Medicinal Uses of Plantain

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.

This article is on the medicinal uses of the weed plantain (Plantago spp,), rather than the fruit that looks like a banana.

Harvest:  For fresh use, pick when you need it.  To dry for later use, gather plantain leaves after the flower spike has formed. Plantain leaves are eaten fresh in salads or cooked and eaten like spinach.  The seeds from the flower stalks can be sprinkled on food to add fiber to the diet.  However, plantain's greatest value comes from its medicinal properties.

Medicinal Use:  Plantain in its various forms has been used historically to treat:

• asthma, bronchitis, emphysema
• fever
• bladder problems 
• hypertension
• rheumatism
• venomous bites or stings (snake bites, bee stings)
• contact dermatitis (poison oak, ivy, sumac)
• sores and wounds
• burns

SPIT POULTICE:  

• Insect bites and stings.  Everyone in the family should know where plantain is growing in the yard and how to make a spit poultice with it in an emergency.  Pick the leaves, chew them a bit, and slap them on to relieve the pain and itching from bug bites and stings and poison ivy, oak, and sumac.  Secure in place with gauze and tape.  If you're using this on another person who is going to be squeamish about having your saliva on his body, crush the leaves in your hands or with a rock and then apply directly to the skin.  It takes a little longer, but squeamishness has its price.  While you're treating the patient, especially if the patient is young, distract him from the pain by telling him how the poultice works.  Something along of the lines of, "Crushing the leaves releases the mucilage, which soothes the pain.  The anti-inflammatory effect reduces swelling.  Because the spit poultice also draws out toxins, the venom that makes you itch, the sooner it is applied, the faster and better it works."  Replace as needed to relieve pain.
• Contact dermatitis (poison oak, poison ivy, poison sumac).  Apply a poultice immediately and leave on for 30-60 minutes.  Then wash the area with plantain tea (see below).  Finally, apply a plantain sludge.  Replace as necessary.  
• Burns.  After cooling in running water for 10-15 minutes, apply a poultice and secure with gauze and tape.  Two hours later, follow up with a plantain salve (see below).   

INFUSION
In most of the country, plantain is a weed that grows in abundance, and as such can be used for chronic conditions.  We have so little of it that we're saving it for insect bites and stings.  However, if you've got a lot of it, here's how it can be used.

Internally:  Steep 1/2 cup of fresh or 1/2 teaspoon of dried plantain leaves in 1 cup of boiling water, covered, for 10-15 minutes.  Strain to remove leaves.  Add honey or sugar if desired.  Drink three times per day to relieve:

• diarrhea, stomach ulcers, IBS, gastritis
• colds, hay fever, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, influenza, fever, sinusitis, coughs
• hypertension
• rheumatism, goiter
• PMS, irregular menstrual flow
• bladder problems, cystitis, kidney stones,
• irregular liver and kidney function (only 1-2 times per day)
• blood sugar swings in diabetics

Externally:  Prepare the infusion as above, without adding sweetener.  Use the plantain tea in the following ways:

• wash wounds, rashes, eczema;
• gargle to reduce mouth ulcers and throat pain and infection (2 tablespoons 4 times per day);
• wash eyes to relieve irritation.

SALVE
Using the fresh leaves is generally the easiest way to go.  After all, you get just the right amount and you don't have to store it inside anywhere.  And then have to try finding it quickly.  But, we're preppers.  And sometimes you can't find plantain outside when you need it.  Like when winter lasts nine months. This salve combines the healing effects of plantain with the soothing properties of coconut or olive oil.  Use the salve for:

• rashes, eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis;
• burns and blisters;
• insect bites and stings;
• acne and boils;
• cuts;
• sprains;
• hemorrhoids;
• drawing out thorns or splinters;
• reducing scarring on more serious cuts and scrapes;
• dandruff (rub into scalp, leave on for an hour, wash hair).

Here's how to make your own plantain salve:

• Fill a glass jar to the top with washed, dried, and crushed fresh leaves, or half full with dried leaves.  
• Add in melted coconut oil or olive oil to cover the leaves.  
• Replace lid and let sit in the sun for two weeks.  
• Warm oil if necessary and strain out the leaves.  
• In a double boiler, melt one ounce of beeswax per seven ounces of infused oil to make a firmer salve.  
• Store in a cool, dark place. 

TINCTURE:
Use a plantain tincture for the following conditions:

• For internal use, 10 drops in 1 cup water, 3 times per day:
• upper respiratory infections (best if tincture is added to hot water with a spoonful of honey;
• gastrointestinal complaints;
• sore throat, 10 drops in 2 tablespoons water and gargle or swish for 30 seconds.
• For external use:
• dilute 10 drops in 1 tablespoon water and apply to boils, acne, and sores to prevent infection and promote healing.

