Honey is on my mind this week. Partly because I received the
jacket cover draft for a book on honey I wrote that will be published this spring.
It’s part of the “Global History of…” edible series by Reaktion Books, fairly
short and concise books packed full of information as well as recipes. I, of
course, hope the book is favorably received and finds its way onto many
bookshelves and coffee tables (it makes a great gift.).
I found the research on honey both fun and fascinating. I
had no idea it has had so many different meanings and uses throughout history
and around the world. One of those uses brings me to the other reason honey is
on my mind. It has frequently been used as a medicine and a tonic, with
different varieties thought to have different properties. One variety, manuka
honey, comes from New Zealand from the flowers of tea trees. Tea tree oil has
recently become popular for skin ailments, and the honey has been reported to
have healing affects also—especially for individuals dealing with cancer.
My oldest son was diagnosed three years ago with stage four
colon cancer. There is no history of such cancer in our family background, and
he has always been very fit and healthy—and a vegetarian and vegan for much of
his life. His profile does not fit the usual colon cancer patient. Needless to
say, the diagnosis was traumatic for all of us.
So, when I came across the reports on manuka honey, I started
searching for it. I also bought him buckwheat honey—more expensive than the
lighter-colored blended honeys usually popular in the US, but available in
ethnic groceries and some supermarkets. (I bought a jar in a Ukrainian store in
the Cleveland, Ohio area.) The manuka honey, though, was not easily available,
and when I did find it—usually in health food stores—it was very expensive. I
ended up buying a small jar (about 4 ounces) for $26. He stirs it into his tea. Does it work? We
don’t know yet. He has just had his 3rd major surgery to remove yet
more of his colon. Furthermore, considering that this is the week leading up to
a an inauguration, along with the pain and exhaustion that accompanies recuperating
from any major surgery, he now has to worry about health care. Certain Republican
politicians are hell-bent on getting rid of “Obamacare,” even though the
Affordable Care Act was built upon a foundation earlier Republicans had
developed, and even though many Americans will now suffer physically,
emotionally, and economically. The concepts of compassion and community have
been trampled on by self-righteous assumptions of being the only ones who
really know Truth. Rather than talk politics here, though, we need to listen to
each other’s stories. Here is Ian’s: https://www.facebook.com/lucy.long.528.
In the meantime, I will continue to search for ways to help
him heal, and the honey will at least add some sweetness to his day. (Note--Do your own research on honey as medicine. I am not an expert on this. In this instance, I'm just a mother. )
