15 Health Benefits of Raw Honey | Honey

Raw honey is an incredible natural health food that benefits most when it’s consumed regularly. In this post, you will learn 15 health benefits of raw honey and why you should start using it today!

Nowadays, many people, especially among homesteaders and health food enthusiasts, know that there are many health benefits of raw honey. However, many people do not know what those health benefits are and why they should choose raw honey over pasteurized or processed honey. To us here at The Abundant Living Farm, raw honey is part of our abundant life. We think you’ll see why. So, we are going to talk about a few basics of raw honey as well as 15 awesome health benefits of raw honey.

Disclaimer: We are not doctors or certified in nutrition or health. None of the following information is meant to be medical advice. Consult a physician for any medical advice. Links to resources for the following information will be in and at the bottom of the article.

15 Health Benefits of Raw Honey

1. A source of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients

Raw honey has small amounts of magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, niacin, riboflavin, and more. Vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are important for overall health. They aid our bodies in growth, immunity, repair, and the proper function of our organs. So, being a source of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients is one of the health benefits of raw honey.

2. A source of amino acids

Raw honey even has amino acids! Amino acids are vital for your body to build, grow, and maintain health. Amino acids help with building protein, muscle, and other body tissues. They support healthy skin, nails, and hair. Also, they are important for making brain chemicals and hormones, and even for boosting the immune and digestive systems.

3. Supports digestion and gut health

Since amino acids can aid in healthy digestion, raw honey is actually used by people to attempt to treat digestive problems. Another reason why raw honey is great for digestion is because it even has prebiotics which help create a healthy gut microbiome. Read here for more information.

Fun fact! There is even research that points to oregano honey being a possible treatment for a bacteria that causes stomach ulcers! And while we sure can’t mimic the environment in which this oregano honey was created, we are big believers in the wonders of infused honey for added health benefits of raw honey. Therefore, we will be sharing infused honey recipes in the future!

4. A source of immune-boosting antioxidants

Raw honey already contains vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and amino acids that all work together to make each other more effective and boost immunity. However, raw honey also contains antioxidants that prevent damage to our cells from things like oxidative stress and free radicals. Oxidative stress and free radicals are known for their role in the aging process and for increasing chances of diseases and cancers. More on raw honey and cancer prevention later…

5. Antibacterial

Raw honey contains propolis which has properties that make it antibacterial. It can be beneficial both internally and externally! So, this is why many people love making concoctions from raw honey, like infused honeys. Raw honey may be effective in helping the body fight and prevent bacterias.

6. Anti-fungal

Raw honey has also been found to be anti-fungal working well in conjunction with the antibacterial properties. So again, it can be used both internally and externally to help fight and prevent fungus. Which perfectly leads us into our next point!

7. Aids in skin health

Raw honey is also soothing to the skin which is why honey is included in many natural body butters, soaps, and other body products. Furthermore, raw honey includes antimicrobial properties, so it can aid in healing wounds and even prevent growth of bacteria in wounds.

8. Anti-inflammatory

It has been shown in research that raw honey has anti-inflammatory properties. So, consuming raw honey regularly can also help your body in fighting inflammation that we know leads to many other health problems and pains! This could also be why it is helpful for wound healing, digestion, and more.

9. Filled with phytonutrients

Now, this is a one of the health benefits of raw honey that is not in processed honey. The phytonutrients are actually why raw honey is antibacterial, anti-fungal, and full of immune-boosting antioxidants. When raw honey is processed the phytonutrients can be dismantled and eliminated. Therefore, processed honey does not carry the same antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that raw honey carries. Processed honey is also not comparable to the amount of vitamins, nutrients, amino acids, and other health benefits of raw honey that we have mentioned.

10. Anticancer and anti-tumor

There are a few reasons that honey is found to be anticancer! The phytonutrients in raw honey, along with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, may possibly aid in why raw honey has shown to have anticancer benefits. According to this study, honey also has “anti-tumor properties” and is “anti-mutagenic”. This means the honey can “mediate tumor initiation, promotion, and progression”, and can prevent genetic mutation. This article by the National Library of Medicine states that:

 Flavonoids (kaempferol, catechin, and quercetin) and phenolic acids (caffeic acid and gallic acid) are the most important ingredients of honey with known anti-cancer activity. The main suggested mechanisms for anti-cancer activity of honey and its ingredients are antioxidant, apoptotic, tumor necrosis factor inhibiting, antiproliferative, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and estrogenic effects.

