Honey, like any product, has its own varieties: forest, honeydew, flower, etc. All of them are good and healthy in their own way, all have a lot of useful properties. In this article we will talk in more detail about the flower species, learn its characteristics and features.

What kind of honey is this and how does it come?

From the name of sweet nectar it is clear that bees collect pollen from plant flowers in fields, meadows, and gardens to produce it. Its qualities and properties are determined by the plants from which the bees collected raw materials for production. If one plant predominates during collection, then the product is called monofloral, if several or a whole bouquet is called polyfloral.

Monofloral

Monofloral varieties are not as common as forbs, since it is difficult to find an area planted with a sufficient number of one type of flowering plants. In addition, this plant should bloom at a certain time, when the bees are not distracted by other fragrant flowers. A variety is called monofloral when it contains at least 50% pollen from one crop., for example, acacia, heather, buckwheat, linden, raspberry, sunflower.

Polyfloral

Polyfloral honey or forbs is a combination of pollen from many fragrant flowers. Such varieties are distinguished by time of collection, location or external characteristics. Its external qualities (aroma, taste, color) are determined by the plants that predominate in the pollen collection area. The beneficial properties will also be determined by the properties of the crops that served as pollen suppliers.

What does flower honey look like?

Flower nectar is usually less dense, although viscous and generally of a light shade.

Color

From golden and rich yellow to brown.

Aroma

Rich, playing with many shades: fruity, floral.

Taste

Tart, sweet, with a long aftertaste.

Crystallization time

Polyfloral varieties are usually candied by winter; monofloral varieties can crystallize later.

Collection period

The beginning of the season is the beginning of spring; The collection ends in the autumn.

Did you know? There is poisonous or drunken honey - this is a product for which bees collected pollen and nectar from plants containing toxic substances. Because not everyone poisonous plants secrete nectar, a poisonous variety of honey is extremely rare. The commander described mass poisoning with such a product Ancient Greece Xenophon, he wrote about the sudden illness of Colchian warriors after eating honey sweets.

What is useful and how does it affect the body?

Flower nectar contains great amount minerals, vitamins, enzymes, essential acids and antioxidants. Possessing a high calorie content, it nevertheless does not burden the stomach, is easily and quickly absorbed and even helps improve digestion, thanks to the enzymes necessary for this process.

Honey has long been used as a preservative, preserving food in it for a long time. This feature indicates high antimicrobial and antiseptic properties; in addition, the product has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects.

Ascorbic acid, essential oils and tannins in the composition determine therapeutic effect for colds, diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, facilitate the liquefaction and removal of mucus and phlegm from the lungs and bronchi, create an environment unbearable for the life of microbes and viruses, and strengthen the immune system.
, glycosides, have a beneficial effect on cardiac activity and arterial pressure, strengthen and give elasticity to the walls of blood vessels, thin the blood. Natural sweetness has a calming effect on nervous system, normalizes sleep. Thanks to antioxidants and E, the health and beauty of the skin, teeth, hair and nails is maintained.

Important! Please note that honey is not used as an independent medicinal product; the product can serve as a powerful but auxiliary remedy. The maximum effect will be complex treatment determined by a medical specialist.

How not to make mistakes when buying

When purchasing, given the differences between the varieties of flower products, it is easy to make mistakes, but there are unifying properties that will help you avoid these mistakes:

• real honey has a slight irritating effect on the mucous membrane; after tasting, you will feel a sore throat;
• the structure of natural nectar is viscous, but flexible - it is easy to wrap around a spoon, it will not immediately spread;
• aroma and rich taste: neither one nor the other will have one characteristic note, both the smell and taste will be multifaceted and rich;
• Natural sweetness begins to crystallize towards winter.

It is better to purchase from the direct manufacturer. Beekeepers value their customers, so deliberate deception is not beneficial to them.

Rules of use

Many have heard the names “Honey cake”, “ Honey gingerbread"and they know that sweetness is added to the dough for cakes and gingerbreads, cookies, to give unusual taste product. There are also advantages to a natural sweetener: firstly, it is healthier than sugar; secondly, it keeps the dough fresh and soft longer. However, it must be taken into account that honey sweeter than sugar, so you need to add less of it, otherwise the dessert will turn out too sugary.

The product is often used in various marinades and salad dressings. It is most often combined with citrus zest, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, garlic, ginger and coriander. In addition to the marinade, it is used to coat the meat when frying, which gives a unique spicy-sweet crust.

Honey is added to various desserts: fruit salads, mousses, puddings, cream for cakes and pastries. It is used to make marshmallows and nougat with nuts.

Did you know? Honey is often mentioned in the religious texts of Islam and Christianity: in the Koran there is a separate sura “Bees”; in Christian texts honeycomb called the food of John the Baptist during his hermitage in the desert; mentioned both in the book of Solomon's parables and in the Bible itself.

Storage conditions

Honey is not stored in metal containers; it quickly oxidizes in such an environment and loses its properties. In a glass, ceramic or clay container with a tightly closed lid, preferably at sub-zero temperatures, without moisture and light, honey products last longer. It is not recommended to change the storage temperature, otherwise the nectar will crystallize unevenly.

Applications in other areas

Many in for preventive purposes Every day they eat a spoonful of natural sweets in the morning before breakfast. A popular drink to support the immune system is tea with lemon and honey.

Important! When preparing, you need to know that honey should be placed in a warm, but not hot tea: at temperatures above +60°C it loses most of its beneficial properties.

