Honey Has Been Used to Treat Variety of Ailments for 2700 Years

Money From Honey
By Henrylito D. Tacio, Sun.Star, 6/20/2010

"Honey is a treat, and is man's oldest sweetener," someone once wrote. "It is an excellent substitute for sugar in our drinks and food. It is also good for many medicinal uses and treating certain conditions."

For at least 2700 years, honey has been used to treat a variety of ailments. But it's only in recent years that scientists around the world have been investigating the use of honey in modern medicine.

Scientists at the honey research unit of the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand 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."…

Other products that can be derived from honeybees are propolis, royal jelly, beeswax, and bee venom. Propolis, also known as bee glue, is a sticky material which plugs the holes of the beehive. It contains a chemical that can be used as anesthetic.

Royal jelly is a creamy liquid produced by the glands of the honeybees. Beeswax, a product of young honeybee workers, can be utilized as a waterproofing agent in leather and cotton strings, in making candles, and in hair and skin ointments.

Bee venom has some therapeutic values. It contains polypeptide substances, non-polypeptide substances, enzymes, and concentrated tumor cell toxin. These elements have proven effective in adjusting the function of the brain, clearing and activating channels and collaterals, relieving inflammation, resisting rheumatism, treating radiation illness, and in reducing cholesterol…