Long used as a culinary sweetener, honey is valued for its many healing properties as well. Treatment with honey is referred to as apitherapy and includes replenishing energy, enhancing physical stamina and strengthening those weakened by illness or stress. Honey can also help calm the mind and promote rejuvenating sleep. In addition, honey relieves indigestion and is used to treat cardiovascular disease and respiratory complaints. Finally, a thin coat of honey can be applied to the skin to disinfect and heal minor skin wounds and chapped lips.
Honey adds a sweet, smooth, and distinctive taste to recipes.
These qualities retard drying out and staling of baked goods in which honey is an ingredient. Honey will add a golden brown glaze to your baked goods. When substituting honey for sugar, reduce oven baking temperatures by 25 F to prevent over-browning. Measure for measure, the fructose in honey makes it sweeter than sugar. Butter a medium casserole dish.