(The link above to the National Library of Medicine also links to several other articles about the health benefits of honey if you are interested in studying more. We will link to more articles about honey and cancer below.) Processing honey takes away these anticancer benefits when it destroys the phytonutrients and other benefits like we mentioned above in number 9.

11. Relieves allergy symptoms, sore throats, and coughs

Because of all the health benefits of raw honey that we listed above, maybe it makes sense now why most people know honey helps relieve allergies, sore throats, and to calm coughs. Raw honey is packed with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. It is also antibacterial, anti-fungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. Put all of these benefits together and raw honey has even been shown in research to be one of the best ways to care for an upper respiratory infection. The research even said “It provides a widely available and cheap alternative to antibiotics.”

12. Supports heart and blood health

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of raw honey also aid in healthy blood pressure and circulation. Raw honey can reduce fat in the blood lowering cholesterol and regulating blood sugar. This is partially because raw honey promotes gut health like we mentioned earlier. Chronic inflammation can lead to heart problems, but a healthy gut helps prevent inflammation. You can see that the health benefits of raw honey work together in many ways! You can read more about this benefit here.

13. Manages Weight

Raw honey is a natural sweetener that is often used to replaced refined sugar, so using honey as a sweetener can aid in weight management. There have also been studies that have shown that raw honey may improve metabolism and fat burning. It also helps reduce cholesterol like we mentioned above. 

Raw honey has even been shown to reduce cravings and decrease appetite. There have also been studies that show raw honey has anti-obesity benefits because of its ability to decrease body fat and lower weight. 

However, one must remember that raw honey is still high in sugar and calories. So, it should still be consumed in moderation to prevent weight gain and allow its weight management properties to work well. Our favorite way to get our daily dose of raw honey is to add about a tablespoon to coffee or tea in the morning.

14. Supports cognitive/brain function

This research from the National Library of Medicine shows that honey supports brain health, brain function, and memory. The article is quite in-depth, but it is quick and easy to see that honey has a positive affect on the brain. If you are interested you can give it a read!

15. Improves mood

The same article from the National Library of Medicine above also indicates that honey is not just a healthy brain aid, but that honey is anti-stress and can boost and improve mood. It only makes sense that if honey helps keep our brains healthy that the improved mental health would improve our mood as well!

Raw Honey Vs. Processed Honey

As stated in many of the points above, processing honey destroys most of the powerful health benefits of raw honey. Again, when raw honey is processed the phytonutrients can be dismantled and eliminated. Therefore, processed honey does not carry the same antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that raw honey carries. Processed honey is also not comparable to the amount of vitamins, nutrients, amino acids, and other health benefits of raw honey that we have mentioned in this post.

The only risk we must mention is, like any other raw product, there is a very small chance that it could carry a harmful bacteria. This is pretty rare, like in other raw products, but it is one reason that it is suggested not to let children under the age of 1 consume raw honey or any other raw products. Other than that, raw honey far outperforms processed honey any day!

Choosing Raw Honey

The best, most affective raw honey to use is local (to you) raw honey. That is because local honey is made from the pollen in your area which actually helps your body fight local outdoor or seasonal allergies. Look for the label to specifically say “raw honey”. Labels that can be deceiving are “pure”, “organic”, and “natural”. These labels do not indicate that the honey is raw. Also, beware of raw honey that has added artificial sweeteners, flavors, or ingredients. If you are buying a flavored or infused honey, make sure the flavors come from natural or organic sources, according to your preferences.

Where to Find Raw Honey

Raw honey can be found at a local store, farmer’s market, beekeeper you know, or from your own bee hive if you start beekeeping. You can look at social media and marketplaces to find beekeepers near you.

