Honey
More specifically Local Welsh Honey from my wife’s shop Dyfi Wholefoods. It’s not yet spring and awaiting possible March to September hay fever time possibility windows. However, the jury is out concerning local honey and whether it assists the immunity system response which helps to recognise local outdoor allergens, like pollen. There is no valid research to back it up as far as I am aware. I have read, but not in any deep analysis, that pollen in honey is mainly heavy flower based pollen and is not known to cause hay fever. Grass and trees can cause hay fever and bees do not pollinate them.

My wife, Angie, has recently brought home these two honeys. One Aberystwyth local. One from North West Zambia. I’m not sure if both or either local honey or honey in general from anywhere in this wide old ‘forever giving us new answers’ World can possibly raise immunity and assist positively. I know from looking in the past at various medical sites that talk about specific research state that honey contains varying concentrations of polyphenols. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants which are thought to reduce many problematics.

From healthline.com

‘Polyphenols are compounds that we get through certain plant-based foods. They’re packed with antioxidants and potential health benefits. It’s thought that polyphenols can improve or help treat digestion issues, weight management difficulties, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, and cardiovascular diseases’.

As stated there. Polyphenols are also found in other sources. Various fruits and vegetables, tea (it is advised to leave tea a full 7 minutes steeping to release the important antioxidant properties) and olive oil. Tea drinking? I do love choice!

Phenols are found in essential oils too. Known irritants I am going to have to study them very closely. Not sure at all of their contribution to well being as yet.

So? Honey? One should feel extremely happy to taste honey simply for the fact that it is delicious. Both these will taste delicious I am sure. I haven’t tasted a honey from Angie’s shop that doesn’t. Why? Because they are sourced ethically and the bees are not given sugar substitutes to replace their own needs for the honey they produce. Many are organic too. Interestingly. Manuka honey. I have used it often on patients’ wounds for healing. Also, my friend keeps bees. Upon official study trials with his honey, it was found to kill MRSA. His bees, he says, gathered from the herb Woodruff. I have carpets of Woodruff in our garden. Will be interesting to look into the herbalism uses of it.

Love the look of these two honeys and can’t wait to try them. Especially the one with the wax cone inside. 😊