The miracle of honey as an alternative medicine

Introduction

Honey is a sweet and viscous fluid produced by honeybees from the nectar of flowers. "The definition of honey stipulates a pure product that does not allow for the addition of any other substance. This includes, but is not limited to, water or other sweeteners," according to the United States National Honey Board 2003 and other nations' food regulations. Honey is significantly sweeter than table sugar and has attractive chemical properties for baking. Honey has a distinctive flavor which leads some people to prefer it over sugar and other sweeteners.

Liquid honey does not spoil. Because of its high sugar concentration, it kills most bacteria by crenation. Natural airborne yeasts cannot become active in it because the moisture content is too low. Natural, raw honey varies from 14% to 18% moisture content. As long as the moisture content remains under 18%, virtually no organism can successfully multiply to significant amounts in honey, though, importantly, enough bacteria survive to make honey dangerous for infants (especially Clostridium botulinum).

The study of pollens and spores in raw honey (melissopalynology) can determine floral sources of honey. Because bees carry an electrostatic charge, and can attract other particles, the same techniques of melissopalynology can be used in area environmental studies of radioactive particles, dust, or particulate pollution.

A main effect of bees collecting nectar to make honey is pollination, which is crucial for flowering plants.

Islam and honey

More than 1400 years ago Allaah and His messenger  told us that honey can heal a variety of 
medical problems.

Allaah Says (what means): And your Lord inspired to the bee, "Take for yourself among the mountains, houses, and among the trees and [in] that which they construct. Surat An-Naĥl : 68

உம் இறைவன் தேனீக்கு அதன் உள்ளுணர்வை அளித்தான். “நீ மலைகளிலும், மரங்களிலும், உயர்ந்த கட்டடங்களிலும் கூடுகளை அமைத்துக்கொள் (என்றும்), ஸூரத்துந் நஹ்ல் : 68

Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you]." 

“பின், நீ எல்லாவிதமான கனி(களின் மலர்களிலிருந்தும் உணவருந்தி உன் இறைவன் (காட்டித் தரும்) எளிதான வழிகளில் (உன் கூட்டுக்குள்) ஒடுங்கிச் செல்” (என்றும் உள்ளுணர்ச்சி உண்டாக்கினான்). 

There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought. Surat An-Naĥl : 69

அதன் வயிற்றிலிருந்து பலவித நிறங்களையுடைய ஒரு பானம் (தேன்) வெளியாகிறது; அதில் மனிதர்களுக்கு (பிணி தீர்க்க வல்ல) சிகிச்சை உண்டு; நிச்சயமாக இதிலும் சிந்தித்துணரும் மக்களுக்கு ஓர் அத்தாட்சி இருக்கிறது. ஸூரத்துந் நஹ்ல் : 69

The Prophet  has also told us of the healing found within honey for a variety of medical problems, including stomach ailments. It is reported by Al-Bukhaari  that a man came to the Prophet  because his brother had a stomach disorder. The Prophet  said: "Let him drink honey." The man returned a second time complaining that no improvement happened in his brother’s case, and again the Prophet responded: "Let him drink honey." The man returned again, and said: "I have done that but to no avail." Thereupon the Prophet  responded:"Allaah has said the truth, but your brother's stomach has told a lie. Let him drink honey." He drank it and was cured.

It is also reported that the Prophet  said: "Make use of the two remedies: honey and the Quran." (At-Tirmithi)

In addition to this the Hadith mention,

The Prophet Muhammad (sw) once said, “By HIM in whose hand is my soul, eat honey. For there is no house in which honey is kept for the angels will not ask for mercy. If a person eats honey, a thousand remedies enter his stomach and a million diseases will come out. If a man dies and honey is found within him, fire [burning of hell] will not touch his body.” The prophet (s.a.w.s.) himself used to drink a glass of honey and water each morning on an empty stomach

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: A man came to the Prophet and said, “My brother has some abdominal trouble.” The Prophet said to him “Let him drink honey.” The man came for the second time and the Prophet said to him, ‘Let him drink honey.” He came for the third time and the Prophet said, “Let him drink honey.” He returned again and said, “I have done that ‘ The Prophet then said, “Allah has said the truth, but your brother’s abdomen has told a lie. Let him drink honey.” So he made him drink honey and he was cured. – Volume 7, Book 71, Number 588:

There is cure in three things

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas 
(The Prophet said) "Healing is in three
things: A gulp of honey, cupping and
branding with fire, (cauterizing). But I
forbid my followers to use (cauterization)
branding with fire." Sahih Bukhari 5680,5681

Treatment with honey,
And the Statement of Allah:

"Wherein is healing for men." (V.16:69)

Narrated 'Aishah: The
Prophet used to like Al-Halwa (sweet

edible things) and honey. bukari 5682 

Narrated Jãbir bin 'Abdullah: I heard the Prophet saying, "If there
is any healing in your medicines, then it is in
cupping, a gulp of honey or branding with
fire (cauterization), (one of three) according
to that suits the ailment, but I don't like to be

(cauterized) branded with fire .bukari 5683

bukari 5684. Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri: A man came to the Prophet and
said, "My brother has some abdominal
trouble." The Prophet said to him "Let
him drink honey." The man came for the
second time and the Prophet said to him,
"Let him drink honey." He came for the
third time and the Prophet  said, "Let him
drink honey." He returned again and said, "I
have done that." The Prophet then said,
"Allah has said the truth, but your brother's
abdomen has told a lie. Let him drink
honey." So he made him drink honey and
he was cured.


To perform the operation of
cupping for treating unilateral or bilateral

headache.

5702. Narrated Jäbir bin 'Abdullah: I heard the Prophet saying "If there
is any good in your medicines, then it is in a
gulp of honey, a cupping operation, or
branding (cauterization), but I do not like

to be (cauterized) branded".

Narrated Abu Said: A man came to the prophet and said, ‘My brother has got loose motions. The Prophet said, Let him drink honey.” The man again (came) and said, ‘I made him drink (honey) but that made him worse.’ The Prophet said, ‘Allah has said the Truth, and the abdomen of your brother has told a lie.” – Volume 7, Book 71, Number 614:

Modern medicine has only recently discovered the fact that honey is a remedy to many diseases. 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. As mentioned in the beginning, 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:

1-     Children under the age of one year should not 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.

2-     If you have any known allergies to specific plants, then you should make sure the honey you are using is not produced from that plant.

3-     People with allergies to bee stings should be careful when using other bee-related products such as propolis or royal jelly.
However, if these precautions are followed, then honey may, Allaah willing provide healing for you.

Conclusion

Muslims acknowledge and accept that Allaah and His Prophet  know better and that our Creator Has revealed the truth. Therefore, we study the research that is available, not to confirm or deny the truth that has been revealed by Allaah and his Prophet  but to learn of new ways we can use honey.

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