Apiterapia Italia

White honey from Sardinia, the clearest solution for your health

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 14:09:18 GMT

The clearest honey from Sardinia

It's no so common but in Sardinia you can find a really clear honey also known as White Honey that is a real surprise.

This honey comes from the late winter/early spring production from a mix of flowers but in particular from the asphodel flowers which normally bloom between begin of march up to mid april.

This honey is particurarly difficult to produce due to the extreme weather conditions that normally makes the beekeepers life very hard in this season. In fact this production accounts for a few kilograms of honey per hive per year in the good years.

2023 was a good productive season for the Asphodel team: we managed to produce 5 kg per hive which is a record for the group. But we already know that this is a very lucky season and this is the reason why we keep our honey safe and try not the sell it all in one time because we need to keep a reserve also for the future.

This honey, when cristallized looks really clear, nearly white and is fantastic to see it compared to the normally darker honeys produced in our island.

Also the taste of this honey is quite different from the average of our local honeys: very soft and suite, is a perfect product for teas and seadas, the typical cheese desserts from Sardinia.

Is also well known in the island for its power against cough and bad sore throat and still used in small villages by old people to keep safe along the winter.

In sardinia we love this honey also with cheese and ricotta, thanks to its delicate flavour that doesn't cover the taste of the food.

In the heart of Sardinia comes a honey like no other – Strawberry Tree Honey.

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 21:01:29 GMT

The Strawberry Tree Honey of Sardinia

In the heart of Sardinia, where the air is rich with tradition and longevity, comes a honey like no other – Strawberry Tree Honey. Bursting with health benefits, this golden elixir stands out for its exceptional properties.

Flavonoid Richness:

Strawberry Tree honey is a treasure trove of flavonoids, the antioxidants renowned for their health-boosting effects. These natural compounds contribute to the honey's anti-inflammatory and immune system-supporting qualities.

Nutritional Powerhouse:

In the world of honey, Strawberry Tree Honey shines with its noteworthy protein content, setting it apart from the rest. This nutrient boost adds to its appeal, making it a wholesome addition to your daily diet.

Polyphenol Prowess:

Not stopping at flavonoids, Strawberry Tree Honey packs a punch with polyphenols, further elevating its nutritional profile. These compounds play a vital role in supporting overall well-being.

Comparing the Finest:

When placed side by side with other honeys, like the famed Manuka, Strawberry Tree Honey holds its own. Its unique combination of flavonoids, proteins, and polyphenols makes it a standout choice for those seeking honey's holistic benefits.

Energizing Goodness:

Experience a natural energy boost with Strawberry Tree Honey. Its rich energy content provides a sweet vitality that keeps you going throughout the day.

Sardinian Excellence:

Hailing from the picturesque Sardinia Island, this honey captures the essence of a blue zone – a region known for its inhabitants' remarkable longevity. The secret lies not just in the honey but in the unique environment that contributes to a healthier and longer life.

In a world where choices matter, choose Strawberry Tree Honey for a taste of unparalleled health benefits. From the richness of its flavonoids to the energy it provides, let this golden nectar from Sardinia be your gateway to a wholesome life.

Come il cambiamento climatico sta cambiando l'apicoltura

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 09:08:56 GMT

E perchè è fondamentale imparare questo mestiere

Sono molti i racconti degli anziani che ricordano di come il miele ai loro tempi abbondava. E non sono poche le testimonianze di apicoltori anziani che raccoglievano anche più di 100 kg di miele da ogni arnia senza praticamente fare nulla se non aggiungere melari e togliere melari nel momento della raccolta.

Oggi, la maggior parte degli apicoltori, anche in Sardegna, non riescono a produrre più di 15/20kg ad arnia a stagione quando l'anno si può definire positivo.

Ma cosa è successo? perchè oggi si fa sempre più fatica a produrre miele e a far sopravvivere le api?

Le ragioni di questi incredibili cambiamenti che sono avvenuti in un tempo molto breve sono da ricercare almeno in due grandi gruppi di ragioni. Quelli determinati dal cambiamento climatico e quelli invece determinati dall'uomo (che poi alla fine anche il primo problema direi che all'azione dell'uomo deve tanto).

Il primo grande problema delle api e quindi degli apicoltori oggi è determinato dalla famosa Varroa Destructor arrivato ormai una trentina di anni fa in Europa e ormai endemica: si tratta di un acaro molto resistente che si attacca alle api e se non debitamente trattato porta velocemente alla morte delle famiglie. Questo acaro è stato portato in Europa dall'Asia dall'uomo ma, mentre per le api asiatiche non rappresentava un grosso problema, per le nostre api invece si tratta di un vero e proprio flagello quasi indistruttibile.
Molti sono stati i rimedi proposti dall'industria per cercare di vincere questo nemico ma nessuno di essi si è rivelato efficace al 100%: la maggior parte di essi purtroppo ancora oggi sono metodi chimici che hanno il grande svantaggio di indebolire le api alla lunga e di inquinare anche i prodotti poi venduti sul mercato. I trattamenti biologici invece consistono nell'applicazione di acidi organici che per contatto uccidono questi acari e in breve tempo spariscono dall'alveare lasciando pertanto la famiglia di api pulita e sana.

Il secondo importante problema è determinato dalla "Crisi Climatica" in corso: il tempo ormai imprevedibile infatti sta generando un clima molto difficile per la vita delle api. Piogge prolungate che si alternano a lunghi periodi di siccità infatti determinano un ambiente inospitale per le api che devono avere invece un clima più costante e stagionale per potersi nutrire appropriatamente: ad esempio, con le gelate dell'aprile 2022 in Sardegna, la maggior parte dei fiori melliferi che avrebbero dovuto essere bottinati dalla api sono congelati e hanno fatto perdere quasi completamente il raccolto primaverile. Le api, che da buoni insetti prudenti avevano accumulato miele nelle loro scorte hanno comunque consumato il miele accumulato nei mesi precedenti ma non hanno lasciato nulla all'apicoltore che pertanto si è trovate a dover fare i conti con delle perdite ingenti.
Oppure le piogge di Ottobre-Novembre (circa 40 giorni di piogge ininterrotte che per la Sardegna sono numeri da record) hanno impedito alle api di uscire per bottinare il pregiatissimo corbezzolo, lasciando a secco la produzione del 2022, produzione che per molti apicoltori significa fare la differenza tra la sopravvivenza e l'abbandono del proprio lavoro.

Un altro grande problema poi è determinato dal prezzo del miele che purtroppo non viene riconosciuto in modo equo dal mercato: miele importato dalla Cina (molto spesso purtroppo nemmeno miele vero) miele non biologico e quindi prodotto in modo industriale e comunque nutrendo le api con succedanei, miele di bassa qualità stanno invadendo i nostri mercati che quindi sono sempre più in difficoltà a far riconoscere un prezzo decente al proprio lavoro. Questo porta molto spesso i nostri apicoltori a cercare delle vie di sopravvivenza di compromesso, abbandonando l'apicoltura biologica per una più convenzionale con l'uso della chimica. Purtroppo infatti fare apicoltura bio significa molto spesso fare un lavoro molto più complesso e duro per vedere poi il prezzo del proprio prodotto molto vicino a quello del miele convenzionale. Questo naturalmente fa da deterrente alla nascita di un vero mercato biologico.

Il lavoro dell'apicoltore biologico infatti prevede il rispetto di regole ferree che proteggono sia le api che gli apicoltori, ma questo significa anche dover fare un lavoro molto più artigianale e complesso che non tutti hanno la forza di affrontare.

Molto importante pertanto è anche la cultura del consumatore che scegliendo un prodotto a km 0, sano e salutare può sicuramente incentivare la nascita e la crescita di un'apicoltura più naturale e in equilibrio con gli ecosistemi in cui viviamo.

What is a wild and raw honey

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 09:08:51 GMT

And why we believe wild and raw honeys are the best in commerce

The honeys produced by Asphodel are all produced from natural wild plants and therefore not from intensive agriculture. This makes them very special honeys and certainly different from the honeys that are often found on the market and that come from intensive agriculture blooms such as, for example, honeys that often come from orange groves or orchards that first serve the fruit market point

Our honeys, on the other hand, coming from wild spontaneous blooms are organic by nature and have the main characteristic of always being different from year to year from position to point position.

In terms of taste thay are also very different and their external appearance changes a lot from year to year too: this is the case, for example, of the asphodel honey which last year was a very light honey while this year it is a particularly dark honey.

The tastes of honeys therefore change not only due to the fact that bees go to get nectar from different flowers but also from the fact that from one year to the next the flowers themselves , despite being of the same type, can change their flavor . due to changes in temperature and humidity and all the characteristics of the weather that can occur during a year of blooms.

Furthermore, the fact that our productions come from spontaneous blooms ensures their goodness, taste, taste and quality. All our honeys (asphodel, eucalyptus,, mediterranean bush, bramble, lavender, strawberry tree and thistle) all come from natural blooms that follow one another starting from late winter on asphodel honey (February/March) until October with the flowering of the strawberry tree.

Furthermore, our code of conduct does not allow our beekeepers to feed the bees , in fact this is a practice widely used by beekeepers in the most difficult moments in the life of bees, but which is not allowed in Asphodel. In fact we believe that Sardinia is a particularly favorable territory for the life of bees and we are convinced that thanks to the particularly favorable climatic characteristics there is no need to feed the bees in order to make them survive. In fact, we are certain, also from our common experience that by working well with bees throughout the year and carefully guarding them, we can guarantee a healthy and balanced life for our bees and therefore a healthy and tasty production of our honeys and all our products.

Apitherapy and effects on human being

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 07:42:59 GMT

Why apitherapy with bees can help humans to live longer and better

Apitherapy is a group of procedures used in conjunction with traditional medicine to restore health using substances gathered, altered, and produced by bees.

It is a form of healing that has been used for ages and has been supported by testimony that go back at least two millennia. It is based on an extremely old tradition.

Writings on apitherapy methods have been discovered in a number of civilizations, including Egyptian, Greek, and Roman ones.

Apitherapy is beginning to receive official recognition in some nations, and in recent years, international conferences with training and refresher sessions for practitioners have been conducted in Europe (Germany, France, Austria, Romania, Switzerland).

Numerous clinical studies have been published on the topic.

The origins of apitherapy

Numerous ancient authors frequently mention the benefits of honey in their writings. It was highly revered by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans and was mentioned in the Bible, the Koran, and the Talmud.

The "Nectar of the Gods" was what the ancient Greeks named it, and it was regarded as a marvelous nourishment and a storehouse of healing properties by writers and luminaries from many other cultures.

The stylized bee was a common motif in Egyptian tombs and statues. The Egyptians used honey to preserve fruit and the same honey and wax, along with other materials, to embalm mommies.

According to Greek mythology, honey generated by Mount Ida bees served as Jupiter's food.

According to Norse mythology, honey is associated with the deity Odin. It was used to make a beverage that had the magical ability to turn any mortal who drank it into a poet.

The sun gods, the Azwins, are credited with discovering honey in ancient Indian cultures, and because of the makeup of honey and wax, these substances were utilized to treat illnesses.

According to Ayurvedic medicine, honey has various health benefits, including those of purification, aphrodisiacs, quenchers of thirst, vermifuges, antitoxins, regulators, refrigerants, stomachics, cosmetics, tonics, mild hypnotic effects and healing. Each single morbid state or dysfunction correlates to a certain type of honey.

Some noble families adopted the bee as their coat of arms' emblem throughout the Middle Ages as a representation of diligence and order.

To locate contemporary research on bee venom, we must travel to the end of the 19th century. The book "Report on the connection between bee stings and rheumatic diseases" was written by Austrian doctor Phillip Terc, who is known as the "father" of apitoxytherapy (the therapy through bee stings). His findings were published in a Vienna journal in 1888, and ever since then, acupuncture has grown in popularity across central Europe.

We must not overlook Hungarian physician and apitherapy specialist Bódog Beck. He wrote "Bee Venom Therapy" in 1935 with the intention of methodically presenting all that was understood about apitherapy.

In order to illustrate how bee venom worked in cases of rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis, and muscle pain with the appropriate contraindications and the requirement to perform preventive allergy tests, Beck took it upon himself to compile the experience of colleagues from all over the world and from various eras.

The significance of high-quality apitherapy products

All of the hive's products are used in apitherapy. The user must ensure that the materials he is using are free of physical agents, such as heat sources that are occasionally employed in packing processes, as well as chemical agents that are either dispersed in the environment or that are used to treat the various bee diseases.

By contaminating the environment or removing essential microelements from the products, inappropriate techniques change the organic completeness of the individual items.

This is the reason why Asphodel is committed in producing pure products from bees, not feeding them with any artificial products nor using any chemicals on it: the final product (venom, honey, pollen, wax or any other product that can be used in apitherapy) is then pure and their properties perfect for apitherapy use.

What is apivoltaic and why is so important for the future of energy

Fri, 26 May 2023 12:44:35 GMT

A new era for the photovoltaic is starting and bees can play an important role

Photovoltaic and agriculture can live together and generate value

In this time of extreme climate change and related political-economic upheavals, the demand for stable and affordable locally produced energy is becoming an increasingly pressing need.

Renewable energy represents an important and crucial share in ensuring an energy transition from carbon-intensive sources to renewable and clean sources, and within these new sources solar PV represents an important share of the transition.

Within the photovoltaic world in turn, two types of installations can be distinguished: those with extensive production with panels spread over the entire surface of the land without leaving room for agricultural activities, and those that can instead contemplate the coexistence of energy production activities and agricultural production.

In the latter case, several solutions are being studied that can benefit agriculture in a way that avoids the land consumption that photovoltaic installations can bring because of the barrier to the sun that they naturally constitute.

The italian case

The guidelines issued recently by the Italian government contemplate the possibility of implementing projects that aim to put together electrical production and agricultural production by going to improve the conditions of land management without negatively altering its characteristics, so as to create an advantage thanks to the presence precisely of photovoltaic installations.

These types of plants are called agrivoltaic or agrifotovoltaic and will play a key role in the ecological transition of the European Union.

These plants, in addition to ensuring the production of renewable electricity and the continuity of agricultural production, will also have to have an innovative component that can at the same time improve the conditions of the bottom and the surrounding area also through the improvement of biodiversity, a fundamental element to restore a natural balance of the territories now strongly compromised due to industrial development and strong anthropization in recent decades.

To this complex question of integration between different and partly contradictory systems (in fact, the shading of PV panels does not favor the irradiation of the soil with negative consequences for the growth of many plant species), an effective answer can be given through the use of bee-photovoltaic fields, that is, plants that contemplate production from PV panels with the production of bee products.

What is an apivoltaic and why it can help to solve many issues to beekeepers

A bee-photovoltaic plant basically consists of putting together the production coming from the tireless work of bees with photovoltaic production thus going to meet the requirements of the Italian government to create synergy between electrical and agricultural systems with an improvement in the conditions of the surrounding area. In particular, however, it is believed that this type of system not only goes to positively affect the land affected by the intervention because of the greater economic income generated by the production of energy and in part reinvested in the agricultural part, but goes to activate a virtuous circle of greater productivity of the agronomic part due to the presence of the photovoltaic system itself.

For example, one of the absolutely improvable aspects that can be realized due to the presence of a PV system within the land will be the possibility of installing a low water consumption sprinkler irrigation system on the same supports as the PV system. In addition, the surface of the PV panels can be utilized to collect rainwater that can then be piped into an artificial lake for storing the water itself. Washing water from the panels themselves will also be collected in this way and used in addition to rainwater and water from any wells for irrigation of planted crops.

Another advantage determined by the presence of this type of planting for beekeeping is determined by the presence of windbreak plants to be planted in the perimeter of the plant itself to mitigate the visual planting of the panels: these plants may be of the species "eucalyptus" a plant extremely productive for bees and very useful in the hottest season (late June/July) to supplement the bees' own nutrition.

Only true productive plants will be useful to the energy transition

All of the above leads us to argue that agrophotovoltaic systems, in order to be considered as such, must be useful solutions especially for agriculture in order to help this sector in continuous crisis to face the enormous challenges related to the climate crisis and the phenomena of soil erosion related to their overuse in recent decades. To do this, we believe that the mere reinvestment of part of the income from agricultural activity is not a sufficient solution to determine a positive value of these plants, but instead it is necessary to activate processes of virtuous cooperation between the two systems that can benefit especially the agronomic side.

Hence, bee-photovoltaic plants are born to provide a sensible response to this systemic need for synergy between two worlds that to date are still separate (the production of energy and that of food raw materials) in order to sustainably enhance the quality productions of our territories.

What is bramble honey and why is so rare

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 20:53:40 GMT

One the most difficult honeys to produce but one of the most interesting

The Bramble honey is produced with nectar of blackberry flowers, plant of several species of thorny rosaceae of the genus Rubus, particularly widespread in the abandoned, rocky areas, near ruins and in the arid mountain pastures of the area. This is a rare kind of honey that in Sardinia is produced only in few spots where these kind of plant is more widespread but still very difficult to be produced due to the very short blooming season of the plants. Of course it is a completely wild flowers production that is naturally certified.

The product has a more or less dark amber color, with rapid crystallization, taste of ripe fruit or jam, delicate scent; is particularly suitable in the case of inflammations, flu and childhood diarrhea.

How is produced

This honey is normally harvested in June after the 2 weeks of blooms that normally arrives after the 15 ^th of the month but this depends a lot on the year: climate change is drastically changing this period and the 2022 was unfortunately one of the worst year for this honey due to the hot temperatures reached in Sardinia.

This honey is really a specialty of Sardinia but it is becoming every year more difficult to produce it.

How to eat it

As other honeys, also this one has special characteristics that depend a lot on the location where the honey is collected and on the plants: every honey is different and any glass can taste slightly differently as well. But no doubt that this honey will have effect on many health problems starting from cough and sore throats.
Particularly indicated with cheese and lamb it is also a product that can go with many dishes depending on the fantasy of the cooker.

We at Asphodel suggest to take it also in a cup of tea, or with milk for breakfast.

Honey, the right white sugar substitute

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 14:09:03 GMT

Not only healthier but also a less caloric solution.

Sugar is a product that could damage our body if not used carefully. But at the same time many bitter products cannot be eaten by the majority of the people without some suite flavor on it.

