The Role of Honey in Traditional Medicine

Long before we started popping vitamin tablets or browsing the wellness aisle, people turned to one cupboard staple again and again: honey. It wasn’t just something to drizzle over porridge—it was seen as a healing remedy, a protector, and even a form of currency in some ancient cultures.

For thousands of years, honey has played a central role in traditional medicine across the globe. And while we now understand much more about its makeup and natural compounds, the basic truth remains: honey has always been more than just a sweet treat.

The use of honey in medicine dates back to at least 2000 BC. Ancient Egyptians used honey to treat wounds and burns, often mixing it with herbs and animal fat to create healing salves. It was prized not just for its sweetness, but for its natural antibacterial properties, which helped prevent infection. Honey was even found in the tombs of Pharaohs—still preserved and still edible after thousands of years.

In Ayurvedic medicine (India’s traditional healing system), honey is considered a powerful carrier for herbs, helping to “transport” the benefits of other ingredients deeper into the body. It’s often used to soothe sore throats, ease digestion, and support the immune system.

Meanwhile, Traditional Chinese Medicine sees honey as nourishing and harmonising—used to relieve dryness, support the lungs, and balance internal energy.

What’s fascinating is how many of these traditional uses have stood the test of time. Today, we know that honey contains enzymes, antioxidants, antibacterial compounds, and naturally occurring vitamins and minerals. It’s still used in hospitals (particularly manuka honey) to treat burns and wounds, and its soothing effects on sore throats and coughs are backed by studies.

At Just Bee, we take inspiration from these traditions while combining them with modern nutritional science. Our functional honeys, like Lemon & Ginger for immunity or Turmeric+ for recovery, are rooted in this same idea—taking powerful natural ingredients and pairing them with honey to create something that supports your everyday wellbeing.

So, while we might have swapped scrolls for science journals, the message hasn’t changed. Honey isn’t just delicious—it’s deeply connected to how we care for ourselves, naturally.