by Wally Bishop | Sep 26, 2023 | Honey
Last time, we introduced honey as nature’s medicine. Today we want to talk about a special type of honey – Unique Manuka.
Unique Manuka Honey (or UMF Honey) is a honey made from the pollen of the Manuka Tree in New Zealand. It has additional medicinal value because of compounds made specifically from this tree’s pollen. They call it the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF).
Manuka Honey comes with different ratings of medicinal strength, specifying how much of the UMF is in the batch. There are imitators out there. Active Manuka is not the same as Unique Manuka Honey. Additionally, look for the UMF Certification, and the container or bottle should state it is bottled and labeled in New Zealand. Manuka Honey only comes from New Zealand.
UMF ratings specify the honey’s healing activity level.
- UMF5 to UMF9 are very low activity levels
- UMF10 to UMF15 are useful levels
- UMF16 and over are superior levels with very high activity
Cautions on Honey
Always use raw unfiltered honey from local bee growers. Local raw honey retains all of its natural healing and nutritional properties when it is raw. Once pasteurized and filtered, most of the health benefits are destroyed.
Do not give honey to children under 1 year of age.
Also, do not eat honey made from the pollen of the rhododendron flower. In rare cases, it can make you sick.
Organic Honey
If you are looking for organic honey, make sure the label says certified organic. There is no such product as organic honey unless a beekeeper has a least a 10 square mile area that is organic where their bees can roam. Bees roam up to 5 miles daily, gathering nectar and pollen.
Honey is a bit controversial. It is considered a non-vegan food, and commercial bee production, like the slaughter of commercially raised animals, is cruel and unnecessary. It also destroys a lot of bees during honey harvesting. With that said, buy from local small beekeepers who are careful not to kill bees during the harvesting of this miracle food.
Why Honey is Awesome
Honey has very powerful healing properties and can be used with a variety of spices for additional super health-boosting potential. Honey is a healthy sugar replacement and can make recipes and foods taste great while giving us health.
Make this very anti-inflammatory smoothie by mixing 16 ounces of fresh brewed green tea, 1 tbs. of raw honey, 1 tsp. turmeric, 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon, 1 tsp. fresh ginger, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/2 cup organic blueberries, 1/2 cup organic strawberries, 1/2 cup organic watercress juice. Blend and drink throughout the day!
Now that you know how good raw honey is for you, start using it every day. Honey will keep you buzzzzzzing, and your taste buds and your body will love you for it!
While honey isn’t an ingredient in Vive Shake, we do recommend using organic local raw honey as part of your total nutrition plan. To see how this whole-food, fiber-rich supplement can add to your wellness routine, contact us today at info@viveshake.com or 877-878-3009.
Vive Shake and the recommendations contained on this site and our blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. They are for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.
by Wally Bishop | Sep 19, 2023 | Honey
Honey is a powerful food, it’s nature’s medicine. Raw honey is a natural antibacterial. It can knock out and even wipe out just about any type of bacteria you list, including MRSA. Additionally, honey has a long list of healing health properties and has a lot of research backing up these statements.
Would you have ever thought something so simple from nature could be so powerful and actually heal and prevent so many health issues? I knew raw honey was healthy but really didn’t know it was this powerful until I began reading the studies and research on honey. Honey belongs in your kitchen next to every NutriBullet or Vitamix and should be eaten every day, small amounts go a long way!
Honey is an amazing substance. Its use for food goes as far back as 8,500 years ago in murals found in Spain and for medicine as far back as 5,000 years ago in Greece, India, and China.
Honey is literally a gift from the honeybee! The honeybee makes honey as food for baby bees (larvae) and for food for the hive when nectar is in short supply during the winter.
Honey is mostly sugar composed of fructose and sucrose, smaller amounts of other sugars, and other nutrients and antioxidants in a water base. The honeybee transforms nectar into honey through the regurgitation of an enzymatic substance into honeycombs, and then, through evaporation of enough water, you have honey.
Yes, that is how bees make honey!
Now the Good Stuff!
Honey has outstanding health properties. It’s amazing when you see honey is just sugars, water, and a small amount of other nutrients. Fake honey does not offer the health benefits that real raw honey does. (Did you even know fake honey existed?) You always want to look for raw honey.
Research studies tell us many positive things about honey. Let’s look at a few.
- Honey can keep skin supple and can help reduce scarring because it keeps skin hydrated.
- Honey is great for digestive support because it acts as a prebiotic and kills bad bacteria.
- Honey is very effective for sore throats when mixed with lemon juice and green tea and then sipped on.
- Honey mixed with Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and green tea makes a very powerful anti-inflammatory drink. If you use a lot of cinnamon you should only use Ceylon cinnamon. The other type of cinnamon found in most grocery stores is a variety called cassia cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon has coumarin, a toxic compound that can damage your liver if consumed in higher quantities.
While honey isn’t an ingredient in Vive Shake, we do recommend using Organic Raw honey as part of your total nutrition plan. To see how this whole-food, fiber-rich supplement can add to your wellness routine, contact us today at info@viveshake.com or 877-878-3009. Next time, we’ll talk about a special brand of raw honey – Unique Manuka.
Vive Shake and the recommendations contained on this site and our blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. They are for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.