How can we then achieve the same suite result without sacrificing the taste of what we are eating? Simple, with honey!

Why is honey a good substitute for white sugar?

White sugar, which is commonly used as a sweetener in milk, coffee, tea or many recipes, is mainly made of sucrose. This element makes sugar a food that if not used properly and without exaggeration, risks becoming an enemy of our organism. Honey, even if it has the same caloric content, however, is considered a less dangerous product. Of course, it also depend on the honey, so be carefull on what you buy, but in general, if honey is organic and coming from trustable suppliers this natural product can replace sugar with much more beneficial

effects on human body. The reason why this product is healthier than sugar is that honey is composed in greater percentage of fructose while sugar is made by sucrose in higher percentage. Fructose is a sugar that is found in higher amounts in fruit and it contains a significantly lower glycemic value unlike sucrose.

In addition we can also talk about calories: in percentage the caloric intake of honey is higher than that of sugar but the difference lies in the intake in fact thanks to the higher sweetening capacity of the honey, we normally take less honey than sugar to have the same suite level. In this way, then we take a smaller amount of calories!

Why then replace sugar with honey?

In addition to sugars and calories, we should also remember that honey is rich in beneficial properties that sugar does not bring to our body. It is already demonstrated by science (and not anymore on grandmother storytelling)

that honey is rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids and also antioxidants

against free radicals. This food, moreover, is particularly recommended in case of seasonal ills because it helps to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu.

Another strength of this superfood is found in digestion: in fact is produced through the process of digestion of bees and for this reason, when we take it, it does not need further digestive processes. In this way the sugar that we take with it immediately enters into our body and gives immediate strong revitalization of our organism.

But be carefull in what honey you buy!

As said anyway, be carefull on what you buy and try to find an healthy honey: frauds are becoming every day more frequent and a great quantity of adulterated honey is around both in GDO and in small markets.
We at Asphodel have hard rules that bring our beekeepers to be always respectfull of the honey quality and of the bees health, so our product is guaranteed: try to believe!

Asphodel honey, a natural remedy for many issues

site-bEpdEg — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 06:56:15 GMT

A suite honey that doesn't crystallize

What is the asphodel honey and why it gave the name to Asphodel community

Asphodel honey is a monoflora honey that is obtained from the nectar of the asphodel flower.

This plant gave the name to our community because is a very resistant flower that has a particular force, blooming during the coldest months of the year and being present also in very tough lands with rocks and stiff soils. It is also the plant of Saint Joseph: the legend say that he had this plant in the hands when Mary was assigned to him and when the announcement was made of his marriage with Mary the flower suddenly bloomed in all its beauty. This represent for us the kind of a miracle that we are trying to do, putting together a bunch of beekeepers with the dream of producing only natural and healthy products starting from the bees health to arrive to the world’s table with a unique product.

It has a rather delicate, fine taste and for this reason it is excellent when paired with fruits, perhaps to accompany fruit salads and in many cases it is really delicious when combined with cheeses with a not too strong taste.

For those who like to dare a little more you could try to combine it with fish, while for lovers of classic flavors and not too sought, a combination that is never denied is with yogurt, maybe goat.

This refined honey takes its name from the plant from which it comes: it is a monoflower plant native to Sardinia that blooms in February/march and is essential for bees feed after the winter block: having a good asphodel season means a lot for an organic and natural beekeeper like the Asphodel community ones because it helps to start the season with a lot of energy for their bees.

The asphodel plant is a herbaceous and rustic plant, known for being part of the Liliaceae family, originating in particular in the area of Barbagia but well spread all over Sardinia: considered by local shepherds like a disturbing plant for the sheeps, it is instead a precious reserve for beekeepers that desperately search for it every season: the location of this plant can in fact change every year, this making the beekeepers life harder than normal.

Asphodel stem is mainly woody in nature and the shape of its flowers is very reminiscent of spikes or panicles; almost always white, at the center of the flower there is a yellow or orange area: its flowers at some times of the year may be somewhat reminiscent of those of the daffodil. Once the flowering period is over, in their place, some particular green fruits show up that after some weeks become black.

Properties and how asphodel honey is obtained

From the asphodel plant can be obtained honey also in a rather simple and homemade way, like we normally do: our honey in fact is a raw honey, no process is entailed nor pastorization, this making our asphodel honey a pure product coming from bees: the fundamental ingredient is only a little patience, that we have to use when bees are changing the flowers because we need to retrieve the honeycombs from the beehives and take the honey out promptly to avoid any mixing with other nectars. This is a tough job but is required to avoid not having a pure asphodel honey.

The color of asphodel honey is very clear, crystalline, delicate taste and extremely sweet and doesn’t crystallize: this is a specific characteristic of this honey which is quite unique in the Sardinian honeys panorama.

This honey will catch your palate with its scent, sweet and citrus flavors at the same time. It is a blend of scents that recall the sweet of vanilla and citrus like orange, all surrounded by a fantastic note of almond flowers.

This wonderful product, in addition to being very good is also a valuable ally for health like all the organic honeys coming from uncontaminated soils: already many centuries ago the Arabs for example used it to treat scabies and ulcers.

An ally for many health issues

In general we can say that this product can have many healthy properties such us:

Energy restorative: this product is great for recovering energy after an influenza for example or after fighting a virus, because it contains a high percentage of minerals and vitamins. This is why it is particularly useful in winter to prevent soar throats.

Calming and antispasmodic: among the various benefits that derive from taking this nectar, there are also those that it causes on the central and peripheral nervous system. This is due to its calming action of nervous tensions, acting in some cases also as antispasmodic.

Detoxifying: this honey is also a valid ally of the liver. In fact, it is a good detoxifying agent that helps the liver to eliminate heavy and harmful substances for the body.

Antibacterial: like many types of honey also that of asphodel has this property, you can try for example to put a little over an inflamed area and see its beneficial effects. It can also help in cases of acne and psoriasis.

Healing and decongestant: this honey helps a lot in the stages of healing and as an emollient or soothing of reddened areas. Try to believe!

So why asphodel honey is so little known since it has so many beneficial properties? Because it is a product that comes from a free and wild plant, difficult to produce and to find in the market but definitely it is worth it.

So why mot trying our Asphodel asphodel one?

Visit us at www.asphodel.it and you will understand in person what we are talking about.

Raw honey, what is it and how to recognize it

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 14:06:18 GMT

Many people think all honey is healthy but this is not true. A simple guide to find the true raw honey.

What is raw honey

Honey is a 100% natural sweet substance that honey bees produce from the nectar of plants or their secretions. After being collected, processed and combined with other substances, these bees deposit, dehydrate, store and let it mature in the honeycombs of the hive.

Mediterranean raw honeys and its healthy properties

On Asphodel Mediterranean typical market is found eucalyptus honey, bramble, star thistle, Mediterranean bush wildflowers, strawberry tree, asphodel and lavender, each with its own taste and color.

Their organoleptic and chemical characteristics vary according to the place of origin, the flora, the time of harvest and the species of bees that produce them.

So let’s see what unpasteurized honey means and how to recognize it.

What does unpasteurized honey mean

In the hive the temperature is quite high (around 36 degrees C), but if the honey is extracted, the crystallization process can begin, that is, the process in which it becomes solid or semi-solid.

Generally, it changes according to the composition of honey: it is fast in those rich in glucose that makes the product thicken while, on the contrary, a strong prevalence of fructose makes them remain in liquid form: this is the case for example for the asphodel honey which crystallize very rarely, while the other type of honeys we supply in Asphodel are much more sensitive to this process.

The unpasteurized honey, also called raw honey, is the crystallized honey that is not subjected to heat treatments and keeps intact all its nutrients.

Most of the honey that we find on the shelves of the supermarket unfortunately undergoes a pasteurization process that, in addition to eliminating any bacterial forms, allows the honey not to crystallize, remaining almost liquid.

To recognize unpasteurized honey you will need to look for the words: honey not subject to heat treatments or directly “raw honey”. Also avoid products with bubbles as they may be a sign of alteration.

The properties of unpasteurised honey

Raw honey is a real mine of nutrients: it is in fact composed of sugar. In addition raw honey is a veritable mine of nutrients: it is in fact composed of sugars (75-80%), water (17%), mineral salts such as iron, calcium and phosphorus (0.1-1.5%), proteins and amino acids (0.2-2%) and vitamins of group B. Therefore, unpasteurized honey has properties and benefits that differ depending on the type of flowers the bees have been feeding from: of course also very important is the location where the honey is produced because having a site with no pollution nor use of pesticides can make the honey healthier and safer. This is exactly what we do in Asphodel.

Raw honey has also antioxidant and antibacterial properties and inhibitory effects on about 60 species of bacteria.

Benefits for the stomach and intestines as an anti-inflammatory helps the damaged intestinal mucosa, stimulating the growth of new tissues.

Benefits for blood sugar control, in addition to being an excellent source of carbohydrates, it can improve blood sugar levels when compared to other sweeteners.

It helps the brain work better , it is an easily assimilated natural energizer.

Improves skin health, because it allows to treat some wounds, improving the condition of the skin.

Many studies confirm this as well as a super food that brings many benefits at a therapeutic and nutritional level!

In order to understand what we are talking about only one test can tell the truth, tasting our raw honeys for a while (every day for one or two months at least) will tell you the beneficial effects of our Sardinian gold.

www.asphodel.it

Star thistle honey

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 15:26:22 GMT

Star thistle honey, one of the rarest honeys in the world

Thistle is a singular vegetable, excellent for the liver and for purifying the body but which needs a long cleaning and preparation. Let’s find out more.

The thistle or wild artichoke is a variety of vegetable known scientifically as Cynara cardunculus altilis, a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family.

It is a perennial herbaceous plant with an upright appearance, green in color and lighter or whitish stems and a height that can reach two meters, branched in bloom, robust and streaked, has alternate leaves and in some cases thorns.

The flowers are purple-pink and grow on top of the plant. There are several varieties of thistle: the cultivated thistle (C. cardunculus altilis), the wild thistle (C. cardunculus sylvestris), the artichoke (C. cardunculus subsp. scolymus). In particular, there is a variety of wild thistle spread throughout the center, the south and in the islands, called milk thistle (Silybum marianum) or even "cardo benedetto" or "cardo della Madonna".

Native to the Mediterranean areas, also cultivated in dry and arid areas, thistle is used both as a food product, in the varieties of cardoon and artichoke, and also as a phytotherapeutic preparation (wild thistle or marian).

Unlike other vegetables, frost is fundamental for cardoon, in fact, after a frost, the consistency of this vegetable becomes better and more tender. The taste is reminiscent of the bitter artichoke.

Properties and benefits of Thistle

Used wild in phytotherapy in extracts and herbal teas, the food thistle is known for its purifying properties, in particular as a tonic for the liver thanks to the presence of a substance known as silibine that helps to dispose of toxins accumulated in the body.

It also has laxative properties, being very rich in fiber. It also contains antioxidant substances, which help to keep the body young, mineral salts and vitamins.

The set also gives thistle anti cholesterol, digestive and fat burner properties.

The thistle is cleaned by cutting into pieces the long stem and eliminating the filamentous part of the ribs, until reaching the clear and tender heart; if after washing it is not immediately prepared, it is necessary to put the stems of the thistle in acidulated water, otherwise they blacken.

To prevent the thistle from blackening even with boiling, it is advisable to cook it in water with the juice of half a lemon or with a tablespoon of flour. Good boiled (cooking is very long, from two to 4 hours are necessary), is cooked in various ways.

Only the hunchbacked thistle of Nizza Monferrato or other more valuable types are also good eaten raw.

Thistle is also an excellent natural depurative, an ally of the liver, useful for the health of the intestine and is an excellent tonic for the whole body in general.

Curiosities about the Thistle

In ancient times and still now in some areas of Sardinia the seeds of thistle and sprouts were used to curdle cheese.

Recently the cardo is also used in the energy supply chain, as the seeds can be used for the production of biodiesel, while the residual biomass for the production of thermal energy.

The star thistle honey

All the above caractheristics of this vegetable can be found in organic honeys, with an additional advantage: the flavour of this honey make it a wonderfull product to taste with all type of cheese, in particular the strong sheep ones from Sardinia (pecorino) or even with a ricotta as a delicatessen.

Perfect also with tea or milk in the morning breakfast it is still a honey that needs to be discovered.

The only problem? it is very rare and difficult to produce because the plant is not loved by local sheperds because it is considered a problem for their sheeps and cows that don't eat it and takes space for their lands.

Anyway in Asphodel we try to make it every season even though it is becoming every year harder. You can orde at our website ( www.asphodel.it ) and you will understand what we are talking about!

Wild honey menu, a simple guide for beginners

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:44:12 GMT

Wild flower honey, an healthy substitute of sugar or jam for many dishes

Is honey used also for cooking?

Honey in cooking is not a particularly widely used food, except for confectionery (where it is still underused compared to other natural sweeteners). A kind of prejudice hangs over this precious product, perhaps because of its aromatic bouquet that is difficult to put together with other dishes.

Yet, if properly and wisely used, honey can be a valuable adjuvant on an organoleptic and nutritional level for a very wide variety of savory preparations, especially those based on meat and/or cheese.

Of course, not all types of honey are the same. Depending on the flowers on which bees feed, this food takes on different gastronomic qualities, even to a radical degree.

To an untrained palate, tasting honey in its pure form (uncontaminated with other foods) may suggest very little. This happens because of the high presence of sugars in it, which often cause a diffuse sweetness to prevail indistinctly. However, when carefully dosed on or with other foods, honey in cooking is an excellent ally. It will be able to release truly amazing aromas and flavors.

At the end of this article though, you will be convinced, as we are, that honey in cooking is great for tasty foods. But the question is, honey in the kitchen is ok but which honey to choose?

We want to offer you a guide to the conscious use of the main varieties of honey in order to enrich tasty dishes with flavor and aroma. In our excursus we will focus on unifloral varieties such as the ones offered by Asphodel, mainly for one reason: wildflower honey - that is, honey made from the nectar of a greater or lesser variety of flower species - has extremely variable organoleptic and nutritional properties depending on the nectars involved in its production and thus an incredible an always slightly changing taste.

Recipes for using wild honey in cooking

Types of Honey in Cooking: Wild mediterranean bush honey

This is a distinctly fluid honey whose decongestant qualities have been known since ancient times. Because of its low sugar content-not accidentally, it is among the few honeys that does not crystallize it can be consumed in small amounts even in a dietary regimen.

It goes very well with savory dishes with a very structured taste: therefore, its pairing with aged cheeses - Parmesan or Sardinian pecorino in primis - or fresh cheeses with a strong flavor is recommended. In particular, wild Mediterranean honey works with those fresh dairy products with a sour and pungent flavor, such as feta.

Types of Honey in Cooking: Wild white thistle Honey

This honey has a cooking performance that is the perfect opposite of that of wild mediterranea bush honey.

This product has in fact a decidedly high degree of crystallization due to the high amount of sugars it contains.

Its crystallization times are short, so it is not uncommon to find it in semi-solid, solid or lumpy form.

On tasting it has a strong and persistent herbaceous aftertaste. This type of honey in cooking is suitable for lacquering grilled meats, especially those with a strong wild scent such as duck, pheasant, pigeon or quail.

Types of Honey in Cooking: Asphodel Honey

This type of honey in cooking has roughly the same characteristics as wild Mediterranean bush honey, but with a lower degree of crystallization.

Recipes can vary, and with them the aromatic bouquet. What does not vary-and could not be otherwise-is its fruity flavor. Because of these characteristics, asphodel honey is ideal for pairing with poultry ( both grilled and baked) or turkey meat.

Types of Honey in Cooking: Strawberry Tree Honey

Like chestnut honey, strawberry tree honey is also characterized by its bitter aftertaste.

It is differentiated from chestnut honey by the presence of a gentler bouquet of floral scents.

Arbutus honey is excellent for lacquering on particularly savory red meats such as hare, venison or wild boar.

Fantastic with caffè espresso for people that do not like a too bitter coffee nor too suite, this pairing is starting to conquer Italians on their more famous drink.

Also this honey is recommended with sardinian ricotta as a dessert or with the typical Sardinian dessert called seadas, a crunchy, fried cake with cow cheese inside.

Types of Honey in Cooking: Eucalyptus Honey

One of the most distinctive honeys by virtue of its full flavor, reminiscent of malted and fermented cereals. Precisely because of this characteristic, it can be used on smoked meats, including fish. It also becomes an excellent compendium for snacks to accompany the tasting of complex spirits such as whiskey, rum or vodka.

Types of Honey in Cooking: Bramble honey

With its characteristic dark color, it is perhaps the honey that, in terms of consistency and persistent fruity aromas, comes closest in taste to jams, especially-and it could not be otherwise-those made with berries. It is ideal for accompanying preparations that pair a savory food for example, meat with fresh or cooked fruit.

Where you can find wild flowers honeys?

This is a tough question: very difficult to find, you should start investigating in your area about the exixtence an organic beekeeper with a loyal face and start asking many questions about his method of work. Ask first if the artifically feed their bees and if they don't look convinced, then probably he is not the beekeeper for you.

If you found these suggestions useful, try experimenting with them in your own kitchen and if you will buy our Asphodel honeys you will taste what we have been talking about!

www.asphodel.it

What is corbezzolo honey good for?

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 10:03:02 GMT

Corbezzolo honey is good for many things but most has still to come.

Corbezzolo (or strawberry tree) honey has long been used as a remedy for various illnesses since ancient times. Its antiseptic properties were in fact known since ancient times when many people used it as a remedy for ulcers or burns.

With the advent of modern medicine, this remedy, like many other traditional medicine remedies, has clearly been abandoned and its use forgotten by many.

Fortunately, also in Italy as in other countries of the world we are witnessing a period of rebirth of traditional medicine which, together with modern medicine, can give a series of positive results for the improvement of many ailments.

One of these is definitely gastroesophageal reflux: after a few months of testing a spoonful of strawberry tree honey taken every morning, some people have shown significant improvements against this problem which is now widespread in the modern population due to diets and styles. of wrong and hectic life.

Arbutus honey is certainly a very useful product for the improvement of problems related to the digestive system, including the improvement of digestion and the recovery of the sense of taste in the event that it was damaged by reflux problems.

