For centuries, honey has been a staple among "food as medicine" remedies. It has been used to suppress coughing, ease sore throat pain, and support wound healing when applied to the skin. Modern science has also identified the following health benefits of honey: Antioxidants found in honey help the body fight off free radicals which destroy cells and raise inflammation (a process known as oxidative stress). The type and amount of antioxidants varies for different sources of honey. Darker varieties of honey tend to have more antioxidants than lighter ones. Honey does not rapidly raise blood sugar (glucose) levels. This makes honey a perfect alternative to table sugar and it may even help regulate blood sugar levels. Even though it is a healthy sugar alternative, people with Type 2 diabetes should consult with their healthcare practitioner before regularly consuming. Daily consumption of raw honey may protect your heart from oxidative stress, and improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels due to the propolis it contains. Propolis is a type of resin that bees produce from sap-producing trees and similar plants. It's easy to add honey to your diet. Swirl it into tea, yogurt, and oatmeal, or drizzle it across granola or toast. So sweet and so good for you! Resources Khalil, I., et al. "Cardioprotective Effects of Tualang Honey: Amelioration of Cholesterol and Cardiac Enzymes Levels." BioMed Research International 2015 (2015): 286051. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/286051 Oduwole, O., et al. "Honey for Acute Cough in Children." The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 4 (April 10, 2018): CD007094. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5 Alam, F. et al. "Honey: A Potential Therapeutic Agent for Managing Diabetic Wounds." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM 2014 (2014): 169130. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/169130 Jull, A. B., et al. "Honey as a Topical Treatment for Wounds." The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 3 (March 6, 2015): CD005083. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005083.pub4 #honey #honeybees #honeycomb #rawhoney (fb)

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, manganese, copper, calcium, iron, folate and omega-3 fatty acids, it is no wonder that basil carries with it a tradition of reverence, from being a symbol of hospitality in India to one of love in Italy. Research shows that basil provides protection at the cellular level and has anti-bacterial properties. In fact, studies have shown that the essential oil obtained from basil leaves can protect against several species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains. Washing your produce in a 1% basil concentration can nearly eliminate Shigella, a diarrhea inducing bacteria that can cause significant intestinal damage. Additionally, basil helps protect against heart attack, stroke, asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, and promotes cardiovascular health. Whenever possible, choose fresh basil over the dried variety, as fresh basil provides the best benefits. Fresh basil leaves should be a vibrant, deep green color without spots or yellowing. Store fresh basil in the fridge wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel, or freeze to preserve. When cooking with basil, remember the adage “save the best for last” and add the herb near the end of the cooking process, as basil oils are volatile and should not be cooked for long. Incorporating fresh basil in a vinaigrette is a yummy way to ensure that your uncooked greens are safe to eat. You may also want to try adding fresh chopped basil with garlic and olive oil to yield a pesto fit for a variety of dishes including pasta and fish. Or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, add basil to a healthy mix of eggplant, cabbage, chili peppers, tofu and cashew nuts to create a health benefiting Thai dish. RESOURCES: Basil. Worlds Healthiest Foods. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=85 Marz, Russell B. 1999. Medical nutrition from Marz: (a textbook in clinical nutrition). Portland, Or: Omni-Press. Gaby, Alan. 2011. Nutritional medicine. Concord, N.H: Fritz Perlberg Publishing. #basil #herbalifenutrition #healthybody #HerbsandSpices #herbsheal #herbsforhealth #DigestiveSupport #healthandwellness #healthiswealth (fb)