How honey affects the human liver — 5 facts about the benefits and possible harm

Honey has been considered one of the most useful products since ancient times. It has both medicinal properties and a sweet pleasant taste, so it can serve as a sugar substitute.

Honey treatment is used for a wide range of diseases ranging from a simple cold to autoimmune diseases. Honey has been used for a long time, so it is not surprising that over all these centuries there have been a decent number of recipes where the main ingredient is honey or other bee products.

But not everyone knows that honey is one of the most effective means for cleansing and general improvement of the liver. Modern research indicate that honey promotes the restoration and regeneration of damaged liver tissues.

Since the liver is an organ that plays an important role in the elimination of toxins, decomposition products and toxins from the body, the slightest malfunction in the diet, alcohol abuse or junk food, can lead to damage to liver tissues and the occurrence of pathologies. In this regard, it is extremely important to understand exactly how honey affects the human digestive system, especially the liver.

5 beneficial properties of honey

Below we will discuss the 5 most significant and proven facts about the effect of honey on the digestive tract.

1. Launching regenerative processes

Due to the presence of components such as phytoncides in honey, regenerative processes and metabolic reactions in liver tissues are activated. This is especially useful in the presence of cirrhotic liver damage, fatty hepatosis or other pathologies destructive to the organ.

However, strict medical supervision is required here, as adverse reactions may occur.

2. Normalization of the bile duct and elimination of toxins

Honey is able not only to saturate the body with useful substances, but also to remove unwanted decomposition products, toxins and bile from the body.

One of the functions of the liver is just the cleansing and biliary function.

Therefore, the use of honey, as well as special honey-based cleanses, can help free the liver from unnecessary stress, establish bile metabolism in the body and rid it of toxins. In addition, honey has a positive effect on the gallbladder and pancreas.

3. Regulation of carbohydrate metabolism

It is known that all honey products and honey in its pure form contain a huge amount of vitamins, minerals and other useful micro- and macroelements.

In addition, it is worth mentioning that honey consists of almost 85% carbohydrates, namely glucose and fructose. Honey is able to saturate the body with carbohydrates and normalize carbohydrate metabolism.

4. Glycogen saturation

This paragraph follows from the previous one. Since carbohydrates occupy most of the honey composition, it is important to note that one of the liver's functions is precisely the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and the creation of glycogen reserves. Glycogen, in turn, is a polysaccharide that is synthesized from glucose residues.

Simply put, glycogen is the substance that helps to keep glucose at the cellular level. It is the most easily accessible source of energy for our body. Therefore, its deficiency leads to symptoms chronic fatigue , violation brain activity , weakening of immunity, etc .

5. Strengthening the immune system and cardiovascular system

Since it has already been said that honey products contain a high concentration of vitamins and minerals, including flavonoids, it is not surprising that honey works perfectly to increase overall immunity and strengthen antimicrobial metabolism.

Also honey strengthens blood vessels and restores their tone, adjusts the work of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Honey is also effective for colds and viral diseases, it is good for autoimmune pathologies of varying severity.

Which variety is most useful?

Many people are interested in which kind of honey is most useful for the liver. In fact, there is no clear answer to this question. For example, in inflammatory diseases honey based on rosehip works better . The same variety is excellent for liver cleansing, as it contains a high concentration of vitamin C and antioxidants and has a choleretic effect.

Is well suited for the prevention of various diseases and normalization of the condition of hepatocytes meadow variety, chestnut and buckwheat .

But remember that honey should be bought from people who are seriously engaged in beekeeping. Sellers must be verified. What is sold on store shelves is most often a low-quality product that will only harm you instead of benefit.

Lavender, rowan, raspberry, and apple varieties are well suited for therapy. For some diseases, mountain honey will be especially effective, but it is much more difficult to get it. For more effective treatment and prevention, honey should be taken with royal jelly or with honeycombs.

Honey cleaning scheme

To effectively cleanse the liver, experts recommend using dark honey varieties. Remember that before starting the main cleansing measures, you should prepare the body.

The preparation is as follows: for 2 weeks, a honey drink should be consumed before meals.

During preparation and cleaning, you should avoid using sugar (completely). You will need ginger broth, honey and clean water directly for cleaning. For cooking of ginger broth you should chop the ginger root (about 5 cm in length) and pour water over it. Keep this mixture in a water bath, bring it to a boil and cook for another 20 minutes. Then cool, close tightly and leave in the refrigerator.

Procedure scheme:

1. On the first day, add 6-7 grams of honey, a couple of drops of lemon juice and 10 drops of ginger tincture to a glass of purified water;
2. Increase the amount of ginger tincture by 2 drops daily;
3. After you reach the mark of 38 drops, stop increasing the dose and continue to drink the drink in the same concentration for another 15 days;
4. After that, gradually reduce the concentrate;
5. When you get to 10 drops, take a break of 2 weeks;
6. After a break, you can resume cleansing, if there is a doctor's permission and a need for it.

It is also important to follow an appropriate diet: avoid fatty, fried, spicy, salty food, canned food, products containing a large number of preservatives, flavorings, flavorings, alcoholic and tobacco products. Diversify your menu with fruits, vegetables, low-fat steamed meats and fish.

4 More therapeutic recipes

Over the centuries of using honey products to treat various diseases, several of the most effective recipes have been established. All of them are quite simple to prepare and do not require much culinary skill.

1. Honey water

One of the most famous and at the same time effective recipes is the honey water recipe. In order to prepare such a drink, you will need:

• Mineral water (1 faceted glass);
• 2 tablespoons of honey of any kind.

Mix all the ingredients. Take this drink daily in the morning before meals. You can add a slice of lemon, orange or apples for the taste.

