The earliest human uses of honey date back over 10,000 years to the ancient civilizations of modern-day Spain and India. While medicinal methods differ across cultures and time, the areas treated share commonalities, from sore throats to cough suppression. Among some of the numerous benefits of natural, unpasteurized honey are its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties.
“Honey as a natural remedy has been part of every herbalist and homemaker’s medicine cabinet for literally millennia,” explained Dr. LaDonna Rocha, a naturopath and Doctor of Natural Medicine. “Thanks to advances in science, we understand better why it has been such an effective staple. Honey contains enzymes, antioxidants and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help the body fight off invaders and support wound healing.”
Modern medicine has also found honey to be an effective dressing for wounds and burns as well as combatting threatening bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus, due to its natural ability to produce hydrogen peroxide. On the other hand, virtually all benefits of natural honey are completely lost in the heating process of producing most store-bought honey, reducing it to the role of a sugar-dense sweetener. This is where the magic of local honey comes in.
Operating in the Coastal Bend since 2023, Hebert Honey is a family-founded honey operation that began in 1990 with one hive in Danielson, Connecticut. Passed down from founder David Hebert to his son David Hebert III and grandson Patrick, the independently owned operation has worked with dedication to carry on ideals and recipes for natural, ethically made honey.
“Local honey can help control allergies naturally through pollen exposure,” Patrick Hebert said about the numerous gains of buying closer to the hive. Studies have shown local honey can contain hundreds of types of microbes and pollen that can support building immunity to the pollen and other allergens native to the region where the honey is produced.
By virtue of a location’s unique attributes, each region where honey is made has its own special biological recipe. “Other reasons local is best [are] because typically you are getting a unique flavor from your own floral region, usually supporting a local business and also helping to support your local pollination,” Hebert said.
Hebert Honey focuses on producing raw, local Texas honey as well as 100% natural products like organic handmade moisturizing, healing creams and beeswax lip balm.
Those looking to shop small and support local honey makers would be remiss not to look into the myriad benefits raw, natural honey provides consumers. The thousands of years of treatments and traditions could scarcely be covered across a single page.
Holistic medicine practitioners like Dr. Rocha advise shoppers to buy as close to the hive as they can to reap the full supplemental rewards, and to ask consciously about where the honey is sourced. Anyone looking to add a little holistic magic to their personal biome can look no further than adding a spoonful to their favorite yogurt, fresh bread, teas and more.
Contact: @heberthoneytexas | heberthoneytexas.com | @the_lamp_and_leaf_holistic | lampleafholistic.com
