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Historical Significance of Honey in Iranian Culture

Iranians have been nurturing hives and bees for more than 2000s years, and there is significant evidence for that. There are early Persian texts and other archaeological findings that point to the fact that people in this region have been using organic honey as a sweetener and a medicine for thousands of years.

Avicenna, who was a famous Iranian physician and philosopher about a 1000 years ago, recommended honey in his multiple medical treatises, which highlights its significance in that culture.

Iran’s beekeepers are still connected to the age-old honey harvesting and beekeeping practices that are passed down through generations. These methods are all about patience, a respect for the bees and the planet, and a deep understanding of local flora and weather patterns.

The next section covers some impressive honey-making methods that Iranians have been using for thousands of years and are still very relevant even today. So, stay with us to learn more.

Nomadic Beekeeping in Iran: Migration of Beehives

This is a really interesting honey-making practice that beekeepers of Iran have been following for centuries. Expert beekeepers practice seasonal migration of their hives to different areas based on the blooming season of the plants. The practice of seasonal migration of the hives is known as transhumance.

This practice allows them to prepare exotic monofloral honey varieties that you do not normally find in stores.

The seasonal migration of the hives allows bees to forage a wide range of pesticide-free nectar sources that are in full bloom, which leads to greater honey purity and higher yields.

In the autumns and winters, beekeepers move their hives to lower altitude southern regions, while in the summer they move them to the highland areas like the blooming Astragalus fields. In the spring, these people head to orchards or gardens near rivers to set up their hives.

The deep knowledge of plant ecology and bee behaviour is essential for proper transhumance, which these beekeepers inherit from the ancestors who have been doing this all their lives.

Traditional Iranian Hives

Iranians use natural and locally sourced materials to create sturdy hives for their bees. They employ clay cylinders, woven baskets sealed with mud, and hollow logs to create highly functional, bee-friendly, and ecologically integrated hives that provide a natural environment for the bees to create honey.

Regions like Kurdistan, Lorestan, and the Alborz Mountains in Iran are using horizontal log hives to this day. These hives are very easy to manage, and the beekeepers can open them by hand. This allows for maximum honey extraction without disturbing or destroying the bee colony in any way.

A Focus on Purity and Rawness

Irani beekeepers work hard to ensure the bees only forage in pure and untouched landscapes that are not affected by pollution or pesticides. They create honey with amplified therapeutic properties by allowing the bees to forage thyme, saffron, wild pistachio, and similar flora.

After extraction, these beekeepers ensure there is minimal filtration and no pasteurization, which leads to a raw flavour with countless health benefits. This honey contains traces of beeswax, propolis, and pollen, which are not common in store-bought honey.

The beekeepers of Iran also ensure the raw honey is not mixed with syrups or other additives, which gives you a very natural and authentic honey to enjoy.

Ancient Iranian Honey-Making: A Sustainable Approach

The traditional Iranian honey-making methods are centered on sustainability and biodiversity. By migrating hives, beekeepers ensure bees forage on a wide range of plants, which helps with pollination. With more pollination, biodiversity flourishes, and many healthy ecosystems are created.

Traditional beekeepers ensure bees do not come in contact with harmful pesticides. These experts extract only a small amount of honey and leave enough inside the hives for the bees. This makes sure bee colonies stay nourished, and that ultimately leads to a safer planet for all.

Factors that Threaten This Age-Old Tradition

The age-old Irani honey-making methods are under threat, and a part of it is due to harmful human activities. Deforestation, climate change, industrialization, and the commercialization of beekeeping are leading to a decline in bee populations worldwide.

The rapid urbanization and the movement of younger Iranian generations to the cities are another major factor that threatens the continuity of the ancient honey-making practices in the region.    

Many manufacturers are launching adulterated, cheap, and impure honey products that are undercutting the market for high-quality Iranian honey, discouraging the local beekeepers even further.

Preservation Efforts are Underway

Despite the above challenges, there is still hope for these ancient Iranian honey-making methods. There is a lot of local and international interest in preserving and promoting these traditional practices.

Many programs focusing on Eco-tourism, organic labelling, and beekeeping education are being developed to make sure the future Iranians and the world know about the rich honey-making heritage of this region.

These initiatives aim to provide economic incentives to beekeepers and to renew the sense of pride in rural community lifestyle.

Conclusion

Iran’s ancient honey-making methods are centered on sustainability, bee conservation, and cultural preservation. These people have been nurturing hives and ethically harvesting honey using less invasive and non-harmful methods for hundreds of years.

The techniques devised by these people are still being used by apiarists both inside and outside Iran, which goes to show how effective these processes actually are.

The apiarists in Iran believe in quality over quantity, and every jar of honey that they produce encapsulates their patience, respect for nature and the bees, and cultural heritage.

You can visit us at Geohoney to explore our 100% pure, raw, and unprocessed honey varieties, ethically sourced from beekeepers from all over the world.

• What is Royal Honey?

• Nutritional Profile of Royal Honey

• Having Royal Honey Every Day: What Will Happen?