This drink is perfect for those who suffer from constant spasms in the biliary tract, liver colic or stagnation of bile. It is well suited for the restoration of intestinal microflora after poisoning.

2. Honey pumpkin

Including pumpkin with honey in your diet helps to start regenerative processes in the liver at the cellular level. 13 facts about the benefits of pumpkin for the liver, see here →

In order to cook a honey pumpkin, take:

• Raw pumpkin fruit;
• 3 tablespoons of honey of any kind.

Cooking method:

1. Peel the fruit, rub it on a fine grater.
2. You can twist a pumpkin in a meat grinder, if not a grater.
3. Squeeze the pulp from excess liquid with a piece of gauze.
4. Add honey to the pumpkin and mix the mixture well.
5. It is advisable to add a drop of olive oil and egg white to such a dish.

This remedy is perfect for those who suffer from cirrhotic liver damage, which is combined with gastrointestinal diseases of non-inflammatory origin.

You need to consume such a mixture of 80-100 g once or twice a day half an hour after eating. The course of admission is 2-3 weeks.

3. Cinnamon honey tea

Choleretic tea with the addition of honey and cinnamon helps well with the elimination of excess cholesterol.

Is prepared and accepted as follows:

1. Pour a teaspoon of ground cinnamon with a glass of boiling water and leave to stand.
2. After that, add 1 teaspoon of your favorite kind of honey and mix.
3. Divide the resulting drink into two portions.
4. One serving should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, the second in the evening.

4. Oats with honey

Infusion of oats with honey is suitable as a therapeutic treatment for residual symptoms of hepatitis. 5 more useful properties of oats for the liver can be found here → 

Cooking process:

1. Sterilize a 3 liter jar;
2. Pour a glass of washed, unpeeled oatmeal grains into the prepared jar;
3. Fill the raw materials with 2.5 liters of boiling water and mix;
4. Cool the mixture, and then add a glass of honey (about 200-250 g) to it. Close the jar with a polyethylene lid;
5. Wrap the jar in a warm cloth and leave it for a day;
6. After that, transfer the jar to the refrigerator;

You need to take this mixture three times a day in a glass after meals. In order for the mixture to be warm and pleasant, dilute it with warm boiled water before use. The treatment course is 3 months.

Can I take it with a sick liver?

Honey can be considered one of the most effective therapeutic and preventive agents for liver diseases.

• Cirrhosis. The use of bee products in the presence of cirrhosis of the liver helps to prevent the accumulation of bile and the formation of stones in the bile ducts, as well as to correct metabolic processes in the body. But the decision to include honey in your therapeutic course should be made only by a doctor.
• Fatty hepatosis. For those suffering from fatty hepatosis, it will be useful to eat a spoonful of honey in the morning on an empty stomach, as well as to consume pumpkin with honey and honey water. You can add garlic and lemon to these products, which will enhance the beneficial effects of drinks and honey mixtures.

A few words about the benefits of propolis

Another interesting beekeeping product is propolis. Propolis is a resinous substance that is secreted from birch buds, poplar bark, bark of coniferous trees, and sunflower. Propolis is obtained after processing resinous gluten with bee secretions and flower pollen.

Due to its vitamin and mineral rich composition, propolis is a useful product for the liver and digestive tract.

Propolis is able to:

1. Normalize metabolic processes in the body;
2. Adjust the absorption of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
3. Prevent cholesterol deposition and plaque formation;
4. Speed up metabolism and normalize Hemoglobin synthesis and histamine;
5. Improve the functioning of the liver and kidneys in general, thereby improving biliary function and increasing the protective functions of the body.

How to take it?

Any treatment regimen that includes the use of propolis or tinctures from it should be made strictly individually. Each patient has a set of individual clinical symptoms, so there is no general treatment regimen.

There is a standard treatment regimen with propolis tincture, but again it is not suitable for everyone.

How to make a propolis tincture with alcohol?

1. You need to take 25 g of raw materials, mix it with 100 ml of high-quality vodka or alcohol.
2. The resulting mixture should be infused in a dark place for 3-7 days.
3. Shake the tincture container once a day.
4. The tincture container should be chosen ceramic or dark glass.
5. The mixture should be infused in a cool, but not cold place with constant temperature and humidity.

Application scheme:

1. The tincture is taken drop by drop. It should be taken 25-45 drops per 1 dose;
2. You need to drink the medicine on an empty stomach, 20-30 minutes before meals;
3. You need to take the medicine 3-5 times a day;
4. The duration of the therapeutic course is 2-6 months.

Contraindications

Honey and other bee products are able to perform a number of important functions in our body. But you need to take into account the fact that these products can cause an allergic reaction . Therefore, before using them, consult your doctor or take an allergy test.

For the test, you should eat a small amount of honey (namely honey, since other products do not contain such a high concentration of active substances) and wait for the reaction. If after some time you notice a rash, hives, itching or swelling, then do not continue treatment in any case.

Honey and other products containing it in the composition may not always be beneficial. Various side effects may occur due to the presence of the following pathologies:

• Allergic reactions . If you are predisposed to allergic reactions of various etiologies, it is forbidden to take any bee products;
• Diabetes mellitus . Since honey products contain high levels of fructose and glucose, the inconsistent use of these products can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels. People suffering from diabetes mellitus need to consult with their doctor before using honey for any purpose.
• Obesity . Honey contains a large amount of carbohydrates, which are obviously not useful to a person suffering from overweight or obesity.

Conclusion

Honey is a unique natural product that is not only a delicious delicacy, but also an effective medicine. In case of liver diseases, bee products are useful as therapeutic components. But it is necessary to observe moderation in everything and be careful about the composition of any food. Some of them can harm your body, cause adverse reactions or exacerbation of chronic diseases. So consult with your doctor and think over your treatment regimen.