Raw honey is a natural food and medicine that has been used since ancient times. It’s a great source of antioxidants and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Raw honey is generally safe to use, as long as you are not allergic to bee pollen or giving it to an infant younger than age 1.
What is the difference between raw honey and regular honey and where can I find them?
Raw honey can be thought of as the type of honey you can get straight from a beehive. This type of honey is unfiltered and unpasteurized, so it contains bee pollen and bee propolis and it also retains many of its antioxidants and amino acids. You would typically find raw honey at your local beekeeper or local farmer’s markets.
Regular honey can be thought as the honey you can find on the shelf of every commercial grocery store. This type of honey is pasteurized, meaning it goes through a heating process and is filtered to make its consistency thinner and smoother for bottling and packaging. This process makes honey more aesthetically pleasing, but also reduces its health benefits.
Here are some reasons to start using raw honey:
It has great nutritional value – raw honey contains the following vitamins and minerals: niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorous, and zinc, which are all a great healthy addition to any diet. You could spread it on your morning toast or pancakes, stir it into oatmeal or yogurt, or even eat it by the spoonful.
It contains wound-healing properties – topical application on minor cuts can speed up wound healing and it can also remedy skin ailments such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema
It’s a natural cough remedy and can soothe a sore throat – Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, raw honey can kill bacteria and help fight off viral infections. Mix two tablespoons of raw honey in a warm glass of water and drink as needed to help reduce a mild cough and soothe a sore throat.