More than 1,400 years ago Allah and His messenger sallallahu alayhe wa sallam (peace be upon him), told us that honey can heal a variety of medical problems.
Allah says in the Quran, "And the lord inspired the bee, saying: Take your habitations in the mountains and in the trees ad in what they erect. Then, eat of all fruits and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you)'. There comes forth from their bellies a drink of varying color wherein is healing for men. Verily in this is indeed a sign for people who think." [16:68-69]
The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam (peace be upon him), has also told us of the healing found within honey for a variety of medical problems, including stomach ailments.
One hadeeth, reported by Bukhari, states that a man came to the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam (peace be upon him), because his brother had a stomach disorder. The Prophet said "Let him drink honey." The man returned a second time and again the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam (peace be upon him), responded again, "Let him drink honey." The man returned again, and said "I have done that." The Prophet then responded, "Allah has said the truth, but your brother's stomach has told a lie. Let him drink honey." He drank it and was cured.
Tirmithi, Ibn Majah and Baihaqi also reported that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam (peace be upon him), said, "Make use of the two remedies: honey and the Quran."
Modern medicine is only just learning of this fact. Traditional uses of honey have included honey mixed with lemon for sore throats. Honey coats the throat and reduces throat irritation. Research has already shown that honey blocks the growth of oral bacteria.
Honey has also been used for stomach pains and problems. Modern research shows that honey is effective when used in the treatment of gastric or peptic stomach ulcers. Research has also revealed that honey is effective in the treatment of various wounds and infections because of its antimicrobial (antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal) properties.
Researchers are not absolutely sure why honey heals but they are learning new things about honey everyday. We do know that honey contains a variety of sugars and minerals. Honey is also considered an antioxidant. This means it allows the blood to circulate better and provide more oxygen to areas of the body such as the brain.
Honey can also be used externally to promote healing when applied to wounds, even postoperative wounds. Honey has also been effective in its use to treat burns. It has even been shown to be low in calories and useful as a sweetener for diabetics, people with heart disease or those overweight.
Although there is healing in honey for a variety of medical disorders, certain precautions should be taken. Children under the age of one year should never be given honey due to the possibility of infant botulism. This type of food poisoning can be deadly; however, it only seems to affect infants under one year of age.
Also, if you have any known allergies to specific plants, then you should make sure the honey you are using is not made from that plant. People with allergies to bee stings should be careful when using other bee-related products such as porpoise or royal jelly. If these precautions are followed, then honey may provide healing for you.
As Muslims, we must acknowledge and accept that Allah and His Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam (peace be upon him), know better and have revealed the truth.
We should, therefore, study the research that is available, not to confirm or deny the truth that has been revealed by Allah and his Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam (peace be upon him), but to learn of new ways we can use honey.
Shaykh Saalih Ibn Ghaanim as-Sadlaan:
"Verily we are in age where the norm of the people with regards to whom they consider to be Scholars has deteriorated severely. So they make everyone who has the ability to deliver an eloquent admonition, or an intense lecture, or a profound sermon, a Scholar ('aalim) to whom one can refer to for iftaa` (giving religious verdicts), and from whom knowledge can be taken. This is apparently ridiculous, so let the seeker of knowledge be warned against these individuals, and let him not raise them to the levels of Scholars."
The Goodness of Honey
- FOR BURNS
Apply freely over burns. It cools, removes pain and aids fast healing without scarring. Apart from being a salve and antibiotic, bacteria cannot live in honey.
- BED WETTING
A teaspoon of honey before bed aids water retention and calms fears in children.
- SLEEPLESSNESS
A dessertspoon of honey in a mug of hot milk aids sleep and works wonders!
- HYPERACTIVITY
Honey is a mild sedative with minerals; vitamins, amino acids etc.
Replace all white sugar with honey. White sugar is highly stimulating with no food qualities!
- NASAL CONGESTION
Place a dessertspoon of honey in a basin of hot water and inhale fumes after covering your head with a towel over the basin. Very effective.
- WOUNDS OR GRAZES
Cover wound with honey and a bandage. Excellent healer.
- FOR FATIGUE
Dissolve a dessertspoon of honey in warm water or quarter honey balance of water in a jug and keep in the fridge. Honey is primarily fructose and glucose and so it is quickly absorbed by the digestive system. Honey is a unique natural stabilizer - ancient Greek athletes took honey for stamina before competing and as a reviver after competition.
- FACIAL DEEP CLEANSER
Mix honey with oatmeal approx. 50/50 till thick and apply as a face pack.
Leave on for half an hour then wash off. Great as a deep cleanser for acne etc.
- POOR DIGESTION
Mix honey with apple cider vinegar approx. 50/50 and dilute to taste with water. This aids digestion. (Also reputed to be wonderful for the joints.)
- HAIR CONDITIONER
Mix honey with equal quantity of Olive Oil and cover head with a warm towel for half an hour then shampoo off. Feeds hair and scalp. Hair will never look or feel better!
- SORE THROATS
Let a teaspoon of honey melt in the back of the mouth and trickle down the throat. Eases inflamed raw tissues.
- FOR STRESS
Honey in water is a stabilizer - calms highs and raises lows. Use approx.
25 percent honey to water.
- ANEMIA
Honey is the best blood en-richer by raising corpuscle content. The darker the honey the more minerals it contains.
- FOOD PRESERVATIVE
Cakes with honey replacing sugar stay fresher longer due to natural antibiotics. Reduce liquids by approx. one-fifth to allow for moisture in honey.
- HEART PATIENTS
These people are well advised to replace white sugar (sucrose) with honey, natural fructose and glucose.
- HAY FEVER
Chewing the tops of comb honey stimulates the immune system due to minute amounts of pollen. During the season thew for 20 minutes a teaspoon of bee capping (tops) five to six times per day. Highly effective and useful for asthma sufferers as well.
- BABY'S BOTTLE
Four teaspoons of honey to a baby's bottle of water is an excellent pacifier and multivitamin additive. If baby's motions are too liquid then reduce by half a teaspoon; if too solid, increase by half a teaspoon. [Webmaster Note: Pediatricians advise parents not to give honey to babies under 1 year of age.]
- TEETHING
Honey rubbed on a baby's gums is a mild sedative and anesthetic.
- OSTEOPOROSIS
English research has shown that a teaspoon of honey per day aids calcium utilization and prevents osteoporosis. Essential from age 50 onwards.
- MIGRAINE
Use a dessertspoon of honey dissolved in half a glass of warm water. Sip at start of attack. If necessary repeat in 20 minutes. Always effective (so tip goes) as migraine is stress related.
- CONJUNCTIVITIS (PUS IN THE EYE)
Honey dissolved in equal quantity of warm water. Apply, when cooled, as lotion or eye bath.
- COUGH MIXTURE
6 oz. liquid honey with juice of 2 lemons
Mix well. Bottle and cork firmly. Use as required. Important Keep honey in first aid cupboard for emergency use, and another in the kitchen cupboard.