Description
Bee Honey and Garlic are natural ingredients renowned for their myriad health benefits. When combined, they create a potent blend that plays a significant role in Ayurvedic medicine. The addition of Garlic brings a multitude of well-known medicinal qualities to this rich and velvety mixture. Sri Lanka Bee Honey, which comes in various multi-floral varieties, not only contributes its natural sweetness but also offers the medicinal properties derived from the island’s rich Ayurvedic heritage and the extensive cultivation of medicinal plants.
The Goodfolks Dark Bee Honey used in this blend primarily originates from Sri Lanka’s dry zone. It is meticulously obtained through a collective of beekeepers who have received training as part of our Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Project. Our sourcing process places emphasis on the well-being of the beekeeping community while minimizing environmental impact. We exclusively collect honey from bee boxes maintained within (Kandyan) home gardens and forest buffer zones, ensuring that we avoid vulnerable forests and disruption to wild bee colonies. This approach guarantees a consistent supply of high-quality honey.
Goodfolks bee honey is completely raw and filtered. Due to the naturally low moisture content of Sri Lanka bee honey, we never subject it to heat treatment for moisture removal. By preserving its natural goodness without heat-induced alterations, our honey retains all the desirable qualities you seek in pure bee honey.
This range exemplifies how Goodfolks combines indigenous wisdom from local communities, which play an essential role in Sri Lanka’s bee honey culture, with a rich Ayurvedic heritage spanning thousands of years. It also takes advantage of Sri Lanka’s thriving biodiversity and longstanding conservation practices found within the renowned Kandyan Home Garden system. Every purchase of a Goodfolks bee honey product supports these connections and allows us to foster an ideal partnership between humans and Mother Earth—an equilibrium sustained by the remarkable power of the tiny bee.
The Goodfolks Process
In 2020, Goodfolks introduced the Regional Bee Honey Collection which comprised of Dark, Amber, and Gold varieties. Previously, the only option available was Sri Lanka Bee Honey, with regional differences existing but not effectively communicated. As a result of our efforts, numerous suppliers now offer region-specific bee honey, and consumers have gained a better understanding of the intricate characteristics of our honey. This has sparked a continuous improvement and refinement movement within Sri Lanka’s bee honey market.
Throughout this process, we faced a persistent challenge: beekeepers’ inability to maintain consistent quality and adhere to our strict environmental policies. This issue arose from a lack of awareness regarding the requirements for producing premium honey that meets international standards, as well as the desire for quick financial gains amidst various crises faced by our country. In response, in 2023 we made the decision to train and recruit a select group of beekeepers who exclusively collaborate with us. This led to the launch of the Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Project.
Through this initiative, our beekeepers receive training on technical aspects such as honey production, harvesting techniques, and conservation practices. This enables us to consistently monitor output and scale our business accordingly. Additionally, the program has opened up new opportunities by tapping into the renowned Kandyan Home Garden system – an exemplar of natural farming.
Unfortunately, Sri Lanka’s bee honey cannot currently be certified organic due to many sources being small plots of farmland. Although these plots are naturally organic in nature, obtaining certification is a challenging and costly process. Nonetheless, we remain committed to working towards achieving this goal one jar of honey at a time.
Health Benefits in each jar
Sri Lanka is not just a bio diversity hot-spot but much of the plant life is also medicinal in nature. So regardless of where you obtain your Sri Lanka bee honey, it is bound to be rich with medicinal pollen sources. Combining bee honey and Garlic offers several potential health benefits that arise from the synergistic effects of the two ingredients.
Antimicrobial Properties: Both bee honey and garlic possess potent antimicrobial properties, thanks to compounds like Allicin in garlic and hydrogen peroxide in honey. The combination may create a powerful antimicrobial blend effective against various bacteria, viruses, and fungi, potentially helping to prevent infections and support immune health. (Source: Antibacterial activity of honey and its combination with garlic against sensitive and resistant pathogenic bacteria, Mohammed, N. A., et al. (2014).)
Immune Support: The immune-boosting properties of bee honey and garlic may work synergistically to strengthen the body’s defenses against infections and illnesses. Regular consumption of the blend may help enhance immune function, reduce the severity and duration of colds and flu, and promote overall immune system health. (Source: Immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects of garlic and other spices, Nantz, M. P., et al. (2012).)
Cardiovascular Health: Garlic is known for its cardiovascular benefits, including reducing blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and the risk of heart disease. Honey, too, has cardioprotective effects. The combination of bee honey and garlic may offer enhanced cardiovascular support by improving lipid profiles, reducing inflammation, and promoting healthy blood flow and circulation. (Source: Beneficial effects of garlic on dyslipidemia, Stevinson, C., & Ernst, E. (2000).)
Antioxidant Activity: Both bee honey and garlic contain antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the body. The combination may provide synergistic antioxidant effects, offering greater protection against free radical damage and chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease. (Source: Antioxidant properties of aged garlic extract: an in vitro study incorporating human low density lipoprotein, Lau, B. H. (2001).)
Digestive Health: Garlic is known to support digestive health by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and reducing the risk of gastrointestinal infections. Honey also exhibits prebiotic properties that nourish gut flora. Together, the blend of bee honey and garlic may help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, improve digestion, and alleviate digestive discomforts like bloating and indigestion. (Source: Garlic: a review of potential therapeutic effects, Rahman, K. (2003).)
Wound Healing: Honey has long been used for its wound-healing properties, thanks to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-regenerating effects. Garlic, with its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, may further enhance the wound-healing process when combined with honey. The blend may help prevent infections, reduce inflammation, and promote faster healing of wounds and skin injuries. (Source: Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity, Mandal, M. D., & Mandal, S. (2011).)
Respiratory Health: Garlic has been traditionally used to alleviate respiratory infections and symptoms like coughs and congestion. Honey is also known for its soothing effects on the throat and respiratory system. Combining bee honey and garlic may offer respiratory support by reducing inflammation, soothing irritated tissues, and fighting off respiratory infections. (Source: The effects of honey on inflammatory cell recruitment due to tracheal mucosal injury in rats, