Honey: A Prepper's Godsend

     I have to admit it.  I have a sweet tooth, and one of the things that actually concerns me should chaos or crisis enter my world, is the fact that I will be craving something sweet.  Chocolate goes without saying, but sugar for the sake of sugar is not really healthy.  And that's why honey is a Prepper's godsend.
     Besides the obvious benefit of being a sweetening additive to a variety of foods, honey has so many other advantages over the white, grainy stuff.  Just consider a few of these uses:

     Antiseptic -  Interestingly enough, all honey is antibacterial, according to Peter Molan, director of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand.  "Bees add an enzyme to honey that makes hydrogen peroxide.  We still haven't managed to identify the active components.  All we know is that honey works on an extremely broad spectrum."
     I'm sure we all have ample supplies of hydrogen peroxide in our larders.  And now honey can be used for cleaning wounds and helping them to heal quickly.  When you apply honey to any open wound, the glucose, contained in the honey, is diluted and gradually releases hydrogen peroxide.  And because of its thick, syrupy consistency, honey prevents wounds from sticking to your bandages.  I've also heard that it helps with the appearance of scars.
     Immune System Booster -  A teaspoonful of honey to strengthen your immune system?  Now the skeptics will tell you that this claim cannot be "scientifically proven".  But this is the way I look at it; if God made it, then it is not bound by science's laws.  And besides, what have you got to lose?
     Treatment for Sore Throat - Who can deny the healing power of honey, mixed with the juice of a lemon, and a shot of whiskey?  I can personally vouch that this remedy has worked for many a sore throats, coughs and chest congestion.  In a TEOTWAWKI scenario, we won't be able to run to the nearest doctor's office for every throat tickle or winter cold.
     Parasite Remover - Honey, when mixed with vinegar and water, can remove worms and other parasites in your body.  What makes this combination work so well is the vinegar's acidity and the honey's therapeutic components.  If you suspect you might have worms, you will need to drink plentiful amounts of this solution regularly.  As I mentioned above, we may need to become our own physicians in the future, and these home remedies will be a valuable part of our medicine chest.
     Remedy for Burns - Once again, the hydrogen peroxide properties of honey will help clean the wound caused by a burn, and it will also soothe the inflammation.  Just apply honey to the burn, and watch the burn marks heal in a few days with less pain.  Use it as a dressing, when necessary, for maximum benefits.
     Skin Moisturizer - I don't know about you, but keeping copious amounts of my favorite moisturizer or serum on hand is not high on my larder list.  There are other things....oh, like food; and even toothpaste ranks higher in priority.  But it's nice to know that I won't have to suffer the effects of dry skin, when I have honey on hand.  You just mix 4 tablespoons of honey with a couple of egg whites and a few tablespoons of flour.  You can add more or less, depending on your desired consistency.  Just stir this mixture until it thickens, and when it's ready, you can use it as a hand and body lotion, or a moisturizing facial mask.

     These are just a few of the many uses for honey.  I'm sure you all can elaborate on its numerous benefits.  And I have one more bonus for you.  In keeping with my desire to buy long-term storage items for my larder, I have found a way to buy honey that I want to pass on.  While honey doesn't ever spoil, liquid honey is susceptible to physical and chemical changes during storage.  It can darken and lose some of its aroma and flavor.  And over time, liquid honey tends to naturally crystallize.  I'm sure you all know that a few seconds in the microwave will re-liquify your honey and you're good to go.
     But I want to introduce you to powdered honey!  I bought a few #10 cans from Augason Farms, and have been pleased with the product.  You can add it (in its powdered form) to iced tea, or reconstitute it to its liquid form by adding water and heating it.  Just pour it in a jar and store it like honey from the grocery store.  It's actually quite affordable.  (At $13.99 for a #10 can, you get 340 one-teaspoon servings.)  If you want to buy in bulk, I suggest buying a 5-gallon bucket (60 pounds) from Emergency Essentials.
     So now you are aware of all the advantages and tremendous value of God's sweet, sticky nectar.  And you also know that you don't have to sacrifice its many benefits should the world become an unfriendly place.  In Greek and Roman mythology, nectar is the drink of the gods.  I think I have to agree!