Infused Honeys are Having a Moment
Honey is everyone’s favorite all-natural sweetener, but there is more to the sweet stuff than meets the eye (or the tongue). Medicinally, honey truly is a miracle serum– known for healing wounds, staving off cold and flu symptoms, and easing period cramps, among other benefits. So what about herbal infusions?
Infused honeys are a special breed of superfood infused syrups that can be used in place of normal honey for added nutritional benefit (often with a medicinal twist). For centuries, infused honeys have been used as palliative supplements– sweet-tasting ambrosia that helps the medicine go down, never mind “a spoonful of sugar.”
Below, we spotlight six commercially available infused honeys with which to stock your pantry (and your medicine cabinet).
Beekeeper’s Naturals Superfood Cacao Honey
Like Nutella? Looking for a high-nutrient alternative? Beekeeper’s Naturals combines raw, sustainably sourced honey with organic Ecuadorian cacao into an infused honey that reminds us of everyone’s favorite hazelnut spread. Cacao is full of antioxidants and trace minerals like iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese while honey provides clean-burning energy that also helps mitigate seasonal allergies.
As a natural sweetener, this rich cacao honey works well on oatmeal, yogurt, apples, bananas, or anywhere else you might be looking to slather a little love. For those who tolerate caffeine, this superfood honey works well for a pre-workout energy boost.
Philosophie’s Green Bee Honey
A honey infused with greens? We thought you’d never ask. This raw, unfiltered honey from Philosophie features energy-boosting Green Dream powder, which is the brand’s own bespoke blend of organic spirulina, organic maca, organic mesquite, organic hemp powder, organic chia seeds, and organic vanilla. Try it as a substitute for sweet n’ sour sauce or combine this honey with citrus juice, oil and/or vinegar for a sweet, tangy salad dressing. Spirulina helps expedite the removal of heavy metals from the body, and some studies show that its consumption may help ward off cancer and diabetes.
Naturopathica’s Stress Resistance Fortified Honey
Wildflower honey, a staple of the 19th century herbal medicine chest, has long been regarded as a healing tonic. Here, Naturopathica infuses their Stress Resistance Fortified Honey with Siberian ginseng, ginger root, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and ginkgo to restore strength and vitality. Add 1 Tbsp to warm (not boiling hot) tea, oatmeal, toast, yogurt, or other beverage of choice for an added boost of calm. Siberian ginseng is known for its energizing qualities while cinnamon, ginger, clove, and cardamom have all historically been used in Ayurveda to destimulate the nervous system.
Phoenicia Honey Co’s First Aid Honey
While honey has been shown to expedite the healing of wounds, this medicinal honey was designed to heal from the inside out. Phoenicia’s First Aid Honey is infused with ginger, cinnamon, lemon balm, elder berries, echinacea, mullien leaf, comfrey root, burdock root, garlic, lemon peel and turmeric, which imbue it with the appropriate properties to be used as a healing tonic for allergies, sore throat, congestion, upset stomach, insomnia, and as a general nerve tonic that helps bolster the immune system during cold weather (just be sure to wait until your tea is no longer scalding hot before mixing it in, otherwise you’ll cook the most beneficial enzymes in the honey).
Boulder Colorado Highland Honey
Highland Bees 100% raw nervous relief creamed honey contains a proprietary blend of unfiltered honey, catnip, chamomile, lavender, pink rose, linden, pollen, and super healing propolis (a resinous mixture created by bees that is thought to help fight infection). This herbal honey is slightly more concentrated but gives off a warm, earthy flavor that works well spread on baked goods, in smoothies, and blended into sweet dips. (Creamed honey has been processed to control crystallization, so it has a smooth, spreadable consistency.)
Apiterra’s Raw Turmeric and Ginger Honey
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory with antibacterial properties that work synergistically with honey to soothe a cold. Turmeric also works synergistically with ginger, an antispasmodic, antiviral digestive aid that helps rev the immune system and quell nausea. We like this Apiterra honey as a cold and flu remedy for use in smoothies, tea, on toast, or by itself. Try taking a spoonful mixed with half a glove of minced, fresh garlic as a preventative measure before travel or during periods of stress (I refer to this superfood shooter as “nature’s flu shot”).
Read more about the incredible health benefits of manuka honey.
