The Importance of Honey During Survival
Honey is one of the most powerful and nutrient-rich healing agents on the planet, and it can provide a host of benefits for anyone facing a survival situation. It can be used to treat everything from the common sore throat to bacterial infections. Honey can promote the healing of wounds and act as a natural sleep aid. Discover more about these and other benefits and learn why this miracle substance should be part of every stockpile.
Different Kinds of Honey
Most of us are familiar with the processed and pasteurized honey that is found on store shelves. However, many products are made from cloves and not bees. It is important to choose honey that is 100% pure bee honey. It is also important to note that many commercially available honey products have been pasteurized. This is a process of heat treatment that kills off bacteria and other microorganisms. However, pasteurized products also lose some of their nutritional value during the process. You don’t need pasteurized honey, and you will find that honey in it’s natural form is much more potent.
Raw and comb honey are the two best options out there. Raw honey comes straight from the beehive after it has been drained. Comb honey is the honey that comes from pieces of honeycomb, and it has a grainy or cloudy texture. You can also get bricks of honeycomb in their original form as well. These three options are the best to have on hand, but they may also be difficult to find in a survival situation. Consider canning and storing these products so that you will always have a supply on hand. Pasteurized honey will still work, but it may not be as effective.
There are more than 300 different types of honey in the United States, each with a unique flavor and color depending on the blossoms visited by the honey bees. Single varietal honeys result when the honey bees gather nectar from the same type of flowers.
The Medicinal Benefits of Honey
Honey not only has antibacterial properties that kill off parasites, but it also aids in the regeneration of tissue due to its natural moisture content. It is a perfect ointment for the treatment of burns, wounds and irritated throats. For burn and wound care, apply a thin layer of honey over the affected area and cover with a bandage. For throat problems, mix a tablespoon with a shot of lemon juice and water and gargle before swallowing. Honey can also be used as a natural cough suppressant as well as a fantastic remedy for acid re-flux problems.
For digestive or parasitic problems, combine equal amounts of honey, water and cider vinegar. This concoction will create an inhospitable environment for microorganisms within the digestive tract. Adding a clove of chopped, fresh garlic can also produce a significant boost to the immune system.
Honey is also very beneficial for the skin as a moisturizer as well as an acne-killer. It can also promote healing after sunburns. It works wonders as an antiseptic as well through the release of hydrogen peroxide as it interacts with the skin around wound sites. It also helps to keep the area moist and prevent the premature peeling of scabs as well as preventing scabs from sticking to bandages.
As a general rule, darker honey contains more antioxidants and nutrients, however all forms of fresh honey have powerful healing and health benefits. Honey also has a very long shelf-life, but it should be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight. If it crystallizes, you will need to heat it and repackage the honey.
Make sure that you and your family are consuming honey on a regular basis as well as having a supply on hand to treat illnesses and injuries. Few substances on the planet are as potent, powerful and effective for the treatment of ailments.
