Health Benefits of Honey

 

Honey is a sweet substance gotten from the honeybee insect. It is not just a natural sweetener but filled with numerous health benefits confirmed by Allah in the Holy Quran, the prophet in his hadiths, historians, and scientists. The collection of honey from bees could be traced as far back as 8,000 years ago when it has been used for human consumption, beverages, and medicine. 

Although its composition may vary based on the type of flower nectar that the honeybee produces the honey from but it is mainly composed of fructose, glucose, and water while other components are pollen, wax, and mineral salts such as iron, sodium chloride, calcium, potassium, phosphate, and magnesium. 

Historically, honey is considered an important substance in the treatment of several ailments. However, its adoption in healthcare settings is gradually gaining more relevance as scientists continue to research the mechanism of action to explain the usage for each of the ailments. For example, it has been reported that it possesses antimicrobial activity against bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus making adopted in the dressing of infected wounds, burns, ulcers, and inflammation in modern orthodox medicine. However, there are still many unexplained and undiscovered benefits of honey in healing. 

Allah SWT said in the Holy Quran, “And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men’s) habitations; (16:68) Then to get 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 colours, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thoughts.” (16:69)

Besides, the hadith of the Prophet also emphasized the importance of honey in treating ailments for muslims. 

The Prophet (SAW) said, ‘Make use of the two remedies: Honey and Quran’. Tirmidhi Ibn Majah and Baihaqi

The common health benefits of honey are thus;

It aids blood circulations and protects against arteriosclerosis 

It prevents the growth of bacterial 

It is an antioxidant thereby providing protection against chronic illnesses 

It is rich in vitamins B1, B2, C, B6 and minerals 

Used in wound healing: it prevents wound infection, inflammation, and scarring and facilitates the wound repair process.

It is a more preferred sweetener than regular sugar in diabetes mellitus 

It confers some protection for the heart from oxidative stress

It may help in suppressing coughing in children

Although honey has numerous identified and non-identified health benefits, it is important to note that honey should not be given to children below one year as it increases their risk of developing a condition called botulism. Besides, honey raises blood sugar levels like regular sugar, hence should be consumed in moderation in diabetes mellitus patients. 

In conclusion, honey is undoubtedly one of the miracles of Allah and one of the best drinks on earth, and one of the foods in the Jannah (Paradise) as it is stated in the Quran;

‘(Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear…’ (47:15)

References

Purbafrani A, Hashemi SAG , Bayyenat S, Moghaddam HT , Saeidi M. The Benefits of Honey in Holy Quran International Journal of Pediatrics 2014;2(5)

Shoemaker S. 7 Unique Health Benefits of Honey. 2021 November 19. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-honey

Holy Quran English Translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. Muslim Pro