HONEYDEW – THE ROYAL AMONGST HONEYS

Honey is a staple ingredient in my kitchen and medicine cabinet (which in my case tend to be one and the same J). During the lockdown I’ve been particularly using more of it to give myself an extra boost of immunity and strength.

There are lots of different types of honey with various properties but today I want to shed some light on a lesser known type of honey - a honeydew honey, often called the “royal honey” which once you read a bit more about it you’ll know why.

It is definitely my favourite one for this epidemic time, and no, it is not made form honeydew melon J

Unlike nectar honey, it is not made from the nectar of flowers, but from the tree sap excreted by tree insects and then collected and processed by bees.

Thanks to the fact that this honey is created from trees located in the cleanest forests, you can distinctly smell the resin and needles.

It has a specific, greenish or dark colour, sometimes almost black depending to the specificity of the raw material from which it is obtained.

Since this honey is not made of nectar but from the sap accumulated on the leaves or needles of some trees, it does not contain pollen, hence it can be consumed by individuals allergic to pollen.  That’s not all…

Compared to nectar honey, honeydew honey has less sugar and less water content yet the content of its micro elements and salts is more than 10x times higher!

Please note that honeydew honey is usually more expensive due to the fact that the sap is not as widely available as the flower nectar as well as it appears only in the summer and not always in the same place as before. However its outstanding health benefits and rarity totally explain the price.

Benefits and usage

Thanks to its exceptional health properties, honeydew honey is widely used in natural medicine. Already one tablespoon a day will affect the better functioning of the body.

Honeydew honey has the highest antibacterial and antioxidant properties than any other types of honey!

It is excellent for strengthening immunity, therefore it is especially recommended for people with a supressed immune system, exposure to pathogens and various stressors, as well as after antibiotic and steroid treatments. It is even administered to miners working in uranium mines, because it counteracts the effects of radiation!

This honey is a perfect remedy for chronic fatigue, tiredness and weakness of the body. It is therefore recommended for anaemic.

Its anti-inflammatory, expectorant and soothing effect  relieves upper respiratory issues such as asthma, persistent wet cough, sore throat, colds, flu, and more serious illnesses, such as pneumonia, especially if you get on hold of one made from coniferous trees such as spruce, larch or fir.  

When combined with warm water and drunk on empty stomach in the morning, it has fat scraping properties and regulates metabolism, aiding in the weight loss. For this purpose choose honeydew honey derived from deciduous trees such as oak or linden tree). Make sure you use it in moderation otherwise it won’t bring the desired effect (1tsp a day) J

When combined with cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum NOT Cassia) it helps to lower blood sugar levels making it a useful remedy for diabetics.

It also has high prebiotic activity, making it a wonderful gut flora balancer. In combination with high antibacterial levels it is helpful in a treatment of peptic ulcer and gastritis, working as an inhibitor of the causing agent for both diseases, Helicobacter pylori.

It regulates the work of the heart, dilates coronary vessels, lowers blood pressure, improves circulation.

It reduces nervous tension and has a calming effect. In addition, honeydew honey helps in anxiety and insomnia. Simply add a teaspoon of it to warm (not hot) milk in the evening.

It improves kidney function and is helpful in the treatment of kidney stones.

Honeydew honey has properties that accelerate the healing of wounds, burns and frostbites.

Eating honey reduces the poisonous effects of coffee, tea, alcohol and tobacco on your body.

The essential oils it contains give it valuable properties in the treatment of cardiac neurosis as well as prostatitis.

Ayurveda and honey

Since honey has heating properties, it a great medicine for naturally cold Vata and Kapha dosha, but hot Pitta should use in moderation or avoid if needed.

Never combine honey with equal amount of ghee by weight (i.e. 1tsp of honey with 3 tsp of ghee)

Never cook or boil honey. Honey heated above approximately 400C (100F) becomes toxic by forming a glue-like substance that sticks to mucus membranes and blocks them.

For cough add ¼ tsp of black pepper or cinnamon powder and 1 tsp of honey after food.

For chronic fever mix the above (¼ tsp of black pepper and 1 tsp of honey) in a cup of tulsi tea.

For nausea mix 2 pinches of cardamom with ½ tsp of honey mixed with ½ cup of yoghurt.

For respiratory congestion and breathlessness mix ¼ cup of onion juice with 1 tsp of honey and 1/8 of black pepper.

For detox, digestion and regular appetite mix lime or lemon juice, fresh ginger, raw honey, black pepper, sea salt and turmeric and take 1 tsp of this paste in warm water 30-15 min before main meals.

All information on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Products and information provided on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant or nursing, or have a known medical condition, consult your physician before taking these or any other dietary supplements.