The Dr. Josh Axe Show

Episode: What Happens In Your Body If You Eat Honey Every Day?

Date: October 20, 2025
Host: Dr. Josh Axe

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Josh Axe delves into the remarkable healing properties of honey and other bee-derived products. He explores the science, history, and practical uses of honey, detailing its benefits for immunity, allergies, skin health, blood sugar regulation, digestion, and more. The episode also covers the different types of honey, how to choose the best kind, and touches on the power of Manuka honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, bee venom, and propolis. Dr. Axe provides expert insights, practical tips, memorable anecdotes, and scientific studies to demonstrate why honey should be considered a staple in any natural health regimen.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Timeless Value and Science of Honey

[00:22]

• Honey never spoils due to its unique properties; archaeologists found ancient edible honey in Egyptian tombs.
• Throughout history, honey has been treasured as food, medicine, and even currency—"liquid gold."
• Ancient Egypt called pharaohs “bee kings” and used honey in over 500 medical prescriptions.
• Biblical references: Honey appears over 60 times, e.g., "Eat honey, my son, for it is good." — Proverbs 24:13.
• Quote: “Honey is a thick, golden substance made by bees from flower nectar. It's composed of more than 180 different compounds... honey is basically an immune booster, gut healer, and beauty remedy all wrapped into one amazing superfood.” (Dr. Axe, [03:41])

2. What Makes Honey Medicinal?

[05:01]

• Raw honey contains antioxidants, phenolic compounds, enzymes, organic acids, bee-derived substances (propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen), and hydrogen peroxide.
• Darker honeys usually contain more antioxidants.
• Longevity Insight:
  • Beekeepers are among the longest-lived professions; linked to active lifestyle, consumption of honey, and possible beneficial exposure to bees and nature.
  • Quote: “Telomere length of male beekeepers was significantly longer, suggesting that beekeepers may have longer lives…” ([06:48])

3. Choosing Real Honey: Raw, Local, Manuka

[08:37]

• Up to 70% of store-bought honey is “fake” (filtered, diluted, pasteurized, lacking benefits).
• Look for raw, unfiltered, local honey or lab-tested Manuka honey.
• Dr. Axe usually buys local raw honey for allergies, Manuka for gut health and infections.
• Quote: "When you look for the greatest benefits, you really want raw, local, or a Manuka-based honey that is lab tested whenever possible." ([09:34])

4. Manuka Honey & MGO: The Powerhouse

[10:43]

• Manuka honey comes from the Manuka bush (NZ), related to tea tree/eucalyptus—contains methylglyoxal (MGO), with potent antibacterial effects.
• Exceptional for fighting candida, SIBO, H. pylori, gut healing, and skin repair.
• Personal Anecdotes:
  • Dr. Axe’s daughter’s cradle cap cleared in 3 days with Manuka honey.
  • Used a blend of Manuka honey, calendula, and helichrysum essential oil to prevent scarring after surgery.
• Quote: "Manuka honey has this MGO which is very similar to hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal for its healing benefits." ([13:16])
• Scientific Reference:
  • “Manuka honey represents an alternative remedy for…bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections.” ([15:16])

5. Eight Major Health Benefits of Honey

1. Wound & Burn Healing

[16:25]

• Speeds healing and reduces scarring (often better than silver-based burn creams).
• Creates a protective barrier; maintains the perfect moisture for tissue regeneration.
• Quote: “When honey and silver-based creams go head to head, honey continually wins.” ([17:04])

2. Allergy Relief

[20:12]

• Local honey acts as a “natural immunization” due to low doses of local pollen.
• Multiple studies, including a randomized trial, found greater seasonal allergy relief from raw honey versus antihistamines alone.
• Protocol: Combine local honey with propolis and anti-inflammatory herbs (quercetin, nettles, vitamin C).
• For severe cases: Consider SLIT (sublingual immunotherapy) plus honey.

3. Immune Boosting

[22:40]

• Rich in antioxidants, helps regulate immunity, fights pathogens (esp. Manuka for strep, staph, E. coli, H. pylori).
• Propolis supplement + Manuka honey is a “one-two punch” for immunity, even autoimmune support.

4. Digestive Support

[24:32]

• Soothes gut, balances bacteria, suppresses H. pylori (esp. Manuka for SIBO).
• SIBO protocol: small meals, white rice, lean meats, ginger tea, Manuka honey only as sweetener.

5. Blood Sugar Regulation

[26:07]

• Lower glycemic index than regular sugar; can help reduce fasting glucose and lipid profiles.
• Shown to lower inflammatory markers (CRP, homocysteine).
• Quote: "The dose determines the medicine or the poison... One to two teaspoons is medicine. More can become a problem, especially for inactive people." ([28:07])

6. Antibacterial & Antiviral Properties

[29:23]

• Especially Manuka honey kills MRSA, E. coli, and has antiviral activity.
• Supports natural antibiotic alternative use; preserves healthy gut flora.
• Protocol: Sore throat—Manuka honey and high-dose propolis; herbal support (echinacea, thyme).