In folk medicine

Natural medicine helps in the prevention and treatment of such diseases:

• influenza, ARVI, acute respiratory infections;
• throat diseases (sore throat, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis);
• diseases of the lungs and bronchi;
• anemia;
• avitaminosis;
• endocrine diseases.

The product is useful for digestive problems; heavy physical activity; various inflammatory processes, including skin diseases. Its use is indicated during the recovery period after operations, for nervous disorders, and insomnia.

In cosmetology

Beekeeping products are actively used in cosmetic products: cream, scrub, mask, milk. The product helps restore the elasticity of the skin, nourishes, cleanses and rejuvenates the skin, relieves inflammation, whitens, heals cracks and excessive dryness.

Honey is used in massages, wraps and other spa treatments. It is known to have a beneficial effect on hair in case of damage, dullness, and hair loss. Hair masks nourish the hair follicle, restore the structure of the hair along its entire length, and help get rid of dandruff.

Contraindications and possible harm

Polyfloral varieties usually have a more saturated composition, so you should use this kind of product with caution if you have the following health problems:

• pancreatitis;
• gastritis;
• enterocolitis;
• gastrointestinal ulcer.

Allergy sufferers are advised to test for a possible negative reaction. Diabetics should not indulge in this as bee products contain sugar. Excessive use is not advisable overweight- sweets contain a lot of calories (302-330 kcal depending on the composition). It is not recommended for nursing mothers and children under three years of age.

The healing properties of beekeeping products have been known since ancient times; the founders of medicine (Galen, Hippocrates, Avicenna, etc.) used it as a medicine in their time. Official modern medicine has also recognized its properties, using it as part of various medications.

Nature has presented man with a unique product - flower honey. This sweet delicacy is loved by adults and children, thanks to high content carbohydrates, the product fills the body with energy and strength. Flower nectar is used for flu and colds, as it has medicinal properties. It is not for nothing that in Rus' honey was considered a product for good health. So what else is it useful for, where is it used and how to use it?

Types of nectar

In the vastness of Russia you can find honey from 150 plant species, the most common varieties: sunflower, dandelion, acacia, burdock. It is unrealistic to obtain it from one plant, so a conditional standard has been introduced: if the composition of the nectar of any one flower is 40-60%, flower honey is considered monofloral.

When flower honey contains a variety of nectar without the predominance of any one type, it is called polyfloral. In everyday life it is known by other names: forest, meadow, forbs, etc.

Composition and calorie content

Natural flower honey is a concentrate useful substances, literally everything you need for life “in one bottle.” It contains:

1. Simple carbohydrates (fructose, glucose, sucrose) and polysaccharides (dextrin).
2. Vitamins (C, K, B1, B5, B6, B9, H) and minerals (calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, zinc).
3. Enzymes – more than 15 types, including catalase, invertase, phosphatase, glucose oxidase.
4. Phytoncides (natural antibiotics) - benzoic acid, avenacin, tannins and others.
5. Organic acids – acetic, oxalic, citric, lactic.
6. Aromatic substances, flavonoids.

For 100 gr. (half a glass) accounts for about 300 kcal. The darker, thicker and more aromatic the variety, the higher.

Value, medicinal properties

The properties of this sweet product were noted by the inhabitants of Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt and Mesopotamia. Until the mid-20th century, its various varieties formed the basis of the diet of a typical resident of Russia. Flower honey:

• has antibacterial properties - treats ulcers, disinfects, dries out skin rashes;
• tones and fills with energy;
• excellent immunomodulator;
• recommended for diseases of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, lower back pain, kidney pain, gout;
• a favorite product among cosmetologists, suitable for all skin types.

The specific properties of each variety depend on the honey plant. For example, the chamomile variety is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties, the linden variety is famous for its diaphoretic and antimicrobial properties, and the sage variety treats ulcers.

To get rid of fatigue and restore strength after hard work or training, just eat a spoonful of flower honey.

Contraindications for use

Flower honey is well tolerated by the body. However, it should be limited in case of diabetes mellitus (), completely excluded in case of enterocolitis, gastrectomy, cholecystitis, after gastric surgery and allergies. You should also not give it, but you can use the product, but only after consulting a doctor.

How to choose good honey?

In a store or market, it is difficult to understand whether an original or a fake is on the counter, so you have to evaluate it visually.

• When purchasing in a store, you should pay attention to the packaging and labeling. The jar must be made of glass, the lid is hermetically sealed, and the date and place of collection, GOST and ISO are written on the label.
• When buying “hands on” you need to smell it, taste it and evaluate its viscousness. The aroma, taste and color must correspond to the declared variety, and not contain any extraneous sourness or unpleasant odors. Fresh product viscous, and crystallized has a uniform structure, without clear separation and water.

It is better to buy honey in large retail chains: they do not want to risk their reputation, so they check jars that are ready for sale.

Flower honey from the market will do more harm than good. This is a superheated composition of unknown quality without any guarantees. But buying from a friend’s beekeeper is an opportunity to get inexpensive natural product.

Work in the apiary to pump out flower honey. Video

In particular, flower honey contains a complex mixture, mainly consisting of glucose, fructose, sucrose, proteins, minerals and other substances.
By composition flower honey There are monofloral and polyfloral.
Monofloral honey- this is honey collected by bees from one type of plant.
Polyfloral honey– honey collected from the flowers of various plants.
In practice, we are dealing with polypheric honey. Whether honey belongs to a particular variety is determined by the color, aroma and taste of the nectar that predominates in it.

Honey varieties differ in their chemical and physical composition and the degree of antimicrobial and medicinal properties. A more precise classification of honey into a particular variety is determined and depends on the composition of the pollen.

