6 Turmeric And Honey Health Benefits
The combination of turmeric and honey has 6 amazing health benefits; find out which ones in this article.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a herbaceous plant of the ginger family.
Its rhizome is commonly used as a spice and is the key ingredient in curry.
The medicinal properties of turmeric have been known for thousands of years1.
They are mainly attributed to curcumin, a polyphenol with antioxidant effects1.
Related: 17 Health Benefits Of Turmeric Root Powder
What is honey?
Honey is a sweet, golden, and viscous liquid that bees make using the nectar of flowers.
They store it inside the beehive for eating during times of scarcity.
Honey contains a blend of compounds that makes it beneficial to health, including2:
- Amino acids
- Phenols
- Pigments
- Vitamins
- Minerals
Human civilization started using honey as a medicine at least six thousand years ago2.
The health benefits of honey encompass antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal effects2.
Related: How I Cured My Blepharitis With Honey
6 Turmeric and honey health benefits
The combination of turmeric and honey has medicinal properties superior to those of each of them alone.
Studies have shown that turmeric and honey have the following 6 health benefits:
1. Wound healing
The separate topical applications of turmeric paste and honey enhance wound healing comparably3,4.
However, researchers have found that a turmeric and honey paste decreased the size of wounds more than honey alone4.
2. Oral mucositis defense
Oral mucositis is an ulceration of the lining of the mouth.
It is a complication of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
A study showed that turmeric and honey application in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy was effective against oral mucositis5.
3. Gastric ulcer repair
Gastric ulcer is a painful sore in the stomach’s inner lining.
Researchers have found that a mixture of wild honey and turmeric had gastric ulcer healing effect6.
4. Antidepressant effects
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by a feeling of sadness and a loss of interest.
Oxidative stress is a key factor in the elevation of depression7.
A study reported that honey and curcumin (the main active compound of turmeric) increased antioxidant activity7.
As a result, honey and turmeric may be used as a natural treatment for depression.
5. Antibacterial activity
Another amazing health benefit of a turmeric and honey combination is its antibacterial effect.
A study revealed that this mixture had antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus and Proteus species8.
On the other hand, turmeric and honey alone had either no or less antibacterial effect against these species8.
Another study reported that turmeric and honey had properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria9.
These effects were enhanced when turmeric and honey were combined9.
Related: 7 Strongest Natural Antibiotics
Anti-biofilm and anti-quorum effects
Bacteria can create a biofilm, a protective matrix that increases their survival.
In addition, bacteria can sense the density of the population they belong to and modify their virulence based on it. This property is called “quorum sensing.”
Research demonstrated that curcumin (from turmeric) and honey eradicated bacterial biofilm and reduced quorum sensing virulence factors10.
Related: How To Make Manuka Honey Eye Drops
6. Cough suppressant
Multiple studies have found that honey decreases the severity and frequency of cough in children, improving the quality of patients’ and parents’ sleep11,12,13.
Besides, honey was more effective than Dextromethorphan and Diphenhydramine in alleviating cough12,13.
In addition, turmeric essential oil is effective against disorders of the respiratory tract, such as expectoration, cough, and asthma14.
In conclusion, turmeric and honey are beneficial for cough without causing side effects11.
Turmeric and honey natural antibiotic recipe
The recipe for a turmeric and honey natural antibiotic paste is the following4:
- Mix 100 g of raw honey with 10 g of turmeric powder
Related: Should I Take Turmeric On An Empty Stomach?
Summary: 6 Turmeric and honey health benefits
Humans use turmeric to season dishes and honey as a sweetener.
They have also used these natural products as folk medicines for thousands of years.
The combination of turmeric and honey has the following 6 amazing health benefits:
- Wound healing
- Oral mucosidosis defense
- Gastric ulcer repair
- Antidepressant effects
- Antibacterial activity
- Cough suppressant
