Researchers are proving again that some of your best remedies could be in your kitchen cabinet. A new study has found that honey may be better than over the counter drugs when it comes to cough and cold/flu symptoms.
Physicians from Oxford University's Medical School and Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences analyzed existing evidence to determine how the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) responded to it. URTIs are common cold-like illnesses that affect the nose, sinuses, pharynx or larynx.
The Oxford researchers said honey was more effective in relieving the symptoms of cold and flu-like illnesses than the usual commercial remedies, and could provide a safer, cheaper and more readily available alternative to antibiotics.
They encouraged doctors to consider recommending it to patients in place of prescribing antibiotics, which can cause side effects and lead to antibiotic resistance when overused.
It's good to see that today's physicians are catching up to historical medicinal practices. Honey has a long medicinal history dating back to the wound-dressing of ancient Egyptians. Today, many people swarm to honey for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. And holistic practitioners consider it one of nature's best all-around remedies.
Here is what we know about honey's health benefits:
Cuts, Scrapes and Wounds
Manuka honey is sometimes used to treat chronic leg ulcers and pressure sores. Manuka honey is made in New Zealand from the nectar of Leptospermum scoparium. It's the basis of Medihoney, which the FDA approved in 2007 for use in treating wounds and skin ulcers. It works very well to stimulate healing.
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It is Manuka honey's pH content, which leans toward acidic, which helps the healing process. Just put a teaspoon of the sweet goodness over the wound. Let it dry, clean up around the wound while letting the honey stay dry on the would and see how it starts healing. It's amazing! It is soothing and feels good to the wound.
Facial Cleanser
Honey on your face? Yes! If you’ve got skin issues, honey’s a great go-to because it tackles many of the major ones: It has antibacterial properties, anti-inflammatory properties, and it nurtures the skin. Honey’s particularly suitable for sensitive skin.
You might not think of the thick, sweet stuff as a salve for breakouts, but honey’s antibacterial powers are so strong that it can help acne. Honey has a very low pH, so a lot of bacteria cannot survive in honey. It’s about a 3.5 on average on the pH scale, and a lot of bacteria needs to thrive in closer to a 7 on the scale.
It has magical calming and moisturizing powers as well. Honey is moisture-grabbing because it’s a super-saturated solution, meaning the bees mix a lot of sugars into a little bit of water. So it’s always trying to grab water from the air to balance out the sugar. This is why people use it for baked goods—it keeps them moist for longer.” On your face the humectant is gentle enough to use on tender chapped noses from allergies to super red dry, flaky patches.
Try incorporating honey into your skin products or even letting it sit on your skin raw for a while before wiping it off. You'll see the difference!
Lower cholesterol
It can help reduce cholesterol and therefore decrease your risk for coronary artery disease. Just a tablespoon of it, raw, on a consistent basis has been known to show signs of lowering cholesterol.
Hair mask
A raw honey hair mask can help boost shine, mix 1 tsp of raw honey with 5 cups of warm water, rinse thoroughly, air dry and style as usual.
The Common Cold
Buckwheat honey-based syrup can be used to ease the early symptoms of a cold. It calms inflamed membranes and eases a cough -- the latter claim supported by a few studies. In a study that involved 139 children, honey beat out dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) in easing nighttime cough in children and improving their sleep. Another study involving 105 children found that buckwheat honey trumped dextromethorphan in suppressing nighttime coughs.
If you're suffering from a cold or something going on in the throat or upper airways, getting on board with honey syrup will help fight infection and soothe membranes. Buckwheat honey-based allergy medicine is also recommended for the same purpose.
Antibacterial Honey?
In the laboratory, honey has also shown to hamper the growth of food-borne pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella, and to fight certain bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both of which are common in hospitals and doctors' offices.
