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Honey has been eaten by humans since time immemorial. The ancient Greeks believed it to be the food of Zeus, the king of Gods, and the twelve gods of Olympus: they called it ambrosia or nectar, the food of immortality.

In India too, honey is considered one of the five elixirs of immortality and used to ‘bathe’ deities in temples- Madhu Abhisheka.
Herbal honey is what humans have experimented with for centuries: it is honey infused with herbs and spices. There are some of those unenlightened individuals who shrug off the benefits of herbal honey.

Here is why we should discredit certain misconceptions:

#Myth 1: Herbal honey is mumbo-jumbo: it has no basis in medicine.
Nothing could be further from the truth than this. Ayurveda firmly believes in the therapeutic use of honey blended with certain herbs and spices.
Honey mixed with ginger juice is advised for coughs. Honey mixed with carrot juice is recommended for good eyesight. Honey infused with garlic juice is beneficial to high blood pressure. The list is long.
Ayurveda believes in holistic health, and many consider it to be a harmonious form of treating chronic ailments like constipation, arthritis, etc. by balancing the various elements of the body.

#Myth 2: Herbal honey is just sugar with some flavour added to it.
Honey contains the sugars fructose and glucose, no doubt. That’s the reason for its sweetness. But it also contains vitamins like vitamin B6, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin. The minerals present in honey are magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, sodium and zinc. All these are essential for the proper functioning of the human body.
When medicinal herbs like rosemary or thyme (ajwain) are added, they add their therapeutic properties to those of honey. Rosemary, for instance, is extremely good for relieving pain and inflammation as well as being a good de-toxicant. Thyme infused honey is recommended for coughs and digestion; it serves as a good diuretic too. Sage honey is more effective as a cough syrup than many over-the-counter brands.

#Myth 3: Herbal honey spoils easily, so it’s better avoided
Herbal honey does not spoil if made in the right way by experts who know how. Here are a few points to ponder:

• If raw honey is being infused, your source of honey needs to be a safe one, or you will land up with bacterial infections.
• Drying the herbs before infusing is safer than using raw ones which have their moisture content intact.
• Some kinds of herbal honey are made by heating the honey and ‘stewing’ the herbs in it; some swear by infusing dried herbs and exposing to the sun.
• Bottling herbal honey should be done with care after sterilising and completely drying the bottles.

How much to heat? How long to expose to sunlight? Leave the making of herbal honey to the experts.

#Myth 4: Herbal honey is not good for diabetics
Diabetes is NOT about controlling sugar intake: it is about controlling calories consumed. Pure honey is a MUCH better choice not only than sugar but also artificial sweeteners as it has a lower glycemic index. Herbal honey infused with dry methi (fenugreek) leaves or powder requires much lower levels of insulin to metabolise.

#Myth 5: Herbal honey is a botulism risk
Botulism isn’t something exclusive to honey or herbal honey. It is food poisoning caused by a kind of bacterium in improperly sterilised canned meats and other preserved products. Current medical advice prescribes that honey is best avoided in infants less than 12 months of age– as a precaution. Botulism from herbal honey is not an adult risk.

#Myth 6: Herbal honey is all about taste and flavour
Of course, it is! How soothing is a hot cup of tea infused with the smell of lemon honey!
Hot summers are time for cool drinks. Honey infused with mint is a great cooler: you can add it to watermelon juice, or try ginger infused honey added to lemon juice.
Do the taste and flavour just stop at the tongue? No, the ‘good and happy’ feeling is because herbal honey is a good mood elevator. It cools the body and calms the mind.

# Myth 7: Herbal honey is a good sugar replacement in baking.
Honey, herbal or otherwise, has no value for health when heated above 60°C. In fact, the ayurvedic belief is that eating heated honey increases mucus formation.

#Myth 8: Herbal honey should be made ONLY from local raw honey
This is a myth propagated by do-it-yourself hardliners who will start the process by rearing the bees! It is not practical and not even necessary. A good brand which sources its honey AND herbs from safe and organic produce will ensure that you receive all the benefits that herbal honey can gift you.

#Myth 9: Pregnant women should avoid eating raw herbal honey
Pregnant women should feel free to enjoy this health food. Botulism is rarely an adult concern and certainly not from herbal honey. Any botulism spores will be destroyed in the mother’s digestive system by adult enzymes: there is no chance at all of their crossing the placental barrier.

#Myth 10: Herbal honey cannot really induce sleep
Honey is mainly made up of fructose and glucose. These are reduced sugars that can be quickly absorbed by the blood and are essential nutrients for neurons and our nervous systems. Herbal honey infused with herbs like catnip, passionflower, and lemon balm, mixed in hot tea or milk or even warm water, is a great soporific. Sweet dreams!
Herbal honey should be everyone’s cup of tea! Add it to tea (of course!), on top of yogurt or ice cream, on toast, fruit, breakfast cereal, or just take a spoonful on its own. Organic herbal honey is absolutely chemical free with all the goodness of nature.
Good health, good taste, and good mood: those are the three gifts that you will receive.

Nature is a great store of some remarkable food products which are very healthy and honey is an A-lister among them. Given the numerous health benefits of honey, especially forest honey, it is extensively used as a sweetener, energy source and an important ingredient in traditional medicines like Ayurvedic treatment.

Typically, forest honey is a rich source of essential vitamins such as Vitamin C and B6 and nutrients such as magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, calcium, potassium, zinc and iron. It is also enriched with sucrose and fructose which are great energy sources.

Top 4 Health Benefits Of Forest Honey

Let’s look at the top four health benefits offered by forest honey in detail.

