The fact that honey is useful - everyone knows. But what is the reason for its valuable qualities and how to use them fully, remains a mystery to many. It is understandable: there are a lot of honey varieties, and it is quite difficult to navigate. We will facilitate this task, having considered this product in general.
The origin of honey
Honeybees are one of the oldest on the planet. This species is at least 10 million years old. As for the product they produce, it was mined back in the Stone Age - in the Aran Cave near Valencia, a cave was found showing the process of gathering sweet raw materials. This story is about 15 thousand years. But it was a gathering in its pure form - people simply climbed the rocks, extracting honey from the honeycomb. 
The cave figure of the late Neolithic period, Central India Beekeeping in its current sense originated in ancient Egypt - they already used beehives, which were fused along the Nile on rafts (in the headwaters of this river, the honey collection started earlier, and the hives moved). 
Image of honey bees from the temple of Karnak, Egypt, around 1400 BC Prototypes of modern hives appeared later - in VIII-VII centuries. BC e.when partitions were added to the construction of the bee's dwelling and learned to control the collection of sweet surplus.
In general, the period of antiquity is a time of great interest in the sweet mass: its useful properties were studied, works on the care of bees appeared.
Among the Slavic peoples was spreading bericulture - a collection of hollow.
Written mentions of this lesson have been encountered since the Scythian times, but the real flourishing occurred IX-XII centurywhen this craft became massive, and honey and wax were valuable goods — foreign merchants paid for it with gold and silver. 
Borders of trees with property signs At the same time, mead became popular - honeyed, filled with hop cones.
Important! A high-quality product that has not yet had time to thicken should pull, not drop.
WITH XVI century beekeeping is becoming more widespread, increasing production volumes. But the appearance of refined sugar (from beets and cane) made honey move: it ceased to be a daily food item, becoming a therapeutic element.
Qualitative leap occurred at the end XIX century - mining was finally put on a scientific basis, besides, they began to use new available materials, which made beekeeping even more popular.
Apiary in the Ukrainian village
Chemical composition
Honey is unique in its composition. Due to the fact that now produced a huge number of varieties of this product, we will focus on generally accepted averages. The specific figures depend on the place of collection and the weather, the processing and storage of the product.
Let's start with water. Depending on the variety and technology, its share is 14-26% of the total mass. This indicator often determines the grade of the product. At the same time they are guided by specific figures indicated in GOST or similar standards. In different countries they are just as different, but in general, for a top grade product, the humidity should be in the range of 18.5-20%.
Did you know? To produce 1 g of delicacy, the bee needs to fly over a thousand flowers.
But the main component is carbohydrates. In some varieties, their share may exceed 80%. There are about 50 such compounds, the main of which are fructose and glucose. If we take the total carbohydrate content as 100%, then their structure will be as follows:
- fructose - up to 50%;
- glucose - up to 45%;
- reducing disaccharides - up to 15%;
- higher oligoses - up to 12%;
- maltose - up to 6%;
- sucrose - up to 4%;
- raffinose and melitsitoza - maximum 3%.
Vitamin structure honey is heterogeneous. Ascorbic acid is the most indicative in this respect - for example, in the buckwheat collection its content is 120 µg / 1g, whereas in the mint it is already 2500-2600.
But back to the average (µg / g):
- ascorbic acid (C) - 30;
- vitamin E (tocopherol) - 10;
- pantoneic acid (B5) - 4;
- Biotin (H) - 3.9;
- niacin (B3) - 3.3;
- pyridoxine (B6) - 3.1;
- Riboflavin (B2) - 0.6;
- Vitamin A - 0.4 (in some varieties there are only traces of it);
- thiamine (B1) - 0.2.
These types of honey are distinguished, such as floral, honeydew and artificial, from syrup (dandelion, pumpkin, watermelon).
Content minerals (µg / g) is reduced to such maximum figures:
- potassium - 4,700;
- calcium - 1780;
- phosphorus - 1300;
- sodium 400;
- magnesium - 300;
- chlorine - 200;
- sulfur - 125;
- silicon - 72;
- aluminum and manganese - 40;
- iron and boron - 34-35.