The conditioned reflexes of bees have been well studied, so it has become possible to regulate the flight of bees and direct them to collect nectar from the desired plants. This technique is based on training and feeding them with syrup scented with the scent of the corresponding flowers.
There are so many flower varieties honey, how many honey plants there are. Flower honey should be transparent, may contain air bubbles and traces of pollen.

Characteristics of flower honey

Any flower honey and its composition assessed according to certain characteristics:

• by the amount of water,
• what does honey taste like?
• what a scent
• what a smell
• absence of impurities,
• transparency,
• what color is flower honey?

Contains less than 18.6% water, has a pleasant taste and aroma, basically flower honey has no caramelization, no fermentation, and no foreign odors. Virtually no impurities that affect appearance or nutritional properties.

In nature, even in a small area, but with diverse vegetation, the composition of flower honey will be different. Its difference lies in the amount of glucose and fructose (invert sugars).

The quality of honey depends on the content of invert sugars. It has been noted that there is more fructose in honey than glucose. Even with normal storage, the percentage of sucrose gradually decreases over time. Sunlight destroys the enzymes, but the sucrose content remains the same. If the percentage of sucrose in honey exceeds 25%, then this indicates poor quality of honey. This happens when bees are fed sugar syrup.

Flower honey contains dixtrins, which affect the thickness of the honey. The more dixtrin, the thicker the honey and its crystallization occurs more slowly.
Microelements contained in honey affect its color. So light honey contains up to 0.16% minerals, and in the dark up to 26%.
Honey is a natural plant-animal product and its biological activity depends on the amount of minerals.

What are the benefits of flower honey?

Bee natural flower honey is famous for its medicinal properties. The beneficial properties of flower honey, thanks to trace elements such as copper, cobalt, and iron, allow you to successfully treat anemia. When consuming high-quality natural honey, the hematopoietic capacity improves and the immunobiological protective activity of the body is higher. Dark varieties honey contains more microelements than light honey.

Flower honey beneficial properties (video)

I hope you were interested in learning about what flower honey is and its composition will no longer be a mystery to you.

The healing properties of honey are known to most people on the planet. This sweet and extremely healthy product helps strengthen the immune system, speedy recovery from many diseases, lose weight, and improve the condition of hair and skin.

However, not everyone is aware of the possible side effects of bee products, such as allergies, anaphylactic shock and other complications.

Composition and beneficial properties

The composition of natural honey is a unique product that is used as aromatic delicacy, and also as a source of health, vitality and longevity.

The natural product consists of more than 100 beneficial substances that are considered vital for human body. 80% are carbohydrates - fructose, sucrose, glucose. Exact proportions of these substances differ depending on the variety.

Percentage of substances in honey

An important point is that such substances are quickly and easily absorbed by our body, since they belong to simple carbohydrates.

These carbohydrates are important for the body to maintain the energy levels of the nervous, muscular, and immune systems. A deficiency of these substances can lead to mental and mental decline. physical activity, human performance, will provoke the development of diseases.

In addition to carbohydrates, the composition includes 15% water, 3-3.5% protein compounds, a large number of different minerals and trace elements. Among which are iron, calcium, sodium, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, sulfur, iodine, chlorine, copper, cobalt, potassium, etc.

It is impossible to overestimate the healing contribution of the beneficial substances that are included in the bee product. Since calcium is the main building material of bone and cartilage tissue, iron increases hemoglobin, etc. The lack of the described microelements in the body disrupts its normal functioning, metabolism, and upsets the balance of the body.

Thus, from vegetable fatty products, honey It is considered the richest in microelements and minerals.

It is worth noting the usefulness of the enzymes contained in it. Namely, diastase, invertase, catalase, acid phosphatase, etc. These elements help speed up the metabolic process. The source of enzymes in the product is plant pollen, as well as the bee body itself.

Honeycomb of bees

In addition to the listed elements, the bee processing product contains many organic acids. Such as citric acid, malic, oxalic, lactic, tartaric, folic, pantothenic acid.

With the help of the conducted research, biogenic stimulants were identified in the composition of honey, which help strengthen vitality and vital forces of the human body.

Impact on the human body

There is an opinion that people who include a serving in their daily diet honey delicacy, do not take pharmaceutical medications at all. And such situations often occur. Complete with guide healthy image life, healing properties support the normal functioning of the body.

Each type of product can have a beneficial effect on human health. An important point is to strengthen and maintain the tone of the body's nominal system, which is responsible for fighting diseases.

Honey helps effectively reduce inflammatory processes in tissues, used as an anesthetic, and used in a wide variety of ailments. This is due to the following properties of the product:

• Antifungal;
• Antibacterial;
• Regenerating;
• Antiviral;
• Antihistamine, etc.

Honey is used for ulcers, wounds, burns, which speeds up healing. The product has a beneficial effect on improving blood, serves as a sugar substitute for those suffering from diabetes, and improves digestive processes.

At the expense of their medicinal propertiesused to treat:

• viral diseases;
• runny nose;
• cough;
• throat diseases;
• conjunctivitis;
• laryngitis, etc.

Used as a blood purifier and blood vessels, treatment genitourinary system, pancreas, ulcers, spleen, gastritis.

Honey is an excellent helper for circulatory and cardiovascular systems, a preventative against atherosclerosis. Used for sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, tuberculosis, liver and kidney diseases.

It is used as a restorative for nervous disorders and stress, for arthritis, diseases of the eyes and joints.