• Enhanced But Stable Energy Levels

• Antioxidant Effects

• Better Digestive Health 

• Enhanced Immunity

• Managing Blood Sugar Levels

• Better Heart Health

• Seasonal Allergy Prevention

• Reduced Triglyceride Levels

• Having Honey Daily: Possible Risks and Side Effects

What is Royal Honey?

Royal honey is a special raw honey variety that is enhanced by adding healthy ingredients like royal jelly, ginseng, and macca root to it. The addition of royal jelly imparts many health benefits to the regular honey.

Royal jelly is a nutrient-rich, thick, white substance that worker bees inside the hives excrete from the glands in their heads. It is mainly used to feed larvae and adult queen bees. When mixed with honey, this substance makes it instantly healthier and more flavorful..

Royal jelly is rich in vitamins B6, healthy proteins, and minerals that combine with the healthy ingredients of the honey to give you a natural superfood that is both healthy, flavorful, and highly nutritious.

Key Features of Royal Honey

There are many unique features of the royal organic honey that set it apart from other basic honey varieties. The following list contains a few of these.

• This honey comes in colors that range from light yellow to dark amber. You can also find some variations in black hues. The color mainly depends on the type of monofloral honey you add the royal jelly to.

• Compared to regular honey, royal honey has a thicker and creamier consistency.

• This honey possesses a strong malty flavor, which can vary based on the floral origin of the honey.

Nutritional Profile of Royal Honey

The worldwide popularity of royal honey can be attributed to its impressive nutritional profile. Royal honey contains several healthy ingredients that amplify the healthy aspects of the regular honey even further.

It contains royal jelly, maca, ginseng, bee larva powder, and eurycoma longifolia, all of which work together to give you the necessary dose of energy and vitality.

About 20 grams or 1 tablespoon of royal honey gives you about 61 calories, 17 grams of carbs, 1% of the daily value of Riboflavin, and a trace amount of minerals like copper, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, etc. Honey is also rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy enzymes that guarantee better health. 

Having Royal Honey Every Day: What Will Happen?

There are many ways in which having royal honey daily in recommended amounts can improve your health, and in this next section, you are going to look at just a few of these. 

1. Enhanced But Stable Energy Levels

Royal honey is a natural and balanced source of energy, which is clear from its impressive nutritional profile. This substance contains vitamins, minerals, calories, and carbs that keep your body fueled throughout the day.

This honey offers a sustained release of energy in your body due to its complex carbohydrate makeup and low glycemic index. The slow release of energy prevents sugar highs and crashes that you experience after consuming regular sugar that is high in sucrose, that are absorbed, digested, and released quickly in your body.

2. Antioxidant Effects

Royal honey is a rich source of bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, including flavonoids and phenolic acids. These compounds neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) in your system, which prevents their buildup and the cell damage caused by them. This, in turn, prevents conditions like premature ageing, type 2 diabetes, and certain heart diseases.

The presence of antioxidants also prevents oxidative stress and the harmful effects of free radicals, which reduces the risks of cell functional impairment and blood vessel disorders.

3. Better Digestive Health

Royal honey has superior anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties due to the presence of royal jelly. It also contains prebiotics in higher concentrations, which facilitate the growth of healthy gut bacteria.

Having this honey thus creates a very healthy gut biome, which prevents gastrointestinal issues like constipation, diarrhoea, IBS, gastroenteritis, and peptic ulcers.

4. Enhanced Immunity

This is another major benefit of adding royal honey to your daily diet. This honey has immune-enhancing properties that strengthen your body’s defenses against internal and external pathogens and illnesses.

This honey contains healthy components like antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and antibacterial elements that work together to stimulate white blood cell production and fight bacteria.

This allows you to fight both chronic and seasonal illnesses better, which leads to enhanced overall health.

5. Managing Blood Sugar Levels

Royal honey raises your blood sugar levels to a lesser extent and much slowly than regular sugar. Its regular use can increase adiponectin levels in your body, which is good for blood sugar regulation.

People with type 2 diabetes can add this honey to their diet and observe a significant difference in their fasting blood sugar levels.

6. Better Heart Health

This honey lowers bad LDL cholesterol and raises good HDL cholesterol, which reduces the risks of cardiovascular complications. By preventing fatty deposits in the arteries, this honey reduces the risks of strokes and heart attacks.

Royal honey further improves your heart health by regulating your heartbeat, blood fat levels, and blood pressure.

7. Seasonal Allergy Prevention

Royal honey has proven quite effective in treating and preventing seasonal and chronic allergies. This substance is an effective remedy for seasonal fevers, flu, and colds. 

This honey also has many benefits for people who suffer from asthma and feel like their conditions worsen with changing seasons. Use of this honey prevents airway inflammation, which helps manage asthma symptoms.

8. Reduced Triglyceride Levels

Higher triglyceride level is a major culprit behind several cardiovascular illnesses. High triglyceride level also leads to insulin resistance, making the treatment of diabetic patients quite difficult.

Royal honey has much lower concentrations of carbs and sugars, which means that by adding it to your daily diet, you can keep your triglyceride levels maintained.

Having Honey Daily: Possible Risks and Side Effects

You can add royal honey to your daily diet without experiencing any side effects. However, moderation is the key here. Experts recommend you take no more than 2-3 tablespoons of royal honey a day if you are not eating any other forms of sugar.

