Honey has a multitude of emergency medical survival and natural hygiene uses. During a long-term disaster it will be difficult, or perhaps impossible, to call 911 and receive help. Grocery store shelves will empty quickly during a SHTF scenario. If you are fortunate enough to find a bottle of over-the-counter medication, the sticker price may be more than you could afford due to extreme price-gouging.
Growing your own pharmacy and stockpiling natural alternatives to commonly used household hygiene items and medications will help to ensure the overall health of your family during a disaster. Honey is often regarded as a natural wonder. It tastes great, helps heal wounds, and can even be used to preserve meat. Vitamin A helps to keep our eyes healthy. When foods containing the vitamin are mixed with honey and ingested, some feel that their eye health improves.
Raising your own honey is yet another homesteading skill that may not only increase your preparedness level, but also prove to be a good bartering service during a TEOTWAWKI doomsday scenario.
Top Honey Survival Medicine Uses
Antiseptic – After washing a wound, slather some honey on the cut or deep wound. Honey has been known to help speed up the healing process because it contains glucose and hydrogen peroxide. The two compounds are released from the honey after it is diluted in bodily fluids or water. By applying the honey to the wound, there may be less chance of scarring, and the dressing will be able to be removed with a smaller chance of sticking and pulling away scabs or healing skin.
Immune System – Staying strong and healthy is always important, but being able to ward off sickness is even more important during a long-term disaster. Ingesting a teaspoon of honey in the morning, along with taking a multivitamin, may help bolster the immune system.
Energy Boost – The glucose levels in honey make it a far better and healthier energy booster than a commercial drink that claims to keep you alert for hours. The glucose in honey is absorbed into the bloodstream and by the brain to help reduce fatigue.
Blood Flow – Honey may have the ability to improve blood fortification and increase blood flow. Glucose may help in the blood formation process while boosting energy via the bloodstream as the compound is distributed throughout the body. The infusion of glucose could improve the smooth flow and consistent movement of blood through the stream. The honey compound may also prevent damage to capillaries.
Colon Health – Honey consumption may help repair damage to the colon. Colitis creates the bulk of the discomfort associated with poor colon health. Consuming a drink infused with honey and its natural antioxidants can minimize the discomfort and effects of colon disease. Honey’s antioxidants may help to strengthen and improve the disease resistance of the colon.
Burn Remedy – When applied to burns, the hydrogen peroxide compounds not only soothe pain, but may also speed up the healing process. The honey may also reduce the inflammation of the burn while cleansing the wound.
Parasites – Mix some honey with water and vinegar to remove worms and other nasty parasites from your body. When the antiseptic and therapeutic properties are combined with vinegar and ingested, it can help to kill and remove unwanted parasites. When you think that you have worms, begin drinking ample amounts of the mixture on a regular basis to prevent the parasites from developing an immunity to the concoction. During a disaster situation when 911 is not functioning and hospital generators have run out of gas, even something as minor as contracting worms or a simple cut can ultimately lead to a life-threatening medical situation.
Anxiety Reduction – The compounds in honey are believed by some to help reduce anxiety and nervousness. Putting some honey on your morning oatmeal or a piece of bread any time of the day might produce a calming effect on the mind, which is always good for the heart and blood pressure! Remaining mentally alert and devoid of anxiety could substantially increase your chances of survival, especially when faced with weeks or months of living without electricity or word from the outside world.
Sore Throat – Honey is often used in over-the-counter cough syrups and cough drops to help fight the common cold. Make a honey serum to help relieve sore throat discomfort by simply mixing together some honey and the juice from a lemon. Dehydrated lemon that has been reconstituted or freeze-dried lemon chunks from you long-term storage food will work as well.
Diabetic Ulcers – Curing ulcers may require modern medical treatment, but the process can be helped along and discomfort mitigated by the daily use of honey. Use honey as a topical treatment for diabetic ulcers whenever they appear.
Heart Disease and Cancer Prevention – The natural antioxidants found in honey may help reduce the ability of cancer cells to form and preserve blood quality to aid in the prevention of heart disease.
Acne, and Lip Sores – Dabbing some raw honey onto acne and lip sores can help to heal them more quickly and reduce the spread of the skin infections.
Honey Cough Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ tablespoons zest of 2 lemons
- ¼ cup ginger, peeled and sliced or ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup lemon juice
Directions
- Combine the ginger, lemon zest and water into a small pot.
- Bring the mix to a boil and allow it to simmer for about five minutes.
- Strain into a measuring cup.
- Rinse out the pot and warm the honey over low heat; do not allow it to come to a boil.
- Add the strained mix back into the pot and pour in the lemon juice.
- Stir the mix until it becomes a thick syrup.
- Pour into a mason jar or other glass jar with a firm-fitting lid. It can be stored in a refrigerated container for up to two months.
When giving the honey cough syrup to children ages 1 to 5, give only ½ to 1 teaspoon every two hours. For ages 5 to 12, give 1 to 2 teaspoons ever two hours. For older children and adults give 1 to 2 tablespoons every four hours.