SUBSCRIBE
Monday, June 23, 2025
Health For Mzansi
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
Health For Mzansi

4 health benefits of honey that will surprise you

by Siyabonga Mngoma
22nd June 2021
in My Health
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Honey bees are super-important pollinators for flowers, fruits and vegetables. Honey is just another superpower the buzzing bee has gifted the world. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Honey bees are super-important pollinators for flowers, fruits and vegetables. Honey is just another superpower the buzzing bee has gifted the world. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Honey, one of the world’s oldest medicines, was known only as a sweetener for centuries. It was so precious that ancient Egyptians used it as a form of currency, which is not surprising when you consider that it takes 300 bees about three weeks to gather 450g of the golden liquid!

Abundance Wholesome Food founder Siyabonga Mngoma believes lifestyle diseases can be managed through diet. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Honey has been used as medicine in traditional African healing for centuries and also features in ancient traditional Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurveda and Mayan shamanism. The past few decades have seen it subjected to clinical investigations, which has made it even more popular in modern medicine.  

This essential pantry staple is best when raw – as it exists in the beehive, not pasteurised. To achieve this, the honey is strained straight from the hive using a filter to separate the golden liquid from debris like pollen and beeswax.

ALSO READ: This farmer smiles when she hears bees buzzing

Is it really honey?

Most varieties found in supermarkets has been processed, usually through pasteurisation, which involves intense heating and may even contain added sugar.

This is a vital distinction in honey, especially if one is interested in its healing properties. 

Healing properties mentioned in most studies are derived from the elements found in raw honey. This includes bee pollen, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as vitamins and minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and antioxidants.

Its anti-bacterial and healing characteristics make it a great natural remedy for many common health problems.

1. Sore throat and cough: Mixed in tea or lemon water, honey soothes sore throats and on its own acts as a cough suppressant.

2. Wounds, cuts, and burns: It can be used for dressing chronic wounds, for cleansing and tissue regeneration.

3. Digestive health: Oral administration treats and protects against gastrointestinal infections.

4. Troublesome skin: Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it is claimed that honey retains moisture in the skin which helps in healing.

The physical properties of honey vary depending on the specific flora that was used to produce it, so be sure to find “raw” honey directly from your local beekeeper. Some studies have also raised the importance of consuming locally produced foods like honey to benefit from its healing properties.

What is sad is that over the past several decades, colonies of bees have been disappearing. Known as “colony collapse disorder” billions of honeybees across the world are dying.

Honeybees contribute significantly to the sustainability of the eco-system – in farming areas and the urban environment. What we can do to support the bees is plant flowers rich in nectar, especially blue and purple ones, like lavender.

This article was written by Siyabonga Mngoma and published by Abundance Wholesome Foods.

ALSO READ: 8 essential foods to keep Lady Vagina happy

Tags: Food medicinehoneyNatural medicineSkin
Siyabonga Mngoma

Siyabonga Mngoma

Related Articles

Kombucha
My Health

Kombucha: The tangy tea that’s good for your gut

by Candice Khumalo and Vateka Halile
17th June 2025
Tired all the time? It could be low blood pressure and iron
My Health

Tired all the time? It could be low blood pressure and iron

by Vateka Halile
6th June 2025

Stories

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites
Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics
Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy
Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen
No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches
How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth
Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing
Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers
No Result
View All Result

Latest

Fathers matter: Shaping lives, not just childhoods
Conversations

Fathers matter: Shaping lives, not just childhoods

by Vateka Halile
23rd June 2025

From Sunday meals to shared books, some dads build bonds that last a lifetime. Others leave wounds that take just...

Read moreDetails
UCT

Amputees call for support beyond surgery

20th June 2025

FS clinic upgrade stalls, forces patients into cramped church

19th June 2025
Pineapple tea is Mzansi’s medicine in a mug

Pineapple tea is Mzansi’s medicine in a mug

18th June 2025
Kombucha

Kombucha: The tangy tea that’s good for your gut

17th June 2025
Health For Mzansi

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824

News: hello@healthformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Awards & Impact
Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy
Copyright

Somagwaza

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites

cropped-scott-webb-yekGLpc3vro-unsplash.jpeg

Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics

Dr Sinethemba Makanya

Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy

Fathers matter: Shaping lives, not just childhoods

Amputees call for support beyond surgery

FS clinic upgrade stalls, forces patients into cramped church

Pineapple tea is Mzansi’s medicine in a mug

Kombucha: The tangy tea that’s good for your gut

From farm to fork: How red meat fuels jobs and plates across SA

error: Content is protected !!
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes

© 2021 Health For Mzansi | Farmers For Change Pty (Ltd)

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers