In the world of natural remedies, few elixirs possess the mystique and healing powers of Ivy honey. In this blog, I unravel the secrets of Ivy honey and its health benefits, a treasure hidden in plain sight, and explore its remarkable potential as a remedy for coughs and respiratory ailments.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. For personalised guidance, please consult a qualified medical professional.
Does Ivy Flower?
Most people have never heard of Ivy honey, let alone tasted it or heard about its healing and soothing benefits. When I talk to people about Ivy honey, they often ask: Ivy Honey, what is that? How do you make it? I then explain that I don’t make it, the bees do. The bees collect copious amounts of nectar from ivy when it flowers in autumn and make the most delicious and healthy honey from it.
At first glance, the common Ivy plant (Hedera Helix) may not command much attention with its glossy evergreen leaves. However, its true splendour lies within its exquisite yellow-green blossoms. It’s very easy to miss the flowers on the ivy plant, they can easily be mistaken for fresh growth or yellowing leaves. Perhaps not remarkable then that many people are unaware that Ivy even flowers at all!
Unlike the typical flowering pattern of many of our native flora, ivy waits until the cusp of autumn before bursting into bloom, just as the leaves on trees start to don their vibrant fall attire. Ivy stands as the last sentinel, the final flower before winter takes hold.
The Buzzing Ivy Buffet
What transpires around Ivy flowers during their late autumn bloom is nothing short of a natural spectacle. Ivy blossoms become a bustling buffet for a myriad of insects, from bees to bumblebees, wasps, hoverflies, and countless others. If you get a chance to stand close to an ivy plant a warm sunny autumn day, you’ll be treated to the most amazing sights and smells!
Ivy Pollen and Winter Bee Development
Ivy pollen is a lifeline for bee colonies, particularly in the development of winter bees. These winter bees are vital for a colony’s survival through the long, cold months ahead. They are the bees that will carry the colony though the winter and make sure that they emerge in the spring, full of vigour and ready for another season. The pollen collected from Ivy flowers is the key ingredient in the brood food that nourishes bee larvae. Without this late pollen, the survival of the colony could be at risk.
Ivy Nectar and a Crop of Honey
In a bountiful year, Ivy provides copious amounts of nectar to its visitors. Yet, the story takes an intriguing twist. Ivy honey, produced from this nectar, often remains unused within the hive until spring arrives. The reason lies in the composition of the nectar.
Nectar contains natural sugars, and these sugars vary from flower to flower. Usually honey contain fructose (which largely remains liquid) and glucose (which granulates or goes hard very quickly). Ivy nectar is high in glucose, which results in the honey solidifying in the combs over winter.
Solid, hard or granulated honey is much harder for bees to utilize than high fructose sugar. In order for the bees to use it, they need to heat it to soften it and then mix it with water. Hence, Ivy honey, although collected in abundance, often remain unused in the hive until the warmth of spring returns, by which time, the bees also start collecting and consuming nectar from spring flowering plants. This is the reason why we can often harvest a crop of ivy honey in the springtime.
Ireland: The Ivy Honey Oasis
While Ivy grows in many parts of the world, Ivy honey is not produced in many places. The unique conditions required for its production are a rarity.
One such oasis for Ivy Honey production is Ireland. Our mild autumns allow bees to fly late into winter, and the Ivy continues to bloom well into December in many areas. This favourable environment places Ireland at the heart of Ivy Honey production.
Ivy as a Natural Remedy
Now, let’s look at Ivy’s remarkable potential in soothing respiratory complaints among humans. The health properties attributed to Ivy extract are not to be underestimated, and Ivy Honey emerges as a natural remedy of note with many of the same soothing benefits.
The Mystery of Saponins
At the core of Ivy’s medicinal prowess are saponins. These natural compounds, found abundantly in Ivy extract, and also in Ivy honey, are renowned for their therapeutic properties. Particularly in addressing respiratory issues. The science behind saponins’ effectiveness is both fascinating and reassuring. They work by breaking down mucus and facilitating its expulsion from the body. This mechanism not only eases coughing but also promotes overall respiratory comfort.
How Saponins Work
Saponins exert their effects by engaging with the mucus present in the respiratory system. Their remarkable quality lies in being both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling). This dual nature equips them to effectively target mucus.
