Honey

Honey: You drink it in your tea and spread it on your bread, but what is honey, really?

A thick, golden liquid produced by industrious bees, honey is made using the nectar of flowering plants and is saved inside the beehive for eating during times of scarcity. But how do bees make honey?

Nectar — a  sugary liquid — is extracted from flowers using a bee's long, tube-shaped tongue and stored in its extra stomach, or "crop." While sloshing around in the crop, the nectar mixes with enzymes that transform its chemical composition and pH, making it more suitable for long-term storage.

1. A Good Source of Antioxidants

Raw honey contains antioxidants called phenolic compounds. Some types of honey have as many antioxidants as fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants help to protect your body from cell damage due to free radicals.

Free radicals contribute to the aging process and may also contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Studies show that polyphenols in honey may play a role in preventing heart disease.

2. Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties

Raw honey can kill unwanted bacteria and fungus. It naturally contains hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic. Several hospitals in Europe have used Manuka honey to fight methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of staph bacterial infection that’s become resistant to antibiotics. The effectiveness of honey as an antibacterial or antifungal depends on the type of honey.

Did You Know?

The exact ingredients of honey depend on which plants bees get their nectar from.

3. Heal Wounds

Manuka honey is also used in medical settings to treat wounds because it’s an effective germ killer. Researchers believe this is because it has additional antibacterial properties besides the natural hydrogen peroxide.

Studies show that Manuka honey can boost healing time and reduce infections in wounds. However, the honey used in hospital settings is medical grade, meaning it’s safe and sterile. You shouldn’t expect to treat injuries with the honey you buy from a grocery store.

4. Filled with Phytonutrients

Phytonutrients are compounds found in plants that help protect the plant from harm. For example, some may keep insects away or shield the plant from harsh UV radiation.

Phytonutrients provide both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, which help you maintain good health. Because honey is made from plants, it also has phytonutrients. These valuable nutrients are unique to raw honey and disappear when honey is heavily processed.

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Mustard Oil

Benefits Of Our Mustard Oil For Skin:

Mustard oil is extremely beneficial for skin and is often used in aroma therapy treatments. However, before applying it topically, it is advisable to do patch a test to ensure that you are not allergic to it. Moreover, cold pressed mustard oil should be considered for topical application. Some of the benefits of this oil for skin are as follows.

1. Removes Tan and Dark Spots:

Mustard oil is effective in removing tan and dark spots to give you a naturally glowing skin. For this purpose, prepare a face mask by mixing mustard oil, besan (Bengal gram flour), curd and a few drops of lemon juice and apply it on your face. Rinse with cold water after 10 to 15 minutes. This should be done thrice a week for best results.

2. Natural Sunscreen:

Due to its thick consistency and high levels of vitamin E, topical application of this oil protects your skin against the harsh ultraviolet rays and other pollutants, thus preventing skin cancer. Vitamin E prevents ageing and wrinkles besides acting as a sunshield.

3. Stimulates Sweat Glands:

Whether consumed or applied topically, mustard oil stimulates the sweat glands and opens the pores of the skin. Thus, it helps in reducing the body temperature and removes unwanted toxins, water and salts from the body.

4. Treats Rashes and Infections:

Due to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, mustard oil is effective in treating rashes and other skin infections, thus preventing your skin from dryness, dullness and itching. A body massage with mustard oil rejuvenates and cleans your skin by increasing blood circulation.  Besides, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is effective in reducing skin inflammation and facilitates quick healing of cuts and wounds.

5. Lip Care:

Mustard oil is a great remedy for dry chapped lips when lip balms or chap sticks prove to be ineffective. Before going to bed, just apply one or two drops of mustard oil on your belly button and you will never have dry or chapped lips. This is an ancient remedy which has proven to be effective in moisturizing and softening your lips.

[ Read: Remedies To Treat Swollen Lips ]

Benefits of Mustard Oil For Hair:

If you wish for long, thick and lustrous hair, then mustard oil is a good solution for a healthy mane. Be it consumption or application, mustard oil provides essential nutrients to the hair follicles for proper growth. Some of the benefits of mustard oil for hair are as follows.

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Ghee

What is Ghee?

In technical terms, Ghee is a clarified, unsalted butter with the milk proteins removed. It has a high smoke point, making it perfect for cooking, and an incredible flavor. Many people who cannot tolerate dairy can handle ghee and it is a revered food in Bangla cuisine.

How to Make Ghee

Ever used ghee? It is the best of both worlds. It has the benefite of butter without the casein and proteins that some people react to in butter.

The Benefits of Ghee

I’m a sucker for traditional foods. I love reading about them and re-creating them. I’m a big believer that traditional cultures knew things about food that science is still catching up to, and ghee is one of these foods!

Ghee is considered “liquid gold” and revered in Bangla culture (and has been for centuries). When made from high quality butter, it is a great source of fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin K and is great for teeth, hair, skin and nails.

Ghee is like butter on crack. More intense flavor and more nutrients. A little bit goes a really long way and the flavor is great in many different recipes and dishes.

I like using ghee for making stir frys in a wok since it has such a high smoke point and with wok cooking, only a tiny amount is needed. Ghee is also incredible on a baked sweet potato, in eggs or on steamed or roasted vegetables.

Ghee is expensive to buy but simple to make. Unlike butter, it does not need to be refrigerated (though I typically still store in the fridge) and it is great for traveling. If you’ve never tried it, I highly suggest making ghee and using it in your cooking.

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