“It is He who sends down water from the sky, from which you drink, and from which trees you grow. {10} He causes crops to grow for you with it, olives and palm trees And the grapes and of all the fruits. Indeed, in that is a sign for people who reflect. {11}
Based on the verse, Al-Shorouk presents, in the second half of Ramadan, the series “The Plants of the Qur’an” about the great benefits proven by scientific studies of the plants that God chose to mention in the Holy Qur’an.
In the eleventh episode of the series, we review the impressive nutritional and therapeutic value of honey as proven by scientific and clinical studies, including studies by Iranian scientists published in 2017.
* Honey in the Holy Quran
God Almighty honored honey by mentioning it in the Holy Qur’an as a healing. The Almighty says in Surat Al-Nahl: “And your Lord revealed to the bees that you take houses from the mountains and from the trees and from what they perch on, then eat from Eat the fruits, so walk in the paths of your Lord humiliated. From their bellies comes a drink of various colors, in which is healing for people. Indeed, in that is a sign for people who reflect.”
God Almighty described honey as one of the food of the people of Paradise, and he says in Surah Muhammad: “In it are rivers of water that is not putrid, rivers of milk whose taste does not change, and rivers of wine that is a pleasure for God. Drinkers and rivers of refined honey."
* Medical history of honey
Evidence from Stone Age paintings shows that the sick were treated with honey as well as ancient Sumerian manuscripts, tablets, and books of loss, Egyptian papyri, and the Holy Qur’an.
* Nutritional and therapeutic components of honey
Studies have recently revealed that nearly 300 species of honey have been identified, which are associated with different types of nectar collected by honey bees.
In addition, studies have shown that the components of honey have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.
* Biological activities of honey
The antioxidants in honey intercept harmful radicals resulting from some reactions in the body before they can cause harm, and both enzymatic and non-enzymatic substances of honey are used as protective antioxidants.
Honey's ability to have antioxidant properties is related to its shine, so dark honey contains a higher value of antioxidants.
Studies have shown that phenolic compounds are the main factor responsible for the antioxidant activity in honey, and it has the ability to act as a nutritional antioxidant.
* Anti-inflammatory activity
The main drivers of honey's antimicrobial activity are the enzymatic glucose oxidation reaction and some of its physical aspects.
Honey does not help the growth of bacteria due to its properties, which include low water, water acidity, glucose oxidase and hydrogen peroxide, and it also acts as an immune booster.
* Medicinal properties of honey
Honey is considered the oldest known wound healing agent when some modern chemicals failed to treat it. Experimental research has shown more documentation supporting its use in wound healing due to its biological activities including antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidants.
Honey acts as a catalyst for tissue repair, activating the immune response to infection, and other properties of the immune response have been reported to be stimulated by honey, so it treats acute wounds and even mild to moderate superficial and partial burns.
* Honey and military disease
There is strong evidence indicating the beneficial effects of honey in the treatment of diabetes, with therapeutic prospects for the use of honey or other potent antioxidants as an adjunct to antidiabetic drugs in controlling the disease.
In one clinical trial for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the use of honey was associated with a significantly lower glycemic index than sucrose, or glucose, in normal and type 1 diabetes.
In diabetic patients, honey can cause a significant decrease in the level of glucose in the plasma, and the therapeutic effects of honey in the management of diabetes may not only be limited to controlling blood sugar, but may extend to the alleviation of diseases associated with metabolic complications.
* Honey and crabs
Current studies indicate that honey may exert anti-cancer effects through several mechanisms.
Honey possesses anticancer property through its interference with multiple cell signaling pathways, including inducing cell death, antimutagenic, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory pathways.
Honey modifies immune responses to prevent cancer cell proliferation, and induce cell death for several types of cancer such as skin cancer, epithelial gland, cervix, endometriosis, liver, colon and receptor, prostate, renal cells, bladder, lung, bone, breast and leukemia.
* Honey and asthma
Honey is commonly used in folk medicine to treat inflammation, cough, and fever. It also acts as a preventive agent to prevent asthma flare-ups.
Chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma have been treated by oral administration of honey in animal trials, where it was shown to effectively relieve airway inflammation.
* Honey and cardiovascular disease
The antioxidants in honey, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and vitamin C, reduce the risk of cardiovascular failure and the risk of coronary heart disorders.
In addition, several studies have shown that some types of honey polyphenols have a promising pharmacological function in reducing cardiovascular disorders, and that research and clinical trials should be initiated in the laboratory and in the human body to further validate these compounds in medical applications.
