Honey is one of mother nature’s greatest gifts and an important item to add to your survival supplies. But it is more urgent than ever that you start stocking up on it. Over the past several years the honeybee population has dropped up to 70 percent and the price of honey is on the rise.
Scientists still don’t know for sure why this is happening, but it is likely due to several factors such as the increasing number of toxins in our environment, especially pesticides.
Whatever the cause, it is quite possible that honeybees could become extinct later this century. The good news is that there is still plenty of honey available for purchase and it lasts forever. Archaeologists have discovered jars of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs, and it was still edible!
As with most food, raw is better than processed. Most honey found in grocery stores is “commercial” which means it has been heated and filtered so it looks clean and smooth. Unfortunately, when honey is heated, it loses much of its nutritional value, so try to stock up on raw honey. You’ll know it’s raw from the tiny pieces of pollen and honeycomb, or by simply checking the label.
Although it will crystallize into a thick, butter-like consistency after a few months, all you have to do is warm it up with a little water to rehydrate it. Better yet, buy some Tupelo honey—it never crystallizes.
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What’s so great about honey?
Honey is one of the best things you can eat; the list of health benefits seems endless. Here are 25 great things about honey:
1. It increases energy
The glucose in honey gives you an immediate energy boost, while the fructose keeps your energy level high for longer. Instead of coffee in the morning, try some honey on toast or in tea. And instead of an energy drink before a workout, eat a spoonful of honey and drink a glass of water. It works just as well and it’s healthier.
2. It builds up the immune system
Honey is full of antioxidants and has many anti-bacterial properties. In The Honey Revolution by Dr. Ron Fessenden, he goes into detail about how regular consumption of raw honey can help your body fend off infections more effectively by strengthening white blood cell function and reducing oxidative stress.
3. It can reduce allergies
This is because taking honey helps you build up a tolerance to local pollens. The small amounts of pollen in raw, local honey act like a natural allergy shot, gradually training your immune system to stop overreacting. Over time, this can lead to fewer symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes during allergy season.
4. It soothes sore throats and coughs
Honey is great for the walls of the throat and its antimicrobial properties help kill the bacteria causing the infection. And studies have shown that buckwheat honey is as good for nighttime coughs as medicines like NyQuil.
5. It can help treat seasonal colds and the flu
During flu season or a viral outbreak, honey can be a go-to remedy. Its antiviral and antibacterial properties make it effective for easing symptoms like congestion and fatigue. Mixing honey with warm water, lemon, and ginger is a time-tested natural remedy that can shorten the duration of colds and support immune function during stressful times.
6. It’s good for cuts and burns
When applied to wounds, honey can keep them clean and free of infections, reduce pain and swelling, and help them heal faster. Manuka honey is believed to be the best type of honey for this.
To use it safely, clean the wound first with water, then apply a thin layer of raw or medical-grade honey and cover it with sterile gauze. Change the dressing daily or whenever it becomes damp or dirty to promote proper healing.
7. It assists with weight loss
Although honey has more calories than sugar, it can help your body burn off the fat stored in your body, especially when taken with a glass of warm water and lemon juice. Another method is to boil it in water and cinnamon powder first thing in the morning.
8. It enhances digestive health
Honey is good for digestion because it has enzymes that help break down foods and soothe the stomach. Just add a spoonful to herbal tea or warm water and your stomach will feel a lot better.
9. It aids in nutrient absorption
Honey has been shown to enhance the bioavailability of certain nutrients, especially when paired with herbal teas or fermented foods. That means your body can absorb more vitamins and minerals from your survival meals just by adding a bit of honey to your diet. In an emergency, maximizing nutrient intake can make a big difference.
10. It can help with insomnia
Honey promotes the release of melatonin by causing a slight spike in insulin, which allows tryptophan to enter the brain more easily—this is the amino acid responsible for making you feel sleepy. The natural sugars in honey also help fuel the brain throughout the night, preventing sudden wake-ups due to low blood sugar.
Mix a teaspoon of honey with a glass of warm milk before you go to bed.