We are avid supporters of learning beekeeping because it has been our easiest, most hands off homesteading endeavor to date! Also, bees are protected in the United States, so beekeeping is allowed almost anywhere in the United States, including many HOA subdivisions! That makes beekeeping one homesteading activity you can do almost anywhere.

Storing Raw Honey

Store raw honey at room temperature in a non-toxic container that is tightly sealed. A great choice is a glass jar like a mason jar with a lid. Also make sure to keep the honey out of sunlight and protect it from extreme temperatures. We keep our mason jars of honey in our pantry with the current jar we are using right on the counter. You can refrigerate raw honey, but if it is not mixed or infused with other ingredients, then there is no need to. Also, refrigerated raw honey will thicken and may not be an enjoyable texture.

Is Raw Honey Bad if it Crystalizes?

No, raw honey can crystallize over time and is completely safe. It is more of a separation or settling. Different types of honey that the bees made from different plants can actually separate after sitting for a while. You can warm the honey slowly and gently on low to melt crystals and allow them to mix back into the honey.

However, take super precautions not to accidentally cook the honey because it will no longer be raw! If you cook it, you will end up with a somewhat processed honey with less benefits. It can also darken the honey. Because the honey is also cooked or processed, the risk of contamination is increased and it will also expire unlike raw honey.

How Long Does Raw Honey Last?

Raw honey technically does not expire. In fact, 3,000 year old raw honey that was still perfect and edible has even been found in Egyptian tombs! This other article from Smithsonian Magazine also explains why raw honey can pretty much “last forever”.

That being said, raw honey or a raw honey product CAN expire IF it is contaminated, or if it is mixed or infused with other ingredients. It will expire based on the ingredients it is mixed or infused with. For example, if you make a honey cough syrup with fresh lemons and garlic, it will expire according to the life of the lemons and garlic.

Raw honey products can last from 1-3 months in the refrigerator depending on the ingredients used. But, raw honey alone, and not contaminated, can “last forever”. When using raw honey, either pour from its container, or use a clean, dry spoon (or other utensil) to remove it from its container. Be careful to clean off any honey that gets outside the container or around the rim.

Conclusion on the Health Benefits of Raw Honey

In conclusion, raw honey has several health benefits. We just categorized the health benefits of raw honey into 15 points. It is clear to see that raw honey is much more beneficial to health than processed honey. It is also clear to see that many of the health benefits of raw honey work together. A few of the little known, yet awesome health benefits of raw honey are good gut health, anti-cancer properties, and improved brain function and mood.

Let’s review. Here is the list of 15 health benefits of raw honey again:

1. A source of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
2. A source of amino acids
3. Supports digestion and gut health
4. A source of immune-boosting antioxidants
5. Antibacterial
6. Anti-fungal
7. Aids in skin health
8. Anti-inflammatory
9. Filled with phytonutrients
10. Anticancer and anti-tumor
11. Relieves allergy symptoms, sore throats, and coughs
12. Supports heart and blood health
13. Manages weight
14. Supports cognitive/brain function
15. Improves mood

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this post on the health benefits of raw honey, and that you are encouraged to consider raw honey (over processed) as an important part of a healthy, abundant life. The resources are listed below. If you did enjoy it and found it helpful, please share it and we hope you live abundantly!

All for God’s glory,

Links to Resources

• The Potential of Honey as a Prebiotic Food to Re-engineer the Gut Microbiome Toward a Healthy State
• In Vitro Screening Potential Antibacterial Properties of the Greek Oregano Honey against Clinical Isolates of Helicobacter pylori
• Antioxidant activities and total phenolics of different types of honey
• Propolis: Its Role and Efficacy in Human Health and Diseases
• Honey as a Potential Natural Anticancer Agent: A Review of Its Mechanisms
• Honey and cancer: A mechanistic review
• Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis
• Cardioprotective Effects of Honey and Its Constituent: An Evidence-Based Review of Laboratory Studies and Clinical Trials
• The Mechanism of Honey in Reversing Metabolic Syndrome
• Honey on brain health: A promising brain booster
• Archaeologists have found 3,000-year-old pots of honey that are still edible.
• The Science Behind Honey’s Eternal Shelf Life