Honey has wonderful benefits, especially when it is raw and unprocessed. Not only is it nutritious, it is often used for medicinal purposes, beauty treatments and as a sweet addition to many recipes.
Nutrition
Honey contains a variety of important nutrients such as vitamins B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorous and zinc. Due to this wonderful mixture of nutrients, it is the perfect healthy sweetness to add to your meals or tea.
Many athletes add honey to their diet to help replenish electrolytes. View a recipe for a healthy honey inspired energy bar.
As a natural medicine
As raw honey is an anti-microbial and has healing properties, consuming a spoon full may help soothe a sore throat and reduce inflammation. It will give you some energy and help your immune system fight against viral and bacterial infections.
You can consume it in a drink, to alleviate dehydration or diarrhoea when you are ill. View our favourite honey drink recipe at the end of this article.
Beauty
Niacin, pantothenic acid and zinc is known to aid in skin conditions such as acne. You can add honey to your skincare routine by using it as a face mask once a week, or as a spot treatment. It is sticky when applied, but melts away easily when washed with lukewarm water.
Replacing sugar with honey when baking
You may want to replace the sugar in your recipes with honey. Here are the guidelines you can work with to make your switch successful.
One cup rule - honey can be substituted for sugar in equal amounts, up to one cup. If your recipe calls for more sugar, go with ¾ of a cup of honey, per cup of sugar required. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you will need less with bigger quantities.
As honey is a liquid, you may need to compensate by reducing added liquids, so your batter does not become too runny. You can achieve this by reducing ¼ of the water or milk required for the recipe, per cup of honey.
Honey can be acidic. Add half a teaspoon of baking soda per cup of honey.
Baking with honey may brown your goods quicker. You can reduce your oven temperature by 15 degrees Celsius, and watch your goods closely in the last 10 minutes of its recommended baking time.
For the earth
Honey bees are crucial to the fertilisation of plants, and can help your garden flourish. You can help bees in your local area thrive all year, with the following plants in your garden:
Lavender, Marigolds, Rosemary, Garden mint, Purple coneflower, Cosmos, Sunflower, Forget-me-not, Aloe, Fruit trees, Eucalyptus trees.
Some believe that Eucalyptus trees are invaders and should be destroyed as they deplete water sources. However, it will only take as much as it has access to. As long as you do not plant it near a direct water source, you should be able to water it on your own terms or let the rain take care of it. Eucalyptus trees are great at sustaining bees during winter.
Honey almond energy bar
Ingredients
- Rolled oats, 1 cup
- Slivered almonds, ¼ cup
- Sunflower seeds, ¼ cup
- Flaxseeds, 1 tablespoon
- Sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon
- Rice Krispies, 1 cup
- Raisons, half a cup
- Chopped, dried apricots, ⅓ cup
- Almond butter, ¼ cup
- Honey, half a cup
- Vanilla, half a teaspoon
- Salt, a pinch
Method
- Heat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius
- Coat a 20cm square pan, or close to that size with cooking spray
- Spread the oats, nuts and seeds on a baking sheet for five minutes, shake the pan and bake for another five minutes
- Transfer the oats, nuts and seeds to a large bowl, add the Rice Krispies, apricots and raisins and toss to mix
- Add almond butter, honey, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan, heat on medium low and stir until the mixture bubbles – this should take two to five minutes
- Pour the wet mix over the dry ingredients and mix it in with a spatula
- Transfer the mix to the sprayed pan, and press the mixture down to make an even layer – you can use cooking spray on your hands and wait for the mix to cool down slightly before you start
- Place the pan into the fridge for about 30 minutes, then cut into six or eight bars
Storage
You can store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature, or the fridge for about a week. If frozen, it can last up to a month. Thaw at room temperature.
Honey drink
When you are ill, it is important to replenish your liquids and get a boost of vitamins and electrolytes
Ingredients
- Honey, ¼ cup
- Lemon juice, ⅓ cup
- Sea salt, half a teaspoon
- Water, 8 cups
Method
- Boil 8 cups of water, let it cool a little bit
- Dissolve honey and salt, stir well
- Add lemon juice, stir well
- Chill in fridge until ready to serve
Storage
Can be kept in fridge for up to a week.
We have a variety of honey available at Mopani Pharmacy. We recommend:
We can deliver your honey, medication, supplements, cosmetics, fragrances and other Mopani online shopping, nationwide. Contact us for info: mopani.co.za | crossing@mopani.co.za | Tel: 0137555500 | WhatsApp: 0661921703