11. It can calm stomach ulcers and acid reflux
In survival situations, stress and poor diet can trigger stomach ulcers or acid reflux. The thick consistency of honey helps coat the stomach lining, reducing irritation and promoting healing. Manuka honey, in particular, has been shown to reduce symptoms and fight Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria often responsible for ulcers.
12. It shortens hangovers
It’s better if you don’t drink so much you have a hangover, but it can happen to the best of us and honey can help. It’s gentle on the stomach and can help the liver oxidate alcohol more quickly.
13. It’s good for those with high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes
In a series of experiences, scientists have been able to show that natural honey, taken daily, can lower cholesterol and causes a much lower rise in blood sugar than refined sugars.
14. It’s good for the skin
Drinking milk and honey every morning can reduce wrinkles and keep your skin smooth and healthy. Honey is a natural humectant, which means it draws moisture into the skin, helping it stay hydrated and supple. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can also help clear up acne, reduce redness, and promote a more even skin tone.
15. It goes great with cinnamon
Honey and cinnamon together make a powerful natural remedy that has been used for centuries. This combination is known to help with a wide range of ailments including arthritis, hair loss, toothaches, upset stomachs, and more.
Cinnamon offers strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while honey enhances these effects with its antibacterial and soothing qualities. When taken together, they may support heart health, improve digestion, regulate blood sugar levels, and boost overall immunity.
16. It’s a natural preservative
Honey has a low moisture content while also being acidic, making it a natural preservative. When you use it in cooking or baking, it can extend the self life of foods like bread and pastries by retaining moisture and preventing mold.
17. It helps preserve fruits and herbs
In a grid-down scenario, preserving food without refrigeration becomes crucial. Honey can be used to preserve fruits like berries or herbs like thyme and rosemary. Just submerge them in raw honey and seal the jar—this creates an anaerobic environment that inhibits bacterial growth while infusing the honey with new flavors and benefits.
18. It’s a stress reliever
Honey can have a calming effect, and for many reasons. The sweet flavor and smooth texture make it a wonderful comfort food, but there’s also research that suggest it’s an anti-depressant. Try adding it to chamomile tea before bed for a good night’s sleep.
19. It’s a natural beauty treatment
Honey is a fantastic ingredient for DIY beauty products. You can use it as a face mask to moisture skin, as a lip balm for chapped lips, or you can mix it with olive oil for a deep-conditioning hair treatment.
20. It supports local economies
Buying local honey not only ensures you’re getting high-quality honey (and not store-bought imitation honey), it also supports local beekeepers, who in turn help maintain the bee population and biodiversity in your area.
21. It’s barter gold in a crisis
Honey’s long shelf life, health benefits, and universal appeal make it an ideal barter item in any collapse or economic crisis. Whether trading for medicine, ammo, or fresh produce, a jar of raw honey could be worth its weight in silver. Unlike cash or crypto, it has real intrinsic value that people will always need and want.
22. It improves athletic performance
Just like commercial energy gels, honey provides a quick and natural source of carbohydrates, making it a great energy booster for athletes. It’s more beneficial than regular sugar, it’s full of antioxidants, and it can aid recovery after a workout.
23. It’s a versatile cooking ingredient
Honey isn’t just for tea and toast. It can be used in all sorts of recipes that require a sweetener, such as dressings, marinades, sauces, and more. Its unique flavor can enhance both sweet and savory dishes, and it helps retain moisture in baked goods, making them softer and longer-lasting.
Plus, honey caramelizes beautifully, adding a rich golden color and depth of flavor to roasted vegetables, meats, and glazes.
24. It’s a sustainable sweetener
As a completely natural product, honey is far more sustainable than processed sugars. It requires minimal processing and packaging and has almost no environmental impact. Using honey supports sustainable farming.
25. It tastes great!
There are even more benefits than the ones listed here, but you get the idea. So when stocking up on food in preparation for whatever urban survival scenario might come your way, stop for a moment and consider your health.
Eating MREs and canned foods during a disaster won’t be good for your body, but eating honey every day can help make up for that. And remember, it lasts forever so get all you can while it’s still affordable.
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