Honey varieties

Honey is useful even in cosmetology, and not just in cooking or folk medicine. It is a component of many balms, masks, creams for the skin and face, as well as other cosmetic products. This happens thanks to balanced content essential oils, vitamins, enzymes, minerals in the bee product.

Therefore, it can be used as an independent cosmetic product without adding other impurities.

Thus, the bee product is natural and an indispensable product for the health of the human body. It is considered to occupy a leading place among natural medicines that are extracted from flowers and herbs.

The benefits of honey for women

The benefits of honey products for women are almost limitless. It is conditioned the most valuable composition treats. Constant use promotes female attractiveness and health for many years.

Among the most beneficial varieties of honey for women are buckwheat, linden, acacia, flower, etc. Each variety has a different effect on the female body.

For example, flower honey will help you get rid of gynecological diseases and insomnia. Buckwheat – strengthens the heart, prevents heart disease, anemia, and prevents headaches.

Honey mask for skin

Honey is also an indispensable remedy for treatment. colds, cough, sore throat. The acacia variety has a beneficial effect on women's vision. Fireweed - will replenish the body with vitamins and microelements that are necessary to create a ringing and clear female voice.

Is it possible or not for expectant mothers during pregnancy?

On early During pregnancy, when the mother begins to feed her baby milk, honey is simply an irreplaceable component. At that time it has a beneficial effect on enhancing uterine circulation, improving lymphatic drainage, providing a relaxing effect on the uterine muscles during lactation and feeding. During difficult and lengthy labor, honey acts as a natural stimulant of labor.

The product also helps in the fight against nausea and toxicosis in pregnant women, allows you to get rid of breast stretch marks, and is recommended if there is a threat of miscarriage in expectant mothers.

Honey for breastfeeding milk

At breastfeeding, especially in the first month, honey should be consumed with great caution and preferably after consultation with a doctor. This is necessary to avoid allergic reactions in the child.

The main contraindications may be:

• allergy;
• individual intolerance;
• high calorie content;
• overdose.

Benefits for men

Along with other beekeeping products, honey can have a miraculous effect on a man’s body. Eating just a teaspoon of the treat will give you a boost of energy for the whole working day. Can be consumed separately or with tea. The product is extremely useful for cardiovascular diseases in men and high blood pressure.

Spoon with honey

Regular use of beekeeping products, including honey, will help avoid many diseases and improve vitality.

It is very common to use it for preventive purposes, as well as in the treatment of prostatitis, adenoma and impotence. Thanks to amino acids, microelements, enzymes, honey is capable of restore male genitourinary functions, which may weaken with age.

The following can be distinguished useful qualities for men:

• anti-atherosclerotic property;
• anti-inflammatory;
• antioxidant;
• choleretic;
• antitoxic;
• vaso-strengthening;
• antiviral, etc.

Considering the contraindications of the product, the differences between side effects for men and women practically none.

Possible warnings may include allergies, individual intolerance to beekeeping products, overdose, etc.

Bee honey for children

Honey is one of the most favorite treats for children and occupies a leading place among the most delicious and at the same time healthy products. A child who regularly consumes honey will have best successes in development, rarely suffer from colds and viral diseases, and endure environmental conditions steadily.

Jars of honey

Main beneficial properties for children:

• Preventive and a remedy against influenza, colds, coughs, sore throats;
• Positive influence on the nervous system child;
• Antidepressant;
• Good remedy for insomnia;
• Strengthening immunity, as well as general protective functions of the body;
• Improving organ function digestion;
• Strengthening bones, ligaments, cartilage.
• Improvement skin and hair.

The main contraindications for children are allergies, various rashes and overdose of the product, which can lead to nausea, vomiting, and indigestion.

Contraindications and harm to health

Despite the many medicinal qualities honey, you should be very careful when consuming it, because... sometimes it can be harmful. Limit yourself from taking the product if you have cirrhosis of the liver, gallstones, or absence of a gallbladder.

Honey may be harmful to people who have increased acidity stomach in a post-infarction state. Use with caution if you have allergic reactions or obesity. The calorie content of 100 g of honey is 320 kcal.

Thus, with careful use of the healing product, in consultation with specialists, you will get rid of many unwanted problems without causing complications to the body.

Honey is a storehouse of beneficial properties. Sweet medicine is used in treatment various diseases, for prevention, and simply as a tasty treat that can replace sugar or any sweets.

There are many varieties of this product. One of them is floral, which has a special aroma, a golden, sometimes brownish tint.

In turn, this variety is divided into 2 more types: polyfloral (collected from the nectar of different plants) and monofloral (collected from the nectar of more than half of one family of plants).

Scientists have long discovered the beneficial properties of flower honey, so no one questions them. People call it a cure for forty diseases.

Have you ever wondered how honey “ripens”? This is a very interesting process! The anthers of flowers produce pollen, which is necessary for the pollination process of plants. It is collected by bees, combining it with nectar, which insects collect from different colors. By mixing pollen with insect nectar and saliva, flower honey is created.

Bees deposit their product in honeycombs. In them, pollen undergoes a fermentation process, resulting in the formation of beebread, which is also called bee bread. This substance has many beneficial properties, but it is not inferior to honey with pollen, which is a natural product that has no analogues.

On average, the percentage of substances included in the composition of a sweet medicine is:

• Inverted sugar – 73.42;
• Dextrins – 6.32;
• Water – 16.98;
• Sucrose – 2.38;
• Ash containing – 0.26;
• Acids – 0.12;
• Nitrogen containing – 0.55.

