

Honey types and benefits
Linden honey.
Honey types and benefits, Linden, the mystical tree of life, tree of health, justice tree, tree of victory, a symbol of fertility and an object of worship, is known as basswood in America, lime in UK (with no relation to “lime” fruit) and linden in Europe and Asia, all belong to the same genus, tilia.
There are over 350 species of the Tiliaceae family that can be found, especially in the tropical and subtropical regions. In Romania, lime trees are represented by a single genus (Tilia) with three species:
- T. cordata Mill. (the most common),
- T. tomentosa Moench. (the most drought resistant; predominant in Romania), and
- T. platyphyllos Scop. (the most water demanding).
The linden tree contributes to the amelioration of the soil and its shade maintains a wet microclimate which is favorable to natural regenaration.
A perfumed fresh woody honey is obtained from the pollen and the nectar of the linden tree, with some healthy benefits, and is used for:
- common colds, flue, cough, fever, other disorders of the respiratory tract,
- infections,
- high blood pressure,
- headache (particularly migraine),
- diuretic (increases urine production),
- antispasmodic (reduces smooth muscle spasm along the digestive tract).
Linden honey has about 400 substances and compounds and most distinctive are:
- maltose (gives it a beneficial effect on our digestive system),
- vitamin B,
- macro-nutrients,
- minerals (are at exactly the same concentration as in the human blood, which makes them quickly absorbed by the body),
- organic and inorganic acids.
The regular use of linden honey helps to maintain adequate osmotic pressure at the cellular level, normalizes metabolism, has beneficial effects on digestion and hormonal activity.
Rapeseed honey.
Rapeseed, rape or even canola (but most of the time this refers to canola oil) is derived from the Latin for turnip (rapa or rapum). There are two species of rape, Brassica napus and B. rapa but the varieties grown here are mainly B. rapa.
The white creamy honey with a smooth texture produced by bees that feed on oilseed rape flowers, has some therapeutic applications like:
- sedative, for relaxing,
- positive effect of honey on hepatitis A patients,
- ulcer healing,
- great for colon and intestinal health,
- kidney diseases and against colesterol,
- eye-related diseases,
- bone development (contains Q3),
- regeneration and improvement of the elasticity of blood vessel walls,
- improving metabolism.
Contains all the necessary microelements and vitamins for a healthy diet like:
- Vitamin E: the abundance of it, is most important when it comes to slowing down skin aging, as a result of rapeseed honey consumption which has a major impact,
- Vitamin A is also present in it, a powerful immunostimulant that’s beneficial for vision, skin and bones.
Rapeseed honey is rich in simple sugars that are necessary for a daily energy input.
Polyfloral honey.
This type of honey is made from the nectar of various types of flowers. The color and flavor vary according to the main nectar source.
Some beneficial effects:
- stimulates appetite,
- facilitates digestion,
- improves the heart and liver functioning,
- increases the hemoglobin percentage in the blood,
- remedy for physical and intellectual fatigue.
Has a complex composition:
- B and C vitamins,
- enzymes (invertase, catalase and amylase),
- organic acids (lactic acid, gluconic acid) and
- various minerals (iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus)
Sunflower honey.
Ѕunflоwеr (the predominant nectar source) hоnеу hаѕ а hеаlіng еffесt wіth rеѕресt tо gаѕtrоіntеѕtіnаl dіѕеаѕеѕ, thе rеѕріrаtоrу ѕуѕtеm, thе kіdnеуѕ, ѕkіn рrоblеmѕ, but іt іѕ uѕеful еѕресіаllу fоr thе hеаrt аnd thе сіrсulаtоrу ѕуѕtеm, аnd іѕ а vаluаblе tооl іn thе рrеvеntіоn аnd fіght аgаіnѕt саrdіоvаѕсulаr dіѕеаѕеѕ.
It’s useful for the rapid healing of wounds, burns, and for the treatment of dermatitis, rhinitis and sinusitis.
Every kind of honey has it’s uniqueness, with their own range of qualities.
It is a perfect substitute for sugar, has no additives, it’s easy on the stomach, and if stored correctly will have an almost indefinite shelf life and easily adapted to cooking processes.
Sources:
- https://healthywithhoney.com/basswood-linden-lime-honey/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259331710_A_review_on_the_ecology_and_silviculture_of_limes_Tilia_cordata_Mill_Tilia_platyphyllos_Scop_and_Tilia_tomentosa_Moench_in_Europe
- http://www.usab-tm.ro/Journal-HFB/romana/2015/Lucrari%20PDF/Lucrari%20PDF%2019(2)/41Tenche%20Alina%202.pdf
- https://localhoneyman.co.uk/product/rapeseed-honey/https://healthywithhoney.com/rapeseed-honey-aka-rape-honey-perfect-for-your-ulcer-diet/
- https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/117112/bee-on-canoloa.pdfhttp://tastycraze.com/n5-59413-Benefits_of_Rapeseed_Honey
- https://www.boroughbox.com/raw-rapeseed-honey-1kg
- http://honeypedia.info/sunflower-honey
- http://ehoneybees.com/Types-of-honey/Polyfloral-honey.php#.W7cm01K-nL8
- http://www.heathmonthoney.com.au/bees/HoneyHistory.htm