Modern studies show how colon cancer cancer cells can be completely destroyed by the use of strawberry tree honey: these are still experimental and laboratory results, but this type of results certainly bodes well for research that can bear fruit in this direction in the future.

Furthermore, this type of honey has excellent results on the treatment of wounds , showing amazing healing results when applied directly to the wound.

In short, it can be said that strawberry tree honey is good for many situations and many others will be discovered in the future when its consumption will become more frequent, we are quite sure.

What does corbezzolo honey taste like?

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:58:10 GMT

Corbezzolo honey is perfect with espresso or with ricotta cheese, this bitter honey is a dream for the bitter/sueet taste lovers.

Corbezzolo honey is one of the rarest honeys in the world. In fact, produced only in a few areas of the world such as Sardinia, Corsica, and part of Tuscany in Italy, it is a highly prized honey and very difficult to produce, due to the scarcity of the plant and its flowering season, which normally coincides with early autumn.

Because of this, its commercial value is far higher than the rest of the honeys: it is produced on average every three years and in small quantities , due also to the climate changes that are devastating the planet.

Its price is also linked to the fact that this honey has very special properties in addition to having a unique taste: it is in fact a bitter honey and its aftertaste in fact tastes like a mixture of coffee and mango while still remaining a completely unique flavor.

Some love it in espresso coffee ! this is becoming an increasingly popular trend even in Italy the home of espresso coffee: in fact, many people, not liking coffee that is too sweet tend to drink it bitter, but even this flavor is likely to be too intense for those who prefer to feel even a bit of sweetness in the world's most popular drink. In this regard, arbutus honey can be considered ideal for those people who want to keep the bitter taste of coffee but without taking it too bitter : the sweet/bitter aftertaste of this honey in fact makes it a balanced drink with a sublime meeting between sweet and bitter.

Many people in Italy also like to find this type of honey in the typical dessert of Sardinia called seadas : it is a fried dough dessert with cow's cheese and lemon zest inside on which a spoonful of honey is poured before serving. Again, the bitter aftertaste of honey makes this dessert a unique contrast of flavors .

Of course, chees cannot be missed, and in particular ricotta cheese, which, being a mild cheese combines very specially with this product.

To fully benefit from the unique health benefits of this honey it is recommended to consume two or three teaspoons throughout the day either accompanied by other dishes or even on its own.

Corbezzolo honey vs manuka honey

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 14:01:04 GMT

Corbezzolo has higher properties of Polyphenols and Flavonoids than Manuka honey and this is not all, scientists say.

A study published in 2017 by the University of Marche in Italy discovered that the Strawberry Tree Honey induces growth Inhibition of Human Colon Cancer Cells and increases ROS Generation and makes a comparison with Manuka Honey. ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5372629/?report=classic) .

Results of this study show the greater properties of many of the organic content of the corbezzolo honey vs the Manuka honey also demontrating the potential for being a medical remedy in future for cancer .

The Arbutus unedo unifloral honey is a typical and renowned product of certain Mediterranean regions, such as Sardinia. However, despite its high reputation, there are insufficient data on its phytochemical composition or biological properties yet.

Only a few studies have investigated the organic acid profile of strawberry tree honey (STH), and its melissopalynological and physicochemical properties . STH expresses exceptional antioxidant properties due to its high amounts of phenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids. Homogentisic acid (2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) is the main phenolic marker of the STH and particularly known for its attractive antioxidant, antiradical and protective effects , such as defensive actions against thermal cholesterol degradation .

Manuka honey (MH) from New Zealand derived from the Leptospermum scoparium tree (Family: Myrtaceae) has been extensively studied for antibacterial and antioxidant activity, as well as for wound healing mechanisms due to a large quantity of physicochemical properties and attractive therapeutic molecules .

MH contains numerous phenolic compounds, including flavonoids (pinobanksin, pinocembrin, chrysin, luteolin, quercetin, 8-methoxykaempferol, isorhamnetin, kaempferol and galangin) , phenolic acids (phenylacetic acid, phenyllacticacid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, kojic acid, 2-methoxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, and 4-methoxyphenyllactic acid) and other compounds (methylsyringate, leptosin, glyoxal, 3-deoxyglucosulose and methylglyoxal).

Several studies have reported that methylglyoxal induces non-peroxide antibacterial activity even at very low concentrations . In a recent study, it was found that MH promotes a wound healing mechanism due to improvement of the antioxidant response by modulating the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway and increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase. In addition, it induces an anti-proliferative effect in colon cancer cells by modulating the apoptotic pathway .

Only a few studies have evaluated the anticancer activity of honey on human colon cancer in vitro by targeting the different molecular mechanisms. Among these, only one study reported the cytotoxic effect of MH on colon cancer and, to date, there are no data on the biological effects of STH on cancer.

The results of the study show the phytochemical composition and antioxidant content of STHs from different Sardinian origins and compare these characteristics with MH values. In addition, the cytotoxic effect was compared and reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulation by both honeys on human colon carcinoma (HCT-116) and Dukes’ type C, grade IV, colon metastasis (LoVo) cell lines. In addition, scientists also observed the cytotoxic effects of both honeys on non-cancer cells (human dermal fibroblast (HDF).

Results of content of the various type of honeys are reported in the tables below.

1)Total Polyphenols and Flavonoids

2) Total Proteins and Total Free Amino Acids

3) Total antioxidant

Conclusions

The presented study demonstrated that STH and MH can induce cell death and increase intracellular ROS generation in colon cancer cells, and that bioactive compounds of honey depend on its floral sources, geographical origins, seasonal and environmental factors which have a significant impact on the antiproliferative and antioxidant potential. In this study, in fact, STH honey from Berchidda area induced more cytotoxic effects compared to MH, possibly due to its significant amount of phytochemical and antioxidant activity. Molecular studies elucidating the pathways for the chemo-preventive activity of this honey are underway in laboratory. These persuasive results increase scientific knowledge of honey and could be useful for the development of a therapeutic candidate for targeting colon cancer.

10 Different Types of Raw Honey You Should Try

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 08:19:18 GMT

Raw honey comes in a variety of flavors paired with amazing health benefits. Read about some great options you'll be sure to enjoy.

Did you know that honey is the only natural edible product consisting of all substances needed to sustain human life? As a natural sweetener, honey is emerging to be a great alternative to refined sugar. You can incorporate it into different homemade recipes to enjoy its health benefits.

But finding the right type of raw honey can be quite challenging for many. The consumption growth of this sweetener led to numerous brands producing and marketing different varieties.

Depending on the processing level, this natural sweetener is divided into pasteurized and raw forms. So, what is raw honey? This is honey that comes straight from the beehive, packaged without adding any heat or additives.

Nectar sources help distinguish various types of raw honey. Let's look at what each variety has to offer.

1. Manuka Honey

Manuka honey comes from beehives that feed on Manuka bush flowers (native to New Zealand). In herbal medicine, it helps treat wound infections due to its antibacterial properties.

Besides its natural healing properties, Manuka honey comes packed with vitamins and amino acids. The vitamins include B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6, while the amino acids include tyrosine, arginine, proline, and lysine. It's also rich in minerals like sodium, zinc, potassium, copper, and calcium.

Other medicinal uses for Manuka honey include treating burns, dermatitis, and eczema. It’s also a remedy for digestive tract issues, sore throat, or coughs. However, there’s limited research on whether it treats these conditions.

2. Eucalyptus Honey

Eucalyptus honey is an uni-floral honey sourced from eucalyptus flowers. It's also a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant.

This is due to its sizable concentration of ellagic acid, myricetin, quercetin, and luteolin. It also contains minerals like zinc, iron, potassium, and sodium needed to sustain human life.

Eucalyptus honey is made by honeybees that pollinate the flowers of the eucalyptus tree. It features a medium-dark color as well as a red tinge. You can consume it unheated, unfiltered, or raw to enjoy its sweet taste.

South Africa and Australia are the leading global sources of eucalyptus honey. The honey can also be produced from many varieties of the eucalyptus tree across the globe.

Most of the eucalyptus honey consumed in the U.S. comes from California. It comes from over 500 subspecies of eucalyptus trees grown in the state.

You can spread eucalyptus honey on bread or add it to a hot beverage. Its raw form can also serve as a dietary supplement, topical antiseptic, or topical treatment.

3. Alfalfa Honey

This comes from the alfalfa flowers and is known for its amazing prebiotic effects. It also helps improve digestion and promote intestinal bacteria. Other medicinal uses of alfalfa honey include treating fever, diabetes, and anemia.

You combine alfalfa honey with yogurt, cheese, cookies, or warm waffles. It's also an excellent choice for baking and cooking and a substitute for sugar. Due to its mild sweetness, alfalfa honey is a perfect addition to marinades, salad dressings, and vinaigrette.

Alfalfa honey features a clear but pale amber color. In its unfiltered and unprocessed form, it boasts a floral aroma, beeswax notes, and spicy flavor.

The honey tends to solidify faster and form crystals at room temperature due to its high glucose levels. As it solidifies, it can turn slightly opaque and beige. However, its taste and quality will remain the same when this happens.

4. Acacia Honey

This is produced by honey bees feeding on Acacia flowers. Besides having a pale, liquid glass-like color, it is rich in essential amino and fatty acids. It also contains flavonoids and vitamins A, C, and E.

It can help heal wounds and treat eye injuries when used orally and topically. Acacia honey can promote liver and kidney health. It also boasts antioxidant, DNA protective, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

In the U.S., this honey is marketed and sold as locust or American acacia honey . Expect to find it sold in Europe as acacia honey.

Either way, it’s lighter in color and features a sweet, delicate taste and floral aroma. It also crystallizes slowly and can remain in liquid form longer than traditional honey. This factor makes acacia honey more costly than other traditional types.

5. Clover Honey

Clover honey is a thick, sweet-tasting syrup with great antimicrobial properties. It is sourced from the nectar of clover plants, which are known for their weather hardiness. The honey is light in color and milder in taste, making it one of the popular raw organic honey choices.

Thanks to its complex flavor, clover honey is a great addition to desserts or beverages like tea and coffee. It's also a healthier alternative to processed sugar.

In herbal medicine, clover honey helps treat coughs and sore throats. You can also use it to dress wounds such as scratches and burns. This is because it isn't resistant to honey.

Clover honey comes packed with powerful antioxidants. And as a nutritional supplement, it can help reduce your risk of diseases. It is also rich in anti-inflammatory flavonol, which helps improve lung and heart health.

6. Buckwheat Honey

Buckwheat honey is a type of organic raw honey with plenty of micro and macronutrients as well as antioxidants. These nutrients can help protect you from diseases.

This highly nutritious honey is derived from the nectar of buckwheat flowers. While it might not be as sweet-tasting as traditional honey, it's packed with vitamins and healthier. The color of buckwheat honey ranges from dark purple to black.

You can use this sweet-tasting syrup in different cooking or baking applications. If you take it as a health supplement, you may mix it in a beverage or meal. It also pairs well with baked goods, smoothies, waffles, pancakes, and oatmeal.

7. Sage Honey

Sage honey is a thicker and dark-colored variety of raw organic honey. It boasts a sweet taste, appealing aroma, and powerful antioxidant properties. You can also use it to treat digestive tract issues or as an expectorant and antibacterial.

Since it crystallizes slowly and has a low moisture content, sage honey is a highly prized honey variety. It's derived from different species of the sage plant. Popular varieties of this plant include Purple Sage, White Sage, and Black Button Sage.

The sage plant used to make the honey largely determines its taste, aroma, and color profile. White and Black Button Sage (mainly from California) are lighter in color and feature a greenish-yellow tinge or pure golden glow. Purple Sage honey is darker in color and is common in Texas.

8. Rosemary Honey

Rosemary honey is a fragrant type of honey known for its physicochemical properties. It’s thus used in cosmetics and emulsions to lock in moisture. As a neutral moisturizing agent, it’s highly therapeutic to the skin.

Most of the rosemary honey consumed in the U.S. comes from Mediterranean countries. This honey is associated with the Rosemary herb and the Mediterranean diet. In this context, it is a great addition to honey-glazed recipes, infusions, and yogurts.

Rosemary honey features a light amber color and thick texture. Its consistency and appearance depend on the accompanying pollen. It also crystallizes to form thin or thick crystals.

Its medicinal uses include fighting inflammation, improving blood circulation, and fighting indigestion. You can also pair it with chamomile tea to improve digestion. Other benefits of raw honey include accelerated wound healing and remedy for respiratory issues.

9. Lavender Honey

Lavender honey is a sweet-tasting syrup derived from the flowers of the lavender plant. It is full of essential enzymes, flavonoids, and amino acids. These compounds help treat fungal infections such as foot ulcers.

From over the 39 Lavender plant species , only a few species are used to make this honey. Lavender honey can be produced from Lavandin, Spike Lavender, or True Lavender. Its characteristics depend on the concentration of each lavender species.

Lavender honey is known for its delicate floral scent and well-balanced, pleasant aroma. It also boasts slightly sour notes with a touch of light amber.

You can have it with feta cheese, semi-soft cheeses, or blue cheeses. Lavender honey is also a great ingredient for cupcakes, shortbread cookies, and posset.

10. Jamun Honey

Jamun honey is a dark and slightly bitter honey with great medicinal benefits. It helps promote wound healing and prevent bacteria. As a topical agent, it can treat Fuournkier gangrene.

Thanks to its strong aroma, Jamun honey can be used in aromatherapy. It is usually sourced from Jamun trees, which boast fragrant white flowers. Pollen and nectar collected from these clustered flowers are used to make the honey.

As a form of alternative medicine, it can help boost fertility and libido in men. It can also help relieve anxiety, stress, and respiratory issues. Other health benefits include blood purification and diabetes management.

Looking for the Best Raw Honey?

Raw honey can take many forms, as discussed in this guide, each with numerous health benefits, flavors, and aromas. You can also use them in different cooking or baking applications to improve the taste of your meals. With this information, you can shop for your favorite raw honey.

Check out Asphodel for a wide selection of the best organic honey. Our products are free of pesticides and artificial flavors. Buy them from our online store today to enjoy what they have to offer.

Honey - a sweet (or bitter) secret for longevity

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 14:13:55 GMT

Blue zones, a common path to longevity..and honey can play its role!

Honey—A Sweet Secret to Longevity

Honey isn’t just sweet and tasty. It’s been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its antioxidants and its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Honey is produced everywhere honey bees are found and is consumed in all parts of the world. In Ikaria, Greece , one of the original blue zones that are home to the world’s longest-living people, many older residents eat honey at least twice a day. They stir it into their coffee in the morning and prior to dinner. Ikarians also use honey to treat everything from the common cold to minor wounds.

In Ikaria, Greece, one of the original blue zones that are home to the world’s longest-living people, many older residents eat honey at least twice a day.

According to the Mayo Clinic , honey is commonly used as a cough suppressant and topically to treat minor burns and wounds, but research also shows that it has the potential to be used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, to relieve gastrointestinal tract issues, and to help relieve neurological conditions such as depression and anxiety.

An article based on clinical research published in the Pharmacognosy Research Journal concluded that “honey could be considered as a natural therapeutic agent for various medicinal purposes” with evidence that it has potential uses in treating diseases that range from asthma and diabetes to cancer. The NCBI said that flavonoids and polyphenols, which both behave like antioxidants, are two of the main bioactive molecules found in honey.

...honey could be considered as a natural therapeutic agent for various medicinal purposes.

How do bees make honey and what’s in it?

Different species of honey bees and stingless bees make honey that varies in color, odor, and flavor. The Western Honey Bee, also called the European Honey Bee, is the common species of honey bee found throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Honey is unique because it is the only food that people eat that’s made entirely by insects. You might say it’s their life’s work. According to the American Bee Journal , the average honey bee spends its entire lifetime to make just a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey.

Honey is unique because it is the only food that people eat that’s made entirely by insects.

A bee produces honey by first collecting the nectar droplets from flowers with its long proboscis or tongue. Once digested by the bee, the nectar is broken down from complex to simple sugars, and then the substance is passed on to a worker bee that returns to the colony and passes it off again to a house bee that packs it away in the hexagon-shaped cells of the honeycomb. Bees then dry the honey with a warm breeze made from their beating wings.

Honey has about the same calories as table sugar and is about 80% sugar and the rest water, with small amounts of antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, iron, and zinc.

How to use honey

A natural gluten-free sweetener that has a slightly lower glycemic index than processed sugar, honey is an excellent substitute for sugar in recipes. It’s also great to keep on hand for sweetening drinks and food. Honey is a versatile kitchen staple so feel free to get creative when using it. Below are just a few examples of delicious ways to use honey in your kitchen.

Add honey to hot drinks like tea and coffee instead of sugar.
Drizzle on (n)ice cream and other sweet treats for extra sweetness and flavor.
Lightly toss root vegetables with honey, then sprinkle with your favorite herbs before roasting them in the oven.
Coat raw nuts in honey and then toast them in the oven for protein snacks that also treat your sweet tooth.
Instead of your normal peanut butter and jelly sandwich, try peanut butter and honey on your favorite whole grain bread for a meal or snack that children and grown-ups are both sure to love.
Use honey to make homemade salad dressings. For a simple dressing, just mix honey with vinegar and olive oil.
Make honey bread or substitute honey in your favorite baking recipes. Just keep in mind that you may have to experiment to get the texture right—recipes made with honey will have more moisture.

Besides its flavor and versatility, honey is also very stable and will virtually last forever when stored properly. Jars of well-preserved honey that were thousands of years old have been excavated by archaeologists in places like the Republic of Georgia and in a pharaoh’s tomb from ancient Egypt.

Besides its flavor and versatility, honey is also very stable and will virtually last forever when stored properly.

Blue Zones honey is sustainably sourced in Sardinia

The Blue Zones honey collection includes a unique selection of raw honey and spreads. Our honey is produced by bees and sustainably sourced in the Ogliastra area all along the year.

Our raw honey is 100% natural and harvested from wild bees that gather nectar from a greater variety of flowers for a more complex flavor. Blue Zones Asphodel honey is gluten-free and contains no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or added sugars. Our raw bee honey comes in 280 -gram bottle . Or try our unique, award-winning reserve honeys like the Strawberry Tree honey.