But this is not the entire composition. The sweet goodness contains B vitamins (thiamine, folic acid, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid), vitamins C, H, PP. The product is also rich in minerals: fluorine, calcium, cobalt, copper, manganese, zinc, iron.

In addition, 100 g contains 0.8-0.9 g. proteins, approximately 75 g carbohydrates. But there is no fat in it at all. This does not mean that the calorie content of flower honey is low. A large number of carbohydrates makes this product quite nutritious. Despite the fact that in many diets they are recommended to replace sugar, in large quantities This sweet medicine should not be consumed.

This is especially true for people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, those with diabetes, pregnant women, and those who are prone to obesity. You can replace sugar with a product because it saturates the body necessary substances, vitamins, elements, but in a normal diet the amount of flower medicine consumed per day should not exceed 3-4 tsp.

To make it easier for you to calculate its calorie content in different portions, remember that in 1 tsp. product contains 26.12 kcal, 1 tbsp. l. – 78.5 kcal, 200 ml – 1044 kcal, 250 ml – 1306 kcal. The calorie content of sweet medicine per 100 g is 314 kcal.

The most common is polyfloral flower honey, i.e. product collected by bees on forbs. As a rule, hardworking insects collect nectar from sage, thyme, clover, dandelion, bedstraw, and alfalfa. Is not full list plants, each of which is beneficial for human health.

Most famous healing quality product - the ability to help in the fight against colds and lung diseases. Possessing diaphoretic and diuretic properties, it removes infections from the body with liquid.

If the sweet benefits are collected from forbs in May (May), its properties are most valuable in the treatment of diseases of the liver and nervous system. With this medicine you can get rid of insomnia, stress, and nervousness.

The product has a positive effect on the immune system. This gives the body the resources to resist diseases and successfully fight existing ailments.

If it contains chamomile nectar, flower honey has anti-inflammatory properties. If geranium nectar is present, the product will be very beneficial for the kidneys, stomach, intestines, and liver.

Due to its high glucose content, it brings great benefits to the heart, blood vessels, and blood. It is recommended to use it systematically for children and elderly people who need to constantly replenish their vitality. Its use in the postoperative period is highly desirable.

Women should also pay attention to this natural healer, especially those who have problems with the reproductive system.

Thanks to the presence of pollen, the sweet medicine contains natural antibiotics, which allow it to cope with diseases caused by microbes.

It is believed that this product can have a rejuvenating effect on the entire body. If the composition contains sage, it is recommended to use the medicine in the treatment of dermatological diseases (ulcers, skin inflammations, wounds, etc.).

Flower medicine, due to the presence of a lot of useful substances in it, is used in cosmetology for hair and skin care.

Women will be interested in familiarizing themselves with some folk recipes beauty using this natural ingredient.

For hands. Combine 2 egg yolks with 2 tbsp. l. product, 1st tbsp. l. lemon juice, 1 tbsp. l. olive oil. Stir the mixture thoroughly, spread it on your hands for 30-40 minutes. After this time, rinse off the product with warm water. This mask should be used twice a week. Its benefits are enormous - the skin of your hands will be soft and tender. The mask eliminates flaking and nourishes the skin.

For face and body skin. Mix milk and honey in a 1:1 ratio, apply to the skin for about half an hour, then rinse with warm water. This mask is suitable for both the face and the whole body. Considering that honey has rejuvenating properties, it will make the skin elastic, toned, and healthy.

Scrub. To prepare you will need a sweet cosmetologist and coffee (if you have oily skin) or cereals(if you have dry skin). Mix the ingredients in a 1:1 ratio and apply to the face for about 20 minutes. If you need to dry the skin a little and get rid of pimples and blackheads, add a few drops of cognac to the mask. In order not to cause harm to the skin in the form of irritation, you can add a little kefir to the product, which will soften its effect.

Against cellulite. Visiting a sauna or just during a reception hot bath, don’t miss the opportunity to fight the “orange peel”. Massage the problem areas using a sweet beautician and then wrap them in plastic for about half an hour.

For hair. Use of honey produced using pollen, often used to strengthen hair. Here's how to do it. Peeled potatoes (1 pc. small size) three on a grater, let the juice drain. Combine potatoes with aloe juice (1 tbsp) and sweet cosmetologist (2 tbsp). Apply the mask to the roots and along the entire length of the strands for 40-50 minutes. Wash off with warm water.

Of course, flower honey is very good for health, but before using it, you need to familiarize yourself with the contraindications:

• Individual intolerance to the product, allergies, which can also appear on the skin;
• Serious diseases of the intestines, stomach;
• Insulin dependence, diabetes mellitus. With this disease, it is not always forbidden to eat it, but this issue must be discussed with a doctor.

It is important to keep a few things in mind when consuming honey.

There is no need to give a lot of honey to children. Before you start feeding your child with it, you should consult your pediatrician. The product has a beneficial effect on the body of pregnant women, but you shouldn’t get too carried away with it - 2-3 tsp/day is quite enough.

Some people, knowing the benefits of flower honey, consume it in the morning, diluted in water, but one must take into account that this can also be harmful if there are problems with acidity. Nursing mothers can eat it, but after consulting a doctor about the advisability of using it.

Remember that only natural products are useful. This sweet medicine gives vitality and health, so if you have no contraindications to use, be sure to eat this goodness and use it in cosmetology.

Video: The benefits and harms of flower honey, use in medicine and cosmetology

One of the best natural products, full of beneficial properties and with a minimum of contraindications, is flower honey.

Unfortunately, we remember it only when colds appear.

