Properties: Sweet, neutral

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen, Stomach, Lung and Large Intestine

1. Nourishes the Spleen and Stomach and relieves pain
   Spleen and Stomach Deficiencies
   Assists herbal preparations by protecting the Spleen and Stomach
2. Moistens the Intestines
   Dry stool
   Constipation
3. Nourishes the Lungs and stops coughing
   Dry cough
4. Resolves Toxicity
   Heat toxins of the skin
   Ingestion of poisonous substances
   Open wounds; used for centuries to prevent infection and is currently supported by evidence (Tashkandi, 2021), and even recommended by the NHS (Oxford NHS trust, 2015)
5. Aids longevity
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of animal products which can, with protracted taking, fortify the will (志 Zhi), make the body light and free from hunger, and prevent senility. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).

Suggested Daily Dosage: Decocted in water, used to form pills, used to prepare herbs or applied to wounds.

Cautions: It is used with caution in cases of Damp obstruction, Phlegm stagnation, loose stool or diarrhoea because it can increase Dampness, and induce abdominal fullness.

• Glucose Oxidase
  Oxidoreductase enzyme produced by honeybees and released into the honey which catalyses the conversion of glucose and atmospheric oxygen into hydrogen peroxide and D-glucono-δ-lactone which then spontaneously hydrolyzes to gluconic acid.
• Hydrogen Peroxide
  A reactive oxygen species found in most honeys providing it with antimicrobial properties
• Gluconic Acid
  The end product of glucose oxidase reaction, which is used in food as an acidity regulator, its anion is used in medicine where it chelates Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺, K⁺, Al³⁺. and other metals, including lanthanides and actinides, and is incorporated into cleaning products for its ability to dissolve minerals.
• Diastases
  Enzymes that break down starch into maltose.
• Amylases
  Enzymes that break down starch into sugars like glucose and maltose.
• Invertases
  Enzymes that break down sucrose into glucose and fructose.
• Proteases
  Enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids.
• Royalisin
  Found in royal jelly, small quantities of which have been shown to have potent antibacterial properties.
• Methylglyoxal
  Found only in manuka honey from dihydroxyacetone in the manuka nectar, responsible for its exceptional antibiotic effects and referred to as its MGO rating, but may be an issue in diabetics where it may delay wound healing (Majtan, 2011).
• Grayanotoxins
  May be present in honey derived from from Rhododendron species and other plants in the family Ericaceae. It causes hallucinations, along with cardiovascular and respiratory symptoms and in high doses can be fatal.

Notes:

Honey is interesting due to its high glucose content which seems to contradict the idea that its indications for protracted taking stopping hunger and preventing forgetfulness suggest it was part of a Yangsheng lifestyle that included a "Bigu" keto diet.

However, 80% of honey is simple sugars, split roughly half between glucose and fructose. Glucose is absorbed in the early small intestine, thus providing rapid energy while avoiding feeding the microbiome, while much of the remaining oligosaccharides act as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial bacteria, while its hydrogen peroxide content give it antimicrobial activity. This makes it a good source of rapid energy when encountering a microbial imbalance (Schell et al., 2022). This may have meant it is a suitable foodstuff when starting a carbohydrate fasting regime to counter imbalances that trigger hunger through the gut-brain axis (Yu, Yu & Chen, 2024).

Several reviews that have concluded that honey lowers blood glucose levels and improves metabolic health (Meo et al., 2017; Bobis et al., 2018; Zamanian & Azizi-Soleiman, 2020; Ahmed et al., 2022).