As honey is still a form of sugar and it contains a higher calorie concentration, having it daily in excessive amounts can lead to various risks and side effects.

• Having royal honey can lead to mild to severe allergic reactions if you are allergic to royal jelly, bee pollen, or honey.

• If you have diabetes, having this honey in high amounts can raise your blood sugar levels.

• Giving royal honey to children who are under 12 months old can lead to Botulism poisoning.

• High fructose content of royal honey, when consumed in large amounts, can lead to digestive issues like bloating, gas, or diarrhoea.

• Royal honey is dense in calories, which can lead to weight gain over time if you do not watch your intake.

Conclusion

Royal honey is as healthy and nutritious as it is flavorful, and this is exactly what makes it a highly sought-after commodity globally. This honey contains potent ingredients like royal jelly, which is itself rich in minerals, vitamins, and healthy enzymes.

Having royal honey daily leads to better heart health, higher immunity, lower oxidative stress on your skin, which prevents damage caused by free radicals, and enhanced gut health.

So, add this natural sweetener to your daily diet to observe firsthand how it makes you look and feel healthier, youthful, and fit throughout the day.

You can visit us at Geohoney if you are looking to buy premium quality, pure, and 100% organically sourced royal honey to enjoy both an incredible flavor and health benefits.

• Ukraine - Acacia Honey

• Poland – Black Forest Honey

• Bulgaria – Lavender Honey

• Georgia – Chestnut Honey

• Serbia – Wild Flower Honey

• Uzbekistan – Desert Herb Honey

1. Ukraine - Acacia Honey

Ukraine is among the largest producers of honey in Eastern Europe. This region features diverse flora, including huge wildflower meadows and buckwheat fields. However, the country is mainly known for its endless Acacia groves and the acacia honey that comes from them.

Ukraine offers an ideal climate for bees to gather nectar. The beekeepers in the region use traditional honey harvesting methods, which ensure both high quality and yield.

Beekeeping is so common in Ukraine that you can even find local roadside vendors selling jars of pure honey in the regions of Vinnytsia, Poltava, and Zaporizhzhia.

 Key Features of Ukraine’s Acacia Honey

• This honey comes in a very light and almost clear to golden colors.

• It has a high fructose content, which reduces its crystallization rate.

• Acacia honey has a light floral flavor and aroma. Its mostly neutral flavor makes it ideal for countless culinary applications.

• This honey is rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, chrysin, and phenols.

• It is also a rich source of Vitamins A, B6, and C, and minerals like calcium and magnesium.

2. Poland – Black Forest Honey

Beekeeping has been a significant part of the culture in Poland, where natives have been raising wild forest bees since medieval times. Regions like Podlasie and Mazury in Poland still practice traditional beekeeping to create medicinal honey varieties that are mixed with royal jelly and propolis to enhance their effectiveness.

This region is mainly known to produce natural and raw black forest honey that features a very robust flavor and an impressive nutritional profile. 

Key Features of Poland’s Black Forest Honey

• This honey has a high mineral content, which imparts a rich brownish or dark amber to black hue to it.

• This honey has a complex flavor profile, which mainly depends on the type of flora that bees forage in the forests. It contains less sweet, herbal, earthy, woody, and malty notes.

• This honey has a smooth and moderately thick consistency. 

• Black forest honey is rich in carbohydrates, antioxidants, and minerals, which give it super anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immune-boosting properties.

3. Bulgaria – Lavender Honey

When talking about Bulgaria, most people immediately think about its massive rose oil industry. However, this region is also known to produce premium-quality honey. Bulgarian honey is made in perfect conditions, which are a combination of abundant herbs, temperate climate, and pristine air.

This region mainly produces high-quality lavender honey, which is a nutrient-dense natural sweetener that gives you both an amazing taste and countless health benefits. 

Key Features of Bulgaria’s Lavender Honey

• The color of this honey can be described as white, extra clear, or pale amber. 

• Lavender honey has a sweet, mild, and floral flavor.

• This honey is known for its low acidity and less bitter aftertaste.

• This honey crystallizes quickly and turns into fine granules of a light brown color.

• This honey is a rich source of calories and carbohydrates.

• It is effective for reducing stress, strengthening the immune system, and promoting better health of your respiratory system.

4. Georgia – Chestnut Honey

This is another key region in Eastern Europe that produces pure, raw honey. Beekeeping is a truly ancient aspect of the culture in the region. So much so that archaeologists have unearthed hives that date back thousands of years in this area.

The Kakheti, Adjara, and Svaneti areas are particularly notable, where local beekeepers have been practicing this art for centuries. Georgia is particularly famous for its chestnut honey, which has countless culinary and medicinal uses. This is a relatively less sweet honey variety that can amplify any recipe without altering its original flavor.

Key Features of Georgia’s Chestnut Honey

• It comes in deep amber, dark brown, and almost black colors.

• This honey has a strong woody or bitter flavor with notes of smoke, licorice, or tannins in some cases.

• Its high fructose content slows down its crystallization rate. It crystallizes after one to two years once you open the jar.

• This mineral and nutrient-rich substance promotes wound healing, skin health, immune support, and digestive health.