Do you know what effect nectar has on your body when consumed daily in a wide variety of, and sometimes unexpected, forms?

1. Why: what is honey?
2. How to test honey

Why: what is honey?

Honey is divided into two main types: floral, from flowers, and honeydew, from the juice of leaves.

The first type is divided into varieties that depend on the plant: linden, acacia, buckwheat, sunflower.

Based on the number of plants, it is divided into monofloral and polyfloral. In addition to the purely floral one, there is also a meadow one.

The nectar for it is collected from meadow flowers: thyme, sage, clover, thyme, dandelion, alfalfa and many others.

It is sweeter, more aromatic and brighter in color than others.

Among the many types of honey, flower honey is one of the most popular.

The history of the consumption of sweet products in medicine begins in ancient times.

One of the first tracks takes us to Ibn Sina, a medieval physician and scientist.

He described medicinal properties vinegar and honey, their beneficial properties for human health, and also said that this particular natural product can slow down aging.

Beneficial properties of flower honey

The beneficial properties of flower honey directly depend not only on the quality of the product, but also on the type of pollen that dominates its composition.

If the product is based on thyme, then it has an anthelmintic and diuretic effect.

Flower honey

Geranium, as the dominant part, is necessary for the treatment of the intestines, kidneys and stomach.

This product helps with gout and pain in the lumbar region.

The benefits of flower honey have been proven in many different studies and clinical trials.

1. Healing burns, cuts and wounds
2. Increasing performance, increasing the effectiveness of mental and physical activity
3. Providing antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal effects
4. Improving blood quality, controlling free radicals in its composition
5. Sugar replacements for diabetes
6. Improves digestion
7. Reduces sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion
8. Treatment of conjunctivitis
9. Relieving tissue inflammation
10. Preservation of calcium in the body
11. Maintaining the human immune system

Flower honey has hundreds of beneficial properties

One of the unexpected, but proven effects is the treatment of neuroses and mental disorders.

The product has a calming effect and helps stabilize internal sensations and states.

For athletes, a natural storehouse of vitamins and minerals is an excellent way to quickly and efficiently restore strength after training.

Tip: remember the high calorie content of the product. Despite all the beneficial properties, its regular intake in large quantities can significantly add centimeters to the waist.

Contraindications to the use of flower honey

The benefits of flower honey are known to everyone, but what do you know about the harm it causes to our body?

Without harm to health, you can take no more than 150 grams per day.

Sweetness even fights stress

For a child, this dose is three times less, that is, equal to 50 grams.

Since this product belongs to strong allergens, before using it, you should check the body's reaction.

The appearance of unpleasant sensations or discomfort is a reason for immediate consultation with a doctor.

You should be especially careful if you are going to use honey to clean blood vessels.

Signs of a honey allergy are:

1. Severe suffocation
2. Eczema
3. Redness and itching of the skin
4. Airway swelling

It should also be remembered that at storage temperatures above 40 °C, honey loses its properties, and when it exceeds 60 °C, when mixed with water, it releases a carcinogen that causes tumors and promotes the growth of existing ones.

Although, this is only relevant for purchased honey, which is full of chemical additives and various impurities.

IN pure form It does not contain any carcinogens.

Since its consumption causes an increase in body temperature, increasing sweating, the load on the heart increases.

This means that in case of heart disease, the amount of product consumed should be limited.

Therefore, you should not include it in your post-workout diet.

However, you should not abuse the product more than normal.

It is necessary to limit or exclude the product from the diet if:

1. Chronic gastritis or its progressive form
2. Gastric resections
3. Exudative diathesis
4. Enterocolitis
5. Scrofula
6. Diabetes mellitus of the second degree
7. Acute rheumatism
8. Cholecystectomy
9. Pancreatitis

Nursing mothers must pay attention Special attention on the baby's reaction when feeding.

Women suffering from mastitis and lactostasis should be extremely careful with honey, as it causes an increase in the amount of milk.

How to test honey

In order to have no doubt that flower honey will be not only not harmful to health, but also as beneficial as possible, you need to choose it carefully.

Check the quality of the product before purchasing

If you buy at the market or from friends, be sure to arm yourself with a spoon: if you take a spoonful of nectar and turn it, the good honey will be wound, and when poured back, it will form a slide.

When buying in the autumn and later, you should pay attention to the crystals. They are sure to form if it is not a chestnut or acacia species, since they remain liquid all year round.

There should be no foam on the surface of the nectar.

You can also dilute honey in water; it should completely dissolve.

Tip: Don't be fooled by dead bees or pieces of grass. Some sellers add them deliberately, as they believe that this is clear evidence of the naturalness of the product.

Do not forget also that often in large-scale production conditions, nectar is heated to give it a marketable appearance.

Such a product can no longer benefit the body.

If you have no other option other than going to the supermarket, then pay attention to the transparency of the product.

If it has an amber cast, the shine is bright, and everything around is visible through the nectar - it is most likely boiled and not at all healthy.

"Bee Gift": 5+ methods of use

Honey is used in many areas of human life.

Honey is widely used in cosmetology

In cosmetology, its effect is especially noticeable in improving the condition of hair and skin.

Did you know that the effect it has on the skin cannot be compared with other cosmetic products?

And this is not surprising, because it activates regeneration processes, filling cells with oxygen.

The effect is noticeable already on the 4th day of use.

As for hair, the effect is noticeable after the first use in the form of a mask.