7. Skin Health & Acne

[31:11]

• Reduces inflammation, hydrates, prevents scarring.
• For acne: Use Manuka honey as a mask (add aloe and essential oils for more severe cases).
• Quote: "Topically, nothing is better than Manuka honey." ([32:45])

8. Energy & Brain Health

[33:12]

• Honey is "perfect fuel" for physical activity (Dr. Axe used honey + sea salt as a gel for triathlons).
• Rich in tryptophan precursors, can help with sleep and enhance melatonin production.
• Study Reference: Review (48 trials, 3,600 participants) found honey lowers triglycerides, LDL, total cholesterol, improves HDL, boosts insulin sensitivity, reduces cough, and improves healing and sleep.

6. Other Bee-Based Products

[35:59]

Bee Pollen

• Nutrient-dense, supports energy, liver detox, immunity, and seasonal allergy relief (one tablespoon + local honey).

Royal Jelly

• Milky secretion for queen bee; supports longevity, hormonal balance (esp. perimenopausal/postmenopausal women).
• Loaded with B vitamins, peptides, unique fatty acids.

Bee Venom

• Contains melittin and apamin, used in regenerative medicine for joint pain, arthritis, even shows anti-cancer potential.
• Triggers healing by stimulating apoptosis in cancer cells and slowing tumor growth.

Propolis

• Bee “glue” made from plant/tree resins; potent immune modulator and antioxidant.
• Used clinically for immune support, autoimmune disease, and allergy.

7. How to Use Honey (Safely and Effectively)

[38:18]

• Buy raw, local, or high-MGO Manuka honey (avoid commercial filtered brands).
• Daily dose: 1–2 teaspoons (up to a tablespoon if active). Use with tea, food, workouts, topically.
• Substitute honey for all other sweeteners (skip cane sugar/coconut sugar).
• Topical uses: Burns, wounds, acne, face masks.
• As an ingredient: Baking, pancakes, smoothies.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Honey is medicine. One teaspoon. Two teaspoons. If you’re very active, you can do a little bit more than that. But if you’re not, you don’t want to do more than that... the dose determines the medicine or the poison.” (Dr. Axe, [28:07])
• “Topically, nothing is better than Manuka honey.” (Dr. Axe, [32:45])
• “Bee venom therapy is the oldest form of regenerative medicine... bee venom shows powerful anti-cancer effects by triggering apoptosis, which is programming cancer cells for death.” (Dr. Axe, [37:05])
• “Take all the other sweeteners in your diet, get rid of them and use some of those lower calorie natural sweeteners like monk fruit, maybe a little bit of stevia, but have honey be your dominant sweetener.” (Dr. Axe, [34:41])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:22] – Introduction to honey’s historical and medicinal importance
• [05:01] – The nutritional and compound profile of raw honey
• [06:48] – Longevity and beekeepers
• [08:37] – The problem with fake honey and how to choose real honey
• [10:43] – Manuka honey and its benefits
• [16:25] – Health Benefits #1: Wound and burn healing
• [20:12] – Health Benefits #2: Allergy relief
• [22:40] – Health Benefits #3: Immune boosting
• [24:32] – Health Benefits #4: Digestive support
• [26:07] – Health Benefits #5: Blood sugar regulation
• [29:23] – Health Benefits #6: Antibacterial & antiviral properties
• [31:11] – Health Benefits #7: Skin health & acne
• [33:12] – Health Benefits #8: Energy and brain health
• [35:59] – Discussion of bee pollen, royal jelly, bee venom, propolis
• [38:18] – How to purchase and use honey daily

Summary Takeaways

• Honey, especially raw, local, and Manuka varieties, is a potent, multi-benefit superfood that supports healing, immunity, allergy relief, digestive health, skin care, and energy.
• The efficacy of honey is rooted in its complex profile of bioactive compounds, delivered optimally in unprocessed, unfiltered forms.
• Bee-related products (pollen, royal jelly, venom, propolis) also confer targeted health benefits, especially for immunity, hormones, allergies, and chronic pain.
• Dosage matters: 1–2 teaspoons daily are recommended for most people; more may be fine for highly active individuals.
• Genuine, raw, and preferably local or lab-certified Manuka honey brings the greatest medicinal value.

This summary captures the key insights, quotes, and practical advice from Dr. Josh Axe’s engaging and thorough breakdown of the science and art of making honey a healing staple. It should serve as a detailed guide for listeners and non-listeners alike.