Bees make honey from flower nectar. People reach for it as a quick sugar swap and a thick, soothing coat for irritated throats and coughs. A spoonful straight from the jar or stirred into warm tea are the most common ways to take it. Raw, unpasteurized honey may contain more natural enzymes than processed types.
Never give honey to a baby under 12 months old. It can carry spores that cause infant botulism. Honey raises blood sugar, so anyone managing diabetes needs to use it sparingly.