11 Amazing Corbezzolo Honey Health Benefits

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 12:30:47 GMT

The corbezzolo honey health benefits has a large number of therapeutic properties. All in one product is possible.

Want to know arbutus honey health benefits? Arbutus unedo, commonly called strawberry tree, is an evergreen tree, shrub or small tree in the family Ericaceae that is native from the Mediterranean to Ireland. It produces a peculiar tasting honey, one that is regarded as precious and rare due to being found in only a few places in the world. The plant blooms just during late autumn, between October and January, when bees have a reduced activity and are, consequently, less productive.

What makes this variety of honey so popular is its unusual savor that combines sweetness and bitterness in a unique taste experience, but also its high antioxidant content. Arbutus honey contains Homogentisic acid, a powerful phenolic acid. Arbutus honey health benefits include the antioxidant and antibacterial qualities of this honey that are truly exceptional and it is one of the most antioxidant as well as antibacterial honeys in the world. The variety owes its medicinal effects to its high antioxidant content, but also to its superior antibacterial and immunomodulating properties and good nutritional profile.

The arbutus honey health benefits has a large number of therapeutic properties. Anecdotal evidence we have heard also suggests this honey does not cause blood sugar to spike and is often used locally by diabetics.(This is not a medical claim- please consult your doctor if you are diabetic). It can still be used for immunity, for respiratory diseases, for wounds and burns, for cardiovascular conditions and digestive issues.

1. Immunity System Builder

Amongst the many health benefits of Arbutus honey, what is most impressive is that honey can be a powerful immune system booster. It’s antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties can help improve digestive system and help you stay healthy and fight disease. Start every brand new day with this cleansing tonic if you want to see this health benefit of Arbutus honey: before breakfast, mix a spoonful of Arbutus honey and lemon juice from half a lemon into a cup of warm water and drink it.

2. Controls Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a daunting health problem that should be dealt adequately and on time. Many studies have proved that Arbutus honey is a healthy source to control high cholesterol levels. A study has even mentioned that consuming 70g of Arbutus honey regularly for 30 days can reduce these levels by 3%. Surprisingly, with the help of the Arbutus honey, you can increase good cholesterol levels.

3. Reduces Allergies

Because of Arbutus honey’s anti-inflammatory properties, it is able to help reduce allergy symptoms. This health benefit of Arbutus honey acts as a natural vaccine because it contains little amounts of pollen. Once your body gets a small taste of the honey’s pollen, it will produce antibodies that will take care of that pollen, which means that your body will build up a defense against that allergy, over time.

4. Cancer And Heart Disease

Research studies suggest that Arbutus honey may have the potential to become an anticancer agent. Arbutus honey contains flavonoids, antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease.

5. Has Antibacterial And Antifungal Properties

Research has shown that raw Arbutus honey can kill unwanted bacteria and fungus. It naturally contains hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic. The low pH level of Arbutus honey is unsuitable for bacterial growth and it can reduce infection. Arbutus honey could help combat urinary tract infections and other infections.

6. Helpful For Diabetics

Despite being sweet in taste, Arbutus honey doesn’t increase the sugar in the bloodstream and it is safe for diabetics. It is also said to reduce fasting serum glucose maintain fasting C-peptide, a compound that stabilizes insulin. It could be a healthy alternative to artificial sweeteners. Diabetics can now enjoy their teas or oatmeal by incorporating honey in them. Since natural products usually don’t contain any adverse effects it is still advised to consult with your doctor before consuming anything.

7. Cough Suppressant

The World Health Organization (WHO) gives credence to honey as a demulcent (something that relieves irritation or inflammation), which helps alleviate a cough due to the pure honey benefits acting as a protective film over the throat .

8. Arbutus Honey Improves Sleep

The sweetness of Arbutus honey causes your insulin levels to rise, which in turn releases the neurotransmitter serotonin. Then, the body converts serotonin to melatonin – a chemical that helps your body sleep.

In addition to serotonin, amino acids are found in Arbutus honey, which contribute to the production of the amino acid tryptophan. When tryptophan gets to the brain, it is converted into serotonin and, eventually, melatonin, so you have even more of it to help you sleep better.

9. Fights Infections

Bacteria are the main cause of various kinds of infections. You can prevent your body from these infections just by incorporating it into your daily diet. Being enriched with antibacterial properties, it works as a shield against various kinds of infection preventing your body from further damage.

10. Improves Asthma

Isn’t it surprising to learn that it can relieve asthma as well, which is a daunting health problem. It not just it treats troubling coughs, but helps relieve the respiratory system by keeping all that wheezing and troubled breathing at bay. Moreover, Arbutus honey is known to soothe mucus membranes found in the airways. Consuming a decent quantity of Arbutus honey can also impede mucus buildup in the bronchial tubes, which is known as a major asthma symptom.

11. Improves Weight Loss

This golden colored substance is a mouthwatering way to lose weight. You can even replace regular sugar intake with it for quick results. Moreover, consuming a spoonful of Arbutus honey with warm water can reduce your sugar cravings, which will help you a lot during your weight loss journey.

Solar-Based Beekeeping for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide

Sun, 31 Jul 2022 06:51:23 GMT

Solar-Based Beekeeping for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide

If you're getting into beekeeping for beginners, you may feel like you have a good grasp of the core concept. They're only bees, after all, perfect little worker drones who more or less run their hives by themselves. What more could there be to know?

Quite a bit, as it turns out. For one thing, far from being perfect little automatons, recent research shows that individual bees have distinct personalities , much like we do. So we may not understand our buzzing little friends as well as we thought.

And what's more, the craft of keeping bees continues to evolve alongside our understanding. The rise of solar beekeeping is one good example.

But what does this discipline entail, and how can we benefit from it? To answer both, let's look at what goes into solar beekeeping and how you can reap its rewards.

We Stand at a Crossroads in History

As wildfires tear through Europe and temperatures throughout the northern hemisphere reach record-shattering highs, it becomes clear that the climate crisis is no longer a hypothetical future. It is a present reality.

As the planet continues to warm, drastic action will be needed to prevent the worst-case scenarios from coming to pass. And shifting away from fossil fuels and toward renewables like solar will need to play a major role in that strategy.

At the same time, another global crisis is playing out. The pollinator species that support the world's food supply are dying off en masse. Colony Collapse Disorder , in particular, has decimated the honeybee populations that make much of our modern agriculture possible.

Both of these scenarios present pressing threats to both the environment and organized society. But the clock has not yet struck midnight, and we still have the opportunity to act.

And solar beekeeping presents a strategy to attack both fronts at once.

What Is Solar Beekeeping?

Although solar power only makes up 3% of the United States energy supply at present, that figure is projected to grow to 20% by 2050. And as solar technology continues to improve, that figure may turn out to be a low estimate.

Much of that solar output will take the form of large solar power plants.

The technology behind these plants is not new. Several large-scale solar thermal plants already exist, designed to produce the optimal amount of power per hour of daily sunlight.

Where beekeeping enters the equation is from the reality of how these plants use the land that they're built upon.

Because of the sheer acreage that a solar power plant takes up, finding secondary and tertiary uses for that real estate has always been a concern. Within the last decade or so it became apparent that solar plants would make optimal homes for bee colonies and wild pollinators.

Plant operators in the southwestern United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany all started experimenting with the idea around the same time. And those early efforts were so encouraging that the practice is now in use wherever large solar farms are found.

How It Works

The first step is to propagate a solar field or installation with native and non-invasive plants that pollinators can live off.

What this looks like will vary depending on the regional ecosystem. In the southwest, for example, solar fields may find themselves along migration routes that monarch butterflies have taken since time immemorial. Sowing their solar fields with flowers to sustain adults and milkweed to serve as havens and food sources for their young would be a workable strategy.

Alternatively, solar energy providers can partner with local beekeepers. By allowing their fields to run wild with native plants and grasses, the providers help create a haven for these crucial pollinators.

But those are large-scale applications. Ordinary individuals with the land to host solar arrays and beehives can likewise get in on the action.

Consider the fact that the market for residential solar arrays has experienced five consecutive years of sustained growth. The market grew by 30% in 2021 alone.

With so many homeowners making the move to solar, we have an opportunity to turn entire neighborhoods into safe havens for our crucial pollinator species.

How Solar Beekeeping Benefits Pollinators, Their Keepers, and the Environment

Solar beekeeping presents a rare opportunity to affect positive change for ourselves, the environment, and the pollinating wildlife that supports both.

For the keepers, it gives them access to nutritious raw honey products. For the pollinators, it gives them a haven from the myriad threats they face. And the local environment is made more fruitful and biodiverse by their presence.

Let's take a closer look at these benefits in action.

How Solar Beekeeping Helps Pollinators and the Environment

As we said, there are two main styles of solar beekeeping. One is to provide enough shelter and local flora to support a population of wild pollinators like bees, butterflies, birds, and bats.

If you live in an area that still has a respectable amount of biodiversity, that can be a great way to help maintain it with little effort on your part.

However, many areas have already been stripped of much of that biodiversity. Farmlands that only host one or two crops have consumed many of the wild pastures and meadows pollinator species once relied on. And in residential areas, lawns, golf courses, and parking lots have likewise consumed much of the wild lands and plant life these species need.

In these areas, native pollinator populations have already dwindled to unsustainable numbers.

It's why beekeeping, in general, became so important.

There are many parts of the country where wild honeybee colonies don't have the resources to survive. Introducing new colonies into solar plants and residential neighborhoods can help bring some of that biodiversity back.

How Solar Beekeeping Is Good for You

B eekeeping can have several benefits for the keeper.

Having to care for your hive every month can give you a deeper appreciation for these animals and how they interact with the environment. And the different tasks you need to do throughout the year force you to slow down and take notice of the changing of the seasons. With how fast-paced modern life often is, taking the opportunity to reflect on the passage of time and changes in the environment can be its own reward.

But that's not to say that there are no material rewards. As satisfying as the work of beekeeping can be, for many keepers, the main draw is honey.

Top-shelf organic honey is a valuable commodity. Raw honey, in particular, is prized for its value, taste, and health benefits . Being unpasteurized, raw honey is great for your gut health and immune system, among other perks.

And while the goal should be to supply your bees with as much native flora as possible, gardeners will enjoy some added opportunities. For example, if you keep a few blackberry bushes on your property, having them pollinated by your solar bees can produce delicious bramble honey.

Solar Beekeeping for Beginners

So the benefits of solar beekeeping are evident. Now how do we get started?

The good news is that it's not much more complicated than normal beekeeping. You only need the right supplies and a solar array to host your hive.

Beginning Beekeeping Supplies

The main things you'll need, naturally, are your hives. You don't need much space to support them, only about 54 square feet per pair of hives. You'll also need a hive tool to gain access.

Beyond that, you only need some basic beekeeping supplies.

A bee suit is essential. Though bees are often more docile than people think, there are exceptions. Your new housemates will tend to become aggressive in the fall, as they'll jealously guard their winter food stores.

A smoker is another important tool. These are used to calm the bees and are essential whenever you need to inspect the hive or extract honey.

And you'll need a bee brush. When you extract a frame to collect honey, there will almost always be a few bees hanging onto it. The brush is used to shoo them off without harming them.

Setting Up Your Solar Apiary

How you go about setting up your solar beekeeping operation depends on the kind of solar array you have installed. And if you've not yet put a panel on your property, then you have the most options.

A ground-mounted panel array will be the most convenient. And in some cases may be the only viable choice.

With roof-mounted panels, you need to consider the inherent danger of climbing on top of your home to access your hives every few weeks. Not only that, but the added weight of the hives may be more than your roof can bear.

So if possible, set yourself up on the ground floor.

You'll also need adequate headroom to set up your hives and access them. So where most solar panels are built close to the ground, yours will need to be elevated a considerable distance.

Using Solar Beekeeping to Build a Brighter Future

Reducing our carbon output and creating safe havens for pollinator species are both crucial to our planet's health and our society's stability. Using renewable energy sources wherever possible and getting into beekeeping for beginners are both ways that we can contribute to those ends in our daily lives.

But it's only the beginning. To see how we're working to build a sustainable future, check out how we're expanding our services to build solar beekeeping farms for major energy providers.

Sardinian Revolution in the Hive

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 06:21:21 GMT

Why Asphodel bitter honey is different?

This story takes us to the northeast of Sardinia. We have left the main road between Olbia and Orosei and are on a dirt track through beautiful wild countryside. It’s early summer and the vegetation is in bloom. The lush green of the bushes forms the ideal stage for various flowering plants. In this environment we meet our interview partners Maurizio Pitzolu and Gianbattista Coccolone. Gianbattista lives here and his beehives are located in a nearby pasture.

Why organic honey production is different

Beehives around the globe look the same on the outside. But Maurizio explains their inner value, “We rely completely on organic honey production.” In concrete terms this means totally avoiding the use of chemicals to keep the bees healthy and placing the hives in areas where intensive agriculture is not practiced. This is to prevent as much as possible the contamination of the honey with pesticides and herbicides. In addition, the group refrain from feeding the bees artificially. “We always leave the insects enough of their own honey to feed on.”

A completely new start for honey production

Through this approach Maurizio and his colleagues clearly differ from conventional beekeepers. But how did this idea come about? Maurizio and Gianbattista belong to an ever-growing group of young men (women have not yet been enthusiastic about the project), who have been galvanized by the progressive pollution of the environment and the associated death of insects. The young beekeepers having had no previous experience with bees got to know each other through attending various courses. For them it was clear, “If we want to achieve something fundamentally new, it would be better not to join forces with long-term beekeepers who don’t dare to completely change beekeeping.” With one exception, 60-year-old Stefano Furini. He has been involved with bees since his childhood. Furini has experienced for himself in his native northern Italy that beekeeping using conventional methods is no longer worthwhile and is no longer in keeping with the times.

The foundation of Asphodel

T he enthusiastic beekeepers decided in 2020 to join up to form the community “Asphodel – l’Isola del Bio”. (The name Asphodel comes from the plant genus which is widespread in Sardinia and serves as a source of food for bees especially in spring). Maurizio sums up their credo, “For us the bees’ health comes first.” In addition, the young entrepreneurs want to offer their customers high-quality products and give them the opportunity to learn more about organic beekeeping in Sardinia.

Teamwork as a prerequisite to beekeep

To ensure that all members adhere to guidelines they have signed a corresponding code of conduct and an ethics pact. They also visit each other regularly, inspect their colleagues’ hives, exchange experience and help each other with their work. After all, “Organic beekeeping means extra work.” Many hands are needed not only for the honey production but also for combating the bees’ biggest enemy the Varroa mite. Maurizio explains, “The parasite infest and damage the brood. As a result, an entire bee colony can be wiped out.” In mite control organic beekeeping uses a variety of biomechanical methods together with bio acids instead of chemicals. The Asphodel beekeepers also choose areas where there are as few beekeepers as possible as mite transmission can occur from bee to bee.

Hard-fought market

You can feel the enthusiasm that unites the young men. However, beekeeping should not just be a hobby that in the best case covers its costs. “We want to market our products profitably in the long term,” Maurizio emphasizes. It’s going to be a rocky road to achieve this goal. The Italian market is fiercely competitive. Traders are not willing to pay the extra price that a lot of manual labor causes. Interestingly most of the customers of the community’s online store currently come from America and Japan.
As a next step the Asphodel beekeepers now want to make their farms accessible to tourists and inform them on site about the importance of bees for us humans and the product honey. In addition, visitors can taste and buy the different types of honey on site.

Bitter honey – a taste experience

We too had the opportunity to taste the bitter honey typical of Sardinia. Up to this point we assumed that we already knew all the flavors that European food offers, but the taste of bitter honey is completely unique and difficult to describe – “salty-sweet-bitter” probably fits best. “It is harvested in October and November when the bees pollinate the flowers of the strawberry tree,” explains the beekeeper. This plant is only found in the Mediterranean region of Europe but can give honey only in Sardinia, Corsica and a small part of Tuscany due to the local weather conditions. Bitter honey has been used for centuries in traditional Sardinian cuisine. Other tasty honeys complete the Asphodel range. If you want to spoil your taste buds, it is well advised to try the different honeys of Asphodel and bring a piece of the beautiful island to your breakfast table.

Current honey range (as of summer ‘22)

Aridoni Strawberry Tree honey

Abioi Lavender honey

Matta Honey of different bushes

Bardu Thistle honey

Amura Bramble honey

Ocarittu Eucalyptus honey

Raw Honey: The Complete Guide to the Health Benefits

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 10:37:14 GMT

What are the health benefits of consuming raw honey? Find out everything you need to know about this sweet superfood in this complete guide!

Studies show that a traditional beehive can produce up to 100 pounds of harvestable honey , as long as it is a strong hive. Not only is this honey an amazing sweetener, but it also provides countless other health benefits as well!

Do you want to learn more about this sweet superfood and the different types of raw honey you can eat?

Keep reading this guide to learn about the top health benefits of consuming raw honey.

Source of Antioxidants

One of the biggest benefits of eating organic honey is that it is a great source of antioxidants. These antioxidants are naturally found in honey and can help protect you from cell damage in your body caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are molecules with an odd number of electrons, which make them unstable. While many free radicals are necessary, they can contribute to the aging process and are thought to lead to many diseases, like cancer.

The antioxidant compounds in honey can protect your body from these conditions!

Soothes Skin Issues

Another great health benefit of raw honey is that it soothes sensitive skin. It acts as a moisturizer and can be used all over your body.

For example, many people use honey to treat minor sunburns. Applying a mixture of honey to your sunburn will ease the pain of the burn. It will also keep your skin from peeling, as it promotes healing in your skin.

Because honey prevents skin from peeling and keeps it hydrated, honey can also help with dandruff.

The antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties can reduce skin lesions that come with dandruff and can prevent flakiness on your scalp. Simply using a diluted honey mixture will act as a deep conditioner for your scalp.

Lastly, honey can even help improve acne! First, honey will moisturize your skin. This will prevent excess oiliness and will prevent your skin from becoming dry and irritated.

The antibacterial properties of honey can also kill any bacteria that cause your acne. Simply apply it to acne-prone areas for about 30 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

Promotes Healing

Honey is often used as a natural healing salve. When applied topically, it promotes healing. This is because raw honey is a natural antiseptic and has many components that help heal wounds, like hydrogen peroxide.

