THE MIRACLE OF HONEY

Your Lord revealed to the bees: "Build dwellings in the mountains
and the trees, and also in the structures which men erect. Then
eat from every kind of fruit and travel the paths of your Lord,
which have been made easy for you to follow." From inside them
comes a drink of varying colours, containing healing for mankind.
There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reflect. (Qur'an,
16:69)
Honey is a "healing for men" as stated in the verses above.
Nowadays, apiculture and bee products have opened a new branch of
research in scientifically advanced parts of the world. Other
benefits of honey may be described as below:
Easily digested: Because sugar molecules in honey can convert into
other sugars (e.g. fructose to glucose), honey is easily digested by
the most sensitive stomachs, despite its high acid content. It helps
kidneys and intestines to function better.
Rapidly diffuses through the blood; is a quick energy source: When
accompanied by mild water, honey diffuses into the bloodstream in
seven minutes. Its free sugar molecules make the brain function
better since the brain is the largest consumer of sugar. Honey is a
natural composition of sugars like glucose and fructose. According
to recent research, this unique mixture of sugars is the most
effective means to remove fatigue and increase athletic performance.
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of honey
were revealed as a result of clinical observations and
research. Honey is exceedingly effective in painlessly
cleaning up infection and dead cells in these regions and in
the development of new tissues. The use of honey as a medicine
is mentioned in the most ancient writings. In the present day,
doctors and scientists are rediscovering the effectiveness of
honey in the treatment of wounds.
Dr. Peter Molan, a leading researcher into honey for the last
20 years and a professor of biochemistry at New Zealand’s
University of Waikato, says this about the antimicrobial
properties of honey:
Randomized trials have shown that honey is more effective in
controlling infection in burn wounds than silver
sulphadiazine, the antibacterial ointment most widely used on
burns in hospitals. (“Honey Against Infected Skin Lesions,”
www.apitherapy.com/honeysk.htm.)


Supports blood formation: Honey provides an important part of the
energy needed by the body for blood formation. In addition, it helps
in cleansing the blood. It has some positive effects in regulating
and facilitating blood circulation. It also functions as a
protection against capillary problems and arteriosclerosis.
Does not accommodate bacteria: This bactericide (bacteria-killing)
property of honey is named "the inhibition effect." There are
various reasons of this anti-microbial property of the honey. Some
examples are: the high sugar content that limit the amount of water
microorganisms need for growth, its high acidity (low pH) and
composition which deprive bacteria from nitrogen necessary for
reproduction. The existence of hydrogen peroxide as well as
antioxidants in the honey prevents bacteria growth.
Antioxidant: Everyone who wants to live a healthier life should
consume antioxidants. Those are the components in cells that get rid
of harmful byproducts of normal metabolic functions. These elements
inhibit destructive chemical reactions that cause spoilage of food
and many chronic illnesses. Researchers believe food products rich
in antioxidants may prevent heart problems and cancer. Strong
antioxidants are present in honey content: Pinocembrin, pinobaxin,
chrisin and galagin. Pinocembrin is an antioxidant that merely
exists in the honey.108
Vitamin and mineral depot: Honey is composed of sugars like glucose
and fructose and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium
chlorine, sulphur, iron and phosphate. It contains vitamins B1, B2,
C, B6, B5 and B3 all of which change according to the qualities of
the nectar and pollen. Besides the above, copper, iodine, and zinc
are also present, albeit in small quantities.
Honey is used in healing wounds:
- When used in treatment of wounds, thanks to its ability to absorb
moisture from the air, honey facilitates healing process and
prevents scarring. This is because honey stimulates the growth of
epithelial cells that form the new skin cover over a healed wound.
In this way, even in case of large wounds, honey may eliminate the
need for tissue transplantation.
- Honey stimulates the regrowth of tissue involved in the healing
process. It stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and
the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the
deeper layer of the skin and produce the collagen fibres that give
strength to the repair.
- Honey has an anti-inflammatory action, which reduces the swelling
around a wound. This improves circulation and thus hastens the
healing process. It also reduces pain.
- Honey does not stick to the underlying wound tissues, so there is
no tearing away of newly formed tissue, and no pain, when dressings
are changed.
- Thanks to its aforementioned antimicrobial property, honey
provides a protective barrier to prevent wounds becoming infected.
It also rapidly clears any existing infection from wounds. It is
fully effective, even with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.
Unlike antiseptics and antibiotics, there is no impairment of the
healing process through adverse effects on wound tissues.109
It can easily be seen from this information that honey has great
"healing" properties. This is undoubtedly one of the miracles of the
Qur'an Allah, Who is Exalted in Power, has revealed.
Nutritional ValuesAverage amount in a portionAverage
amount in 100 g
Water3.6 gr17.1 gr
Total carbohydrates17.3 gr82.4 gr
Fructose8.1 gr38.5 gr
Glucose6.5 gr31.0 gr
Maltose1.5 gr7.2 gr
Sucrose0.3 gr1.5 gr

Nutritional Contents
Total calories (kilocalories)64304
Total calories (kilocalories) (as fat)00
Total fat00
Saturated fat00
Cholesterol00
Sodium0.6 mg2.85 mg
Total carbohydrate17 gr81 gr
Sugar16 gr76 gr
Diet fibres00
Protein0.15 mg0.7 mg

Vitamins
B1 (Thiamine)< 0.002 mg< 0.01 mg
B2 (Riboflavin)< 0.06 mg< 0.3 mg
Nicotinic acid< 0.06 mg< 0.3 mg
Pantothenic acid< 0.05 mg< 0.25 mg
Vitamin B6< 0.005 mg< 0.02 mg
Folic acid< 0.002 mg< 0.01 mg
Vitamin C 0.1 mg< 0.5 mg

Minerals
Calcium1.0 mg4.8 mg
Iron0.05 mg0.25 mg
Zinc0.03 mg0.15 mg
Potassium11.0 mg50.0 mg
Phosphorus1.0 mg5.0 mg
Magnesium0.4 mg2.0 mg
Selenium0.002 mg0.01 mg
Copper0.01 mg0.05 mg
Chromium0.005 mg0.02 mg
Manganese0.03 mg0.15 mg
ASH0.04 mg0.2 gr

The “First World Wound Healing Congress,” held in Melbourne on
September 10-13, 2000, discussed the use of honey in wound
treatment. The comments made during the congress were along
these lines:
Many natural antibacterial substances are being evaluated to
find a treatment for wounds infected with bacteria with
multiple resistance to antibiotics, the "superbugs", as this
becomes a major clinical problem. But most of these natural
substances have no proven effectiveness on infected wounds,
nor is it known if they have any adverse effects on wound
tissues. Honey is different, as it has an excellent "track
record" over 4,000 years of usage as a wound dressing... Honey
has a potent antibacterial activity and is very effective in
clearing infection in wounds and protecting wounds from
becoming infected.
(bio.waikato.ac.nz/pdfs/honeyresearch/potential.pdf)


108. “Honey A Source of Antioxidants,” Journal of Apicultural
Research, 1998, 37:221-225,
www.nutritionfarm.com/health_news/1998/antioxidants4.htm; Janet
Raloff, “The Color of Honey,”
www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc98/9_12_98/Bob1.htm.
109. “Honey As Medicine—Australia Produces A World’s First!,” San
Diego Earth Times, January 2000,
www.sdearthtimes.com/et0100/et0100s17.html.