Here's how to make a plantain tincture:

• Wash and dry fresh leaves, crush them, and put them in a glass jar.  Pour 100-proof alcohol into the jar, completely covering the leaves and filling the jar.  Replace the lid and shake the jar well.  Place the jar in a cool, dark place, and shake it every day for 6-8 weeks.  Strain out plantain leaves and pour tincture into a clean jar.  Label and date.  Your tincture should last for at least 2-3 years.  

DECOCTION:
 A decoction of plantain roots is used in treating everything listed above, so I'm not going to repeat the list here.  However, the roots are a little stronger in treating two important conditions.  Prepare a decoction by putting one tablespoon of washed plantain root in a small pan.  Add one cup of cool water and bring it to a boil.  Boil for 30 minutes.  Cool to drinking temperature and strain off the plantain roots.  Drink the decoction.  Use this decoction for the following:

• Smoking cessation as needed.  Apparently it causes a natural aversion to tobacco.  
• Venomous snake bites.  In addition to applying plantain spit poultices to the bite, also make this decoction for the patient to take internally.  
• Ringworm.

DRIED SEEDS:
The seeds can be dried and infused in water for a soothing eye wash (after the seeds are removed), as a laxative, and for intestinal worms in children.   Plantain seeds also help reduce nicotine cravings for those trying to quit smoking. 

Contraindications:  Plantain is considered a very safe her to use; however, it may cause minor dermatitis in some individuals.  Because there is no research indicating its safety, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using it.

Links to related posts:
Echinacea
Snake Bites
Spider Bites 
Kidney Stones
Cream of Tartar and Smoking Cessation  

For further information:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/plantain-benefits-4579819
https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/plantain-herb/
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-677/great-plantain
http://herballegacy.com/Ahlborn_Medicinal.html
https://wellnessmama.com/4638/plantain-herb-profile/
Sam Coffman, The Herbal Medic.
Dr. Patrick Jones, The HomeGrown Herbalist, pp 159-164.
Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs, pp 190-191.

© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com

9 october 2023

Brigham Tea/Squaw Tea/Mormon Tea

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.


Mormon tea, the most common name for several species of North American plants related to the Chinese ma huang species, is found only in the western United States.  Ephedra nevadensis and Ephedra viridis are the most common species.  Brigham Young and the Mormon pioneers drank a lot of this, which accounts for one reason for the name.  Perhaps it's because the other names have connotations currently unacceptable in our society.  Squaw tea is one--the local Indians taught the Mormon pioneers about the uses of this plant.  And before that (and before the advent of penicillin), it was commonly referred to by frontiersmen, miners, explorers, and others as whorehouse tea, due to its use in curing syphilis and gonorrhea and reported efficacy in inducing miscarriage.  I'm happy with the term Mormon tea.

Time to harvest:  Mormon tea can be harvested at any time and dried for later use.  Most people have to make a special trip to collect it--it's not something you normally plant, and even if you could find it at a nursery, it grows too slowly to be used for medicine.  I have acres of it and juniper, so I can just walk outside a hundred feet and pick whatever I need.

Alternative:  Mormon tea is often touted as an alternative to Chinese ephedra, ma huang.  However, the North American species do not contain any ephedra and there is no risk associated with its use like there is with ma huang. Its stimulant properties are due to tannins and alkaloids.

Medicinal uses:  Mormon tea is an antihistamine and mild diuretic and it is high in calcium.  It is especially effective in drying up mucus secretions to alleviate runny noses and scratchy throats.  Historically, it has been used to treat:

• rheumatism;
• high blood pressure;
• colds and coughs;
• mild asthma;
• gonorrhea and syphilis;
• mild bladder infections and kidney ailments;
• osteoporosis. 

However, it is important to note that while Native Americans and others used Mormon tea to treat venereal diseases, there is no research to support the efficacy of this use.  Better stick with abstinence before marriage and fidelity afterwards.


Tincture:  According to Stephen Buhner, the dried herb is tinctured in a 1:5 weight to volume ratio, in 50% alcohol.  The dosage is 15-30 drops.  It is best used in conjunction with other herbs.

Infusion:  Pour boiling water over leaves (actually, they look a lot more like pine needles).  Steep 10 minutes, covered.  Strain, add sugar or honey, and drink. 

Contraindication:  Not for use by pregnant women in the first trimester.

Cautions:  Use as tea is safe in moderation. 