Raw honey also contains propolis. This is a compound in raw honey that kills bacteria, which helps your skin heal properly without infection.

The sugar in raw honey will also absorb moisture in small wounds, which can prevent bacteria from growing on your wounds. Raw honey should only be used to treat minor wounds, like small burns, cuts, and scrapes.

The antibacterial and antifungal features of honey also make it a holistic treatment option for things like yeast infections.

Good for Allergies

Eating raw honey is also good for allergies if it was produced close to where you live. Many people even think that honey acts as a natural vaccine for allergies.

This is because raw honey contains a small amount of pollen. Once your body has some of the pollen found in the honey, it will produce antibodies to prevent future reactions to the same type of pollen.

This is why it is important that you buy raw honey from local beekeepers , as the honey will contain pollen from plants and flowers that are commonly found in your area, which may be what is causing your allergies.

Not only does raw honey help you prevent allergies, but it can also soothe allergy symptoms. This is due to the natural anti-inflammatory properties of honey, which can help reduce itchy eyes, a runny nose, and other uncomfortable allergy symptoms.

To get the best allergy benefits from raw honey, you must consume unfiltered and unheated raw honey!

Contains Many Beneficial Minerals and Compounds

Raw honey also contains many beneficial minerals and compounds, which make it good for nutrition. The nutrition content of raw honey will vary, depending on where it was produced and other factors.

Still, most raw honey contains many micronutrients. These include calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, zink, and more.

Raw honey is also a great source of amino acids and enzymes that your body needs to thrive. Incorporating raw honey into your foods will help you boost your vitamin and mineral consumption!

Cough Suppressant

Many people also use raw honey as a natural cough suppressant. This is because of its soothing properties.

The stickiness of honey allows it to coat your throat and soothe the nerve endings that are inflamed from your coughing. This protective film that honey provides is just as effective as any over-the-counter cough medicine.

If you have a minor cough or sore throat, you can mix a tablespoon of honey with hot water to create a natural alternative to cough medicine.

Boosts Energy

Another great benefit of raw honey is that it is known to boost your energy! When you are tired and feel like you cannot do anything, it may be tempting to drink a cup of coffee or an energy drink.

However, these sources of energy may make you feel jittery and can even disrupt your sleep. Honey is a better, more natural alternative to increase your energy.

One reason that honey can boost your energy is that it is high in carbohydrates and unprocessed sugar. The glucose and fructose in honey will get into your system quickly and can provide you with the extra burst of energy that you need.

Improves Sleep

Raw honey is also known to help you improve your sleep and promote relaxation.

One reason that honey improves sleep is that it causes your insulin levels to rise, which boosts your body's serotonin production. Your body will then convert serotonin to melatonin, which will help your body sleep more soundly.

You can simply take a spoonful of raw honey each night before you go to sleep to see how it improves your sleeping patterns.

Good for Gut Health & Digestion

Something else to consider when consuming raw honey is how it impacts your digestion. Honey is good for your gut health and is often used to treat digestive issues.

This is because honey has prebiotics, which is used to nourish the bacteria that live in your gut. These bacteria are necessary for your digestion, so your overall digestive system will benefit from eating honey and you will find that you have healthier digestion.

Eating honey will help you keep your gut balanced. It can also help you soothe pain in your gut, due to digestive issues.

Boosts Immune System

Eating raw honey can also help you boost your immune system, which will keep you from getting sick. Regularly eating honey helps prevent sickness because it has anti-bacterial properties and is full of antioxidants.

Because honey helps with gut health and digestion, it can also help cleanse your digestive system to improve your health.

Many people think that some types of honey, like Sardinian honey, can even prevent other serious diseases, like cancer . Because honey is a superfood, they believe it has anti-metastatic properties, which can prevent tumors from growing.

While honey can boost your immune system, more research needs to be done to prove the effectiveness of using raw honey for specific diseases.

Reduces Inflammation

Because of the antioxidants found in honey, honey is also known as a natural anti-inflammatory. Inflammation can lead to many serious health conditions, like autoimmune disorders and even heart disease.

The antioxidants found in bitter honey, also known as strawberry tree honey , can protect your body from inflammation. This can help you lower your risk for many serious health issues.

Good for Brain Health

As we age, it can be difficult to keep our brains healthy and sharp. Luckily, consuming raw honey is good for your brain health.

One reason why honey is good for your brain health is that it is high in antioxidants. These are known to feed your brain cells which can keep your memory sharp for years.

Many people also believe that the natural elements found in honey are able to prevent and counter inflammation in your hippocampus. Because of this, your memory is less likely to be affected as you age.

Learn More About the Health Benefits of Raw Honey Today

Raw honey provides many benefits when consumed and even when used topically. Learning more about the benefits of this sweet superfood can help you take control of your health and find ways to incorporate raw honey into your diet.

If you want to start using raw honey in your diet, Asphodel Honey can help! We offer many types of organic honey, including Mediterranean bush honey, white thistle honey, bramble honey, and more.

Check out our products today to learn more about our products and the benefits of eating raw honey.

Everything You Need To Know About Organic Honey

Sun, 29 May 2022 08:00:53 GMT

What do you know about organic honey? Read all about the health benefits, its uses in cooking, and more in this detailed guide.

Did you know that the oldest jar of honey is more than 5,500 years old ? Humans have been going crazy over honey since the stone age, but only recently have we discovered all the amazing health benefits that organic honey has to offer. Many people think that honey isn't healthy because it tastes so sugary, but that isn't the case at all.

When you consume honey (in moderation, of course), you can actually supplement your body's health in several different ways. That's because raw honey has virtually everything your body needs from vitamins and minerals to antioxidants and more. The great thing about buying organic raw honey is that you also support bee farmers who harvest the honey in the first place.

Keep reading and learn much more about the benefits of raw honey below.

Organic Honey Is Full of Antioxidants

Perhaps one of the biggest raw honey benefits is that it is packed with antioxidants. If you don't know what antioxidants are, the first thing you need to know is that your body needs them to stay healthy and function normally. In particular, antioxidants have the ability to fight things known as free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable atoms that appear in the human body every so often, usually as a result of some kind of stress or contaminant. These atoms are unstable because they have lost an electron. As a result, the free radicals want to stabilize themselves however they can.

To do this, the free radicals will try to interact with cells in your body. However, this actually causes damage to your body through a process known as lipid peroxidation. Lipids are a big part of your cells and when free radicals try to steal electrons from your cellular lipids, your cells (and your health) can suffer in a variety of ways.

Free Radical Damage and Antioxidants in Honey

Scientific studies have shown that lipid peroxidation resulting from free radical damage can accelerate the aging process, cause certain cancers, and cause inflammation throughout the body. Of course, none of these things are good but fortunately, antioxidants can fight against this damage.

This is possible because antioxidants are able to minimize the damage that free radicals cause and they are also able to limit the number of free radicals themselves. As mentioned before, honey is full of antioxidants. When you eat honey on a regular basis, you can protect your body from free radical damage.

The antioxidants in raw organic honey may also soothe inflammation that your body is already suffering from. For example, some people find that honey can soothe certain gastrointestinal problems. However, more scientific evidence is needed to see how true this benefit is.

Honey Is Antibacterial and Antifungal

Humans have been using honey as an antibacterial treatment for all sorts of things since the time of the ancient Egyptians. Back then, the Egyptians would often use honey to heal wounds. Today, honey is not used to heal wounds, but it can still soothe a variety of other ills.

Scientific studies have found that honey may be able to treat certain bacterial or fungal problems both inside and outside of the body. For example, topical fungal infections caused by the Candida fungal strain seem to be weak to the healing effects of honey. However, the healing effects vary depending on the honey.

Some types of honey are more effective than others. This may have to do with what pollen is used to create honey. Whatever the case, many people find that honey is very useful for healing all sorts of ills.

Honey and Acne

In particular, many people find that honey is very good at treating and preventing acne. Most acne is caused by bacteria. Specifically, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is the main bacteria that causes acne.

Once the bacteria penetrates a person's pores, the bacteria will start to fester within the pores.

As a result, an inflamed pimple will form on the skin. Since honey is naturally antibacterial, it makes sense that it could help with this problem.

Many people like to dab honey on their pimples or do honey masks. Leaving honey on the skin can kill any harmful bacteria that might be on the skin's surface. As you can imagine, honey's antibacterial properties may be helpful to treat certain conditions inside the body as well.

Honey for Treating Digestive Issues

Using honey to treat digestive issues is not anything new. People have been eating honey to soothe upset stomachs and other digestive problems for thousands of years. However, there are not yet many scientific studies to show how well honey really works for treating digestive issues.

Even so, many people find that honey still works to soothe certain stomach ailments. For example, honey may be a very good treatment for stomach ulcers. This is because most stomach ulcers are caused by the bacteria H. pylori.

When these bacteria latch onto the stomach, they start to eat away at the stomach's internal lining. As a result, the stomach becomes inflamed and irritated. Common symptoms of a stomach ulcer include stomach pain, lack of appetite, and discomfort when eating or drinking.

Since honey has antibacterial properties, it makes sense that it would work to kill off the H. pylori bacteria. However, if the stomach ulcer is not caused by this bacteria, honey may not work. Besides treating stomach ulcers, honey is full of prebiotics.

Prebiotics and Honey

Prebiotics are different from probiotics, but even so, they are both helpful when it comes to improving your digestive health. Prebiotics in particular are perfect for supplying nutrients to the good bacteria that live in your gut. Many people have the impression that all bacteria are bad, but this is not the case at all.

There are certain strains of good bacteria in your intestines that you can't live without. Without them, you would not be able to digest and process your food in the right fashion. As a result, your body would not be able to absorb enough nutrients to function.

By supplementing the good bacteria with honey, you may find that you can digest food more efficiently than ever before.

Raw Honey Can Help Soothe Sore Throats and Respiratory Infections

You have likely heard that honey can help soothe a sore throat. As it turns out, this isn't just an old wives' tale. Honey can actually be a very good treatment for a sore throat.

Sore throats happen for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, they occur as the result of a cold or flu. Colds are caused by viruses and while honey is not an antiviral, it can still help the problem.

How can this be, you might ask? Much of honey's power comes from the fact that it has very powerful anti-inflammatory powers. These powers come from the fact that honey is full of antioxidants. Because a sore throat is an inflammatory problem, it makes sense that honey would be able to help.

Honey is also very smooth and viscous. For that reason, it won't serve to further irritate your esophagus as it goes down your throat. Because it is sticky, the honey will also stick to your esophagus for a short time and be able to enact its health benefits.

But the benefits of honey don't stop there. Some studies have found that honey is particularly useful for soothing certain upper respiratory infections. Honey might even be more useful than other, more traditional treatments when it comes to this problem.

Of course, honey can not completely cure certain respiratory infections. However, when it comes to improving the symptoms that upper respiratory infections create, honey seems to be especially effective.

Are There Downsides to Honey?

At this point, you might wonder if the benefits of honey are too good to be true. Are there any downsides to honey?

There are not many downsides to honey, but you will want to avoid it if you are allergic to bees or bee pollen. You should also be sure that your honey isn't contaminated with harmful bacteria, otherwise, you could end up with botulism poisoning. Fortunately, contaminated honey is a rare problem.

Everything You Need to Know About Organic Honey

As you have seen, organic honey is full of health benefits. Many of honey's benefits come from the fact that it is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants can help fight inflammation throughout the body and can even soothe certain health conditions.

From helping stomach ulcers and sore throats to improving your digestion and fighting acne, honey can do all sorts of things. If you're interested in buying honey, check out our products here .

The Ancient Healing Properties of Strawberry Tree Honey

Sun, 08 May 2022 10:13:26 GMT

Dating back over 2,000 years and known for its remarkable healing properties and distinct taste, explore what makes strawberry tree honey so special!

For thousands of years, humans have been praising the use of honey for its taste and its therapeutic health benefits.

There is a standout amongst all other honey—the strawberry tree honey. There are references to strawberry tree honey and its healing uses dating back 2,000 years.

The bitter honey from the strawberry tree has gotten used as a valuable remedy since ancient times. The spotlight is once again on the unique, healthy honey that is taking the world by storm.

Read on to discover more about strawberry tree honey and the ancient healing benefits that make it so valuable.

What Is a Strawberry Tree?

The Latin name for the strawberry tree is Arbutus Unedo. It is sometimes known by its Italian name, the corbezzolo. The strawberry tree is a shrub or small tree mostly found in the temperate climates of the southern Mediterranean.

The strawberry tree grows throughout the Mediterranean and grows especially well in the mountainous regions of Sardinia. It is one of the few places where there are enough mature trees to support substantial honey production. Some say that the best of all strawberry tree honey comes from the Berchidda region of Sardinia.

Featuring dark green glossy leaves and bell-shaped white flowers, the strawberry tree grows to a height of between 16ft (5 meters) and 32 ft (10 meters) tall. The flower, when pollinated by honey bees, later turns into a red berry that looks somewhat like a strawberry.

The berry has a rough, bumpy surface, and is edible but bitter. Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder gave the plant its Latin name— Arbutus unedo. Unedo, in Latin, means "I only eat one", giving us a clue about the pungent taste of the berry.

What Is Strawberry Tree Honey?

Strawberry tree honey is the product of wild honeybees collecting nectar from the flowers of the strawberry tree. The result is prized, rare honey that is known for its unique, bitter taste and therapeutic properties.

The strawberry tree honey is known to people more for its medicinal properties rather than as food. However, some people are greatly attracted to its unique flavor profile. It is known to be healthier than most other honey, including the greatly-touted Manuka honey.

Color, Flavor, and Texture

Strawberry tree honey is different from other honey in its color, texture, and flavor. It's popular with health-conscious people and with foodies because of the unique qualities of the honey.

Color: The color of strawberry tree honey ranges from dark amber to various lighter shades of brown. The variations occur according to the region it is produced in and the age of the honey.

Flavor: Many people expect to taste the traditional burst of sweetness that comes with common honey, but instead they are surprised by its rare bitterness. It has a strong, pungent flavor with hints of bitter herbs and smoky notes.

Roman scholar and lawyer Marcus Cicero, while in Sardinia in the 1st century BC commented about his dislike for strawberry tree honey. He said, "Even the honey, abundant on that island, is bitter!"

Texture: Strawberry tree honey is smooth, spreadable honey with a caramel-colored crystalization that varies according to moisture content.

Health Benefits of Strawberry Tree Honey

The health benefits of strawberry tree honey have been studied and applied as treatments for thousands of years. Today researchers are finding even more proof that the ancient uses are effective as remedies for many conditions.

Ancient Health Benefits of Strawberry Tree Honey

Since ancient times, strawberry tree honey has been an important part of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle for thousands of years. The people of the Mediterranean used it both as food and medicine.

Sardinia's honey cultivation dates back at least 2,000 years when beekeepers set up beehives throughout the island. They needed to fill the demand for the sought-after honey of the wild strawberry tree.

The ancient physician Hippocrates knew about the many health benefits of the honey of the strawberry tree. He prescribed it as a remedy for thrombophlebitis, a condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs.

Strawberry tree honey was also used by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans to heal wounds and cure stomach problems.

The Use of Strawberry Tree Honey Today

As it was thousands of years ago, strawberry tree honey is still in use today. No laboratory product can have as many uses as natural honey. Here is a look at the benefits of strawberry tree honey.

Immune booster: Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, strawberry tree honey protects you from the free radicals that cause cell damage, disease, and premature aging. It has antioxidant power equal to or greater than that of what is found in red wine and dark green, leafy vegetables.

Energy source: Strawberry tree honey is a great source of energy without the sweetness and sugar content of other types of honey.

Antibacterial activity: One of the important ancient uses for strawberry tree honey, it is proven to be a powerful antibacterial agent.

Cancer support: There has been substantial research showing that strawberry tree honey has a positive effect on the suppressed immune systems and inflammation of cancer patients. One study showed that the honey was even found to suppress the division and growth of colon cancer cells.

Other strawberry tree honey benefits:

Lowers blood pressure and helps to reduce blood cholesterol
Contains serotonin to help you get better sleep and to improve your mood
Suppresses cough and soothes sore throats
Increases brain health
Regulation of blood sugar
Supports a healthy gut
Contains anti-aging properties
Treats of skin conditions, burns, and wounds
Helps relieve cold and flu symptoms

Many alternative medicine specialists and people searching for home remedies have figured out all the unique ways to use honey.

Why does Strawberry Tree Honey Cost More Than Other honey?

Strawberry tree honey often sells at 4-8 times the cost of regular, common honey. It is highly valued, rare, and requires certain specific conditions to produce.

There are only a few regions in the world where strawberry trees can grow successfully. The shrubs also need to be big enough and grow in great enough quantities to have a good production of honey.
The natural growth of the plant is integral to the strawberry tree honey. There must be very little interference from outside factors. The tree mainly still grows in the same places and under the same conditions, as it did a thousand years ago.
Flowering occurs during the fall months, with weather conditions sometimes making pollination difficult for the bees. The bees need to work longer and harder to collect the nectar which is already difficult to access for them due to its bell-shaped flowers.
The flowers of the strawberry tree produce half of the nectar of other flowers. This makes double the work for the bees.
Because of its excellent health benefits, there is a big demand for the product and very limited production.

Although strawberry tree honey costs more than common honey, the price-benefit ratio is of great value. It's a high-quality, natural product with numerous health benefits.

Past, Present, and Future

While used by the people of the Mediterranean for thousands of years, strawberry tree honey benefits are being recognized more every day around the world. Through valuable research and studies, we know that the beliefs held about Sardinian honey were not just fabrications. We now know there is merit and value to incorporating honey into one's diet, even today.

The inhabitants of Sardinia live very long, healthy lives with many of them living to more than 100 years old. They have long included Sardinian honey into their daily diets, including strawberry tree honey.

The demand for strawberry tree honey will increase over the coming years. There are a few reasons why:

Scientific studies prove its effectiveness for many health conditions
Respect for the history, natural habitat, and growth of the strawberry tree
An interesting addition to the culinary world.
New sustainable and innovative methods are at the forefront of strawberry tree cultivation

Asphodel Strawberry Tree Honey

The ancient Greeks and Romans placed great value on strawberry tree honey. Some ancient culinary traditions and folk remedies are worth bringing back, especially when combined with sustainability efforts and modern innovation.