• This honey has a smooth, flowy, or runny texture.

5. Serbia – Wild Flower Honey

Beekeeping holds special significance in Siberian culture. Monks in Siberia’s ancient monasteries in regions like Fruska Gora practice age-old apiary and honey harvesting practices to this very day.

This region also stands out for its contributions to apitherapy, which is a field that deals with using honey to promote healing and well-being.

This region produces the purest wild flower honey, whose every jar gives you a unique flavor and countless nutrients. This honey possesses superior antibacterial and antiviral features, which promote better digestion, quicker wound healing, and seasonal allergy prevention.

Key Features of Siberia’s Wildflower Honey

• This honey possesses a light amber, pale yellow, or even dark amber hue based on the wildflower nectar sources.

• Each batch of this honey has a unique flavor with balanced sweetness and distinct floral, herbal, woody, or spicy undertones.

• This honey has a very thick but easily spreadable consistency.

• Wildflower honey also contains beneficial enzymes, amino acids, B vitamins, and minerals like zinc, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

6. Uzbekistan – Desert Herb Honey

This is another notable region where beekeeping is still thriving. Areas like the Fergana Valley, Tashkent, and Samarkand stand out for beekeeping activities in Uzbekistan. These areas feature exotic desserts and oasis flora, and a dry climate that is ideal for making exquisite organic honey varieties.

This region produces the unique desert herb honey, which is used in green and black teas or mixed with dried fruits and nuts. 

Key Features of Uzbekistan’s Desert Herb Honey

• This honey features a smooth golden to light amber hue.

• Desert Herb honey has a rich, earthy flavor with very subtle floral notes.

• This honey has a smooth but less viscous consistency. 

• This honey is prone to crystallization with changing seasons.

• It contains several health-promoting compounds like antioxidants, micronutrients, healthy enzymes, etc.

Conclusion

There are many exotic and unique hidden honey gems that you can find all over the Eastern European region. Countries like Ukraine, Poland, Serbia, all the way to Bulgaria and Uzbekistan, offer you honey varieties that reflect the region’s natural and traditional beauty.

The Eastern European honey is known for its exceptional purity, which arises from its age-old and sustainable beekeeping practices and minimal processing.

So, the next time you wish to try out some unique, flavorful, and pure honey varieties, we suggest you look for Eastern European honey to experience something really extraordinary with every single spoonful that you consume.

You can visit us at Geohoney to check out our wide range of monofloral honey varieties sourced from skilled beekeepers from all over the globe.

1. Sidr Honey

Origins

Sidr honey, especially the Yemeni Sidr honey, is among the most expensive honey varieties, and there are good reasons for that. This honey is native mainly to Yemen and some areas of Saudi Arabia. In Yemen, this honey comes from the remote mountains in the Hadramaut region.

To make this honey, bees forage the Sidr trees, also known as the Lote Tree or the Tree of Life. Sidr honey is believed to possess exceptional healing properties, which is why it has been a key ingredient in ancient medicine for over a millennium.

Key Features

• This honey ranges from rich golden to amber color with reddish undertones.

• Sidr honey has a very thick, viscous, and creamy texture.

• The complex flavor of this honey includes herbal, floral, and bitter notes.

• Sidr honey crystallizes slowly compared to regular honey.

What Makes it Special?

There are many things that lead to Sidr honey’s high price, and at the top of the list is its rarity. This honey is only produced in the autumn and winter seasons when Sidr trees are in full bloom in the regions of Yemen. These seasons come in a time between September and November, which gives beekeepers very little window for harvesting this precious substance.

Beekeepers in Yemen still use age-old honey harvesting practices instead of commercial tools, which gives you 100% pure honey. Sidr honey is hailed globally for its impressive nutritional profile, which makes it a perfect addition to your daily diet.

2. Manuka Honey

Origins

This is another rare and expensive honey variety that comes exclusively from New Zealand. This honey is made from the nectar of the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium), which is believed to have potent therapeutic and antibacterial properties.

Key Features

• Manuka honey has a dark cream to dark brown hue.

• This honey has a very viscous and thick consistency.

• The flavor of Manuka honey can be described as rich, earthy, and slightly bitter.

• Manuka honey has a lower water and higher glucose content, which can lead to its faster crystallization.

• This honey has a very high MGO content, which gives it superior antibacterial features.

What Makes it Special?

Manuka honey is so expensive due to its exceptional healing prowess. This honey can fight off bacteria, reduce inflammation, suppress coughing, heal minor wounds, and enhance both digestive and oral health.

This honey mainly comes from northern New Zealand, and its limited production and high demand lead to a very high price tag. Manuka flowers bloom only for a period of 2 to 6 weeks, which gives little time to the bees to collect the nectar and to the beekeepers to harvest the honey.

3. Elvish Honey

Origins

Also known as Red Honey or Anzer Honey, the Elvish honey comes from Turkey’s black sea region, mainly from the remote Anzer Highlands. Bees make this honey from the nectar of rhododendron plants that are found in the remote and challenging terrains inside the caves in the region.

Beekeepers extract this honey two to three times a year from deep inside the caves using labor-intensive harvesting methods.

