Coming to the crest of drops of honey in the forest, exhausted Israelite soldiers lowered the rod into it and ate it. Immediately, his eyes began to beam “, and his energy was renewed. (1 Kings 14:25-30) This account Bible illustrates one of the properties of honey that benefits man. This is a quick source of energy, being mainly composed of carbohydrates, about 82 percent. Interestingly, with the energy provided from 1 ounce [30 grams] of honey, bee theoretically could fly around the world!
Do bees make honey only for the benefit of man? No, they depend on honey as food. Standard size hive bees need from 20 to 30 pounds [10 to 15 kg] with honey to survive the winter. But in a good season, the bush can produce about 60 pounds [25 kg] of honey, allowing the excess to be collected and used by people, as well as animals such as bears and raccoons.
How do bees make honey? Feeding bees collect nectar from the flowers, sucking it with tubular languages. They bring him back to the hive in one of their stomachs. Nectar is transmitted to other bees, who “chew” it for about half an hour, mixing it with enzymes from glands in the mouth. Then place it in the hexagonal cells of beeswax and fan it with their wings to dehydrate it. After the water content is reduced to less than 18 percent of the cells covered with a thin layer of wax. Capped honey can keep indefinitely. Perfectly edible honey have reportedly been found in tombs of pharaohs from about 3000 years.
Honey in the healing properties
In addition to excellent food, this storehouse of vitamins, various minerals and antioxidants, honey is one of the oldest known medicines of continuous operation. Dr. May Berenbaum, an entomologist with the University of Illinois, USA, commented: “Honey was used for centuries to treat a wide range of medical problems, such as wounds, burns, cataracts, skin ulcers and scrapes.”
Commenting on the recent interest in the medicinal value of honey, the organization CNN News reports: “Honey fell into disfavor as a dressing when antibiotic dressings were developed during World War II. But the new research and the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose an old-time folk remedy in modern medicine chest. ” For example, a research area has attracted the treatment of burns. It was noted that patients shorten treatment time and less pain and scarring, when honey dressings were used.
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