The product stops hair loss, removes fragility and strengthens weak hair.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the ways to use honey for cosmetic purposes:

1. Before taking a bath or shower, massage a little nectar onto your face. Then lightly tap the mask with your fingers until it becomes sticky. This will improve blood circulation and give your facial skin a natural glow.
2. As a hair rinse, this additive will provide the appearance of brightness and natural shine. To do this, you need to mix sweet amber and a little lime juice.
3. When taking a bath, it is a good idea to add a teaspoon of honey to the water from time to time. The concentration is, of course, small, but the effect will still be noticeable. It is the softness and shine of the skin.
4. Raw oatmeal or grated almonds + sweet product = great scrub.
5. Moisturizing mask: combine nectar and a little pure freshly squeezed apple juice and apply to skin for 15 minutes. It can strengthen the skin and provide softness, brightness and shine.
6. A teaspoon of nectar and olive oil and half a teaspoon of lemon juice, infused for 15 minutes in a cool place is an excellent lotion for dry skin.

Flower honey

In cooking, the sweet product is used no less often. Honey is even made from other foods, such as pumpkin.

Unusual ways to use honey:

1. A family of one glass of water and two glasses of nectar is covered with fruits cut in half. This helps them stay fresh for many months.
2. It can be used as a sweetener when mixing ingredients into pancake batter.
3. Butter and honey are an excellent replacement for the usual glaze in the preparation of sweet pastries.

One of the most unusual and delicious is banana-honey dessert.

To prepare it you will need not only the ingredients stated in the name, but also butter and almond crumbs.

Directions: Melt the butter and use it to fry bananas, cut to your liking.

A jar of honey is a must have on your shelf.

When a light brown tint appears, the main product is placed on a dish, and almond crumbs are fried in a frying pan after the bananas.

Honey should be added to it and heated until it is completely melted over low heat, not allowing the “bee sweetness” to heat above the “unsafe” (40 °C) temperature.

The mixture is poured onto bananas and served. Bon appetite!

In some areas, flower honey is considered a kind of panacea. It is used in medicine and cosmetology, and has justified application in nutrition. So, what is this product and how true is its legendary popularity?

The benefits of flower honey largely depend on the region in which it is collected and from which plants. With this information, you can expect to receive the following effects:

• healing purulent wounds, ulcers and skin rashes (sage);
• anti-inflammatory therapy (chamomile);
• diuretic effect (thyme);
• treatment of laryngitis, bronchitis, other ENT diseases (linden);
• positive effect on the functioning of the intestines, stomach, kidneys (geranium).

Flower honey is a high-calorie product, but due to its unique ability to be quickly absorbed, it is also used in dietary nutrition. The benefits of this type of honey have been officially confirmed by scientific research. It has been proven that it has a beneficial effect on the treatment of insomnia and neurological disorders, strengthens the immune system and forms a kind of barrier to colds and pathogenic infections. It naturally tones the body, gives strength, relieves nervous tension and strengthens the nervous system as a whole, which is why it is recommended in the postoperative period, after quitting the diet.

In cosmetology, the ability of flower honey to soften and deeply nourish skin cells is valued. Hair masks made from honey cleanse hair well and gently lighten it. Applicable this product and to strengthen nails.

The maximum dose that can be consumed during the day without harm to the body is 150g for an adult and three times less for children. It is strictly forbidden to dissolve honey in boiling water: when mixed with water hotter than 60C, hydroxymethylfurfural is formed - a powerful carcinogen that can cause the appearance and development of malignant tumors. In its pure form, flower honey does not contain carcinogens (this is only relevant for an environmentally friendly product, without synthetic impurities and chemical additives).

The high carbohydrate content of flower honey makes it a prohibited product for consumption by people suffering from diabetes. High-quality natural flower honey contains zero saturated fat. Honey is dangerous for allergy sufferers: it can cause severe choking, swelling of the upper respiratory tract, redness and eczema on the skin. Honey has the ability to increase body temperature and thereby increase sweating. This effect puts a significant burden on the human heart, so it is recommended to limit the consumption of flower honey for people suffering from heart disease.

Calorie content

The calorie content of flower honey may vary depending on the specific composition of the product. Honey of dark shades with a thick texture and rich aroma traditionally higher in calories.

Contraindications

In addition to individual intolerance and allergies to this product, contraindications to its use are:

• gastritis (chronic, progressive form);
• pancreatitis;
• diabetes mellitus (second degree);
• exudative diathesis;
• enterocolitis;
• acute rheumatism;
• scrofula;
• gastric resection (in the postoperative period);
• cholecystectomy.

It should not be introduced into the diet of young children before they reach the age of two. Nursing mothers can include flower honey in their menu, but in small doses, monitoring the baby’s reaction.

It is important to remember that honey can provoke a strong flow of milk, so women with lactostasis or mastitis should use it carefully.

The nutritional value

Vitamins and minerals

Depending on the composition of flower honey, the content of one or another vitamin or microelement can vary either upward or downward.

Flower honey is beneficial for the human body if consumed in doses and really chosen quality product without synthetic additives, dyes and flavors. It is able to give a healthy appearance to the skin, nails and hair, due to which it is fully used in various areas cosmetology. In medicine this honey valued for its unique ability to quickly and carefully restore strength and strengthen the immune system.

• 1. Calorie calculation
• 2. Composition
• 3.Usage
• 4. Contraindications
• 5. Recommendations for selection

Honey card

Color	predominantly light - from golden to yellow. Available in dark amber color.
Taste	characteristic pronounced honey, long aftertaste.
Aroma	light, floral, most often strong, multifaceted.
Crystallization time	miscellaneous. From long to fast, however, by the winter of the year of harvest, most polyfloral varieties are already candied.
Viscosity	viscous, not thick.
Calorie content	about 303 kcal per 100 g.
Geography of collection	everywhere.
Collection period	mainly in summer. The season begins at the end of spring and ends with the beginning of autumn.

