Uses of Locally Raised Raw Honey

Locally raised raw honey has myriad uses and benefits for both health and culinary purposes. Raw honey is better for the body than table sugar and can be used in lesser quantities due to its higher level of sweetness. Used in recipes, as a condiment or as a medicinal aide, purchasing locally raised raw honey benefits both the consumer and the local economy.

Medicinal

• Raw honey has been used as a medicinal aide and salve for centuries. Honey is used for a variety of ailments including oral gum disease, ulcers, muscle fatigue, morning sickness due to pregnancy, and most notable as a relief for sore throats. The National Honey Board (NHB) funded a study by the Penn State College of Medicine to test the medicinal healing properties of honey on the sore throats of children. The study found that raw honey was more effective at soothing sore throats than over the counter cold and cough medicines.

  In addition to orally ingesting honey as a medicine, it can be used as a topical salve for dry, irritated or infected skin. If rubben in small amounts over dry patches, ulcers, eczema, or other skin abrassions it is proven to help sooth, smooth and cure problems.

Culinary

• Honey in itself is revered for its unique flavor, and therefore there are many culinary uses and recipes that incorporate it. Use raw honey in bread recipes, stir fries, ice creams, custards, as a sauce for baked hams, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, fruit salad, as a spread on toast or a bagel, and in countless other ways. Raw honey adds a distinct sweet flavor to items without adding unhealthy guilt.

Sugar Substitute

• Raw honey can be used as a sugar or sweetener replacement in almost any situation. Raw honey replaces sugar in tea and coffee, in baked goods, ice creams, jams, jellies and other recipes. Though honey does lend a distinct honey flavor, it is often a welcomed flavor that adds a unique quality to the food. As Raw honey is much sweeter than sugar, it can be used as a replacement in much smaller quantities than the required sugar.

Immunity

• Locally raised honey means that the bees used were fed from local plants and flowers, thus they contain immune stimulating elements that are unique to your region and the air you breath. These elements help your body to adapt to any unfamiliar allergens (such as grasses and pollens) in the area. Thus honey can act as a relief for seasonal allergy sufferers.