Howland Blackiston - Honey For Dummies

If you eat honey and cinnamon daily on your toast, in your oatmeal, or on your griddle cakes, you will boost your immune system, regulate cholesterol, and even relieve pain from arthritis. Cinnamon is a spice that is made from grating the twigs of a cinnamon tree. This winning combination should be in every kitchen. Ceylon cinnamon is considered the real cinnamon, and it comes from the inner bark of the Cinnamomun verum tree in India or Sri Lanka. The other, more common cinnamon is Cassia, which is less expensive. If you get it at the supermarket, it may not be the real deal. Try online or at a specialty spice store.

By the way, cinnamon is great, but it should be used in moderation as it contains coumarin, which in high doses can cause liver damage. I suggest that you speak with your doctor to determine the appropriate amount of cinnamon you should consume.

Honey Lemon Ginger Cough Drops

These drops are soothing to the throat and delicious. This recipe uses honey to make a soft crack stage candy, which means bringing the syrup to 275 degrees Fahrenheit, so you need to be vigilant about monitoring the temperature of the syrup. I like to use a candy/deep-fry thermometer that hooks on the side of the pan. I also recommend that you use a high-sided saucepan because the mixture will foam up as the temperature rises. When working with hot syrup — or hot anything — always take care not to burn yourself.

PREP TIME: 10 MIN | COOK TIME: 25 MIN | YIELD: 24 LOZENGES

INGREDIENTS

One 2-inch knob of ginger

1 cup water

½ cup honey

1 lemon, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)

Cornstarch to coat cooled lozenges (optional)

SPECIAL TOOLS

Candy/deep-fry thermometer

Silicon candy molds or parchment paper

Silicon spatula

DIRECTIONS

1 Prepare silicon candy molds (if using) or, to make lozenges without molds, line a baking tray with parchment paper and have ready a large soup spoon.

2 Wash the ginger (no need to peel), slice thinly, and add to 1 cup of water. Heat until reduced to ¼ cup; then strain out the ginger, keeping the reduced tea.

3 With the reduced ginger tea returned to the tall-sided saucepan, add the honey and lemon juice, insert the candy/deep-fry thermometer, and cook over medium heat. Constantly monitor the temperature of the syrup, as it can rise quickly. The mixture should be stirred constantly with a silicon spatula (as silicon does not conduct heat like a metal spoon or burn like a wooden spoon).

4 When the syrup reaches 275 degrees Fahrenheit, remove from heat and either pour into silicon candy molds or use a large soup spoon to ladle out small dollops onto the parchment paper–lined baking sheet.

5 When cool, place in an airtight container with wax paper separating layers. The lozenges can be lightly dusted with cornstarch to help keep them from sticking together.

Honey & Propolis Throat Spray

Propolis is a natural resin mixture honey bees produce from resins collected from plants and trees. Propolis extract can be found online or at any health-food store in the supplements section. The addition of honey and water makes the propolis go down easier and is one of the quickest reliefs for sore throats.

PREP TIME: 10 MIN | YIELD: 2-OUNCE SPRAY BOTTLE

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons distilled water

2 tablespoons honey

2 dropperfuls (0.14 milliliter) propolis liquid extract

2-ounce spray bottle

DIRECTIONS

1 Warm distilled water and honey over low heat until blended.

2 Stir in the propolis extract.

3 Pour into the spray bottle.

Honey & Lemon Throat Gargle

During cold and flu season, this is a tried-and-true go-to remedy to relieve scratchy sore throats. Did you know opera singers and vocalists swear by honey before performing?

PREP TIME: 5 MIN | YIELD: 1 DOSE

INGREDIENTS

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup hot water

2 tablespoons honey

½ lemon, juiced

DIRECTIONS

1 In a glass, dissolve salt into hot water, add honey and dissolve; then add lemon juice. Stir until mixed.

2 While still warm, gargle with the mixture (do not drink). Repeat as necessary.

Honey Lemon Water

One of the easiest elixirs to prepare, honey and lemon water is best to drink on an empty stomach to perk up your morning routine.

PREP TIME: 5 MIN | YIELD: 1 DOSE

INGREDIENTS

1 cup water

1 tablespoon honey

½ lemon

DIRECTIONS

1 Bring 1 cup of water to a boil and remove from heat.

2 Add 1 tablespoon of honey and the juice from half a lemon. Stir to blend.

3 Drink up!

BENEFITS: Promotes better digestion (because honey lemon water increases stomach acids); improves bowel movements; eliminates excess fluids in the body that can cause inflammation; and is known to detox the liver (which improves skin tone). These benefits may also help with weight loss.

Oxymel: Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar Shot

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is basically fermented apple juice where yeast turns the sugars to alcohol, and then bacteria turns the alcohol into acetic acid. It has been used as a home remedy for many ailments because of its antioxidant properties, which are known to slow damage to cells. Now pair that up with honey’s antibacterial properties and you have an elixir the ancient people called oxymel. This drink is best as a small shot rather than a heaping full glass. Taken once a day or before each meal, it helps everything go down easier.

PREP TIME: 5 MIN | YIELD: 1 DOSE

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

DIRECTIONS

1 Combine 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. We suggest using organic vinegar if possible.

2 Mix well until the honey is dissolved; then drink.

BENEFITS: Oxymel has antioxidant properties, which are known to slow damage to cells. It also balances blood sugar, relieves acid reflux, and aids in weight loss. You’ll sleep better too.

Golden Milk: Honey and Turmeric

A traditional hot Indian drink named after its brilliant golden color, golden milk is used in Ayurvedic medicine to heal a multitude of ailments.

PREP TIME: 15 MIN | YIELD: 1 DOSE

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon turmeric paste (prepare using a mortar and pestle to crush fresh, peeled turmeric root into a fine, smooth paste)

1 cup of milk (you may substitute almond or coconut milk)

3 teaspoons honey

DIRECTIONS

1 In a small saucepan, combine the turmeric paste and milk. Heat gently for 3–5 minutes (do not let boil).

2 Turn off flame. Add 3 teaspoons of honey and stir until melted. Enjoy!

BENEFITS: Golden milk is a natural drink that detoxes your body; improves heart functions; is good for your skin; relieves colds and coughs; and fights digestive disorders.

Honey and Ginger Tea

Whether you consume it as a hot tea or a cold drink, ginger and honey are a winning combination for health. Believe it or not, ginger is a flowering plant and its roots or rhizomes, called ginger root, are a spice in the turmeric family. It was the very first spice exported from Asia by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

PREP TIME: 10 MIN | YIELD: 1 DOSE

INGREDIENTS

1-inch knob of fresh ginger

3 teaspoons honey

1½ cups water

DIRECTIONS

1 Add water to a small saucepan and place on the stove.