Other minerals (zinc, cobalt, tin, etc.) play the role of reinforcing elements and are present in smaller doses.
Important! Pay attention to the color: the darker the collection, the more minerals it contains.
The composition of organic acids directly depends on the plant from which nectar has been removed. Their total share is small and rarely exceeds 0.3% of the total mass. The most popular are malic and citric, lactic and glucon. As for the other substances of this series, they are represented by oleic and tartaric, succinic and glycolic acids.
Inorganic acids and even less - 0.03-0.05%. Usually it is phosphoric and hydrochloric acids, presented in the form of salt traces.
Honey owes its aroma to the presence of amino acids: alanine and valine, serine and glutamic acid, as well as a number of other compounds (threonine, tyrosine, leucine, etc.).
A separate topic is alkaloids. They, according to biochemists, give the product healing properties. Among them are strychnine, morphine and quinine. Many will be surprised by the fact that, in addition to them, the sweet product also contains caffeine with nicotine (although they are presented as traces and in this case are harmless). 
What is the use of honey
The benefits of honey are obvious to all. Speaking about its healing properties, it is usually mentioned effects like:
- normalization of the cardiovascular system (glucose and magnesium support the heart muscle and dilate the coronary vessels);
- regulation of hemoglobin and blood sugar levels;
- immunity stimulation;
- antibacterial action;
- removal of toxins and radionuclides from the body;
- improvement of the gastrointestinal tract (due to enzymes food is well absorbed);
- restoration of the normal activity of the intestine (nausea and gagging);
- antiseptic effect - honey promotes rapid healing of burns and wounds (including extensive);
- strengthening the joints, which helps prevent arthritis, gout and local pain;
- calming effect on the nervous system, stress relief.
Did you know? In ancient times, honey was valued at the same level as money - they were paid taxes or fines, often used as a dowry.
This is just a general list of the medicinal qualities of a sweet product. In addition to them, honey has a more specific effect on the body. 
For men
The presence of honey in the diet of men is highly desirable, because he helps:
- prevent cardiovascular diseases (hypertension especially prevalent among the male half of the population);
- maintain potency - honey activates blood circulation in the pelvic area;
- improve sperm quality (reduced risk of infertility);
- get rid of prostatitis (acute and chronic) or prostatic hyperplasia;
- support the work of the liver and gallbladder;
- overcome normal sleep and the effects of stress, nervous breakdowns and chronic stress;
- finally, maintain the overall tone of the body.
In general, the benefits of the use of honey a lot. Do not forget about prevention - this natural product with more or less regular intake significantly reduces the risk of the emergence of almost any disease, annoying men. 
For women
The sweet mass is also useful for the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity. Using this product will allow them to:
- strengthen the protective functions of the body;
- to improve the deep tissue regeneration (as a result - the rejuvenating effect);
- normalize metabolism;
- to maintain normal hormonal balance - honey is rich in phytoestrogens, which also slows down the aging process;
- improve the reproductive and urinary systems;
- rejuvenate and tighten the skin of the face, as well as strengthen the hair;
- get rid of cellulite;
- minimize intermittent pain;
- restore normal sleep and well-being.
Important! The most valuable is a collection produced in a wooded or mountainous area.
It is not surprising that the tool with such a set of qualities is widely used in gastronomy, medicine and cosmetology. 
Is it good to eat honey
Many are interested in what time to take honey, so that it brings maximum benefit. There is still no unity in this matter, so we will try to understand without unnecessary emotions.
Flower honey can be divided into monoflёrny (acacia, lime, sunflower, buckwheat, pygillic, sweet clover, sainfoin, phacelia, acacia, hawthorn, blackberry, cotton) and polyfloure (May, mountain, meadow).
Fasting
The morning portion quickly leads to the tone of the digestive system. Moreover, with regular use on an empty stomach (usually 15-20 minutes before breakfast), it is quite possible to cure chronic gastric ulcer or gastritis.
In addition, honey in the morning activates the vitality of the body, which leaves no chance of fatigue and stress - it turns out that it is also a natural energetic. In parallel, they “wake up” and vessels, which also provides a surge of vitality for the whole day.
