The “wild rock honey” or "hejjune" in local kannada, is supposedly harvested from the bee hives in the

jungle. The health benefits are for treatment/relieve of lung ailments, cough, phlegm, sore throat, loss of
voice, lack of appetite, motion sickness, body heatiness, toothache, improve fairer skin complexion and
throat irritation.

The average content of natural liquid honeys sampled from various parts of the world is: fructose (fruit
sugar): 38.56%, glucose (single sugar): 32.789%, sucrose (double sugar): 02.010 and water: 17.168%.

Special Nutrients In Raw Unprocessed Honey

All the nutrients, minerals, vitamins and enzymes in the pure honey are not being compromised
because the honey has not been processed. Honey is made by bees from the nectar and pollen of
flowers. It comprises a complex combination of water, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and
carbohydrates of fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose. Raw unprocessed honey has anti-viral,
anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Below is a list of health benefits of raw unprocessed honey:

1. Promotes healthy digestion

2. Strengthens immune system
3. Eliminates allergies and infections
4. Heals external wounds and skin problems
 5. Relieves pain and coughs
6. Calms nerves
7. Treats ulcers
8. Treats bronchitis and asthma
9. Stabilizes blood pressure
10. Balances sugar level
Honey also contains small amounts of pollen and propolis. Propolis is made from the sap of trees
and is used to build honeycomb. Propolis has phytonutrients that can prevent tumor buildup and
cancer. Most processed honey will be deplete of pollens and propolis. Furthermore, processed
honey will be stripped of most nutrients because of the heating and pasteurization processes.

Best Way to Consume Honey

Generally people use honey as a replacement for sugar in drinks and food, or dilute honey with
water to make honey drink. For me I consume my raw unprocessed honey as a health tonic. I take a
tablespoon of honey neat, once first thing in the morning, and once before going to bed. The honey
will ooze down the throat and act as a cleansing agent against any bacteria, fungus or germs. It will
also reduce or stop coughs. It is preferable to use a plastic spoon or ceramic or porcelain spoon to
avoid the metallic taste if a metal spoon is used. The wild rock honey is lighter in colour when freshly
collected. The honey will gradually mature into very dark color and become more viscous and thicker
in consistency with higher sugar content.

A Word of Caution
There are botulism spores in the air, water, soil and plants. Botulism spores are a type of harmful
bacteria which may cause severe poisoning resulting in vomiting, nausea, and even paralysis. The
process of boiling will effectively destroy these spores. Raw unprocessed honey may habor traces of
these spores. As such, as a measure of precaution, raw unprocessed honey should not be given to
infants and children below the age of two. After this age, a person will have developed natural
defences against these spores.

How to Store Honey

Honey should be stored at room temperature, in a cool dry place away from direct heat or sunlight.
You should not keep the honey in the refrigerator as the cold temperature will harden it making it
difficult to scoop and mix. Cold temperature also speeds up the process of granulation.

Honey is best stored in glass bottle or container to avoid any chemical reactions. If stored properly,
pure honey has no expiry period as it cannot be spoilt.