What Are the Benefits of Orange Blossom Honey?
If you enjoy eating orange blossom honey for its unique and delicate flavors, you will be pleased to know that it's more than just a sweet treat. Orange blossom honey, like many other honey varieties, has medicinal properties that support human health and well-being and can be used both internally and externally.
If you enjoy eating orange blossom honey for its unique and delicate flavors, you will be pleased to know that it's more than just a sweet treat. Orange blossom honey, like many other honey varieties, has medicinal properties that support human health and well-being and can be used both internally and externally. Honey is not intended to replace medical care. Contact your doctor before using honey to treat a medical condition.
High in Antioxidants
Orange blossom honey provides a wide variety of natural antioxidants to the diet. According to a study published in "Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry" in 2011, researchers from the University of Vienna tested the flavonoid content of different varieties of honey, including orange blossom. Orange blossom honey contains quercetin, hesperitin, luteolin, kaempferol, galangin, naringenin and isorhamnetin -- antioxidants with anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, anti-cancer and immune supporting effects in the body. The antioxidants in orange blossom honey may help to protect against free radical damage and reduce your risk of chronic illnesses.
Good Source of Minerals
Orange blossom honey may be a good source of trace minerals to support nutrition in humans. In a nutritional analysis published in "Talanta" in 2005, researchers from the University of Seville tested orange blossom honey for its mineral content. Zinc, boron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, selenium, copper, potassium and sodium were all found in orange blossom honey; however, their levels varied greatly depending on the geographical location from where the honey was gathered.
Anti-Bacterial Effects
In an article published in "Anaerobe" in 2011, Greek researchers tested the effects of several different types of honey, including orange blossom, on bacterial cultures in the laboratory. Orange blossom honey showed significant antibacterial properties against a range of pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica and otheres. Preparations using orange blossom honey as a natural antibacterial agent should include at least 20 percent honey, as this was deemed the minimum dilution required to inhibit bacteria. Researchers concluded that with more pathogens become antibiotic resistant, the need for other antibacterial agents like orange blossom honey is growing.
Wound Healing Aid
All varieties of honey, including orange blossom, have wound-healing properties. In a review of research published in the French journal "Revue de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologique" in 1993, researchers compared 40 different trials that tested the wound-healing capacities of honey. The authors concluded that honey was effective in supporting tissue healing in 88 percent of cases, and was a simple and safe treatment option for patients.
Go Raw
Orange blossom honey is safe and well-tolerated by the majority of the population. If you have a known allergy to bees or to citrus products then you should avoid orange blossom honey products. According to Dr Michael Murray and Dr Joseph Pizzorno, authors of "The Encyclopaedia of Healing Foods," honey loses its medicinal value when pasteurized or clarified. When selecting orange blossom honey, purchase brands that offer raw honey options.