• A good healing agent: Since forest honey has excellent antibacterial properties, it serves as a good healing agent. It can readily help in healing wounds from abrasions, bed sores, ulcers, etc. What’s more? It serves as an antiseptic as well and helps in prevention of growth of harmful micro-organisms. It can even provide protection from allergies. Further, due to the natural presence of hydrogen peroxide, a powerful disinfectant in forest honey, it is very good for treating sore throat, cough and respiratory infections.
• Contains antioxidants and nutraceuticals needed for good health: Since forest honey contains a high amount of antioxidants and nutraceuticals, it is highly effective in removing all the free radicals from our body, thus, improving body’s immunity and helping in preventing various diseases like cancer or heart diseases.
• Helps in the nourishment of nervous system and improving intellectual abilities: The presence of amino acids and various minerals and nutrients help in the nourishment of nervous system and even improve the cerebral functions of the body.
  Helps in weight management: It has a lower glycaemic index. So when consumed with warm water, it can help in the digestion of fat stored in the body, thus, helping in reducing weight.
• Helps in nourishing the skin: Since it possesses anti-bacterial properties, it can help in preventing acne breakouts, premature ageing and make the skin soft. It can even help in curing the worst of sunburns.

Forest honey overflows with antibacterial and antifungal properties, and its consumption can promote good digestive health, strengthen the immune system and protect the body and skin from various ailments. If this honey is organic, then the good effects are simply multiplied.

Organic forest honey
Extracted from the forests of Uttarakhand, forest honey from trusted brands like Terragreens, is derived without killing a single bee or destroying its honeycomb. Quite unlike the other products, this forest honey remains in a liquid state throughout the year and possesses the goodness of 100 percent natural taste and aroma. It is rich in antioxidants, essential nutrients and vitamins. The quality of such forest honey can be gauged from the fact that it is tested for traces of pesticide residue and is certified clean.
So, what are you waiting for? Start replacing those unhealthy sugars and sugar based dishes with the delicious wholesomeness of forest honey. Serve regularly to your family including kids and see them grow healthy and strong.

Just as it is important to consume honey, it is also necessary to know the different ways on how to use honey in daily life to enhance your diet. Honey is an extremely versatile food, known worldwide for its numerous health benefits; so versatile is this rich, golden liquid that its usage extends beyond dietary purposes! From food spreads and skin potions to illness remedies and beauty applications, the utilities of honey seem boundless.

Honey possesses hygroscopic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and nutritional properties that make it a power food for the whole family. Since honey is an adaptable food, serving multiple purposes, one can include honey in the daily diet in several ways. So, how to use honey in daily diet to enhance your meal? Let’s find out.

 

How To Use Honey In Daily Life To Enhance Diet:

 

1. In your beverages

Kickstart your day with a tall glass of warm water, two tablespoons of honey and one tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. This honey-water-lemon concoction is known to help aid faster burning of fats, when coupled with an active lifestyle. You can replace sugar and other calorie-heavy sweeteners. Opt for honey in milk, instead of sugar. You can also whip up your very own, healthy power drink to immediately feel refreshed and energized. Mix two cups of water, one-fourth cup of fresh lemon juice, one-eighth teaspoon of salt and two and a half teaspoons of raw honey in a water bottle. Consume as and when needed to rehydrate yourself, instead of consuming unhealthy sports drinks and mixes.

2. As a bread spread

Using honey as a breakfast or bread spread is a smart and healthier alternative to the sugar-packed conventional bread spreads available in the market. Generously spread honey onto your morning toast for a delicious breakfast; remember to have some fruit portions as well. Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder and apply it on bread as a spread, instead of jams and jellies. You can also make a honey-mustard spread for sandwiches in a trice – just blend one-fourth cup of prepared mustard, one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of mayonnaise, and spread the mixture between bread slices. Alternatively, you can use honey as a great dip to go with breakfast rotis or chapatis. A popular way in some rural ways is to dip freshly made Dosas in a mix of honey & ghee.

3. As a salad dressing

Salads taste great when married with the right dressing! You can use honey to up your salad dressing game, and turn snack time into a delicious, healthy daily routine. Simply add equal parts honey, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil into a jar; add a sprinkling of your favourite herbs and a pinch of salt to taste. Close the jar tightly with a lid and shake thoroughly, or simply use a spoon to mix the contents well. Add a generous portion of the dressing to your salads, instead of using mayonnaise or other calorie-rich salad dressings.

4. As a power snack

For a quick and nutritious snack, mix your favourite dry fruits, a cup of raw toasted oats, a little warm milk and three tablespoons of honey in a bowl. This muesli-like snack bowl is super-nutritious and packs quite the punch in filling you up; it works perfectly as a light tea-time snack, thus preventing you from binge-eating salty, fried or processed snacks.

5. In your soups

Honey is an excellent ingredient in soups such as bisques, broths made with carrots, squash, sweet potato of certain fruit, and in soups or curries seasoned with ginger. Just a drizzle of honey works to add more complexity and balance to soups. In case of soups that work on the bitterness angle such as cauliflower or parsnip based soups, honey makes the soup softer on the palate. Spicy soups gain a slightly sweet dimension when honey is added. Moreover, the natural viscosity of honey helps in adding more body and thickness to soups.

Honey works wonderfully in various food preparations, both as an additive and a key ingredient. Experiment with honey by using recipes for whole-cooked meals with honey. But do note that Ayurveda warns against heating honey. If you want to keep it simple, go the easy route and add honey as a table ingredient in your daily meals such as beverages and snacks. So, in order to enhance your life and your diet, buy honey online today and include it in your regular meals. Take the step to choose both taste & health together, and see the difference.