Food as Medicine:  Honey

The benefits of Acupuncture are enhanced with a complement of lifestyle changes, including exercise, nutrition, and self-cultivation of Life Force (Qi). When we consider nutrition, we need to realize that food is not only fuel for our bodies, but also can serve as medicine to help us become and stay healthy.

One easily accessible food with medicinal qualities is honey. Bees produce a wide range of therapeutic substances beyond honey, e.g. propolis, bee venom, royal jelly, beeswax, bee pollen, etc. But the  sweet, sticky stuff we all love to dip our paw into occasionally is the most well known and most copiously consumed of them all -- and for good reason, it tastes great! 

But did you know this sweet treat is one of nature's most powerful healing agents, as well? Here is just a smattering of some ailments for which honey's more scientifically researched health benefits apply:

• Aspirin-Induced Gastrointestinal Toxicity (honey coats the delicate lining of the stomach, preventing aspirin-induced lesions and bleeding)
• Bacterial Infections
• Burns
• Candida infection (despite the fact that honey contains sugar, it demonstrates anti-fungal properties)
• Conjunctivitis
• Dental plaque (a recent study showed that Manuka honey was a viable alternative to chemical mouthwash in dissolving dental plaque)
• Dermatitis
• Diabetic Ulcer
• Herpes-related ulcers
• MRSA - a staph germ (especially for Manuka honey).

There are numerous additional uses for honey beyond what is listed here. The next time you reach for a synthetic sweetener, highly processed sugar, or sweeteners with high fructose corn syrup, consider replacing them with a moderate amount of honey. It's a great way to introduce a whole food sweetener to your diet, while also taking steps toward preventive health.