Did you know? The most expensive type of honey is elf ($ 6,800 / kg). It is mined in Turkey, in a cave near the town of Artvin, at a depth of 1.8 km.
Before bedtime
Honey is a natural sleeping pill that relieves fatigue and stress. We also note the special thermogenic effect of evening consumption: in this way, extra fluid is removed before going to bed, which improves metabolism and relieves the main organs. 
Another feature - having eaten a small amount of this product an hour before bedtime, a person feels a feeling of fullness. That is, there is prevention of "late" overeating, which has the result of losing weight.
Honey water is a unique tool that provides a complex beneficial effect on the body. Sweet medicine is best taken on an empty stomach, half an hour before breakfast.
Can i eat
Having learned about the benefits of honey, people often begin to receive it without regard for their health. But to avoid complications, you need to know who and when you can use a valuable product, and at what point it is better to abstain.
During pregnancy and lactation
Gynecologists and obstetricians often give the go-ahead to the reception on the eve of labor and lactation. There are reasons for this:
- substances that honey is rich in, support immunity and the whole body that takes a double load;
- the likelihood of anemia is reduced;
- hemoglobin level increases (which is especially important in the third trimester);
- relieves constipation;
- the body recovers faster after childbirth;
- breast function is supported.
All this is good, but do not forget about the possible harm - this delicacy is pretty strong allergentherefore, future or lactating mothers should exercise caution and consult a doctor. If there is no complete confidence in the safety of honey - it is better not to start the reception (otherwise vomiting and dizziness may be added to the redness). 
For children
The unique combination of substances and elements has a positive effect on children's well-being. This is specifically manifested in:
- relieving cold and flu symptoms;
- mitigating sore throat;
- enhancing the protective qualities of cells;
- recharge brain cells;
- sedative effect on the nervous system;
- improvement of digestion - proteins are assimilated more actively, acidity is regulated;
- prevention of urinary incontinence.
Important! Honey does not interfere with boiling water - mixed with hot (more than +45 °C) he loses his qualities with water, and at +60 °C begins to secrete carcinogens.
Due to the high allergenicity of honey it is recommended to give after 3 years.
Some parents shift these terms - their kids try such sweetness already at 2, or even 1.5 years old.
This is allowed, but only in cases where the child does not have a predisposition to allergies.
Learn how to check honey for naturalness and store honey at home.
When losing weight
It all depends on the volume and frequency of reception. By itself, honey calories - per 100 g accounts 320 kcal. Those who practice diet, and know about the glycemic index (it is believed that the lower it is, the less the craving for food). So, for some varieties, GI is 60-70 units, whereas in the diet menu usually include products with an indicator of 40.
It turns out that it is impossible to completely replace sugar with honey - it is a benefit for the organism as a whole, but not for weight loss. Therefore, the reception schedule is extremely important. For example, 1-2 teaspoons, diluted in water (a glass is taken), will be very useful before training or an hour before dinner - it turns out such a gainer.
Too frequent reception risks turning into extra kilos. But when using competent tactics, it does not threaten. On the contrary, fatty layers will be burned faster, toxins will be removed, as well as excess cholesterol. This effect gives 2-3 (maximum 5) tsp. in a day. 
With diabetes
Honey helps in treating this disease. However, not all - it is allowed only to people who have been diagnosed with type I or type II diabetes (and then subject to prior medical consultation). In such cases, honey or acacia honey is commonly used, which:
- correct hemoglobin level;
- regulate the liver and kidneys, circulatory system and gastrointestinal tract;
- normalize metabolism;
- relieve background inflammation;
- minimize the side effects of medication.
Did you know? Honeybees catch odors thanks to 170 receptors (for comparison, there are only 62 flies).
An important nuance - milk and dairy products only enhance these properties, which speeds up the healing process.
With pancreatitis, gastritis
To get rid of such problems is another task that is within the power of a miracle product that is capable of:
- restore the tone of the digestive tract and adjacent glands;
- reduce acidity;
- gently restore normal peristalsis;
- heal and clean the intestinal wall.
But it is important to remember that it is used only to combat chronic forms (honey is contraindicated during exacerbations). Reception begins with small doses, trying not to exceed the recommended daily volume (this is 2 tablespoons).