For further reading:
Stephen Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, p 370.
Patrick Jones, The HomeGrown Herbalist, pp 103-105.
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/mormon-tea.html
https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs_other/wo_AgricHandbook727/wo_AgricHandbook727_492_494.pdf
https://medicinalherbals.net/mormon-tea-brigham/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594322/

© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com  

13 march 2023

Post Collapse Uses of Red Clover

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.


I had other plans for writing today, but as I was out working in the yard this morning, I saw a few patches of red clover and remembered that I had missed out on harvesting it last year.  I figured today was the day to do it.  And when Lydia came in as I was writing this article and asked which herb she should start working with next, I suggested red clover.  Her timing is impeccable.

Red clover, Trifolium pratense, is harvested just as the blossoms appear, and for medicinal purposes, you want only the blossoms.  You can feed the leaves to your livestock and they will be very happy, unless they are like Bambi's Thumper, who only wanted to eat the blossoms. 

There are numerous clinical studies on the uses of red clover, some of which I have posted links for below.  Red clover probably doesn't make anyone's top ten lists of essential medicinal herbs, but still, it has its uses, especially for menopausal women.

MEDICINAL USES

• Menopause, especially to alleviate hot flashes and prevent bone loss
• Lower blood pressure
• Lower cholesterol
• Whooping cough, to reduce spasmodic coughing
• Upper respiratory infections, including colds, sore throat, and bronchitis
• Asthma
• Psoriasis and eczema

Infusion.   Prepare an infusion using one to two teaspoons dried flowers steeped in boiling water for 15 minutes.  When there is no higher medical care, this infusion may help in managing the following conditions:

• Whooping cough
• Asthma
• Upper respiratory infections
• Gout and arthritis
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Menopausal issues such as hot flashes and bone loss
• Halting the progression of prostate cancer in men

Tincture.  Prepare a tincture in a 1:5 ratio of dried blossoms to 30-40% alcohol.  Put the blossoms in a canning jar and add the appropriate amount of alcohol, seal, and place in a dark cabinet.  Shake daily for six weeks, strain, and put in a dropper bottle.  The adult dosage is 2-6 ml, up to three times per day, for the same conditions as above.

Salve.  Fill a pint jar with dried blossoms and cover with olive oil or melted coconut oil.  Let infuse in a dark cabinet for four weeks.  Strain out the blossoms and discard.  Put the infused oil in a double boiler and add 1-2 tablespoons of beeswax.  Melt completely and stir until combined, and then pour into a jar.  Use for psoriasis and eczema.

Note that for many of these conditions, especially dealing with menopause or lowering cholesterol or blood pressure, it may take up to three months of daily usage to see results.

Contraindications:  Red clover is not for use by women who are pregnant, nursing, or wishing to conceive.  It is not for use by those taking blood thinners.  Do not use prior to surgery, as it may increase surgical bleeding.

Cautions:  Red clover should be avoided by those with a peanut allergy, as the two plants are closely related.

Possible side effects:  Nausea, muscle aches, heavy menstrual bleeding, headaches, constipation, diarrhea, acne.

For further reading:
https://draxe.com/red-clover/
http://www.medicinehunter.com/red-clover
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16645539
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/red-clover.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12496063
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25074017
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26471215
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2724018/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17350196
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3206499/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17078110
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-308/red-clover
https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-red-clover-89577

© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com 

17 july 2023

The Medicinal Uses of Oregano

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.

Precious few clinical trials have been conducted to study the medicinal uses of oregano, Origanum vulgare.  However, it's got a long history of use in folk remedies.

Oregano, an easily grown perennial, is a fabulous addition to the garden as it repels insects.  You can start your own from seed or buy plants at the nursery.  And once you get to the store to pick out your plants or seeds, you realize there are several different kinds of oregano.  And you get mad, because you don't know which kind is best.  So here you go:  Mediterranean oregano, Origanum vulgare, is the most medicinal.  Origanum marjoram is closely related and more often used in seasoning Italian dishes, but is a bit less medicinal.

Only the leaves are used, and as soon as you've got some leaves, you can start using it.  Of course, you don't want to strip all the leaves at once, or you'll kill the plant. 

Of course, most of the world's oregano is grown and used for cooking and in salads.  It's one of the few herbs that is stronger when cooked.  Adding it to your foods is like getting tiny, tiny doses of preventative medicine in each bite you take.  And that's because one of the best properties or medicinal uses of oregano is to strengthen the immune system.  Who doesn't need more of that?

In vitro studies have demonstrated that oregano extracts are active against enterovirus 71,  Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcous aureus, Helicobacter pylori, and Penicillium.  That's pretty impressive, but as noted above, not a lot of clinical trials have been performed.  Researchers are still at the stage of conducting studies on mice.
And these studies on mice have shown that oregano oil can reduce cholesterol, inflammation, and pain.