Key Features

• Elvish honey possesses a golden to deep burgundy hue that resembles aged wine.

• This honey possesses a thick, smooth, and velvety texture.

• The flavor of Elvish honey contains a mix of slightly sweet and bitter notes with hints of vanilla and molasses in some cases.

• The unique composition of Elvish honey gives it a very slow crystallization rate.

• This honey is rich in minerals like magnesium and potassium. 

What Makes it Special?

Elvish honey is extremely rare and special because of the labor-intensive practices that go into its harvesting. Beekeepers have to traverse and climb treacherous terrains and steep slopes to access the hives.

The harsh harvesting conditions, combined with the limited flowering of the rhododendron blossoms, lead to limited production of Elvish honey. This honey possesses exceptional medicinal properties due to its high MGO, antioxidant, and enzyme contents, which further drive up its price.

4. Tualang Honey

Origins

This expensive organic honey variety hails from the regions of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, where bees collect the nectar from the Tualang tree (Koompassia excelsa) to make this rare substance. Tualang trees grow in very specific climates, and they can be as high as 290 feet  

This honey is revered globally for its remarkable antioxidant properties, distinct flavor profile, and high purity. 

Key Features

• Based on the geographical and floral origins, this honey can have red, yellow, dark brown, or even black color.

• This honey has a complex flavor profile that is a mix of bitter, sweet, sour, and floral notes.

• This honey possesses a smooth, creamy consistency.

• In raw and unfiltered form, this honey can crystallize quickly due to its high glucose and low water content.

What Makes it Special?

This honey has a limited production due to very challenging harvesting conditions. Climbers have to access the hives at heights of about 80 meters or above to collect this pure honey.

This honey is so expensive because it has a higher antioxidant, mineral, and vitamin content. This honey is produced in a pesticide-free and pristine environment, which gives it remarkable therapeutic properties.

5. Acacia Honey

Origins

Acacia honey is made from the nectar of Robinia pseudoacacia tree blossoms, also known as black locust trees. These trees are native to both America and Europe. Europeans label it as Acacia honey, while honey from America usually comes with the label American acacia or locust honey.

Key Features

• The color of the Acacia honey ranges from pale yellow to almost transparent.

• This honey possesses a mildly sweet and floral flavor with hints of almond and vanilla.

• This honey has a very smooth and runny texture.

• Acacia honey has a higher fructose content, which leads to its slower crystallization rate.

• This honey has a lower glycemic index, which makes it perfect for people with diabetes.

What Makes it Special?

This honey is so special and costly because the black locust flowers only bloom for 5 to 10 days, giving very little to the bees for collecting the nectar. The harvesting is also done using traditional methods, keeping things like weather and nectar flow in mind.

Acacia honey is a powerhouse of nutrients. It contains antioxidants like phenols, minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, Vitamins B, C, and A, and healthy enzymes such as glucose oxidase.

The use of this honey prevents seasonal allergies, keeps your skin fresh, reduces blood sugar levels, and regulates your cardiovascular functions, giving you a healthier mind and body. 

Conclusion

For a true honey enthusiast, there is no greater joy than discovering exotic new honey varieties that look, taste, and feel different than regular store-bought honey.

The honey varieties mentioned in this blog have no match when it comes to their rarity, exclusivity, and quality, which is exactly why they usually come with a higher price tag.

The high prices of these honey varieties reflect the skill, effort, and dedication of native beekeepers who go to great lengths to bring you these products.

So, the next time you come across these honey variations, make sure to take a moment and appreciate their uniqueness and the impressive work done by both the bees and the beekeepers.

You can visit us at Geohoney to check out our pure organic honey products that are sourced from trusted suppliers from all across the globe.

• Nutritional Facts About Honey: What Makes it a Superfood?

• Reasons Why Real Organic Honey is An Underrated Superfood

• It Contains Plenty of Antioxidants

• It is an Effective Antibacterial and Antiviral Agent

• Honey Naturally Strengthens Your Immunity

• It is an Excellent Source of Energy

• Honey is Good for Your Gut Health

• It Helps Your Fight Stress and Sleep Much Better

• It is Good for Your Heart Health

• Honey Suppresses Coughing

• It Enhances Your Skin Health

• Its Culinary Uses are Diverse

Nutritional Facts About Honey: What Makes it a Superfood?

The real reason why organic honey is a perfect superfood is its amazing nutritional profile. Just a single tablespoon or about 21 g of this honey gives you

• 64 calories

• 17 grams of carbohydrates

• 17 grams of sugars (glucose and fructose)

• 0.1 grams of protein

• 10.9 milligrams of Potassium

• milligrams of iron

• 1.3 milligrams of calcium

• Trace amounts of other minerals like sodium, zinc, etc.

Pura organic honey also contains B vitamins, including B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), and B6. It is also a rich source of antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic acids.

Honey also has healthy enzymes like glucose oxidase and invertase that impart antimicrobial features to it. Honey in its unprocessed form contains pollen and propolis that are rich in amino acids and enzymes.

Last but not least, honey possesses a glycemic index of about 45-64, which is much lower than refined sugar, making it a perfect addition to your daily healthy diet.

