Sweet Medicine: 7 Proven Health Benefits of Honey

Why this natural sweetener belongs in your wellness routine….

1. Honey is Rich in Antioxidants - raw and unprocessed honey contains powerful antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic acids that help:

   • Neutralize free radicals

   • Lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer

   • Reduce oxidative stress

2.  Honey Supports Immunity and Fights Infections - Manuka honey has been shown to fight bacteria, viruses, and even fungi. Clinical studies show its effectiveness against:

• Sore throats and colds

• Upper respiratory infections

• Skin wounds and ulcers

Rooted Health Tip: Add a teaspoon of raw honey to warm lemon water to soothe throat inflammation and support immune defense, or... go all out like my daughter does and make the infamous Starbucks’s medicine ball!

Ingredients:

• 1 bag peach herbal tea

• 1 bag mint green tea

• 3/4 cup hot water

• 3/4 cup steamed lemonade

• 1-2 teaspoons of raw honey - local or Manuka for added benefit

• Optional slice of fresh lemon or a few drops of elderberry syrup

**Boil 3/4 cup water and steep tea bags 5-7 minutes.  Heat lemonade until hot.  Combine with tea (remove tea bags). Stir in honey.  Garnish with lemon slices or dash of elderberry.  

3.  It’s a Natural Prebiotic for Gut Health - honey feeds beneficial gut bacteria improving microbiome balance. Helps with:

• Digestive issues like bloating and mild IBS

• Gastric ulcers

• Overall gut lining health

**Pair with probiotics like kefir or yogurt for optimal results.  

4.  Honey Heals Wounds and Skin Conditions - used topically honey can:

• Speed up wound healing 

• Soothe burns and abrasions

• Help with acne and eczema !!! - that could be a sticky situation

**Medical grade Manuka honey is widely used in clinical wound care.

5.  Honey May Improve Heart Health- regular moderate honey consumption may: 

• Lower “bad” LDL cholesterol

• Raise “good” LDL cholesterol

• Slightly reduce blood pressure

**Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects also support arterial health 

6.  It Can Soothe Allergies (If Local and Raw)

• Some people report that local raw honey helps reduce seasonal allergy symptoms by exposing the body to small amounts of local pollen.

**More studies are needed but still get the other benefits mentioned above.

7.  It’s a Healthier Sweetener Alternative - honey has a lower glycemic index than refined sugar so it wont spike blood sugar as quickly.  It also provides trace nutrients like:

• B vitamins

• Calcium

• Magnesium

• Potassium 

How to Use Honey for Health (Safely):

• Always choose raw unfiltered honey and choose local

• Do not give honey to children under 1 years - real risk of botulism - I’ve seen it  happen!!

• If you are diabetic, use it sparingly and under medical supervision

• For therapeutic use, try Manuka honey with a UMF rating of 10+

Final Thoughts from Rooted Health:

At Rooted Health, we believe in a balance of science and nature for optimal wellness.  Honey is a perfect example of food as medicine - it’s delicious, versatile, and healing from the inside out.  

Whether you’re creating an anti-inflammatory diet, healing your gut, or boosting immunity, we can help personalize your plan.  So grab a couple of spoons - one for your face and one for your mouth - and let’s get you that smooth skin and healthy body!