Buckwheat honey is highly nutritious and has several health benefits. Read on to know what is buckwheat honey and what are its benefits.
Pure form of buckwheat honey can be identified with its dark coppery color, earthy smell and of course its unique rich, malty flavor. It is collected by bees only from small pink flowers of buckwheat plant, largely grown by beekeepers.
The scientific name of this plant is Fagopyrum esculentum. The uniqueness of this honey lies in the fact that, it is not blended with any honey obtained from other flowers. For this very reason, it is often referred to as monofloral honey.
Nutrition
Buckwheat honey is a major source of antioxidants. Its antioxidant content is as high as that of fruits and vegetables. Research studies suggest that the dark color of this honey is because of the natural chemicals of the antioxidants. A specific type of antioxidant named polyphenol is responsible for the unique color of this honey.
It contains a high amount of essential fatty acids. These acids are important for proper functioning of the brain, nervous system, and the immune system. However, your body cannot produce these nutrients on its own and rely only on the dietary sources and this honey is one of them, which has essential Omega-6 fatty acids or linoleic acid in it.
Seven different forms of amino acids are present in buckwheat honey. Many of those amino acids are found in other protein-rich foods only. Besides, it has a wide range of essential vitamins in trace amounts.
It includes vitamin A, B-complex, folic acid, and Vitamins C, D, and E. It is rich in minerals such as, iron, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iodine, etc. Most importantly, it does not have any fat or cholesterol content in it.
Benefits
One of the key benefits of this honey is that, it can be safely used as a natural cough suppressant for annoying cough in children below the age of 6. It has a high viscosity that helps provide a soothing relief from the irritation in the throat that induces cough.
For best results, a small dose of this honey should be given before bedtime and the child will be able to sleep better. This honey is much more effective than other over-the-counter cough syrups that are used for cough treatment. Moreover, it fights off chronic respiratory infections and restores normal breathing in children.
It's not just one of the best cough suppressants for children, but can also treat various health problems in adults too. Antioxidants present in this honey help to neutralize the free radicals that cause damage to the cells and tissues in the body. Thus, it provides protection to the cells from premature aging and fights off various age related diseases.
The amino acids in the honey are good for hair and skin care. When applied topically, it helps to get rid of various signs of aging and promotes hair growth. Its antibacterial properties can treat acne effectively.
It has excellent anti-inflammatory properties that ensure faster healing of wounds and reduce the chances of formation of scars on the skin surface. Research studies have found that it works well on herpes rashes too.
It eases off mental tension and offers relaxation to the body. For this reason, it is good for those who have the problem of hypertension, anxiety disorders, or concentration problems. Those who have insomnia can have buckwheat honey to get instant relief from the problem.
Since it is rich in nutrients, if it is taken regularly, it brings about improvement in overall health condition and reduces the chances of various deficiency related diseases.
Raw buckwheat honey has more nutritional value than processed honey, as some of the nutrients may get destroyed when the honey is heated for processing. It can be purchased from local health food stores. It does not require refrigeration and can be stored at room temperature.