The Ancient Healing Properties of Strawberry Tree Honey
Dating back over 2,000 years and known for its remarkable healing properties and distinct taste, explore what makes strawberry tree honey so special!
For thousands of years, humans have been praising the use of honey for its taste and its therapeutic health benefits.
There is a standout amongst all other honey—the strawberry tree honey. There are references to strawberry tree honey and its healing uses dating back 2,000 years.
The bitter honey from the strawberry tree has gotten used as a valuable remedy since ancient times. The spotlight is once again on the unique, healthy honey that is taking the world by storm.
Read on to discover more about strawberry tree honey and the ancient healing benefits that make it so valuable.
What Is a Strawberry Tree?
The Latin name for the strawberry tree is Arbutus Unedo. It is sometimes known by its Italian name, the corbezzolo. The strawberry tree is a shrub or small tree mostly found in the temperate climates of the southern Mediterranean.
The strawberry tree grows throughout the Mediterranean and grows especially well in the mountainous regions of Sardinia. It is one of the few places where there are enough mature trees to support substantial honey production. Some say that the best of all strawberry tree honey comes from the Berchidda region of Sardinia.
Featuring dark green glossy leaves and bell-shaped white flowers, the strawberry tree grows to a height of between 16ft (5 meters) and 32 ft (10 meters) tall. The flower, when pollinated by honey bees, later turns into a red berry that looks somewhat like a strawberry.
The berry has a rough, bumpy surface, and is edible but bitter. Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder gave the plant its Latin name— Arbutus unedo. Unedo, in Latin, means "I only eat one", giving us a clue about the pungent taste of the berry.
What Is Strawberry Tree Honey?
Strawberry tree honey is the product of wild honeybees collecting nectar from the flowers of the strawberry tree. The result is prized, rare honey that is known for its unique, bitter taste and therapeutic properties.
The strawberry tree honey is known to people more for its medicinal properties rather than as food. However, some people are greatly attracted to its unique flavor profile. It is known to be healthier than most other honey, including the greatly-touted Manuka honey.
Color, Flavor, and Texture
Strawberry tree honey is different from other honey in its color, texture, and flavor. It's popular with health-conscious people and with foodies because of the unique qualities of the honey.
Color: The color of strawberry tree honey ranges from dark amber to various lighter shades of brown. The variations occur according to the region it is produced in and the age of the honey.
Flavor: Many people expect to taste the traditional burst of sweetness that comes with common honey, but instead they are surprised by its rare bitterness. It has a strong, pungent flavor with hints of bitter herbs and smoky notes.
Roman scholar and lawyer Marcus Cicero, while in Sardinia in the 1st century BC commented about his dislike for strawberry tree honey. He said, "Even the honey, abundant on that island, is bitter!"
Texture: Strawberry tree honey is smooth, spreadable honey with a caramel-colored crystalization that varies according to moisture content.
Health Benefits of Strawberry Tree Honey
The health benefits of strawberry tree honey have been studied and applied as treatments for thousands of years. Today researchers are finding even more proof that the ancient uses are effective as remedies for many conditions.
Ancient Health Benefits of Strawberry Tree Honey
Since ancient times, strawberry tree honey has been an important part of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle for thousands of years. The people of the Mediterranean used it both as food and medicine.
Sardinia's honey cultivation dates back at least 2,000 years when beekeepers set up beehives throughout the island. They needed to fill the demand for the sought-after honey of the wild strawberry tree.
The ancient physician Hippocrates knew about the many health benefits of the honey of the strawberry tree. He prescribed it as a remedy for thrombophlebitis, a condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs.
Strawberry tree honey was also used by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans to heal wounds and cure stomach problems.
The Use of Strawberry Tree Honey Today
As it was thousands of years ago, strawberry tree honey is still in use today. No laboratory product can have as many uses as natural honey. Here is a look at the benefits of strawberry tree honey.
Immune booster: Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, strawberry tree honey protects you from the free radicals that cause cell damage, disease, and premature aging. It has antioxidant power equal to or greater than that of what is found in red wine and dark green, leafy vegetables.
Energy source: Strawberry tree honey is a great source of energy without the sweetness and sugar content of other types of honey.
Antibacterial activity: One of the important ancient uses for strawberry tree honey, it is proven to be a powerful antibacterial agent.
Cancer support: There has been substantial research showing that strawberry tree honey has a positive effect on the suppressed immune systems and inflammation of cancer patients. One study showed that the honey was even found to suppress the division and growth of colon cancer cells.
Other strawberry tree honey benefits:
- Lowers blood pressure and helps to reduce blood cholesterol
- Contains serotonin to help you get better sleep and to improve your mood
- Suppresses cough and soothes sore throats
- Increases brain health
- Regulation of blood sugar
- Supports a healthy gut
- Contains anti-aging properties
- Treats of skin conditions, burns, and wounds
- Helps relieve cold and flu symptoms
Many alternative medicine specialists and people searching for home remedies have figured out all the unique ways to use honey.
Why does Strawberry Tree Honey Cost More Than Other honey?
Strawberry tree honey often sells at 4-8 times the cost of regular, common honey. It is highly valued, rare, and requires certain specific conditions to produce.
- There are only a few regions in the world where strawberry trees can grow successfully. The shrubs also need to be big enough and grow in great enough quantities to have a good production of honey.
- The natural growth of the plant is integral to the strawberry tree honey. There must be very little interference from outside factors. The tree mainly still grows in the same places and under the same conditions, as it did a thousand years ago.
- Flowering occurs during the fall months, with weather conditions sometimes making pollination difficult for the bees. The bees need to work longer and harder to collect the nectar which is already difficult to access for them due to its bell-shaped flowers.
- The flowers of the strawberry tree produce half of the nectar of other flowers. This makes double the work for the bees.
- Because of its excellent health benefits, there is a big demand for the product and very limited production.
Although strawberry tree honey costs more than common honey, the price-benefit ratio is of great value. It's a high-quality, natural product with numerous health benefits.
Past, Present, and Future
While used by the people of the Mediterranean for thousands of years, strawberry tree honey benefits are being recognized more every day around the world. Through valuable research and studies, we know that the beliefs held about Sardinian honey were not just fabrications. We now know there is merit and value to incorporating honey into one's diet, even today.
The inhabitants of Sardinia live very long, healthy lives with many of them living to more than 100 years old. They have long included Sardinian honey into their daily diets, including strawberry tree honey.
The demand for strawberry tree honey will increase over the coming years. There are a few reasons why:
- Scientific studies prove its effectiveness for many health conditions
- Respect for the history, natural habitat, and growth of the strawberry tree
- An interesting addition to the culinary world.
- New sustainable and innovative methods are at the forefront of strawberry tree cultivation
Asphodel Strawberry Tree Honey
The ancient Greeks and Romans placed great value on strawberry tree honey. Some ancient culinary traditions and folk remedies are worth bringing back, especially when combined with sustainability efforts and modern innovation.
Be sure to make a space in your life for strawberry tree honey. Its health benefits are remarkable and the unique flavor will impress the greatest foodies. Visit our marketplace to see our full collection of organic products. Every jar of one of our raw, organic honey is cultivated by Asphodel with a full commitment to quality and tradition.