In essence, the healthiest and most delicious of natural varieties is flower honey. They also include honeydew, but they cannot be compared.

The variety of flowering plants each time creates a new combination for the bees to create a unique healing product. Flower honey can be anything. The rarest monofloral varieties, which are characterized by an extraordinary refinement of taste, for example, or orange, or, conversely, very common, ordinary, but no less valuable and useful, such as sunflower or. One of the most famous varieties- is a monofloral variety of flower.

However, most often they stand apart, have their own adherents, and the name flower honey refers to herbs: all sorts of combinations nectar and pollen from a wide variety of plants. Such varieties are also called polyfloral. They differ in the place and time of collection, consistency and even color. The predominant honey plants in the area determine the taste, aroma and benefits of natural medicine.

Calorie calculation

To make it easier to calculate nutritional value, you can use the following table:

* – the calorie content of a variety may differ up or down by 10-15%.

Compound

The floral composition of polyfloral natural honey creates a very special taste and aroma not only every season, but also in every new batch when pumped out of the hives. This means that its composition and properties cannot be determined unambiguously. It can change, all other things being equal, even due to changes in climatic conditions or sudden changes in weather, but in general it looks like this:

Natural honey contains a significant amount of active compounds and substances. Different scientists name from three hundred to four hundred names.

Their list changes and depends on various factors, but the following elements remain constant:

• minerals (namely: to a large extent - compounds of potassium and iodine, to a lesser extent - copper, manganese, sodium, magnesium, calcium, selenium, phosphorus, cobalt, aluminum and other metals)
• enzymes, proteins, dextrins, amino acids and antioxidants
• vitamins (ascorbic and folic acid, carotene, B vitamins, as well as E, K and PP).

Flower honey concentrates a lot of compounds inherent in the plants from which it was collected; it may contain:

• tannins
• organic acids
• phytoncides
• glycosides
• essential oils
• phytohormones
• cholines
• alkaloids
• saponins and other substances.

Usage

Monofloral varieties are quite difficult to collect; to do this, you need to find a continuous grass stand or planting a plant of one species, and select a time for its flowering when other honey plants will not give a significant bribe. Only then will it contain more than 50% of the same type of pollen grains, which determines its properties and the possibility of targeted use in folk medicine. Treatment with this type allows one to expect a strictly defined effect.

Polyfloral flower honey is more common, its spectrum of action is wider than that of monofloral varieties. However, to say which natural honey it cannot be better and brings more benefits.

• colds
• sore throat
• tonsillitis
• laryngitis
• bronchitis
• flu
• pneumonia
• inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract.

This source of carbohydrates, vitamins and biologically active compounds should not be overlooked when:

• immune system problems
• the need to restore the body after surgical intervention suffered from serious illnesses
• nervous overstrain
• other stressful situations that require increased nutrition.

Prevalence bee product from forbs makes it available for solving problems in modern cosmetology. In its pure form or as part of complex masks, it allows you to solve the following problems:

• >inflammation
• acne
• dryness and microcracks
• good nutrition
• restoration of tone
• skin cleansing.

The beneficial properties of flower honey are used not only for facial skin. As part of massages, it is effective in the fight against cellulite, swelling, stretch marks, and scars. Spa treatments use such massages to relieve tension and restore the body.

Several important clarifications need to be made:

• Flower honey is not a panacea; its effect is mild and corrective. Obtaining an effect is possible when mild symptoms appear as part of a set of measures. At the same time, self-medication can bring not only benefits. Sometimes, with insufficient attention to the body, it causes irreparable harm. Therefore, at the slightest ailment, it is better to consult a doctor and get a diagnosis, and only then enjoy the sweet medicine
• Any natural beekeeping product has contraindications and you need to familiarize yourself with them before treatment.

Contraindications

Flower honey has standard contraindications due to its high nutritional value and the presence of an aggressive allergen - pollen grains in the composition:

• Individual intolerance. Before use, it is necessary to test the possibility of treating such a product.
• Diabetes. Increased content variety of sugars in the composition requires careful introduction into the diet, preferably after appropriate approval from the supervising endocrinologist.
• Low carbohydrate diet. In case of obesity of varying degrees or simply with problems with excess volumes, it is necessary to take into account enough high calorie content this product and recalculate daily menu taking into account its meaning.

In addition, it is better to avoid using sweet medicine for nursing and pregnant women and children under three years of age.

Due to the fact that the composition of a polyfloral variety is quite difficult to determine, you should refrain from using it if:

• pancreatitis
• exacerbation of gastritis
• acute rheumatism
• enterocolitis
• undergone operations of internal organs.

Real flower honey has huge variety both in color and taste. It is impossible to list the differences by which it can be distinguished from other varieties. But distinguishing a natural product from a fake one is quite simple:

• The rich composition of biologically active compounds has an irritating effect on the mucous membrane. After tasting, a characteristic sore throat will definitely appear.
• Taste and aroma are multifaceted. It is technically impossible to fake a rich honey aftertaste or the smell of herbs.
• A natural product is more plastic than an artificial one. It can be wrapped around a spoon several times.
• The sweet medicine is candied for the winter of the current harvest season.

To be completely confident in your purchase, you need to carefully study the honey certificate, or even better, find a real beekeeper. As a rule, beekeepers are interested in regular customers and value their reputation.