6 Health Benefits of Raw Honey

You have heard that honey is good for you, but you are not sure exactly how. What does honey do to promote your health? In this guide, we explain different ways that raw honey especially promotes your physical health both inside and outside your body. Here are six reasons why you should be consuming high-quality raw honey regularly:

Antioxidant Properties

Antioxidants are not one kind of compound, but rather a broad category of different types of compounds — including phytochemicals, flavonoids and ascorbic acid — that are beneficial for your health. Antioxidants help to absorb free radicals, which reduces oxidative stress on the body and helps to combat signs of aging and the risks of developing certain chronic diseases. Raw honey contains multiple kinds of antioxidants, thanks to its pollen count.

Natural Cold Remedy

Honey is known for being a natural cough and sore throat remedy. The sweet taste and pleasant texture soothe inflamed throat passages, while the antibacterial compounds can help you feel better (more on these in a moment). You can eat a spoonful of plain raw honey on its own, or mix it into a hot beverage, such as herbal tea or a lemon-and-honey drink. Just make sure that the drink does not have caffeine in it, which will keep you from getting the restful sleep that you need to recover.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties

Did you know that honey can kill bad bacteria and fungus? Yep, that is not just a myth. Honey contains naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide, which is responsible for many of its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Do note that the pasteurization and filtration processes can impact the honey’s antibacterial and antifungal properties. For best results, choose a high-quality raw honey that has not been treated with either of these processes.

Traditional Wound Healing Treatment

Thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, honey has been used as a traditional treatment for wounds for centuries. In fact, medical grade manuka honey is still used in medical situations today because it helps to kill germs and promote tissue regeneration. This honey is treated and stored in a very specific way to keep it sterile, so it is not a good idea to try healing cuts with whatever honey you get at the local grocery store. 

Digestive Aid

Historically, raw honey has also been used as a treatment for gastrointestinal issues such as ulcers and diarrhea. While there is limited evidence to support this, some people do swear by regularly consuming honey in order to aid in their digestion, claiming that it helps to soothe your tummy. Honey is also a known prebiotic, meaning that it helps to promote a healthy gut flora, so that may be the source of some of the gastrointestinal benefits. Consuming honey in moderation on a regular basis certainly will not hurt your gastrointestinal system — and it may even help it.

Skin and Hair Benefits

The rest of this list has focused on the benefits of consuming raw honey. However, honey also has health benefits when applied topically to the skin and hair as a cleanser or mask. Raw honey can help kill bad bacteria and fungi living on the surface of the skin or scalp. It is also extremely moisturizing and nourishing, providing relief for dry and stressed out skin. While it is too thick and sticky to be left on the skin indefinitely, it can be a great at-home wash-off treatment if you are looking to pamper yourself.

For the greatest potential benefits from honey, try to seek out raw honey, which has not been pasteurized or filtered. These processes tend to reduce the pollen count, which in turn reduces the beneficial compounds that are part of the honey. (Learn more here: “What is raw honey?”)

Ready to buy some raw honey to add to your pantry staples? Then consider our raw honey set, The Couplet, which features two different and delicious flavors of raw honey. Due to the high pollen count, each one has a unique, complex taste, and you might soon find yourself wanting to add it to every dish and beverage possible.