Bees in Four Bottles

People have cultivated honey bees since the dawn of time. The old testament mentions bees and honey several times. Honey was described as a precious gift; something you might offer as a token of highest esteem. An area blessed with prosperity was said to flow with milk and honey. Honey can attract and retain moisture, so it’s no wonder it is used in ointments and cosmetics. Honey is said to have been part of Cleopatra’s daily beauty ritual. If honey is exposed to moisture it can spoil. But a sealed jar can last indefinitely. (Explorers who found a 2000-year-old jar of honey in an Egyptian tomb said it tasted delicious!) Honey isn’t just a sugar substitute. It includes enzymes, vitamins, minerals. It’s the only food that contains pinocembrin, an antioxidant associated with improved brain function. For centuries honey has been used as a medicine. Raw honey can help relieve coughs, sore throats, digestive disorders, skin problems and allergies.