Reasons Why Real Organic Honey is An Underrated Superfood

It is clear from honey’s nutritional profile that there is no superfood out there that can outshine it. It gives you your necessary dose of energy, health, and sweetness all in one.

Here are a few points that further show why honey is the most underrated superfood ever.

1. It Contains Plenty of Antioxidants

Your body needs antioxidants as they protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable particles that steal electrons from your body to stabilize.

In most cases, free radicals are produced inside your body. However, these can also come from external factors and trigger a chain reaction of damage to your cells, proteins, and DNA.

Antioxidants like phenols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids present in honey neutralize these free radicals by donating electrons to them, which prevents your cells and the entire body from potential health risks.

2. It is an Effective Antibacterial and Antiviral Agent

Real organic honey has exceptional antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that arise from its acidic or low pH nature, low moisture content, and the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

These features make it effective for treating wounds, burns, coughing, and gut infections. The antiviral nature of honey makes it useful for preventing and treating seasonal allergies as well.

3. Honey Naturally Strengthens Your Immunity

Organic honey contains immune-boosting phytonutrients, enzymes, and small traces of bee pollen. Bee pollen is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and micronutrients that equip your body to fight both chronic and seasonal illnesses much better.

The regular use of this superfood keeps your body fit and prepared to fight any pathogens that dare enter your system.

4. It is an Excellent Source of Energy

Unlike table sugar, which has a high glycemic index (GI) and a high concentration of glucose and fructose, honey has a much lower GI and a higher fructose content.

Glucose is quickly absorbed into your bloodstream, while fructose is first processed by your liver. This makes honey a better choice of sweetener than regular sugar.

High glucose content and GI are linked to sugar spikes followed by crashes. This means sugar gives you an instant, temporary energy boost.

But with honey, the fructose and glucose are absorbed by your body slowly due to its lower GI. This gives you a sustainable supply of energy for a longer period. Apart from glucose, honey also gives you vitamins, minerals, and some additional nutrients that keep you fueled throughout the day.

5. Honey is Good for Your Gut Health

Honey is a source of healthy enzymes, and its prebiotic nature ensures the beneficial bacteria in your gut stay healthy and nourished.

Its regular use creates a healthy gut microbiome, which leads to better digestion, mood regulation, enhanced immunity, inflammation prevention, and lower risks of common gastrointestinal issues like bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

6. It Helps Your Fight Stress and Sleep Much Better

Having honey after a long day’s work or before bedtime promotes a feeling of calmness and leads to a much faster and better sleep. Real organic honey stimulates the release of tryptophan, which is a precursor to chemicals like serotonin and melatonin.

Serotonin is a natural feel-good chemical that reduces stress, while melatonin is a hormone that regulates your sleep. Thus, the use of honey ensures your body gets these chemicals right when you need them, which leads to a sound sleep and an active and energetic body the following day.

7. It is Good for Your Heart Health

Regular use of honey can help you manage fat in your blood, prevent fatty deposits in your arteries, boost the activity of important antioxidants in your heart, and regulate your blood pressure.

Honey gives you a cardiovascular system that is working in its best state at all times, which reduces stroke, seizure, and heart attack risks to a great extent.

8. Honey Suppresses Coughing

Instead of taking over-the-counter medicine, you can use honey for treating seasonal allergies and coughs and see the results instantly. You can use it raw, add it to warm water, or make a honey tea to get relief from a cough almost instantly.

Honey soothes the lining of the throat, suppresses coughs, and gives you relief from a scratchy or sore throat, making it much easier for you to fight common colds.

9. It Enhances Your Skin Health

There are many benefits of natural honey for your skin. Honey hydrates, nourishes, and protects your skin when applied topically. You can use it on your minor burns or wounds to keep them protected from infections.

Honey-based face masks can exfoliate your skin, balance its pH, and regulate sebum or oil production. The regular use of honey for your skin helps you fight acne, wrinkles, and dark circles, which gives you a radiant and youthful look 24/7.

10.  Its Culinary Uses are Diverse

And last but not least, honey is the best superfood because of its diverse culinary applications. There are countless recipes that you can amplify in terms of their taste and healthiness by substituting regular sugar with honey.

You can use this natural sweetener in the following ways.

• You can use it as an ingredient in cakes, muffins, pastries, and other baked goods.

• You can make coffee, tea, smoothies, and lemonades.

• You can use it to glaze meat and vegetables. 

• You can add it to salad dressings or vinaigrettes.

• You can drizzle it over breakfast items like oatmeal, yogurt, fresh fruit, nut bowls, waffles, or pancakes.

Conclusion

Real organic honey is the most accessible, affordable, and nutritious superfood out there. It is a powerhouse of nutrients, and you can have it any time of the day to get your necessary boost of energy and wellness.

Honey’s nutritional profile and health benefits are both impressive, and there is no other superfood on earth that comes even close when you talk about its flavor and culinary uses.

So, the next time you are out there looking for a healthy superfood, give organic honey a go to meet your health and fitness goals without sacrificing sweetness.

