The Beneficial Powers of Honey

by Corinna Wood

As we reap the harvest of what what has been sown and tended this year, we must also take a moment to honor the honey bee – an amazing anthropod that has helped make this abundance possible.

The bee is a symbol of the potency of nature. Like its human counterpart, it is attracted to a plant by its fragrant, colorful flower. The more beautiful the flower, the better chance it has of getting pollinated. In this symbiotic relationship, the plants grow, the world is beautified, and the bee gathers nectar from which it creates the sweet elixir of life – honey!

Honey is a powerful helper. It has been used for ages to address burns, and can be used during the initial “heat” phase of a burn, unlike many oils and salves which can only be used after the burn has cooled. It has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, and is used for addressing wounds of all types including those which do not respond well to antibiotics. Honey also has a long role in the history of eye diseases, from simple eye infections to corneal ulcers. When working with honey, use raw honey as it is high in enzymes.

It’s impossible to talk about the magic of the honey bees without acknowledging the difficulty they are currently having. To help support the honey bees:

• Plant flowers that bees love! Fortunately, bees love herbs–motherwort and bee balm and holy basil are some of their top picks in my garden.  
• Support organic farming by buying and growing local organic foods, as pesticides are one of the major factors in the bees’ plight. Support products made with local organic honey like Red Moon Fire Cider, Elderberry Elixir, or Garlic Elixir.

Bees are almost entirely a group of females (that also includes the very important masculine) working together in mutual support to create something more powerful than they could alone. They remind us that cooperation and symbiosis creates abundance and health in the world.