HONEY: A VERY USEFUL NATURAL FOOD AND MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Honey is produced by bees from the nectar juice they collect from flowers. The nectar is biochemically changed to honey, which is harvested by human beings, either in the wild or at home from bee hives constructed by man.

The practice of establishing bee farms is becoming more common these days due to the recognition of the fact that honey is a very important product in international trade and the fact that the nutritional and health benefits of honey are becoming more obvious.

Honey is commonly used as a sweetening agent in homes. It is a perfect substitute for refined sugar in both urban and rural areas in Africa. Nutritionally, honey is a very good food substance. This is because it has a great amount of carbohydrates such as levulose, dextrose, sucrose and dextrins. It also contains some good quantities of minerals and water. The carbohydrates are easy to digest and absorb by the body, thereby providing a rich source of energy for life activities. The pollens extracted from bee hives along with honey are consumed by human beings. Experts say that they are valuable nutritionally as a source of protein.

Honey is used locally in the treatment of cough, particularly among children. The usual practice is to mix honey, lemon juice and garlic together. The resulting mixture is taken orally as many times as possible. Honey can also be mixed with hot water, lemon juice or hot milk for the treatment of cough and sore throat.

We can also take advantage of the antibiotic properties of honey by using it as dressing for wounds. Among the Yorubas of Western Nigeria, honey plays an important role during naming ceremonies.