The Secrets of Honey

By AJ Murphy

As the spring is in full bloom through this prosperous May, I reflect on the animals populous in the spring that come back every year. I think of butterflies, and dragonflies, and maybe even spotted lanternflies (some creatures are more welcome than others). Though these critters are great, and their presence is highly appreciated, one that I love the most is the honey bee. While these bees have lovely coats of black and yellow, and their buzzes set the tune for a beautiful sunny day, what I find most remarkable about them is their duties with honey itself. Honey is notable not just for its sweetening capabilities, but also for its more unknown properties

Throughout history, honey has been used by various groups in the world to disinfect and heal wounds like burns and cuts, like in Ancient Egypt, in addition to its use as an offering to deities they worshiped. Additionally, in Ancient Greece, the mixing of honey with various liquids could be used as remedies for illnesses and ailments like gout and fevers. In the world of Islam, honey's healing properties were also hailed to cure things like diarrhea and tuberculosis, and the Qur’an even states "And thy Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men’s) habitations; Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a sign for those who give thought". In more scientific terms honey carries certain anti-microbial traits that allow it to fight off harmful pathogens and organisms that may find themselves in a wound or one's immune system. 

In WW1, honey was used by Russian soldiers to prevent infections on battle grounds when other effective treatments were not presently available, while the Germans used honey mixed with cod liver oil to treat ulcers and burns. In more recent years, honey has been used in varying trials concerning cases of gingivitis and periodontal disease aid. Some trials have revealed honey's inhibitory properties against fungal infections and inflammatory diseases like psoriasis and eczema. 

All of this to say that besides honey's taste and nutritious value as a carbohydrate and fuel for athletes, it holds rather secret abilities unknown to the average person. In fact, I only knew about half of these ideas as a result of my dad telling me to put honey on a burn I received in chemistry class. He told me this, and I decided to research this topic. As such, this article resulted. In conclusion, honey is greater than you may think, and the next time you wish that bee wouldn't buzz around you, remember its greater purpose, and the light that honey brings to the world.