Raw Honey - Real Raw Honey

Raw honey in its pure healthy form. It is in the natural granulated state and is spreadable as desired. What distiguishes our real raw honey is the flavor of the Star Thistle nectar that thrives in the netherlands of Northern Michigan so well. Our real raw honey is simply exquisite. Raw honey is not filtered or heated. Real raw honey contains all the enzymes, pollen, and floral essences that the honeybees put into it.

Raw honey contains glucose oxidase, which is a enzyme that the honeybees put into it that has health benefits. Glucose oxidase can produce a weak hydrogen peroxide which acts as a antimicrobial barrier. Glucose oxidase in real raw honey has beneficial properties, both internally and externally. We pack our real raw honey in a 2 and 1/2 pound jar (40 oz.) with a large opening to spoon out the honey.

Information from Wikipedia about raw honey and health

For at least 2700 years, honey has been used to treat a variety of ailments through topical application, but only recently have the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of raw honey been chemically explained. As an antimicrobial agent raw honey has potential for treating a variety of ailments, including MRSA.[24] Antibacterial properties of real raw honey are the result of the low water activity causing osmosis, hydrogen peroxide effect,[25] and high acidity.[26]

Osmotic effect

Raw honey is primarily a saturated mixture of two monosaccharides. This mixture has a low water activity; most of the water molecules are associated with the sugars and few remain available for microorganisms, so it is a poor environment for their growth.

Cholesterol control

According to reputable sources like BBC news, WebMD Health Corp, American Chemical Society, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, certain anti-oxidants and vitamins found in real raw honey are known to lower cholesterol and fight its accumulation in the body[3][4][5]. However, other sources disagree about the role of some vitamins and anti-oxidants in lowering cholesterol[6][7].

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide in raw honey is activated by dilution. However, unlike medical hydrogen peroxide, commonly 3% by volume, it is present in a concentration of only 1 mmol/l in real raw honey. Iron in raw honey oxidizes the oxygen free radicals released by the hydrogen peroxide.

glucose + H2O + O2 → gluconic acid + H2O2

When used topically (as, for example, a wound dressing), hydrogen peroxide is produced by dilution with body fluids. As a result, hydrogen peroxide is released slowly and acts as an antiseptic.

In diabetic ulcers

Topical raw honey has been used successfully in a comprehensive treatment of diabetic ulcers when the patient cannot use other topical antibiotics.[27]

Acidity

The pH of real raw honey is commonly between 3.2 and 4.5.[26] This relatively acidic pH level prevents the growth of many bacteria.

Nutraceutical effects

According to recent findings, raw honey may have some significant nutraceutical effects (or positive long-term health effects resulting from honey's consumption). In addition to its primary carbohydrate content, real raw honey often contains polyphenols, which can act as antioxidants.[28] Antioxidants in raw honey have even been implicated in reducing the damage done to the colon in colitis.[29] Furthermore, some studies suggest that honey may be effective in increasing the populations of probiotic bacteria in the gut, which may help strengthen the immune system, improve digestion, lower cholesterol[30][31][32] and prevent colon cancer.[33]

Such claims are consistent with its use in many traditions of folk medicine.[34]

Other medical applications

Some studies suggest that the use of raw honey may reduce odors, swelling, and scarring; it may also prevent the dressing from sticking to the healing wound.[26]

Real raw honey has been shown to be an effective treatment for conjunctivitis in rats.[35]

Due to its antiseptic properties, raw honey (especially when combined with lemon) can be taken orally by Pharyngitis and Laryngitis sufferers, in order to soothe them.[citation needed]

Though widely believed to alleviate allergies, local real raw honey has been shown to be no more effective than placebos in controlled studies.[36] This may be due to the fact that most seasonal allergies are caused by tree and grass pollens, which honeybees do not collect.

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