Honey is not in vain recognized as one of the most healing foods. Honey contains manganese, copper, iron, chlorine, potassium, sodium, calcium and other trace elements. The composition of this unique product fully meets the needs of the human body. However, not all honey is created equal. Its various varieties differ in their characteristics depending on where and at what time it was harvested.
The most useful, of course, is natural honey, for the production of which bees collect nectar from natural plants. However, the so-called "express" honey can often be found on the market. It is obtained from artificial nectar - a 50% solution of cane or beet sugar, fed to bees through special feeders. They process such nectar and put the syrup in the honeycomb.
Under the action of bee enzymes, sugar is converted into glucose, fructose, but about 10% of sucrose is not processed. By express means, a kilogram of honey can be obtained from a kilogram of sugar. Such a product has a weak aroma, and its vitamin and mineral composition is identical to sugar. The content of enzymes that got into honey from bees during processing is three times lower than in natural honey.
Sometimes the evaporated juice of fruits and vegetables is added to honey. This product is not harmful, but also useless for health. Also "dead" or warmed honey is useless. Assuming that candied honey frightens off buyers with its appearance, sellers warm it up. And this kills the beneficial properties of honey and makes it useless. Crystallization is a natural process characteristic of bee honey and occurs in winter. Avoid buying honey if it is winter outside and the bottom of the jar is visible through it.
Of the natural varieties of bee honey, linden, flower (meadow), buckwheat, May, and herbal honey are widely known. Flower honey has a yellow-brown or golden-yellow color, it is aromatic, pleasant to the taste and does not crystallize for a long time. Polyfloral honey is used as a general tonic, has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect. It has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system. The pronounced bactericidal properties of meadow honey make it possible to use it in the treatment of various skin diseases.
Linden honey belongs to the best varieties, possessing very high healing and taste qualities. It is rich in essential oils, mineral salts, vitamins, biologically active substances, and contains farnesol. This product has a pronounced antiseptic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and tonic effect. It is used in the treatment of colds, heart, gynecological diseases, diseases of the gallbladder, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract. It is also indicated for the treatment of burns and purulent wounds, for mastitis, eczema, urethritis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, and in combination with goat's milk for tuberculosis.
May honey is collected in the first - second decade of June or mid-May. Fresh honey is very transparent, has a yellowish tint, it is fragrant and does not have the slightest bitterness. The most valuable medicinal qualities of honey make it useful in the treatment of colds, headaches, coughs, and overwork. Honey has antibacterial, hemostatic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Buckwheat honey has a pleasant smell and a specific pungent taste. It tickles the throat slightly when tasting. This honey is dark red or dark brown in color. Compared to light varieties, it is richer in trace elements, vitamins, iron and active enzymes. It is used in the treatment of heart disease (especially useful for anemia), rheumatism, hypertension, cerebral hemorrhage, radiation injury, scarlet fever, measles.