Get acquainted with the recipes of traditional medicine with the use of aloe and honey for the treatment of the stomach.
When overuse is often a heaviness in the abdomen, prolonged vomiting is not excluded.
Video: honey for gastritis - recipes
How much honey can be consumed per day
As you know, tastes are not arguing, but with respect to honey, it is still better to adhere to the sense of proportion. This will help the figures of safe doses.
The daily rate is:
- for children older than 1 year who have no allergy - 1 tsp, which turns into one and a half by three years;
- children 3-7 years old can be given already at 1-1.5 st. l (it is 30-50 g);
- 7-12 years old - the same 50 g;
- after 12 years, gradually switch to an adult dose - it is in the range of 50-80 g / day;
- the optimal dose for the elderly - 2 tsp.
Important! Nutritionists recommend not particularly to get involved in the delicacy in its pure form - it is better to use it as an additive to dishes and drinks.
Of course, these are general indicators that can be adjusted. For example, for therapeutic purposes, the dosage can significantly increase - up to 100-150 g. But this technique will be short-term (depending on how you feel - from 2 weeks to 2 months), and doctors recommend focusing on the numbers in the list. 
Honey as medicine
It would be strange if traditional medicine would bypass this gift of nature with its attention. There are a lot of recipes with the participation of natural delicacy, but we will look at the most simple and powerful ones (at the same time we will evaluate the effect).
Gargling for mouth throat and inflammation
Inflammations of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat will be forgotten if you use the following composition:
- One or two tablespoons of dried chamomile color pour 400 ml of boiling water.
- This is followed by heating in a water bath (10-15 minutes).
- Catching the broth, it is cooled by adding 1-2 tsp. honey
This rinse is used several times a day, and the course continues until the removal of unpleasant sensations.
With general malaise and colds
The easiest way to take 1 tbsp. l bee product and dissolve by placing it under the tongue. But a truly comprehensive attack on viruses and bacteria will cause the following remedy:
- Two tablespoons of sage pour 1 liter of warm boiled water.
- Then add 2 chopped cloves of garlic and juice of 1 lemon.
- Mixture insist 10 minutes.
- When it is cold, put 2 tsp. honey Finally, the infusion is stirred.
Read also about the healing properties of clary sage and clary sage.
Taking half a cup per hour, by the evening you will feel relief. 
With conjunctivitis
With inflammation of the shell of the eye are struggling with a simple mixture - honey is simply diluted with warm water (in a ratio of 1: 2). The finished solution is used as drops or as a lotion.
The result will be more noticeable if you simultaneously take in carrot juice with honey (as an option - sea buckthorn).
Find out what is useful and how carrot is used in traditional medicine, as well as how to roll up carrot juice for the winter.
With constipation
You can force a bowel movement with the help of a home-made laxative mixture:
- One tablespoon of honey is dissolved in 150 ml of warm boiled water.
- After this, egg yolk and castor oil are added (also 1 tbsp.).
- The drink obtained after mixing is drunk every 2 hours on a full spoon - and so on until a laxative effect.
This powerful remedy is used for single constipation - the effect of its reception is quite noticeable.If such difficulties are observed constantly, they prepare softer mixtures (such as a “mix” of beets, 3 tablespoons honey, and 2 tablespoons olive oil).
Did you know? Each bee family has its own unique smell, which allows the inhabitants of the hive to recognize their relatives.
With hemorrhoids
Such a delicate problem has different dynamics - proctologists distinguish between internal and external forms of hemorrhoids.
With internal dynamics, homemade candles are used. Most often, leaves of aloe are taken with a length of 1.5-2 cm. Spines are cut from them, and then cut into two halves. One of them is dipped in liquid honey (preferably May), and then injected into the anus.
Learn more about the healing properties of aloe vera: aloe vera, aloe tree.
There is a more time-consuming cooking option:
- Honey and butter, taken equally, warm in a water bath.
- When they dissolve, the resulting base is mixed and poured into molds (they can be empty blisters from pharmaceutical candles).