FRESH OR DRIED HERB

Infusion:  Steep 1-2 teaspoons of fresh or dried herb for 10 minutes in one cup of hot water, three times per day.  Use for heartburn, bloating, and intestinal parasites.

OIL OF OREGANO

Oil of oregano capsules are not the same as oregano essential oil put into capsules.  Oregano essential oil is much more concentrated and powerful.  Oil of oregano is diluted and less potent.  And there there is also oregano oil, which is simply oil infused with oregano and used strictly for cooking.  They are all different animals used for different purposes and are not interchangeable.  Yes, it can be very confusing.

In one of the very few clinical trials on oregano, it was shown that six weeks of supplementation with 600 mg of oil of oregano daily eliminated  Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba hartmanni and Endolimax nana in 10 out of 14 patients, with the remaining four showing a significant decrease in B. hominis. For those who have never heard of these protozoa and amoeba (I certainly hadn't until I started researching oregano), they are very commonly found parasites, even in first world countries.  They are also generally non-pathogenic, meaning they don't cause symptoms in most people.  People with compromised immune systems are another matter.  Oil of oregano is a common supplement sold in most grocery stores and online.

ESSENTIAL OIL

However, most of the recent experience with oregano is in the form of oregano essential oil.  According to Dr. Joseph Alton, author of The Survival Medicine Handbook, oregano essential oil is safe to ingest.  For a natural pain reliever around wounds, Dr. Alton also advises 2-4 drops of oregano essential oil diluted in a 50-50 concentration with a carrier oil and spread around the edges of the wound.  It can also be used to relieve the pain of insect and spider bites.  When diluted to a strength of four drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil and rubbed on the affected area, it is used to relieve menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis, and muscle pain. 

Something that's been circulating on the internet for awhile, and with which we have personal experience here, is called the morphine bomb.  It is touted for treating chronic, serious back pain.  No, it is not going to get you high or anywhere near that.  I came across the formula when looking for relief for my adult son who is plagued by incapacitating abdominal pain that doctors for the past six years have been unable to diagnose or treat.  He's at the point where he's willing to try anything legal and non-mind-altering.  After it helped him, my two daughters tried it for menstrual cramps as well.

The formula is five drops each of oregano, frankincense, copaiba, and balsam fir essential oils in a capsule, taken every four hours, or as needed.  It helps my son until he develops a tolerance to it.  For my daughters, the one who has excruciating menstrual cramps can't function without it.  For the other daughter, she said it worked, but it wasn't worth the Pine-Sol breath so she wasn't going to take it anymore.

UPDATE (7 October 2019):  Further research has found that most essential oils, even those that are food grade, should not be ingested, and that includes balsam fir. Food grade essential oils are safe to use as flavorings; the person eating the food with the essential oil flavoring is getting a very dilute, minute amount overall.  Taken in the quantities above for the morphine bomb is significant and could have a substantial effect on the liver or kidneys.

For respiratory conditions such as coughs, asthma, croup, bronchitis, cold, sinus, and flu, put a few drops in boiling water and inhale deeply for five minutes. 

For relieving stress and anxiety, again, put a few drops in boiling water and inhale deeply.

Contraindications:  Oil of oregano and oregano essential oil should not be taken by pregnant women in medicinal amounts or treatments.  Culinary usage is perfectly safe.  Oil of oregano and oregano essential oil are not to be taken by individuals who take lithium or by those allergic to mint, marjoram, hyssop, lavender, or basil.  These products may increase bleeding in individuals with bleeding disorders.

Cautions.  Because of the risk of increased bleeding, discontinue the use of medicinal oregano products two weeks before surgery.  Do not use undiluted essential oil directly on the skin as it may burn.  Even when diluted it may cause an allergic reaction.  Oregano may also cause a decrease in the absorption of zinc and/or iron.

Links to related posts:
Herbs and Spices
Herbal Antivirals (book review)
Rosemary
Coconut Oil
Dill Weed

For further reading:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5068374/ (accessed on 22 January 2019)
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf0510079%20 (accessed on 21 January 2019)
https://steptohealth.com/medicinal-uses-oregano-oil/ (accessed on 22 January 2019)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23498188 (accessed on 22 January 2019)
https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-uses-organic-oregano-oil/#references (accessed on 22 January 2019)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16010969 (accessed on 22 January 2019)
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266259.php (accessed on 21 January 2019)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769578/ (accessed on 22 January 2019)
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-oregano-oil-benefits-and-uses#section11 (accessed on 22 January 2019)


© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com
  8 july 2024

The Medicinal Uses of Honey

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.

