fir honey)
to influence the oestrogenic activity and the cell viability of breast
(MCF-7), endometrial (Ishikawa) and prostate (PC-3) cancer cells were
investigated. All honeys contained total phenolics, phenolic acids and hydroxymethylfurfural, the levels being highest in thymehoney. Sugars and volatile compounds, but not fatty acids, were detected in all honey extracts. Thyme, pine and fir honey showed both antioestrogenic and a weak oestrogenic effect at low and high concentration, respectively, in MCF-7 cells. Thymehoney reduced the viability of Ishikawa and PC-3 cells, whereas fir honey stimulated the viability of MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, Greekhoneys are rich in phenolic compounds, they modulate oestrogenic activity whereas a thymehoney-enriched diet may prevent cancer-related processes in breast, prostate and endometrial cancer cells.
Greek Honey - The Food of the Gods
Greek honey is, quite simply,
divine. Few other foods offer such a combination of wonderful flavour and proven
medicinal benefits. The hard-working Greek honey bee enjoys an elevated status
in Greece, and rightly so; Greek honey mixes the sweet, delicate fragrance
of mountain flowers, with a dose of concentrated
Greek sunshine.
Greek Honey and the Blessings of Chloris
Despite the relatively small
size of the country, its rich diversity of fragrant, indigenous flowers provides
the perfect environment for apiculture. Amongst the rugged and tumbling slopes
of Greece’s ancient mountains, rows of beehives are set amongst a
kaleidoscopic array of beautiful wildflowers. The Greek spring sees the barren,
rocky mountain slopes clad with the blessings of Chloris, the bees frantically
taking advantage of this annual abundance.
Most of the Greek mountains
are untouched by chemicals, and there are no herbicides or insecticides to
disturb the labour of the Greek honeybees. The experienced apiculturist understands
sustainable farming, taking only what he needs and leaving the bees with plenty
of honey for the hard winter. His symbiosis with the bees is an ancient
friendship, and Greek honey stands alongside olive oil as one of the staple
Greek foods.
Greek honey is an integral
part of the famous Mediterranean diet, long recognised as one of the secrets to
good health and long life.
Greek Honey - The Hard Greek Mountains
The best Greek mountain honey comes
from the towering White Mountains of Crete, the unforgiving slopes of the Taygetos
Mountains, and the parched Mani peninsula. These areas, barren for most of the
year, come to life in the spring, as the gentle rain seeps into the limestone. Colourful
flowers cling to every crevice, softening the hard mountains and attracting Greek
honeybees and butterflies.
What Gives Greek Honey its Unique Flavour?
The
rich, complex flavour of Greek honey stems from the unique flowers
found in this ancient land. Greek honeybees gorge on nectar from the
fragrant thyme, oregano, and rosemary plants, alongside the delicate
orange and jasmine blossom. Greece has over 7500 types of flower, with
850 of them are indigenous to the area, and this gives Greek honey its
divine blend of delicate floral fragrances and mellow sweetness.
Greek
bees have to work very hard for their wealth, and this is what gives
Greek honey its characteristic strength and flavour. It is extremely
difficult for the bees to extract nectar from the stingy plants, and the
bees produce less honey per beehive than in most other areas. The
benefit of this is that the honey is dense, containing less water, and
the flavours and nutrients are highly concentrated.
Bee Pollen Benefits and Side Effects
For years, herbalists have touted bee pollen
as an exceptionally nutritious food. They've even claimed it is a cure
for certain health problems. Yet after years of research, scientists
still cannot confirm that bee pollen has any health benefits.
What Is Bee Pollen?
Bee pollen contains vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, lipids, and protein. It comes from the pollen that collects on the bodies of bees. Bee pollen may also include bee saliva.
It's important to avoid confusing bee pollen with natural honey,
honeycomb, bee venom, or royal jelly. These products do not contain bee
pollen.
How Is Bee Pollen Used?
Bee pollen is available at many health food stores. You may find bee pollen in other natural dietary supplements as well as in skin softening products used for baby's diaper rash or eczema.
You may also hear recommendations for using bee pollen for alcoholism, asthma, allergies, health maintenance, or stomach problems. But before you take any natural product for a health condition, check with your doctor.
Bee pollen is also recommended by some herbalists to enhance athletic performance, reduce side effects of chemotherapy, and improve allergies and asthma.
At this point, medical research has not shown that bee pollen is effective for any of these health concerns.
Is Bee Pollen Safe?
Bee pollen appears to be safe, at least when taken for a short term. But if you have pollen allergies, you may get more than you bargained for. Bee pollen can cause a serious allergic reaction -- including shortness of breath, hives, swelling, and anaphylaxis.
Bee pollen is not safe for pregnant women. A woman should also avoid using bee pollen if she is breastfeeding.
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