Bee saliva antibiotics coming soon
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One of the more interesting facts about this nectar of the nature gods is that it never spoils. Jars of it placed with the dead in Egyptian tombs yielded honey that was still preserved. Its association with death and preservation in the ancient world made it a common inclusion in the tombs of Hindus, Chinese, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Native Americans and Egyptians. There was no more appropriate food for a corpse (or the spirit after life) than honey.
That honey was a desired commodity is alluded to in many ancient texts, most of which include abundance of honey as a reward in the afterlife. Some ancients, Democritus for one, were even preserved in honey. Ancient Persians exploited mummies for profit, selling the powder to treat wounds. Cadavers embalmed by honey were created just for this purpose.
Mellification was a process mentioned in ancient Chinese texts in which a person donating his body to the cause would eat, drink, and bathe in nothing except honey continually until nothing came out the other end but honey. Naturally this diet eventually proved fatal, and the body was placed in a stone casket filled with honey and macerated for 100 years. The resulting concoction was used for healing and sold at an expected high price.
Scientists have now discovered the active ingredient in honey responsible for its anti-bacterial qualities. It lies withing a protein manufactured by the bees themselves, called defensin-1, and is expected to be medically applicable as a treatment for antibiotic resistant bacteria. It is manufactured by the bees by their immune system, and better understanding of it might also help breeders establish healthier strains of honeybees.
More about honey
More about discovery
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I agree with Oso… a ‘honey of a post’. Bees are kind of a family ‘totem’ (last name begins with B and mom would buy us little BEE pins ect)… I’ve always considered it so fortunate, them so busy and industrious! Honey is large part of the famous ‘soma formula’ and the alchemical nectar immortality St. Germain would chug.
I can’t do the soy milk. I do the honey… but half and half. Soy milk yuck patuey! I know how good it is for me! I know!
I love spun honey.
Great piece MH.
Honey of a post MH. I put honey in coffee, freshly ground beans, a little honey and soy milk.
I’d always wondered why it didn’t spoil.
The hyperlinks aren’t working!
We are having technical problems with the hyperlinks, I underlined them for you.
Back to the honey, something so sweet has to be good for you. A favorite breakfast.
Two soft boiled eggs; mash eggs onto two pieces of hot buttered toast; drizzle honey over mashed; eat.