A simple online search for the medicinal uses of honey yields dozens of hits, if not hundreds, including all the health benefits of honey.  It's touted for helping with all manner of problems, from acne to weight loss.  We'll stick with what honey is most especially used for in a true medicinal sense when our society has collapsed.  After all, our honey supply may be limited and taking a teaspoon every day for allergies or in the evening to sleep better will exhaust our stores quickly.

First off, studies have shown that honey is more effective at quieting a cough in children than any over-the-counter cough syrup. Parents also reported that their children slept better.  (However, honey should never, under any circumstance, be given to a child under 12 months of age.)  In addition, it should be noted that the FDA has recommended removing many children's OTC cough syrups from the shelves because of adverse reactions.  Fortunately, we have honey, which is safer, more effective, and cheaper.  Just a teaspoon or two is all that is needed.  And it works for adults as well.  Also, honey tea does a tremendous job soothing sore throats.  Just remember, when making your tea, boil the water first, remove from heat, and then add the honey.  Boiling the honey itself will reduce or entirely negate many of its medicinal qualities.

Dr. Joseph Alton, author of The Survival Medicine Handbook, notes that honey was used to treat asthma in the 19th century.  Patients were directed to breathe deeply from a jar of honey, and improvement usually occurred within a few minutes.  To decrease the number of future episodes, doctors advised drinking one teaspoon of honey in twelve ounces of water three times per day.

As far as healing wounds goes, honey works in much the same manner as sugar, which was discussed last week.  Wounds, especially chronic wounds that aren't healing, have an alkaline pH, which provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, especially MRSA.  Honey (and sugar) are acidic, so they alter the pH and this kills the bacteria.  Honey may be spread directly on a wound and over the surrounding edges, but it will probably be more comfortable for the patient if the honey is spread on some gauze first and then applied to the wound. 

Honey is also an excellent treatment for burns, whether first- or second-degree, and may even be used with third-degree burns when there is no higher care available.  After the burned area has been cooled with running water for 15 minutes (not just immersing the wound in water, but running water), apply a generous amount of honey.  For third-degree burns, make sure this is very thick and covering the entire burn.  Per Dr. Alton, cover the honey with cling plastic wrap (the colored stuff found around Easter and Christmas is thicker and easier to manage) or a waterproof dressing and tape in place.  If the dressing begins to fill with oozing fluid, change the dressing.  The worse the burn, the more often the dressing will need to be changed, but make sure to change the dressing at least three times per day.  Continue for at least seven to ten days.  Do not wash off the honey for at least 20 days (unless the burn has healed).  Add more honey as needed, always making sure that there is a thick layer that goes beyond the edges of the burn to prevent infection and promote healing. 

So what kind of honey should you use?  What is best?

You can buy ridiculously over-priced manuka or Medihoney if that makes you more comfortable.  Manuka is what is most often used in medical studies.  But regular doctors like Dr. Alton and those who have taught the classes I attended say we can use any pure, raw honey.  Your best bet for getting real raw honey is going to be from a local beekeeper.  An awful lot of grocery store honey is adulterated with high fructose corn syrup, glucose solutions, or even just water.  There are numerous tests you can perform at home to determine if your honey is pure or adulterated, but I'm not going to go into those.  For me, the true test, the easy test, is if the honey has crystallized either partially or completely.  The fake stuff will never crystallize.  The real stuff almost always will eventually.

A couple of years ago my in-laws were going through their old food storage and were getting rid of two forty-year-old four-gallon tins of honey.  They were planning to give it to their youngest daughter to feed her livestock.  Fortunately, my husband stopped by first and brought them home for us.  (We have livestock, too, but not as much as his sister.)  And to heck with the livestock, that honey was for us.  So I asked Dr. Steve about using this really old honey medicinally on wounds.  His reply was that as long as it was pure (the honey was completely crystallized), there was no problem at all.  

In our trailer this summer, I found some older, unopened one-ounce jars of honey that I had totally forgotten about.  They're the little jars that come in gift baskets, or with room service in a hotel.  Anyway, they had partially crystallized, so I knew they were pure and put them in our medical kit.  If you have some jars or packets of honey lying around at home and you're wondering about whether they're pure, try putting them in the fridge or freezer.  If they are pure honey, they will crystallize.

Note, again.  Honey should never be given to children under the age of twelve months. 

For further reading:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18666717
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15944502
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23216146
https://www.livescience.com/7446-honey-works-cough-medicine.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/293638941_Medicinal_Uses_of_Honey

30 january 2023