Be sure to make a space in your life for strawberry tree honey. Its health benefits are remarkable and the unique flavor will impress the greatest foodies. Visit our marketplace to see our full collection of organic products. Every jar of one of our raw, organic honey is cultivated by Asphodel with a full commitment to quality and tradition.

Why is strawberry tree so much more expensive than other honeys?

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 16:53:07 GMT

The corbezzolo honey is very rare and produced on the "wrong season"

More expensive but for some reason

Strawberry tree honey is more expensive than other honeys as it is much more difficult to produce. In fact, its production runs from October to November during the autumn months when the possibility for bees to go around collecting nectar from flowers is reduced due to the shortening of the days and the cold that begins to increase.

In fact, the production of this honey can only take place during these colder months and if there were persistent rains, as often happens in recent years, it would be impossible to produce it. Last year, for example, was a very difficult year for the production of this honey as for about a month it rained continuously throughout the island of Sardinia and the bees were unable to work during these months.

Strawberry tree are very rare

Furthermore, this type of honey as well as being very difficult to produce is also very rare as the strawberry tree plants are still very rare in the Sardinian territory and cannot be cultivated, so we rely on the natural growth of the plant which took place over the centuries.

Each year, therefore, this production represents for Sardinian beekeepers a small part of their production and to be carried out nomadism is needed to move the hives in the mountainous places of the island.

Corbezzolo honey has a great demand from the US because of its properties

Furthermore, the very high value of strawberry tree honey is due to the great demand that comes above all from the United States of America where this type of honey is highly appreciated and also well known also as bitter honey: the strawberry tree honey is in fact defined as bitter honey a honey which leaves a bitter aftertaste on the palate and which makes it a particular honey and not for everyone.

Finally, its chemical characteristics make it today the honey with the highest polyphenols in the world and even the official research today begins to recognize its very important characteristics as regards human health: this is the reason why many people also begin to use it constantly during their breakfast especially with tea or milk.

Today Asphodel, the community of organic beekeepers of Sardinia, is focusing a large part of its production activity in trying to optimize and improve the production of this honey by putting together efforts and experiences as well as the skills of individual beekeepers in order to create a new market that can increase. the production and therefore the sale of this excellent product.

Benefits of strawberry tree honey

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 16:38:53 GMT

Why is this honey so beneficial for men health

A preliminary study presented at a Conference: International Symposium on Bee Products 3rd Edition - Annual Meeting of the International Honey Commission (IHC); Opatija, Croatia,

suggests beneficial effects of strawberry tree honey consumption on:

• Antioxidant status

• Haematological indices

• Serum Fe

• Enzymes levels

Strawberry tree honey is known for being rich in total phenols and its high antioxidant and antiradical activity. Apart from phenols, various major and trace elements can affect its antioxidant activity. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the beneficial effects of short-term supplementation of a usual dose of strawberry tree honey (from Pelješac peninsula, Croatia) on blood and urine parameters in men.

Representative sampling of A. unedo L. honey was carried out directly at the place of production. It was followed by detailed melissopalynological and sensory assessment in order to verify honey authenticity as well as honey botanical and geographical origin. The honey was tested for the presence of toxic hydroquinone and its glycosylated form arbutin, naturally present in strawberry tree plants. In the tested sample, neither arbutin nor hydroquinone were detected by GC/MS. Participants included five adult healthy men aged 26-38 who consumed 70 g of honey dissolved in 200 ml of water daily for 14 days. After overnight fasting, blood and urine samples were collected before (day 0) and after (day 15) honey supplementation.

The following parameters were determined: haematological indices, leukocytes, serum enzymes, CRP, chloride, phosphates, Fe, UIBC, and TIBC. Serum concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, Mn, and Zn, whole blood Cd and Pb, and urine As were measured by ICP-MS. The activity of erythrocyte Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) and whole blood Se-glutathione-peroxidase (GPx) was determined by spectrophotometry. The honey supplementation increased serum Fe by 26% and decreased UIBC by 23%, TIBC by 11%, CRP by 10%, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) by 15%, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by 8%, and SOD and GPx activity by 6%. It increased platelet count by 8% and white blood cell count by 5%. No elevated levels of toxic elements were found. The supplementation did not affect other parameters. It should be noted, however, that participants were healthy men with no pathologies. This preliminary study suggests beneficial effects of strawberry tree honey consumption on antioxidative status, haematological indices, serum Fe and enzymes levels. Further studies on more participants and with longer experiment duration are needed.

Beneficial effects of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) honey supplementation in men

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 16:24:20 GMT

Italy's rare, surprisingly bitter honey

Strawberry tree honey has more than 2000 years history

Obtained from the autumnal flowering of the strawberry tree on the island of Sardinia, corbezzolo honey isn't sweet and has a history that dates back more than 2,000 years.

Corbezzolo honey tricks the palate. Instead of the sweetness one would expect, this extremely rare honey, born in the mountains of the Italian island of Sardinia, is surprisingly bitter, with notes of leather, liquorice and smoke. Nomadic beekeepers have been setting up beehives in the region to collect this aromatic treat – derived from the white, bell-shaped flowers of the wild strawberry tree – for more than 2,000 years.

Statesman, lawyer and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BCE) mentioned the honey in his defence of a Roman citizen accused of murder in Nora, Sardinia. "Omne quod Sardinia fert, homines et res, mala est! Etiam mel quod ea insula abundat, amarum est! (Everything that the island of Sardinia produces, men and things, is bad!)," he exclaimed. "Even the honey, abundant on that island, is bitter!"

Perhaps Cicero didn't know that beyond its bitterness, corbezzolo honey is packed with nutrients. Vitamin and mineral-rich, with anti-inflammatory properties, it's been prized by generations upon generations on an island known for the notably long lifespans of its inhabitants, many of whom live to more than 100 years old .

Used in traditional medicine also Ovid spoke about it

Used in traditional medicine as a sleep inducer, cough sedative and anti-diarrheal, thanks to its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, it could also be anti-tumoral: A 2019 study conducted by researchers at the Polytechnic University of the Marche and the Universities of Vigo and Granada in Spain, published in the Journal of Functional Foods , concluded that corbezzolo honey reduces growth and division of colon cancer cells grown in the lab.

The legend of the broadleaf corbezzolo shrub, known in English as the strawberry tree for its reddish-orange, strawberry-sized fruits, first appear in The Book of Days, Ovid's exploration of the ancient Roman calendar, written in the early 1st Century CE. According to Ovid, the Dea Carna, Roman goddess and protector of health, vitality and door hinges, saved the newborn heir of the ancient Latin city of Alba Longa by tapping the door of the child's house three times with the twig of a strawberry tree.

Roman author, naturalist and philosopher Pliny the Elder gave the wild shrub its botanical name, Arbutus Unedo. Apparently not a fan of the sour fruit, Pliny named it after the Latin expression Unum edo: "I'll only eat one."

Corbezzolo honey production was well established on the island by the Middle Ages. Eleanor of Arborea (1347-1404 CE), one of the era's most powerful judges, mandated heavy fines and, in worst-case scenarios, ear amputation for the theft of corbezzolo-collecting beehives, in her legal code Carta de Logu, which she wrote in the Sardinian language in 1392 CE.

Where does the strawberry tree grows

The strawberry tree grows wild throughout the Mediterranean basin, Western Europe and even Ireland, though Sardinia holds the record for corbezzolo honey production.

The corbezzolo's fruits ripen slowly, changing colour several times during the process, from yellow to orange to ripe red. But it's the shrub's mildly sweet, white flowers – which bloom from October until December – that the bees pollinate and whose nectar they transform into a honey with an extraordinary flavour profile that encapsulates the smells and flavours of Sardinia.

Why is so hard to produce

The flowers' petals unfold slowly; a curiously delicate process that a heavy downpour can easily bring to a halt. And because the flowering takes place in late autumn when the weather can be cold, rainy and windy, the bees sometimes struggle to even make it out of their hives to collect the precious nectar. The bell-shaped flowers produce about half as much nectar as other flowers, so the bees have to work extra hard to collect enough. These three key factors make corbezzolo honey so precious that it's hard to find outside Sardinia.

Its bitter taste is still a kind of a mistery

No one knows exactly what gives the honey its uniquely bitter taste, though some believe it's due to the presence of glycoside arbutin (a molecule that binds with sugars in plants) in the nectar of the strawberry tree's flowers.

No one knows exactly what gives the honey its uniquely bitter taste

Honeys with complex flavour profiles like corbezzolo can be analysed as a sommelier analyses a fine wine. Indeed, Italy is home to a national registrar of honey sommeliers, trained by the Bologna-based Albo Nazionale degli Esperti in Analisi Sensoriale del Miele , the National Register of Experts in Sensory Analysis of Honey. Beyond its bitterness, corbezzolo honey features sharp notes of balsamic vinegar, pine tree sap, leather, liquorice and coffee with a lingering, smoky finish. It's often added to coffee to enhance the drink's bitter aromas. Deep amber in colour, it takes on a light brown hue upon crystallisation.

And just like a fine wine, it also pairs perfectly with several traditional Sardinian dishes.

"It's delightful when drizzled atop seadas or orillettas, two typical Sardinian desserts," said Fabio Pibiri, a Chicago-based wine importer from Sardinia. "For an unforgettable pairing, pair with aged pecorino sardo, a sweet sheep's milk cheese, and Cannonau Nepenthe, an intense, captivating red wine produced in the province of Nuoro in central-west Sardinia."

"Miele corbezzolo [corbezzolo honey] is a fascinating and unique product, and an integral part of Sardinian food culture well worth seeking out," said Letitia Clark, author of Bitter Honey: Stories & Recipes from Sardinia . "Pair it with an aged Vernaccia, a white wine from the Sardinian region of Oristano, yet another fascinating local product."

Corbezzolo honey encapsulates the Mediterranean island it calls home, with its earthy notes of other wild Sardinian flora and tinge of minerality, reflective of the surrounding sea.

The italian flag is all in this plant

Famed Italian poet Giovanni Pascoli noted the colours of the Italian flag in the corbezzolo tree itself – green, glossy leaves, white flowers, red berries – and recalled its struggle to thrive on the windswept mountaintops in his 1906 Ode to the Corbezzolo:

"O verde albero italico, il tuo maggio è nella bruma: s'anche tutto muora, tu il giovanile gonfalon selvaggio, spieghi alla bora." "Oh green Italian tree, your May month is in the mist: even if everything else dies, you, the youthful wild banner, unfold to the northern wind."

Understanding the Health Benefits of Honey in Your Diet

sites@tailorbrands.com — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 15:25:27 GMT

Honey is not only delicious, but it can also have some great benefits for your overall health. We explore the health benefit of honey, and how to use it.

Who doesn't love a drizzle of sweet, delicious honey? We love honey for the taste, but there are so many other reasons to love it.

Since ancient times, people have used honey as both food and medicine. Honey has many potential health benefits and is a staple in alternative medicine treatments and home remedies as well.

If you've wondered about the health benefit of honey, we have some valuable insight into this superfood . Here's a look at the unique health benefits of adding honey to your diet.

Immune Boosting Potential

Honey is rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids. These antioxidants help eliminate harmful free radicals from the body.

Free radicals can damage your cells and lead to disease and premature aging. Your body produces free radicals through normal functions like digestion and breathing. But free radicals can enter the body via pollution, a poor diet, smoking, or other unhealthy behaviors.

Honey is thought to have immune-boosting properties. Eating honey may help your body defend itself from dangerous free radicals and diseases.

Energy Booster

Honey contains 17 grams of carbohydrates per tablespoon. It's an all-natural source of energy and a delicious substitute for sugar.

Honey is natural and unprocessed. Most people can easily digest honey. The glucose and fructose in honey enter the bloodstream, delivering a quick energy boost.

Many athletes use honey as an energy source before a tough workout. It's especially helpful for endurance athletes or anyone needing an energy boost to power through a long day.

Instead of reaching for a sports drink that's full of sugar, salt, and other additives, mix a little honey with water to boost your endurance.

Skin Health

Since ancient times , honey has been used to heal wounds and treat burns. Honey has antibacterial properties, helps keep wounds moist, and provides a protective barrier to deter infection.

Many people use honey to treat cuts, insect bites, burns, and yeast infections. It may help ease the symptoms of some skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, athlete's foot, and ringworm.

Many diabetics use honey to soothe diabetic foot ulcers. Honey's antibacterial and inflammatory effects nourish the skin and may aid in healing.

Honey can also be used as a beauty treatment. It's a popular ingredient in soaps, lotions, cleansers, and other beauty products.

It's moisturizing, refreshing, and good for your skin. Try combining honey with oatmeal for a nourishing face mask.

Its antiseptic and antioxidant properties help protect your skin from germs and free radicals.

Weight Management

Honey is sugar, so you should use it in moderation. Honey may help the body digest stored fats. This could be beneficial if you're trying to lose unwanted pounds.

Honey is a healthier choice than refined sugar. It's all-natural and has a mild, sweet taste and satisfying texture. Try replacing the sweetener you normally use with a drizzle of honey.

Try adding a bit of honey to sweeten your tea or oatmeal. Use honey in place of jam or jelly on your toast or peanut butter sandwich.

Add honey rather than sugar to your favorite recipes or baked goods. Using honey in place of sugar along with a healthy diet and exercise may help you manage your weight loss goals.

Blood Sugar Regulation

When it comes to controlling your blood sugar levels, honey may offer some benefits over regular refined sugar. Honey does raise your blood sugar levels, but it may also provide some protection against type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

You cannot use honey to treat diabetes. But honey may play a valuable role in increasing adiponectin in the blood. This is a hormone that improves blood sugar regulation and reduces inflammation in the body.

Using honey in moderation in place of sugar may help you keep your blood sugar levels in check.

Heart Health

Honey is full of natural antioxidants that benefit your overall wellbeing. Honey may have some additional heart benefits as well.

Honey may help lower blood pressure, regulate heartbeat, reduce cholesterol, and extend the life of healthy cells. All of these factors contribute to a healthy heart.

A high level of HDL cholesterol in the blood is a risk factor for heart disease. This can lead to atherosclerosis, a buildup of fat in the arteries that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Some research suggests honey can lower dangerous LDL cholesterol levels while raising "good" HDL cholesterol levels. Consuming honey in moderation can be part of a heart-healthy diet.

Sleep Aid

Honey may play a role in releasing serotonin in the body. These "feel good" hormones can improve your mood which may help you relax and sleep better.

The body converts serotonin to melatonin, a chemical that helps regulate how well and how long you sleep. Adding a little honey to your late-night snack or bedtime tea may help you get the sleep you need to tackle the day ahead.

Cough Suppressant

You may know that honey helps soothe the throat. Many people take a spoonful when they have a sore throat or are feeling the effects of a cold or the flu.

Many parents looking for natural remedies for their children also turn to honey. It may help reduce cough symptoms in children, reduce throat irritation, and improve sleep.

For children over the age of one, honey is a safe and natural cough suppressant. However, you shouldn't give honey to children under the age of one since a baby's immune system isn't fully developed at this age.

Gut Health

Honey may be beneficial for a healthy gut and good digestion. Honey may help prevent or control symptoms of diarrhea.

Some people use honey when they have a stomach bug and find it shortens the duration of the illness. This is a current and promising area of research.

Researchers believe honey may support a healthy gut. Honey is considered a "prebiotic." It helps feed healthy probiotic gut bacteria in the digestive tract and helps them thrive.

A healthy gut is linked to many health benefits, including a strong immune system and good mental health.

Brain Health

Honey is full of antioxidants that may protect the brain against cellular damage and memory loss. Honey contains an antioxidant called pinocembrin which seems to have a protective effect on the human brain.

Researchers are studying pinocembrin as a potential drug of the future. Some studies suggest that a daily dose of honey could boost memory and stave off intellectual decline in some people.

Anti-Aging Benefits

Much of honey's health benefits are due to its amazing antioxidants. This is true for honey's potential anti-aging effects as well.

Antioxidants play a major role in skin cell renewal. New skin cells are plump and fresh. Healthy cell turnover helps your skin look more youthful and refreshed.

Collagen and elastin production is also stimulated by honey's antioxidants. These proteins provide the framework for your face. Healthy collagen and elastin production leads to more resilient skin with fewer visible lines and wrinkles.

Amazing Taste

Honey has so many potential health benefits, and it tastes great too. Honey is sweet, sticky, and satisfyingly delicious.

It's easy to add honey to your diet. Just use it the same way you use sugar. You can cook and bake with honey as well.

It's perfect for sweetening your coffee, tea, or milk. Use it to sweeten plain yogurt or as a sweet topping for waffles or pancakes.

Kids love honey too. Try serving it as a dipping sauce for chicken nuggets or fruit.

Honey is the perfect alternative to sugar. Plus it's good for you. Just remember that honey is a form of sugar, so be sure to use it in moderation.

The Health Benefit of Honey

Honey is a delicious, nutritious alternative to sugar. It's a superfood with many potential health benefits.

Before you reach for the sugar next time, consider a delicious drizzle of honey instead. Loaded with antioxidants, honey benefits the body in so many ways.

You'll love the taste, texture, and health benefit of honey. Make sure you're buying the best organic honey on the market.

Asphodel is a community of Sardinian beekeepers. Our delicious local honey is now for sale worldwide. Many of our products are unique and something you can't find at your local grocery or health food store.

Before you go, take a look at our organic products of the highest quality. We think you'll love our products and our commitment to providing the finest honey on the market today.

What temperature do you need not to exceed for a good raw honey?

sites@tailorbrands.com — Sun, 26 Sep 2021 09:15:13 GMT

At what temperature does honey have to be heated too destroy the health benefits for humans?

Honey should not be heated rapidly, over direct heat. Basically, the hotter you heat it, the more potential for reducing nutritional value. Excessive heat can have detrimental effects on the nutritional value of honey. Heating up to 37°C (98.6 F) causes loss of nearly 200 components, part of which are antibacterial. Heating up to 40°C (104 F) destroys invertase, an important enzyme. Heating up to 50°C (122 F) for more than 48 hrs. turns the honey into caramel (the most valuable honey sugars become analogous to sugar). Heating honey higher than 140 degrees F for more than 2 hours will cause rapid degradation. Heating honey higher than 160 for any time period will cause rapid degradation and caramelization. Generally any larger temperature fluctuation (10°C is ideal for preservation of ripe honey) causes decay.