Hormonal Acne: Main Causes and Symptoms

This is a form of acne that is caused by changes in hormone levels. This condition arises when there are fluctuations in androgens like testosterone in your body, which cause excessive sebum or oil production in your skin, inflammation, and clogging of the pores.

This leads to acne breakouts, such as blackheads or pimples, mainly on your face, neck, back, and chest.

Causes

• In most cases, a surge in androgens during puberty is the leading cause of hormonal acne.

• Hormonal fluctuation during the menstrual cycle or periods is a possible cause of acne in women.

• Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also lead to acne in women.

• The use of certain medications that contain testosterone, lithium, or steroids can also lead to hormonal acne.

Symptoms

• The presence of whiteheads or blackheads, which are non-inflamed lesions caused by clogged pores.

• Inflamed, pus-filled, red bumps called papules and pustules appear on your skin.

• Deeper and painful lesions called cysts or nodules that can also cause pus accumulation or scarring on your skin.

Honey for PMS: Why is It Effective?

Honey is a healthy sugar alternative that can manage your blood sugar levels and keep you nourished. Poorly managed blood sugar is among the main causes of hormonal fluctuations, and that, in turn, worsens PMS symptoms.

Honey is a rich source of antioxidants, and it possesses impressive anti-inflammatory and antibacterial features as well. Women with PMS can take 2-3 spoonfuls of organic honey daily to manage the symptoms.

 The use of honey has many benefits for PMS.

• It contains antioxidants that prevent the harmful effects of free radicals on your body. It is also linked to mood improvement and stability.

• Honey is an energy-dense and nutrient-rich substance that can give you an energy boost, which can help you fight fatigue and pains caused by PMS.

• Honey’s anti-inflammatory effects make it useful for reducing the intensity and frequency of period cramps.

• Honey is a source of tryptophan, which is a valuable amino acid that facilitates serotonin production. This is used to produce melatonin, i.e., a sleep hormone. This hormone helps you get a good night’s sleep during your PMS.

How to Use Honey for PMS Relief?

The following are a few ways you can use honey for PMS relief.

• Honey Tea

Place a cup of hot water on a stove and heat it lightly. After that, add 1 tsp organic honey and some chamomile, ginger, and raspberry leaf tea to the mix and gently stir the tea.

This simple remedy calms your nervous system and eases cramps.

• Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

Take 1 cup of warm water and mix 1 tsp of monofloral honey and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in it. Drink this mixture slowly once a day. It can detox your pathways and support digestion, which can lead to hormonal balance.

• Raw Honey

You can also eat 1 tsp of raw honey before going to bed. It improves your sleep and stabilizes overnight blood sugar level, which helps you fight anxiety or restlessness caused by PMS.

Honey for Hormonal Acne: What Makes it Effective?

Raw organic honey is an extremely effective treatment for hormonal acne. Apart from balancing your hormones, honey can also treat acne symptoms when applied topically to your skin.

Honey contains glucose oxidase enzyme, which converts glucose into hydrogen peroxide when honey is applied to the skin. This compound behaves just like benzoyl peroxide-based creams or gels, which are effective acne treatments.  

The benefits of honey for acne prone skin arise from its excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce swelling and irritation and eliminate Cutibacterium acnes bacteria, which cause acne.

Honey is also an effective remedy for regenerating and healing your skin, and its hydrating features make sure your skin stays nourished and its pores never clog. By preventing skin pores from clogging, honey reduces the risks of whiteheads and red, inflamed pimples, giving you a radiant and glowing skin. 

Here are a few reasons why honey is an effective treatment for hormonal acne.

• Honey exfoliates your skin, which removes dead skin cells, dirt, and oil, keeping the pores clear and skin looking smooth.

• Honey maintains the skin’s moisture barrier and pH balance, which regulates oil production, leading to fewer breakout risks.

• Honey contains hydrogen peroxide, which kills acne-producing bacteria, reduces inflammation, and promotes faster healing of the skin.

• The emollient nature of honey ensures the acne-affected areas of your skin stay moist and infection-free.

• It minimizes scarring and promotes faster skin reaeration.   

How to Use Honey for Hormonal Acne?

There are many ways you can use honey in skincare for treating acne, and this next section covers the most effective and simple ones.

• Honey/Green Clay Face Mask

Add 3 teaspoons of honey to 1 teaspoon of green clay and create a homogenous mixture. You can spread this paste on your chin, forehead, nose, and cheeks. Spray your face with water to ensure the clay doesn’t dry out. Keep this mask on for about 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.

This mask will absorb excess sebum and treat existing acne, making your skin clearer instantly.

• Honey/Milk Face Mask

To make this mask, add two teaspoons of honey to two teaspoons of milk. Make sure to mix the ingredients properly and then apply this mask to your face and keep it on for 20 minutes. Then, rinse your face with lukewarm water to get moisturized, fresh, and pimple-free skin.

• Honey/Egg White Combo

Add a teaspoon of milk and honey to a whipped egg white. Apply this mask to your face and leave it on for about 30 minutes. After that, you can rinse your face with lukewarm water. The combined effects of egg whites, milk, and honey will remove excess sebum, eliminate blackheads, and make your skin soft, supple, and firm at the same time.

