In recent years we have all seen the craze buzzing around honey! But one benefit not many people are talking about is the advantage of local honey on our immune systems. Research has proven that only a teaspoon of local honey a day can help your body adapt to regional allergies. This is due to the pollinators (bees) absorbing the local plant’s pollen and adapting it into an edible and healthy antioxidant. No need to fear, the reverse does not occur, you won’t develop regional and seasonal allergies from eating local honey.
We also know that in comparison to sugar or artificial sweeteners honey can be used as a natural substitute that gives a delicious flavor with less health risks. Honey is even recommended as a substitute for those diagnosed with diabetes!
I love to mix my local honey in with a cup of herbal tea before bed or drizzle it over vanilla Greek yogurt with fresh blackberries. I have even used it on pancakes in place of syrup. Local Maryland honey is light and sweet, making you feel less guilty about enjoying a treat.
As someone who went from living in Virginia, to South Carolina, and now on the Chesapeake shore in Maryland all within two years, my allergies shot through the roof and I had a hard time adjusting to three very different regions. But enjoying a spoonful of honey daily quickly helped me adapt to life on the bay and I was able to switch out my over the counter medicine for a natural alternative.
A few other fun facts about honey:
- Honey is Medicinal; in ancient times it was used to heal cuts because bacteria has a hard time surviving in it.
- Honey’s color and depth is dependent on the type of nectar it is produced from and the type of plants the pollinators harvest from.
- Wasps can also create honey, not just bees!
- Bees eat honey in the winter to survive, so beekeepers only take what the bees don’t need and produce it for us to eat.
Himmel’s is proud to share honey produced within just a few miles of our garden center, and harvested by local beekeeper Kevin Vasquez! For more information, check out https://www.kvbeekeeping.com/.