Unfortunately this is what happens always with industrial honeys: in fact the industry cannot easily manage cristalyzed honeys (which is the natural behaviour of nearly any honey in the world) and the market is today used to have an easy squizy liquid to use as a sweetener. To make the honey liquid the cheapest and easiest solution is to heat it up and pastorize it, the problem is that this in not honey anymore!

We at Asphodel do never heat up the honey and keep it always at low temperature to avoid to lose any property of this natural bees product.

Honey is a remedy for many problems but be carefull about what you buy

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 08:41:23 GMT

Why you should eat honey more often

Honey is a superfood if organic and raw

Honey is a superfood. Unfortunately, 95% of honey in the supermarket is fake, corn syrup mixed with Chinese honey and imported as a different nation of origin.

A good source of antioxidants. Raw honey contains an array of plant chemicals that act as antioxidants,

Antibacterial and antifungal properties. Thanks to its properties it can:

Heal wounds,
Phytonutrient powerhouse
Help for digestive issues
Soothe a sore throat

Useful in weight management, strengthens the immune system, nourishes your skin and face, boosts your memory and is a perfect home remedy for cough.

Natural home remedy for andruff Used for Healing Wounds Acts as a Natural Sleeping Aid Eases sinus issues

Helps with gum disease Natural Energy Drink Prevents and helps control Eczema

When we consume honey as a sweetener, we might not realize we are consuming minerals, vitamins and antioxidants as well.

Honey is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B2, B3, B5 and B6, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and zinc. All of which is vital for the body.

Honey has anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties as well.

In simpler terms, consumption of honey promotes digestive health, fights indigestion, strengthens the immune system and protects the body from conditions like heart disease and cancer.

Wild honey is really good for your skin. From treating acne to preventing premature ageing,

Wild honey helps in curing cough and acts as a soothing agent for sore throats. It is scientifically proven that honey helps those suffering from an upper respiratory infection.

It treats wounds from abrasions, surgery, bed sores, infections and ulcers. It helps curing sunburns as well. The best part is it does so with little to no scarring. Wild #honey is an antiseptic too and prevents the growth of harmful microorganisms.

During allergy season, a few teaspoons of raw honey couple of times a day prevents the allergy symptoms and helps in treating the allergies.

Strawberry tree honey can inhibit colon cancer cell growth

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 09:56:30 GMT

Strawberry Tree Honey Inhibits Colon Cancer Cell Proliferation

Spanish and Italian researchers have proven that when honey from strawberry trees, a product typical of Mediterranean areas, is added to colon cancer cells grown in the laboratory, cell proliferation is stopped. The authors hope that these promising results and the anti-tumour potential of this food will be confirmed in in vivo models.

The honey extracted from the flowers of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is appreciated in the beekeeping sector for its organoleptic characteristics, especially for its strong bitter taste and dark colour. Now, scientists from the universities of Vigo and Granada (Spain) and from the Polytechnic University of Marche (Italy) have analysed for the first time the potential of this Mediterranean product to fight colon cancer.

The results, published in the Journal of Functional Foods, show that strawberry tree honey is capable of inhibiting the proliferation of tumour cells cultivated in laboratory plates - more specifically, those of a line of human colon adenocarcinoma (HCT-116) and another with metastatic characteristics (LoVo), widely used to investigate this type of tumour.

"Treatment with honey stops the tumour cells cycle by regulating some genes (cyclin D1, CDK2, p27Kip...); it inhibits cell migration, reduces the ability to form colonies and induces apoptosis or programmed cell death through the modulation of other key genes (p53, caspase-3, c-PARP) and various apoptotic factors," says Maurizio Battino, coordinator of the research.

"It also suppresses the receptor of the epidermal growth factor called EGFR/HER2 and its signalling pathways, which could be an attractive target in cancer therapies because of their important role in the processes of cell survival and proliferation, as well as in those of apoptosis and metastasis."

The cytotoxicity and anti-tumour effects of strawberry tree honey in relation to colon cancer lines increased with the amount and time of treatment. This led to other relevant results, such as the reduction of some transcription factors, the inhibition of the activity of certain enzymes and the decrease of mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis of tumour cells.

"None of these effects was observed when honey was applied to healthy cell lines," the authors point out, noting the anticarcinogenic potential of this natural product, but insisting on the need for new studies with colon cancer in vivo models to confirm its chemopreventive effects.

"With these data it is not yet possible to speak of a cure or safe prevention of colorectal cancer thanks to strawberry tree honey," emphasizes Battino, who adds: "This work constitutes a starting point in the effort to evaluate its possible biological and anti-cancer effects and indicates the main molecular mechanisms through which it exerts its effect, reinforcing the interest in the study and production of this Mediterranean foodstuff."

"It is one more piece of evidence that a healthy, balanced and natural diet can provide bioactive compounds with possible interesting effects on the control and development of diseases as critical as this type of cancer," concludes the researcher.

This article has been republished from materials provided by Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

Reference: Sadia Afrin, et al. Strawberry tree honey as a new potential functional food. Part 1: Strawberry tree honey reduces colon cancer cell proliferation and colony formation ability, inhibits cell cycle and promotes apoptosis by regulating EGFR and MAPKs signaling pathways. (2019) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2019.04.035

What is strawberry tree honey?

sites@tailorbrands.com — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 09:55:15 GMT

The answer is simple: probably the healthiest and surely the most bitter honey in the world.

If it is very difficult to say which honey is the best, the healthiest or the sweetest, but we can definitely say which one is the most bitter: Strawberry tree honey aka Arbutus honey. Some people say we shouldn’t even call it honey – it would be a contradiction to the very definition of it. But beyond its health recommendations, there are people who enjoy it a lot, comparing it to dark chocolate and single malt whiskey.

Arbutus unedo L, known as Miele di Corbezzolo or Strawberry tree (English), Arbousier (French), Corbezzolo (Italian), Erdbeerbaum (German), Madroño (Spanish), Lännenmansi (Finnish)

Arbutus is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the genus Arbutus, family Ericaceae, native to the warm temperate Mediterranean region and western Europe, north to western France and Ireland.

We can find it in: Portugal, Spain and southeastern France; southward in Algeria, Morocco, Libya, and Tunisia, and eastward in Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria and Israel. It is also found in western France, Albania, Bulgaria and southwestern Ireland.

In Ireland it is known as either “Irish strawberry tree”, or cain or cane apple (from the Irish name for the tree, caithne), or sometimes Killarney strawberry tree.

Arbutus is a genus with 12 accepted species, separated in 2 groups.

One including species from the Mediterranean Basin and one from the western North America.

Arbutus unedo, from which this honey is made (from Mediterranean Basin, western France, and western Ireland) is closely related to the Mediterranean Basin species such as A. andrachne aka Greek strawberry tree (from Southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia) and A. canariensis aka Canary madrone (from Canary Islands).

The other group contains more species and hybrids (like Arbutus ‘Marina’ or Arbutus × andrachnoides).

– Arbutus menziesii, native to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California;

– Arbutus arizonica, in New Mexico, Arizona and western Mexico south to Jalisco;

– Arbutus mollis Kunth (Mexico) and so on.

Characteristics of Arbutus unedo:

The tree: grows to 5–10 m (16–33 ft) tall, rarely up to 15 m (49 ft), with a trunk diameter of up to 80 cm (31 in). It grows mainly in winter, when it has a high rate of photosynthesis.

Leaves: dark green and glossy, 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long and 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) broad, with a serrated margin. The leaf extract contains several phenolic compounds, like tannins, flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, and α-tocopherol and that’s why the leaves are used as astringent, diuretic, urinary antiseptic, antidiarrheal, and depurative and, also more recently, in the therapy of hypertension, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases.

Flowers: are hermaphrodite, white (rarely pale pink), bell-shaped, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) diameter, produced produced in clusters (15–30 flowers) on red stems, in autumn. It blooms from September to December, possibly to April. The flowers are pollinated by bees, and have a mild sweet scent.

Pollen: large quantities (diam 60 μm), typical ericaceous, with compound pollen grain. Bees visit the flowers more for the nectar and less for the pollen.

Fruit: a red berry reminding of real strawberry, 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) diameter, with a rough surface. It matures in about 12 months, in autumn from August to November, at the same time as the next flowering. It is edible but sour – hence its latin name “unedo” – meaning “only one” referring to capacity of eating only one fruit. Yet, other people say the fruit is sweet when reddish, and tastes similar to a fig when fully mature.

The fruit is processed into traditional products such as alcoholic beverages, jams, jellies, and marmalades. They are known in folk medicine as antiseptic, diuretic, and laxative.

There are only several regions in the world with a strawberry tree population large enough to support honey production: central and southern Italy, mainly the island of Sardinia, but also Greece and Portugal and parts of the United Kingdom.

Due to its bitter taste it is produced in very reduced quantities. In Sardinia we can find highly appreciated strawberry tree honey, with market prices from 4 to 8 times higher than those of common sweet honey, probably because of its growing reputation as the healthiest honey in the world.

Portugal is also a producer, yet with less popularity.

All its characteristics depend a lot on the other nectar types and pollen harvested by the bees. Unifloral honey is not completely unifloral (honey bees are not so selective).

• In the study Physicochemical Parameters and Bioactive Compounds of Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.) Honey, by Pablo A. Ulloa et al. from Portugal and published in 2015, 31 pollen types were found in the strawberry tree honey samples presented. Pollen from Echium plantagineum, Ceratonia siliqua, Cistaceae, Lavandula stoechas, Reseda luteola, and Citrus spp. types was present in all honey samples (86%). The mean pollen content of artubus was of 31.96%.

The study investigated strawberry tree honey from South Portugal.

Color: amber-colored when liquid and beige-brown when crystallized; depending on the region, species and weather, it may have different shades of caramel and cocoa brown, to very dark colors, even black.

Smell: intense, characteristic, ripe, and similar to that of coffee;

Aroma: marked and pungent, recalling ivy leaves, bitter herbs and cocoa beans. A total of 28 aroma compounds have been identified, but only norisoprenoid compounds such as α-isophorone, β-isophorone and 4-oxoisophorone, have been recognized as specific floral origin markers of the strawberry-tree honey.

Taste: slightly sweet initially and decidedly bitter and astringent later;

Total phenolic content:

– varies a lot from region to region: from 78.96 mg of GAE/100 g in Italian commercial strawberry tree honey to 117.6 in Portuguese strawberry tree.

– Homogentisic acid (2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) aka HGA is the most abundant phenolic compound in this type of honey, representing approximately 50–60% of total phenols, an average content of 378 +/- 92 mg/kg, providing an important contribution to the high antioxidant and antiradical activities of strawberry tree honey.

It has antioxidant, antiradical and protective effects, such as defensive actions against thermal cholesterol degradation;

The homogentisic acid can be used as a marker of strawberry-tree (Arbutus unedo) honey, since it was not detected in any of the other monofloral honeys. Other complementary markers can be c,t-ABA, t,t-ABA and unedone.

Total flavonoid content (e.g., quercetin, kaempferol and pinocembrin)

The south Portuguese strawberry tree honey had significantly lower flavonoid content than the other samples of unifloral honeys (from the same area): 5.33 mg QE/100 g

By comparison:

Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia): 6.73 mg QE/100 g

Savory (Satureja hortensis): 21.16 mg of QE/100 g

Rosemary: 12.4 mg of catechin equivalents (CEs)/100 g of honey

Viper’s bugloss: 34.3 mg of CEs/100 g of honey

Heather: 58.7 mg of CEs/100 g of honey

Yet, after a study made on strawberry tree honey samples from different regions of Sardinia, Italy, the flavonoid content had other concentrations:

Monti: 92.68 ± 14.17 mg CAE/kg

Luras: 69.96 ± 3.62 mg CAE/kg

Sadali: 65.74 ± 2.50 mg CAE/kg

Olbia: 66.18 ± 0.61 mg CAE/kg

Berchidda: 108.20 ± 2.69 mg CAE/kg

Flavonoids inhibit auto-oxidation reactions and have a scavenging effect on free radicals. Their concentrations in honey depend on various factors, including plant species used by bees, plant health, geographical origin, and climatic characteristics of the local production.

Antioxidant activity – measured using DPPH assay.

The antioxidant capacity of strawberry tree honey showed values of 18.85 mg ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant content (AEAC)/100 of honey and 9.92 mg of quercetin equivalent antioxidant content (QEAC)/100 g of honey. The values were similar to multifloral honey, Indian honeys, raspberry honey, rape honey.

South Portugal Strawberry tree: 43.46%

North Portugal strawberry tree honey 64.2%

Acacia: 35.8% – 45.3%

Lime: 36.6% – 40.9%

Sunflower: 40.7% – 49.2%

Rhododendron: 54.05% (mean value)

Rosemary: 4.5% – 59.3%

Orange: 8.8% – 23.2%

Thyme: 35.8% – 47.3%

Eucalyptus: 27.7% (mean value)

Abbamele is a typical product originally from Sardinia island, obtained from the recuperation of this kind of honey from combs, with antioxidant activities comparable to those of well-known products such as red wines and vegetables.

Abbamele is made from the cooked must of honeycombs, after the honey has been extracted. It’s a great example of traditional peasant cooking: taking something “worthless” and turning it into a culinary treasure. It has a toasty flavor that has hints of coffee and caramel. Not too sweet, it’s good on cheese, fresh fruit or even drizzled on a plate of pasta.

Strawberry tree honey has the highest antioxidant activity, when compared with other kinds of honey such as: sulla, chestnut, chicory, dandelion, eucalyptus, citrus, and acacia. Or even manuka honey (study).

Where can we find strawberry tree honey?

It’s not easy to find it. As it is not the regular sweet aromatic honey we are used to. It attracts more and more buyers due to its prestige as the healthiest of all honeys, surpassing manuka or gelam honeys. We take it as medicine and not as food. At least some of us…

We can find strawberry honey if we go to Sardinia, Italy, as there are some serious producers there, selling it at high prices. The best strawberry tree honey comes from Berchidda region, Sardinia, Italy.

Don’t be surprised if you taste a jar of honey from Greece and its taste is different than a jar bough from somewhere else. The geographical environment is very important. The other nectars hargested by honey bees, which are present in the strawberry tree honey, will influence the taste a lot.

Honey Bee's Propolis a natural cure for cancer cells and viruses

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 09:49:18 GMT

Bees are not the only ones which have found propolis to be so useful.

Bees have always played an important role in the healing human body by its natural contents and micronutrients for humanity around the world. Wild Honey has been valued since ancient times for its sweetness and prized at the same time for its amazing medicinal anti-bacterial properties. As far back as the times of the ancient Sanatana (Vedic), Greeks and Egyptians culture there is evidence to show that honey was used for its antimicrobial properties and even today in our rural India honey is used for the cure of multiple deficiencies as well as a better cure for cough and other ailments. It is making a strong comeback in the area of wound healing, where it seems to be able to treat even some of the most difficult wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, sores, throat and even intestinal infections. Honey is not the only bee product that modern science is discovering uses for. One such product from bee's Kingdom is propolis, whose compound seems to be able to help fight the never-ending war being waged on cancer.

What is Propolis?

Honey is made from the pollen of flowering plants and used by bees as a source of nutrition. Propolis, on the other hand, is more of a tool. It is a thick, caulk-like substance which bees produce to help them repair holes in their hives. Propolis also is known as Propolis balsam, propolis resin, propolis wax, bee glue, hive dross. This looks like glue and with help of this bees stick and repair their hives. The quality varies from season to season or area to area on the other hand. These hives are intricate systems of living quarters, food storage quarters and nurseries for young larvae and thus need constant maintenance. Bees are not the only ones which have found propolis to be so useful. Like honey, it has been used since ancient times for its array of beneficial properties since it has been proven to be an Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial Disinfectant. We do know that propolis’ antibiotic properties come from a substance called galangin, and that it boosts immunity by increasing phagocyte activity (phagocytes are body’s “warriors” against germs). We also know that its anti-inflammatory properties derive from its ability to prohibit prostaglandins. Components called phytotonizides play a role in propolis’ ability to enhance the immune system, as they appear to stimulate phagocytosis. The anti-carcinogenic properties of the propolis can now be added to the list of most curing natural product on earth.

Propolis and Cancer

Previously propolis or bees glue was used to treat sores, intestinal infections, genital herpes etc. by the tribal people who used it as their folk medicine. Interest in propolis in the area of oncology has been initiated by a study on bees and their processing of honey hives. In this research study, a particular compound was isolated from propolis called caffeic acid phenethyl ester (or CAPE). Research and development analysis on propolis found that it has a bioactive compound that can be used to treat prostate cancer cells found in men. This was an in vivo study, meaning that it took place in a laboratory with cancer cells raised in a test tube. In the presence of CAPE, it was found that the cancer cells rate of growth was slowed by a whopping 50% to 60%. The phenomenon working to kill cancer cell by propolis was not killing the cancer cells directly, but by interfering with bio iterfering signals on ATP which control the rate at which these cells are reproduced in the cancerous tissues of the body by providing them energy mechanism. Though, CAPE does have cytotoxic properties, meaning that it can, in fact, kill off cancer cells directlly but it may not be harmful to human body as chemotherapy and other anti- carcinomic treatment does. It will have good results to control on prostate cancer cells, colon cancer cells and on carcinomic growth anywhere in the human body.

Other recorded uses of Propolis

Propolis is used for canker sores and infections caused by bacteria (including tuberculosis), by viruses (including flu, H1N1 "swine" flu, and the common cold), by fungus, and by single-celled organisms called protozoans.

Propolis is also used for cancer of the nose and throat;

For boosting the immune system; and

For treating gastrointestinal (GI) problems including Helicobacter pylori infection in peptic ulcer disease.

Propolis is also used as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

It is also commonly used to lower blood pressure and stimulate system of human body organs.

