There is nothing sweet about a bee sting! We can all agree on that. However, honeybees not only play a critical role in pollination, but they also produce a remedy for countless ailments ... raw honey.
1 in 3 bites of food we consume owes its propagation to bees, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Meet Jacob Wustner, a 32-year-old organic beekeeper from western Montana. Jacob sells honey that is unpasteurized and unfiltered. It doesn't look like honey in the supermarket. This liquid gold is a powerful healing aid too.
Jacob discovered its healing powers when his son was suffering from severe allergies caused by pollen. His son experienced the classic itchy eyes and runny nose and also had painful rashes on his body.
After meeting with an allergist, they determined he was allergic to nearly everything! Of course, he was prescribed Benadryl and hydrocortisone cream. This was not what Jacob had in mind ...
After researching natural alternatives, honey was at the top of the list. His son started taking 1 teaspoon of raw honey per day. Over the course of the next four years, his symptoms were nearly gone!
Studies have found that raw honey packs a healthy punch of sugar, trace enzymes, minerals, amino acids, and vitamins. Raw honey is a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antifungal, and is packed with polyphenols and infection-fighting antioxidants.
"Regular doses of honey enhance multiple parameters of the immune system,"stated Ron Fessenden, author of The New Honey Revolution. "This helps fight off all kinds of conditions, including allergies."
A 2007 study at Penn State College of Medicine found honey to be a more effective cough suppressant than the active ingredient in cough syrups. (Plus, raw honey will taste a whole lot better than the artificial cherry flavored syrup you force yourself to stomach.)
They key to reaping the sweet benefits of honey is to buy raw honey. Processed honey, found in the cute bear containers, is micro-filtered and exposed to high heat. This process strips honey of all its health benefits and essentially leaves just the sugar behind.
Curious to try the real, raw deal? Chances are your local farmers market has a beekeeper selling this quality liquid gold. However, if you cannot find a local supplier, you can find great suppliers online. Just make sure you are buying unfiltered and unpasteurized honey to gain the potential health benefits.
Looking for an easy way to incorporate 1 tsp of raw honey into your daily routine? It's easy ... just add it into your VIBE shake and enjoy the sweet benefits from the incredible honeybee.
Plus ... Here are 20 sweet ideas on how to use honey in and out of the kitchen!
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