Conclusion

PMS and hormonal acne both can be really frustrating, painful, and persistent. Now you can take over-the-counter medicines or synthetic creams to ease the symptoms a little bit. But most of these products come with side effects that do you more harm than good in the long run.

Honey gives you a natural, side-effect-free, and healthy way to fight acne and PMS. It contains anti-inflammatory features, and its antibacterial activity keeps harmful acne-producing bacteria at bay.

Honey is also quite effective for balancing your hormone levels and hydrating and exfoliating your skin, which further ensures acne and PMS prevention.

You can visit us at Geohoney to explore our wide range of pure, raw, monofloral honey varieties to get rid of acne and PMS complications without any side effects.

• Honey: An Effective Natural Prebiotic

• Antimicrobial Properties

• Treats Acid Reflex

• Creates a Healthy Gut Microbiome

• Relieves Digestive Discomfort

• Additional Benefits of Raw Honey for Your Gut

1. Honey: An Effective Natural Prebiotic

Honey is a potent prebiotic. It contains oligosaccharides, which are basically non-digestible carbs. The oligosaccharides are consumed by healthy gut bacteria such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. The growth of these bacteria leads to more efficient digestion and nutrient absorption, which contributes to much better gut health.

The prebiotic features of monofloral honey create a stable gut environment where the risks of digestive issues like discomfort, bloating, and constipation are significantly reduced.

2. Antimicrobial Properties

Raw honey has a superior antimicrobial activity than most organic or refined sugars. This feature of honey makes it effective for treating wounds and healing other internal or external health conditions caused by harmful bacteria.

Honey's antimicrobial features keep the harmful bacteria inside your stomach in check. This inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause issues like gut dysbiosis.

Honey ensures the good gut bacteria are able to grow while the bad ones are eliminated before they get a chance to inflict permanent damage to your gastrointestinal system.

3. Treats Acid Reflex

Acid reflux or Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GERD) is a very common gut-related health condition that the regular use of raw honey can treat. In this condition, the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) weakens. This leads to the stomach’s contents flowing back up into the esophagus.

Normally, the LES opens to allow food to reach the stomach. After that, it closes immediately, which prevents the food or acidic juices from the stomach from coming back up.

Raw honey treats this issue by soothing the esophagus and repairing any damage to it. Honey soothes the lining of the gut and esophagus.

This treats and prevents inflammation in these organs and ensure they are able to process the food normally. By treating acid reflux, honey also prevents its associated health conditions, including heartburn, open sores, and ulcers.

4. Creates a Healthy Gut Microbiome

As we have mentioned before, organic honey nourishes the healthy gut bacteria in your stomach. This creates a stable, healthy, and efficient gut microbiome, which is extremely crucial for proper digestion.

A healthy gut microbiome contains a higher number of bacterial species and has a stable and resilient composition. It also leads to the production of metabolic byproducts like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

With honey, you can promote all these positive processes in your gut, which leads to better nutrient absorption, a stronger immunity, and prevention of the harmful effects of pathogens.

A healthy gut microbiome also reduces the risks of diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, and some forms of cancer. This is why you must consider adding honey to your daily routine to enjoy a much better gut performance and overall health.

5. Relieves Digestive Discomfort

Digestive discomfort is another major gut issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It is accompanied by conditions like acid reflux and gastritis. Honey has anti-inflammatory features that prevent inflammation of the digestive tract.

Honey creates a smooth protective coat on your mucous membrane in the stomach, which reduces the digestive discomfort caused by nausea or bloating. Honey also shortens the duration of diarrhoea by treating the underlying issues. The laxative action of raw honey treats and prevents constipation in both kids and adults.

Thus, by removing all these digestive issues, honey ensures your gut stays in the best shape at all times.

Additional Benefits of Raw Honey for Your Gut

Apart from the above-mentioned gut-boosting benefits, honey can also do many other wonders for our gut and digestive systems. Following are a few notable ones that you must know.

• Honey contains natural enzymes such as pepsin, amylase, and gastric lipase, which break down carbohydrates, resulting in better and faster digestion.

• The slow passage of honey through the digestive system leads to the alleviation of the symptoms of diarrhoea.

• Honey is especially helpful for people with enzyme deficiencies who cannot digest what they eat properly.

• Honey inhibits the growth of Helicobacter pylori, which is the leading cause of stomach ulcers.

• Honey proves effective in the repair of the gut lining, which treats and prevents leaky gut syndrome.

• Regular use of raw honey can prevent bloating, gas, indigestion, and other gut-related issues.

• If you are on antibiotics, you can add honey to your diet to protect your digestive system from possible side effects.

Conclusion

Honey can be a really effective remedy for people who suffer from digestive issues like IBS, acid reflex, poor digestion, and digestive discomfort. Honey’s natural prebiotic properties, combined with its antibacterial and antimicrobial action, ensure your gut functions properly at all times.

Honey supports your gut health by reducing inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract, promoting the growth of healthy gut bacteria, and stimulating better nutrient absorption.

This is why most experts recommend adding raw honey to your diet if you are looking to improve your gut health and performance without having to rely on over-the-counter medication.

Visit us at Geohoney today to check out our premium quality raw monofloral honey products to enhance your gut health in the most natural way possible.