HONEYBEE VENOM KILLS BREAST CANCER CELLS

sites@tailorbrands.com — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 14:28:41 GMT

Venom from honeybees found to kill aggressive breast cancer cells – Australian research published in Nature Precision Oncology

Honeybee venom induces cancer cell death in hard to treat triple-negative breast cancer with minimal effect on healthy cells.

Using the venom from 312 honeybees and bumblebees in Perth Western Australia, Ireland and England, Dr Ciara Duffy from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and The University of Western Australia, tested the effect of the venom on the clinical subtypes of breast cancer, including triple-negative breast cancer, which has limited treatment options.

Results published in the prestigious international journal NJP Nature Precision Oncology revealed that honeybee venom rapidly destroyed triple-negative breast cancer and HER2-enriched breast cancer cells.

Dr Duffy said the aim of the research was to investigate the anti-cancer properties of honeybee venom, and a component compound, melittin, on different types of breast cancer cells.

“No-one had previously compared the effects of honeybee venom or melittin across all of the different subtypes of breast cancer and normal cells.

“We tested honeybee venom on normal breast cells, and cells from the clinical subtypes of breast cancer: hormone receptor positive, HER2-enriched, and triple-negative breast cancer.

“We tested a very small, positively charged peptide in honeybee venom called melittin, which we could reproduce synthetically, and found that the synthetic product mirrored the majority of the anti-cancer effects of honeybee venom,” Dr Duffy said.

“We found both honeybee venom and melittin significantly, selectively and rapidly reduced the viability of triple-negative breast cancer and HER2-enriched breast cancer cells.

“The venom was extremely potent,” Dr Duffy said.

A specific concentration of honeybee venom can induce 100% cancer cell death, while having minimal effects on normal cells.

“We found that melittin can completely destroy cancer cell membranes within 60 minutes.”

Melittin in honeybee venom also had another remarkable effect; within 20 minutes, melittin was able to substantially reduce the chemical messages of cancer cells that are essential to cancer cell growth and cell division.

“We looked at how honeybee venom and melittin affect the cancer signalling pathways, the chemical messages that are fundamental for cancer cell growth and reproduction, and we found that very quickly these signalling pathways were shut down.

“Melittin modulated the signalling in breast cancer cells by suppressing the activation of the receptor that is commonly overexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer, the epidermal growth factor receptor, and it suppressed the activation of HER2 which is over-expressed in HER2-enriched breast cancer,” she said.

Western Australia’s Chief Scientist Professor Peter Klinken said “This is an incredibly exciting observation that melittin, a major component of honeybee venom, can suppress the growth of deadly breast cancer cells, particularly triple-negative breast cancer.

“Significantly, this study demonstrates how melittin interferes with signalling pathways within breast cancer cells to reduce cell replication. It provides another wonderful example of where compounds in nature can be used to treat human diseases”, he said.

Dr Duffy also tested to see if melittin could be used with existing chemotherapy drugs as it forms pores, or holes, in breast cancer cell membranes, potentially enabling the entry of other treatments into the cancer cell to enhance cell death.

“We found that melittin can be used with small molecules or chemotherapies, such as docetaxel, to treat highly-aggressive types of breast cancer. The combination of melittin and docetaxel was extremely efficient in reducing tumour growth in mice.”

Dr Duffy’s research was conducted as part of her PhD undertaken at Perth’s Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research at the Cancer Epigenetics laboratory overseen by A/Prof. Pilar Blancafort.

“I began with collecting Perth honeybee venom. Perth bees are some of the healthiest in the world.

“The bees were put to sleep with carbon dioxide and kept on ice before the venom barb was pulled out from the abdomen of the bee and the venom extracted by careful dissection,” she said.

While there are 20,000 species of bees, Dr Duffy wanted to compare the effects of Perth honeybee venom to other honeybee populations in Ireland and England, as well as to the venom of bumblebees.

“I found that the European honeybee in Australia, Ireland and England produced almost identical effects in breast cancer compared to normal cells. However, bumblebee venom was unable to induce cell death even at very high concentrations.

One of the first reports of the effects of bee venom was published in Nature in 1950, where the venom reduced the growth of tumours in plants. However, Dr Duffy said it was only in the past two decades that interest grew substantially into the effects of honeybee venom on different cancers.

In the future, studies will be required to formally assess the optimum method of delivery of melittin, as well as toxicities and maximum tolerated doses.

Fast Facts

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women worldwide[1]

It is the second most common cause of death from cancer among females[2]

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 10-15% of all breast cancers[3]

There are currently no clinically effective targeted treatments for TNBC

[1] https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/cancer-trends/breast-cancer-statistics

[2] https://canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/cancer-types/breast-cancer/statistics

[3] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/understanding-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis/types-of-breast-cancer/triple-negative.html

Are Honeybees a Cancer Killer?

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 14:10:45 GMT

The cancer community is buzzing over a new study that says venom from bees can kill cancer cells.

The cancer community is buzzing over a new study that says venom from bees can kill cancer cells.

Scientists at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Western Australia tested venom from more than 300 honeybees and bumblebees against two types of aggressive, hard to treat breast cancer: triple negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) enriched. They found that a compound in the venom called melittin could destroy breast cancer cells within an hour, without causing harm to other cells. They also found that when used in conjunction with chemotherapy drugs, the melittin helped formed pores in the cancer cell membrane which could potentially allow therapies to better penetrate the cells.

While the tests for this study were only done in a lab setting, the researchers believe the compound can be synthetically reproduced as a treatment for breast cancer.

Dr. Marilena Tauro, a breast cancer researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center, says while the discovery is impressive, more research would need to be done before it could become a viable therapy“The good news is this study has shown that melittin can disrupt signaling pathways in breast cancer cells that are responsible for growth and spread of the disease,” she said. “However, there have been many studies where compounds have proved successful at killing cancer cells in the lab or animal models, but it has taken many years for those discoveries make it to patients, if at all.”

Tauro added that approximately half of all current drugs are derived from natural products, which demonstrates the potential of using bee venom for drug discovery.

“Nature is a great supplier of active elements and chemical synthesis has made it possible to provide many drugs of natural origin in the dosage required for therapeutic use, despite the often very limited supply from their original sources,” she said.

Honeybee venom kills aggressive breast cancer cells

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 14:05:28 GMT

In laboratory studies, the active component of honeybee venom rapidly killed two types of breast cancer cells that are particularly difficult to treat. Crucially, the toxin left healthy cells unharmed.

For thousands of years, humans have used honey, propolis, and venom from the European honeybee Apis mellifera as medicines.

More recently, scientists have discovered that honeybee venom and its active component, melittin, are toxic to a wide range of tumors — including melanoma, lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers — in laboratory tests.

Melittin is the molecule that creates the painful sensation of a bee’s stingTrusted Source. Scientists do not fully understand how it kills cancer cells, however.

For the first time, researchers have investigated the effect of melittin and honeybee venom on a range of breast cancers, including two of the most aggressive and hard-to-treat types.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. The two aggressive types, known as triple-negative breast cancer and HER2-enriched breast cancer, are associated with the poorest outcomes. They tend to develop resistance to existing treatments.

Scientists at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Perth, Australia, and the University of Western Australia, also in Perth, found that melittin and honeybee venom rapidly kill these cancer types, with negligible effects on normal cells.

“The venom was extremely potent,” says Dr. Ciara Duffy, who led the research. “We found that melittin can completely destroy cancer cell membranes within 60 minutes.”

The study also showed that venom from bumblebees, which contains no melittin, did not kill the cancer cells — even at high concentrations.

The scientists report their work in the journal npj Precision OncologyTrusted Source.

Melittin can kill cells in under 1 hour by punching holes in their outer membrane. However, within 20 minutes of administration, it also disrupts the passing of chemical messages that the cells need to grow and divide.

“We looked at how honeybee venom and melittin affect the cancer signaling pathways, the chemical messages that are fundamental for cancer cell growth and reproduction, and we found that very quickly these signaling pathways were shut down,” says Dr. Duffy.

The scientists discovered that melittin does this by preventing the activation of receptors for growth factors in the cells’ membrane. One of the reasons that HER2-enriched cancer cells and some triple-negative breast cancers grow uncontrollably is that they have large numbers of these receptors.

By preventing these growth signals from getting through, melittin halts the cells’ proliferation.

Prof. Peter Klinken, who was not involved in the research, is the chief scientist of Western Australia. He welcomes the findings, saying, “This is an incredibly exciting observation that melittin, a major component of honeybee venom, can suppress the growth of deadly breast cancer cells, particularly triple-negative breast cancer.”

He adds:

“Significantly, this study demonstrates how melittin interferes with signaling pathways within breast cancer cells to reduce cell replication. It provides another wonderful example of where compounds in nature can be used to treat human diseases.”

Combination therapy

Because melittin creates holes in cell membranes, it may also allow existing chemotherapy drugs to penetrate and kill cancer cells.

To test this possibility, the researchers treated a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer with a combination of melittin and a drug called docetaxel. This proved more effective at shrinking the tumors than either docetaxel or melittin alone.

Doctors could potentially use this strategy to increase the efficacy or reduce the dosage of chemotherapy drugs, thereby reducing harmful side effects.

The study authors note that honeybee venom is relatively cheap and easily obtainable, making it a good option for cancer treatment in countries with poorly resourced health services.

They write:

“Honeybee venom is available globally and offers cost effective and easily accessible treatment options in remote or less developed regions. Further research will be required to assess whether the venom of some genotypes of bees has more potent or specific anticancer activities, which could then be exploited.”

This line of research is in its infancy, with researchers yet to perform clinical trials in humans to assess the safety and efficacy of melittin for treating breast cancer.

Although this particular study found no evidence of harm to noncancerous cells, other studies suggest otherwise. Therefore, healthcare professionals may need to carefully target melittin to tumors to prevent collateral damage to healthy tissue.

Strawberry Tree Honey

sites@tailorbrands.com — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:06:59 GMT

Strawberry Tree honey is not for everyone

Strawberry Tree honey is not for everyone, but its strong bitter flavor is loved by gourmets and honey connoisseurs worldwide. Known in Sardinia as a Miele Amaro (Bitter Honey), this delicacy is produced from the unusual and beautiful evergreen shrub of the the Arbutus or Strawberry Tree (Arbutus Unedo), a member of the Ericaceae family. Largely seen as specimen trees in gardens and yards around the world, there are few stands of trees grand enough to support even a few hives. Fortunately it grows wild in coastal Mediterranean countries in sufficient numbers to produce honey. It takes its name from its edible fruit that looks like small, round strawberries. In late autumn, when this honey is harvested, the urn-shaped flowers of white, often tinged with pink, emerge and join the orange-scarlet rough fruit now ripening from flowers of the autumn 12 months earlier.

Strawberry Tree honey crystallizes irregularly, its firmness depending upon the moisture content. It is dark amber when young and light brown when crystallized. The scent is pungent while its flavor has aspects of green ivy, coffee dregs, leather, burnt, and bitter herbs. The taste is sweet initially but rapidly reveals its strong complex bitter flavor, gradually subsiding into an astringent finish with a mild, distinct aftertaste. It goes well with Ricotta, Mascarpone, and Robiola cheeses or in the typical Sardinian fashion, over Sardo Pecorino with Pan Carasau (flat bread) and fresh melon, or over ice cream or white chocolate mousse as a surprising contrasting flavor.

The late blossoming is often accompanied by cold weather which makes it difficult for the bees to collect nectar, undoubtedly making this special honey even more difficult to find.

Strawberry tree honey has many therapeutic properties and is popularly used as an diuretic, anti-asthmatic (for bronchial infections), urinary antiseptic and to improve blood circulation.

The fruit is edible when fully ripe although it is commonly thought to be mealy and lacking flavor. The ancient naturalist, Pliny The Elder wrote of it in his 15th book of the history of nature, “Surely the fruit is of base or no reckoning at all: no marveile therfore if the Latines gave it the name Unedo (meaning only one), for that one of them is enough to be eaten at once.”

Nevertheless, some find the fruit quite good if eaten at the peak of ripeness. The berries are said to be narcotic if eaten in quantity, but this is likely due to alcoholic fermentation within the skin. When mature, it has a high sugar content (15%) and produces excellent jellies and jams, and its high pectin content ensures rapid setting. The berries are also used to create a number of alcoholic beverages including wines and liqueurs. In Portugal a distilled spirit (a brandy) is made from the fruit of Arbutus unedo, called “Aguardente de Medronho” (sometimes, Medronho). Also “Liqueur a l’Arbouse” and ‘Creme d’Arbouse’ from Corsica, and ‘Acquavita di Corbezzolo’, ‘Liquore di Corbezzolo’, and ‘Fior di Corbezzolo’ from Sardinia.

The green of the leaves, red of the fruit and white of the blossoms represent the three colors of the Italian flag, and for this reason the Strawberry tree became a strong symbol of unity during the struggle for independence during the Italian Renaissance. The Strawberry tree, along with a she-bear, is portrayed in the heraldic symbol for the city of Madrid and is displayed on the flag of the city of Madrid.

The Miracle of the Strawberry Tree

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:02:51 GMT

From this odd fruit nobody eats, Europeans make honey and liquors with curative properties

Chances are you’ve never heard of a Strawberry Tree. When ripe, its strawberry-colored fruits are spiky and usually quite round. You wouldn’t mistake them for a real strawberry. You wouldn’t eat them, probably, because they don’t have much of a taste.

Scientifically the tree is called arbutus unedo, a shrub in the family of Ericaceae. This Mediterranean native is highly widespread in Sardinia.

Sardinia is where you’ll find the famous arbutus honey called “miele amaro”, bitter honey in Italian, and sometimes labeled as miele di corbezzolo, or corbezzolo honey. It’s a fantastic honey, balancing its sweetness with the long-lasting bitterness derived from the arbutus. It’s expensive, but worth it. When I’m in Italy, I try to keep some on hand all the time.

But the miracles?

Yes, ok, the Sardinian honey is like medicine, more so than other honeys.

The arbutus honey has a large number of therapeutic properties. It is very effective in the treatment of the flu, especially in the suppression of the cough. It is also of a great help in asthmatics states and, in general, for respiratory diseases. The high concentration of glucose and the acidic PH provide this honey with a strong antibacterial effect. It has anti inflammatory and cleansing properties, is a great antiseptic of the urinary tract, and also has diuretic and anti-diarrhea properties. In the Sardinian tradition, it has for long been used to facilitate sleep: eating a teaspoon of this honey before going to bed will help you to rest better.

Arbutus honey is great with fresh cheese, ricotta, pecorino cheese (Italian sheep cheese), but also with walnuts and the Sardinian carasau bread. It is often used in desserts such as ice cream and sebadas (a Sardinian dessert). Last but not least, arbutus honey is used to make alcoholic drinks such as honey brandy (acquavite al miele), a typical grappa of Sardinia. — Arbutus Honey

And Now for Something Completely Different: On to Madrid, Spain

So lets head west until we come to Madrid in the center of Spain, where the strawberry tree is special for a totally different reason. Namely booze.

Madrid’s unique liquor uses what they call madroño berries that grow in the strawberry trees in the city. And here’s another miracle that contributes: these berries ferment naturally while they are still on the plant!.

God provides for those who cannot afford ferment tanks.

More Miracles:

Folk medicine from the 16th century included boiling the leaves of the madroño tree toward creating an elixir that was effective in reducing fevers. Like the Portuguese ginginha, a sour cherry liquor that Spain’s neighbors claim makes one healthy, young, and beautiful, madroño liqueur also purports health benefits, if enjoyed in moderation, of course.— El Madroño – Madrid’s Strawberry Tree

And finally, according to Wikipedia: “In Portugal, the fruit is sometimes distilled (legally or not) into a potent brandy known as medronho”.

So there you have it. Strange fruit indeed.

Strawberry tree honey may stop colon cancer growth

site-bEpdEg — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 10:48:04 GMT

In a new study, researchers found that honey from strawberry trees could stop colon cancer cells grown in the laboratory.

This finding may help develop a new treatment for colon cancer in the future. The research was conducted by a team of Spanish and Italian researchers. The honey extracted from the flowers of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is known for its organoleptic characteristics,

It has a strong bitter taste and dark color and is a product typical of Mediterranean areas. In the study, the team examined the potential of this Mediterranean product to fight colon cancer. They found that strawberry tree honey could inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells cultivated in laboratory plates. The honey also suppressed the receptor of the epidermal growth factor called EGFR/HER2 and its signaling pathways.

This effect can be very attractive in cancer therapies. They also found that the effects did not occur in healthy cell lines.

The team suggests that future work needs to further evaluate the food’s possible biological and anti-cancer effects. With more research, it is possible to develop safe prevention of colorectal cancer.

The researchers suggest that the finding provide new evidence that a healthy, balanced and natural diet may provide bioactive compounds to prevent diseases as critical as colon cancer.

One author of the study is Maurizio Battino.

The study is published in the Journal of Functional Foods.

Strawberry tree honey inhibits cell proliferation in colon cancer lines

sites@tailorbrands.com — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 10:43:00 GMT

Peer-Reviewed Publication
FECYT - SPANISH FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

References:

Sadia Afrin, Francesca Giampieri, Danila Cianciosi, Francesca Pistollato, Johura Ansary, Mattia Pacetti, Adolfo Amici, Patricia Reboredo-Rodríguez, Jesus Simal-Gandara, Josè L. Quiles, Tamara Y. Forbes-Hernández, Maurizio Battino. "Strawberry tree honey as a new potential functional food. Part 1: Strawberry tree honey reduces colon cancer cell proliferation and colony formation ability, inhibits cell cycle and promotes apoptosis by regulating EGFR and MAPKs signaling pathways". Journal of Functional Foods 57: 439-452, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2019.04.035

Sadia Afrin, Tamara Y. Forbes-Hernández, Danila Cianciosi, Francesca Pistollato, JiaoJiao Zhang, Mattia Pacetti, Adolfo Amici, Patricia Reboredo-Rodríguez, Jesus Simal-Gandara, Stefano Bompadre, Josè L. Quiles, Francesca Giampieri, Maurizio Battino. "Strawberry tree honey as a new potential functional food. Part 2: Strawberry tree honey increases ROS generation by suppressing Nrf2-ARE and NF-?B signaling pathways and decreases metabolic phenotypes and metastatic activity in colon cancer cells".Journal of Functional Foods 57: 477-487, 2019.