Hello, honey! A food with a thousands different uses

Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Honey, one of the oldest sweeteners known to man, is not only tasty but also nutritious.

In ancient times, the food was so rare and valuable that it was also used in place of gold to pay taxes.

Greek athletes were said to drink honey before they entered the arena, as honey was already known as a natural energy booster.

For centuries, people have used this substance as a germ killer and applied it to help heal burns, internal and external sores and ulcers.

Ancient Egyptians added honey to their skin-care products as it helps open clogged pores, balance moisture levels and in turn promote beautiful and youthful looking skin.

It keeps almost indefinitely. Reports said that a jar of honey was found in an Egyptian tomb and was estimated to be 3,300 years old.

According to the U.S. National Honey Board, honey contains antioxidants and a wide array of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

The naturally fat free liquid is also a good source of energy, containing royal jelly, pollen and propolis, all nutritious components that make it a special liquid.

Royal jelly is a milky-white nutritious liquid secreted by the nurse bees and is the special food for queen bees. It is believed that queen bees are larger and can outlive worker bees thanks to this nutritious liquid.

Royal jelly is rich in proteins, amino acids, sterols as well as acetylcholine, an active compound in the transmission of the nerve impulse.

Many honey lovers swear that regular consumption helps delay aging, alleviates anxiety, sleeplessness, moodiness, memory loss and improves the immune system.

Another substance in honey is propolis, which is also called a natural antibiotic. Propolis is a resin gathered by honey bees from the sap of trees and leaves. The honey bees use it to protect their hives from contaminants and to sterilize themselves.

According to honey expert Rita Elkins in her work Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly, Propolis and Honey, propolis contains 14 minerals, 16 amino acids and has antibacterial, antiviral, antibiotic, antifungal, antiinflammatory and antioxidant characters.

In Indonesia, honey is usually named after the region where it is produced, like madu Sumbawa and madu Kalimantan, or after the source of the nectar like madu durian (from the durian tree), madu karet (rubber) and madu lengkeng (longan tree).

Traditional jamu vendors combine honey with raw egg yolks and powdered pepper as an aphrodisiac concoction. Honey can be dissolved with water to enable easy absorption of its nutrient contents. People with mouth sores can gurgle dissolved honey to treat their pain without damaging the teeth as honey can curb the destructive effect of the lactic-acid-producing bacteria.

However, honey should not be given to babies under one year as well as people allergic to pollen.