Raw Honey
There’s something deeply grounding about opening a jar of raw honey - its golden glow, thick texture, and earthy sweetness feel like a gift straight from the Earth. But honey isn't just a kitchen staple; it’s been a healing ally across generations, cultures, and traditions. Whether stirred into warm tea or taken by the spoonful, raw honey has long been treasured for its potent medicinal properties - and modern science is finally catching up to what our ancestors always knew.
Nature’s antimicrobial powerhouse: Raw honey - unpasteurised and unfiltered - is rich in enzymes, antioxidants, and naturally occurring compounds like hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal (especially in varieties like Manuka). These give it powerful antimicrobial properties.
A review in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine found that honey exhibits “broad-spectrum antibacterial activity” against over 60 species of bacteria, including some that are resistant to antibiotics (Mandal & Mandal, 2011). That’s right — honey can help tackle bacteria that shrug off conventional meds.
Wound healing and skin support: Ever heard of putting honey on a cut or burn? Turns out, it’s more than old wives’ wisdom. Studies show that raw honey can accelerate tissue regeneration and reduce infection in wounds. A 2015 meta-analysis published in Wounds concluded that honey is effective for treating partial-thickness burns and infected surgical wounds (Jull et al., 2015).
Its high sugar content draws moisture from the wound (which helps inhibit microbial growth), while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties soothe and support healing.
Soothing for coughs and sore throats: When that first tickle of a sore throat creeps in, raw honey is a go-to. More than a cozy remedy, it’s backed by research: A study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that honey was more effective than dextromethorphan (a common cough suppressant) in reducing nighttime cough in children (Paul et al., 2007).
Honey in Islamic tradition - A sacred remedy: Raw honey also holds a deeply spiritual place in Islamic medicine. In the Qur’an, honey is not just food - it is described as healing itself:
"There comes forth from their bellies a drink of varying color wherein is healing for mankind..."
— Surah An-Nahl (16:69)
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ spoke often of honey’s healing properties and recommended it for both digestive and general health. In a hadith, he said:
"Make use of the two remedies: honey and the Qur'an."
— Sunan Ibn Majah 3452
For many, incorporating honey is not just about health - it’s about aligning with divine wisdom and nature’s rhythm. There’s something beautifully simple about returning to whole, natural remedies. Raw honey reconnects us with the land, the bees, and centuries of tradition. Whether drizzled over warm bread, mixed into an herbal tonic, or taken as a straight spoonful in the morning light, it’s more than sweet - it’s sacred. In a world rushing toward synthetics and over-processed solutions, raw honey remains a golden thread linking science, tradition, and the soul.
Fi Amaanillah - Raaby
Collected Wisdom:
Mandal, M. D., & Mandal, S. (2011). Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 1(2), 154–160.
Jull, A. B., Cullum, N., Dumville, J. C., Westby, M. J., Deshpande, S., & Walker, N. (2015). Honey as a topical treatment for wounds. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3).
Paul, I. M., Beiler, J., McMonagle, A., Shaffer, M. L., Duda, L., & Berlin, C. M. (2007). Effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and no treatment on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for coughing children and their parents. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 161(12), 1140–1146.