Raw honey is the unpasteurized version of commonly used honey and only differs in its filtration, which helps extend its shelf life. The National Honey Board says a tablespoon of raw honey contains 64 calories; no fat nor cholesterol. Its composition is roughly 80 percent carbohydrates (the typical profile contains Fructose: 38.2%, Glucose: 31.3%, Maltose: 7.1%, Sucrose: 1.3%, Water: 17.2%, Higher sugars: 1.5%, Ash: 0.2%, other/undetermined: 3.2%); 18 percent water, and two percent vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Collected straight from the hive extractor; it is totally unheated, unpasteurized, and unprocessed honey. This type of honey contains properties similar to those found in fruits and raw food enthusiasts love it for its exceptional nutritional value. Hence, to reap the most benefits from honey, make sure it is pure and raw as it would contain vitamins, minerals and enzymes not present in refined honey.

It’s also a great nutritional addition to smoothies and salad dressings or drizzled on breakfast cereals, over desserts, on yogurt or ice cream. Raw honey can be a healthy alternative to highly processed sugar in recipes; those that do not require heat especially. For every one tablespoon of sugar in a recipe you can typically use two teaspoons of honey instead. When using raw honey in dishes, make sure to never cook it because that will destroy its good properties.

Look for a local beekeeper to source your raw honey or you can order for the local raw Amish honey on the website.

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO USE RAW HONEY

Homemade Cough Drops

Scoop coconut oil into a mixer bowl and beat with a mixer until it's whipped. Add the raw honey, preferably local raw buckwheat honey and continue to whip until the honey and oil are mixed. Add essential oils e.g. grapefruit or cinnamon. Pour the mixture into small ice cube trays then freeze the coconut cough drops until they're hard (about 20 minutes). Remove the cough drops from the ice cube tray and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Honey and coconut oil hair mask

Mix 1 tbsp. of raw honey (try the local raw wildflower honey from AmishHoney) and 1 tbsp. of organic coconut oil together in a mixing bowl slightly (you can heat the mixture up on a stovetop in a small sauce pan to help your follicles open up but not too much). For Longer or extra damaged hair, just add a bit more of the ingredients. The composition of honey and other ingredients will aid nourishment, protection and strengthening of dry and damaged hair. Apply to dry or wet hair. Apply generously from top to bottom while focusing on the damaged areas. Wrap your hair in a bun, wear a shower cap and let the mask soak in for 30-40 minutes. Wash off the mask using your regular shampoo and conditioner routine and voila! Back to silky, healthy hair.

Natural honey Moisturizing Lip Balm

Put all 1 tbsp. beeswax, 1 tbsp. cocoa butter, 1 tsp. vitamin E oil, 1 tsp. honey, 1 tsp. olive oil into a small saucepan. Stir continuously over medium-low heat to melt the beeswax (Start on low and then slowly up the heat as needed…..be patient, it will eventually melt). Remove from heat and stir in essential oils e.g. lavender. While still warm, pour it into clean containers and let it cool for a couple of hours before using. You can make use of raw honey with a natural tinge of floral scent like the ones provided by AmishHoney; try their raw Orange blossom honey and thank us later

Refer to our article on the Health Benefits of Honey for more information on how to make use of your raw honey.