Honey
Honey is a sweetener. It's used in and on food. Honey is also used in some home remedies and cosmetics.
Health benefits[]
Honey has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Some people also say it helps people deal with insomnia. There are also claims that honey is better for diabetics than granulated sugar.
Different guidelines vary widely when suggesting how much honey to use in recipes in place of other kinds of sugar. The suggestions range from substituting equal amounts to using 1/4 the amount of honey.
Bees working on their honey comb.
Phrases[]
The term honey is used as an endearment. It's also part of the phrase honeymoon.
Traditional uses[]
Honey has been used as a food for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians and others in the Middle East used honey for embalming. Honey is associated with the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashana and the Buddhist holiday of Madhu Purnima. It's also a symbol of sweetness and plenty.
Infant warning[]
Botulism spores are sometimes found in honey. It's reasonably safe for most people, but can make babies under a year old seriously ill. When it's cooked in cereals, it's safe.
External links[]
- Honey as Home Remedy
- World's Healthiest Foods on Honey
- WebMD on the Medicinal Uses of Honey: What researchers are learning about honey's possible health benefits
- Wikipedia's article on honey