- After allowing the product to harden, it is removed from the molds and used for its intended purpose by adding a few drops of aloe juice or burdock oil.
Important! For the treatment of hemorrhoids more suitable lime and buckwheat varieties.
The external form of hemorrhoids is treated only with ointments. For such purposes, they use both the liquid honey itself and its mixtures with beet juice or onions. A special wound-healing effect is allocated additive in the form of a slurry of mashed potatoes. 
With hypertension
The most popular in this regard are such homemade medicines with the participation of honey:
- mix with beet juice (in equal shares) - drink 1 tbsp. l., 3-4 times a day;
- drink with the addition of carrot juice and horseradish (20 g each, as well as honey). To enhance the effect, add 50 g of dogrose tincture and zest from one lemon. This volume is calculated per day;
- a drink of 100 g of honey, filled with warm milk. Mix it thoroughly, they drink it at night;
- decoction of calendula flowers (250 g) interfere with the same 100 g of sweetness. Course - 1 week, 2 times a day;
- even easier to add in the same amount of bee product 1 tbsp. l cinnamon The finished mixture is taken after dinner for 1 tsp. (sure to drink water).
For preventive purposes, brewed ginger tea with honey additive.
Did you know? Honey, entering the body, provokes a release of serotonin (the hormone of happiness).
With prostate
The most popular treatment regimen using pumpkin seeds:
- A glass of sunflower seeds is passed through a meat grinder.
- There also add honey, making sure that the mixture came out thick.
- Small (not more than walnut) balls are rolled up from this blank.
Read also about the beneficial properties and drying pumpkin seeds.
On the day, they dissolve one such “coil” one at a time, trying not to drink water. 
Such products can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time, maintaining their quality.
In diseases of the liver and biliary tract
To restore the liver cells is real if you take honey with the addition of royal jelly (approximately 5: 1). This product also removes even extensive inflammation.
Learn more about royal jelly: how to get in the apiary and keep healing properties, in which cases take royal jelly (adsorbed).
Healing the liver and urinary highways is a challenge for another mixture:
- Half a liter of honey is mixed with 2 tbsp. l ground cinnamon.
- The resulting composition is taken 4-5 times a day, 2 tbsp. l an hour before meals (it is possible and after 2 after a meal).
It seems to be simple, but after 3-4 days, many feel relieved - the heaviness in the liver disappears. 
What diseases are contraindicated honey
Even such a useful product has direct contraindications. Among them:
- idiosyncrasy, allergies to bee products;
- asthma;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract during the period of exacerbation (especially ulcer, gastritis and pancreatitis);
- diabetes mellitus (type MODY or with gestational dynamics);
- acute urolithiasis;
- cardiopulmonary insufficiency;
- fever;
- obesity.
Important! Special care requires the use of a natural product - sometimes it contains the spores of bacteria that cause botulism.
But those who do not complain about health should be careful and adhere to the recommended doses. This is also relevant for pregnant women, as well as adolescents, whose body is somewhat weakened by age-related metamorphosis.
In folk medicine, other bee products are used: propolis, perga, zabrus, drone milk, homogenate, submorphine.
Leading honey countries in the world
Among the countries-producers of honey stands out the leading group, which includes:
- China with an impressive figure of 140 thousand tons (of which ¾ goes to the domestic market);
- Turkey is in second place (115 thousand tons);
- Russia (95);
- Iran (80)
- about 75 thousand tons are removed in the USA;
- the same volumes are produced in Ukraine.
As you can see, honey in the world is in demand (which is constantly growing), which means that more and more people can take advantage of this gift of nature.
Honey treatment experience: reviews
Nikolai
Treat only no one needs honey. For the use of honey as a medicine as a treatment of wounds, as well as an antitussive, special preparations are used, produced from sterile honey in the factory.
It is necessary to be treated with the help of official medicine! 100%! I just want to point out that honey is a valuable addition to the treatment of certain pathologies. But not a cure !!!
We found out what the structure of honey is, how it is useful and how to correctly use it with the maximum benefit for the body. We hope that this information will be useful to our readers, and they will be able to appreciate the beneficial effect of taking this beekeeping product. Good health and only joyful moments every day!
