Honey's reputation as a 'universal remedy' may be a subject of debate among scientists, but much contemporary research support its long list of beneficial functions. It is found that mixture of honey with different items can be used to remove the symptoms of various diseases.
Mohammed Ali, the boxing legend takes a daily dose of honey, garlic and apple cider vinegar to lighten the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Many other athletes use it to gain competitive edge. Some believe that fresh honey is highly beneficial but should not be used with fish, radish or melon. With so many effective uses, it is no wonder that miraculous results have been attributed to honey and its by-products. Let us start visiting honey's medicinal world.
Arthritis:
In a study of arthritis victims Dr Angus Peters of University of Edinburgh's Arthritis Research Institute found a daily dose of apple cider vinegar and honey reduced pains by 90 percent.
The weekly World News, Canada has published a list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by scientists. Arthritis patients may take one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder daily in the morning and at night. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.
Make a paste of one part honey to two parts of lukewarm water and a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder and massage it on the affected part of the body slowly. It is noticed that the pain recedes within a minute or two.
Heart problems
Pure honey improves cardiac activity. It has a very useful effect on the weakened heart muscle in various types of cardiac diseases. It causes veins to expand and improves circulation through coronary arteries.
The heart muscle works continuously and needs glucose to make up energy expended. Honey contains an unique mixture of glucose and fructose that are quick and easy to absorb. It does not cause the sudden drop in blood sugar that is associated with refined sugars.
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread or tea and take it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Regular use of the above process strengthens the heartbeat.
It has found that due to the increasing age the arteries and veins, which lose their flexibility and get clogged, are revitalised. If two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water are given to a high cholesterol patient, it reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within 2 hours.
As per information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complains of cholesterol.
(To be continued)

The writer is a Healthcare Management Specialist and Visiting Professor of North South University (NSU), Dhaka, Bangladesh.