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All forms of honey naturally contain nutrients and enzymes, which have a variety of health benefits and medical uses. In fact, honey has been used as a folk remedy for many conditions throughout history.
There are several different types of honey. The taste and color of honey, and the exact nutrient content, depends on where the bees collected it. It also depends on which types of flowers it came from.
What is white honey?
White honeys generally have a milder flavor as compared to darker honeys. Flowers that produce white honey include:
- sage
- alfalfa
- fireweed
- white clover
White honey doesn’t exactly look white. Instead it’s a very light amber or an almost clear “water-white” color.
There’s also a rare form of white honey called kiawe honey, which comes from the kiawe trees in Hawaii. The honey is collected as a liquid and naturally crystalizes to a smooth, creamy white with a texture that’s easy to spread like butter. White kiawe honey is sold as a raw honey.
When any variety of honey crystalizes, it becomes cloudy and lighter, or almost white in color. It also forms solid, sugar-like “crystals.” Adding heat can turn the honey to liquid again. Some producers purposely cause honey to crystalize and then blend the crystals to give it the creamy texture kiawe honey is known for.
What is raw honey?
Raw honey can be defined in two ways. True raw honey comes straight from the beehive. It’s packaged and consumed without adding any heat. Commercial raw honey is still slightly processed, but less so than honey not labeled as raw.
Manufacturers process most of the honey you find in grocery stores. Heating the honey helps improve the color and texture, and removes any unwanted crystallization. But many of the beneficial antioxidants and bacteria are also removed or destroyed in the process.
If you’re interested in trying raw white honey, buy it from a trusted local producer.
Here are some of the health benefits raw white honey has to offer.
1. Antioxidant powerhouse
Raw honey contains antioxidants called flavonoids and phenolic compounds. White honey also contains such antioxidants. Antioxidants help to protect your body from cell damage due to free radicals.
Free radicals contribute to the aging process. They may also add to your risk for chronic conditions like cancer and heart disease. StudiesTrusted Source show that polyphenols in honey, particularly raw natural honey, may play a role in preventing heart disease.
If you’re looking for an alternative to sugar, honey provides a healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth while getting extra antioxidants into your diet. White honeys have a mild taste, making them ideal for baking or snacking.
2. Cough stopper
Honey can be used as a cough suppressant. It’s also been used as a sore throat remedy. The next time you have a cough or a cold, try adding honey to hot tea with lemon.
A study in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative MedicineTrusted Source found that for treating a cough, honey is as effective as dextromethorphan, a common over-the-counter cough medicine ingredient. You can also eat 1 or 2 teaspoons of raw honey with a spoon.
4. Skin care and wound healing
Honey has been used throughout history as a way to heal skin wounds. Today, you can also find it as an ingredient in beauty products.
ResearchTrusted Source shows that raw honey can kill harmful bacteria and fungus. It naturally contains hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic.
5. Easing digestive issues
Historically, honey has been used to treat digestive issues such as diarrhea and ulcers. Peptic ulcers occur in the stomach or digestive system. Taking 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw honey on an empty stomach is said to soothe pain and help with the healing process.
There’s some research to show that it might be helpful, but more studies are needed.
It’s not recommended that you use raw honey to treat ulcers.
Next steps
Raw honey contains beneficial bacteria and nutrients. But it can also contain harmful bacteria that causes botulism, a rare but serious illness. This is especially dangerous for babies, so you should never feed raw honey to a baby younger than 1 year old.
People with a weakened immune system are also at higher risk of getting sick from raw honey. In adults, botulism causes symptoms similar to food poisoning, including nausea, vomiting, and a fever. See your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms after eating raw honey.