1. Loosening Mucus
Saponins are naturally drawn to mucus due to their hydrophilic properties. Mucus serves as a sticky trap for foreign particles, such as dust, bacteria, and irritants. Here’s where saponins play a crucial role: they bind to the mucus, disrupting its adhesive consistency.
2. Formation of Micelles
During this interaction, saponins initiate the formation of minuscule structures known as micelles. Micelles are spherical clusters where the hydrophilic “heads” of saponins orient themselves outward, while the hydrophobic “tails” remain tucked within.
This micelle formation effectively encircles and envelops the mucus, transforming it from a thick, viscous substance into a thinner, more fluid-like consistency. In simpler terms, saponins assist in breaking down the dense and sticky mucus into a more manageable form.
3. Facilitating Mucus Clearance
With the mucus now less viscous and more fluid, the body gains a significant advantage in clearing it from the airways. The respiratory system can efficiently propel this thinned mucus upward and out, reducing the likelihood of it obstructing the bronchial tubes and causing persistent coughing or discomfort.
4. Promoting Comfortable Breathing
As the mucus is effectively cleared, the airways open up, enabling smoother and more comfortable breathing. This becomes especially beneficial when contending with a cough or respiratory issue, as it alleviates irritation and diminishes the urge to cough.
5. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Additionally, saponins found in Ivy Honey have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammatory responses often accompany respiratory issues, and saponins can play a role in mitigating this inflammation, further contributing to relief.
Ivy Honey Benefits vs. Cough Medications
One might wonder how Ivy Honey fares against conventional cough medications. Here’s where Ivy Honey truly shines. It may serve as a natural alternative to cough syrups and pills, offering relief without the side effects often associated with synthetic medications. Perhaps unsurprisingly, some commercially produced cough medications contain ivy extract!
Optimal Usage for Maximum Benefit
For those seeking relief from respiratory discomfort, the recommended dosage is a teaspoon of Ivy Honey three times a day or as needed.
However, there’s a vital detail to remember to get the most benefit out of ivy honey: always consume honey at room temperature. Heating honey above 40 degrees Celsius can lead to the loss of some of its beneficial enzymes, diminishing its effectiveness. So to let Ivy honey work its natural magic, remember to keep and eat your Ivy Honey at room temperature or below.
What does Ivy honey taste like?
Ivy honey is by its very nature set or granulated. This is because of its high glucose content, and to make it more manageable, it is often turned into soft set honey. This is a natural process where the honey is allowed to granulate into very small crystals, making it buttery or creamy in consistency. This makes the honey excellent for spreading on toast or melting into porridge.
As with most mono-floral honeys, like ivy and heather honeys, where the bees have visited one type of plant to make the honey, the flavours are intensified. Ivy honey is quite sweet, with a strong and spicy caramel flavour. Reminiscent of herbs and wintery spices, it reminds me of the gingerbread cookies of my native Sweden. A real wholesome winter treat!
Concluding thoughts
In the world of natural remedies, Ivy Honey stands as a testament to the brilliance of nature’s pharmacy. Its story is one of intricacy, where Ivy blossoms bloom late in the year, offering their gifts to both bees and humans alike. As you welcome Ivy Honey into your health routine for its health benefits, remember the harmony between this humble flower and our well-being. It’s more than a remedy; it’s a reminder of nature’s delicate balance and its enduring solutions to our health challenges.
Your journey with Ivy Honey begins with a simple spoonful, but it encompasses a world of wisdom, healing, and the profound connection between us and the natural world. Embrace its richness and the potential it holds for your health! Bee Healthy!
If you want to know more about how Ivy honey is harvested and processed, go here:
Hanna Bäckmo
Hanna Bäckmo is an award-winning beekeeper, entrepreneur, hobby gardener and internationally published writer. Originally from a small island in Sweden, she now lives in East Cork with her son, two dogs, a flock of rescue chickens and lots of bees. Hanna is the founder of Hanna’s Bees, producing a unique range of natural and sustainable honey, propolis, and beeswax products sold in Ireland’s leading Gift & Artisan food stores and select US outlets. With 70 colonies of Native Irish honeybees, she is a passionate bee-advocate and educator and is an Ambassador for the Native Irish Honeybee.
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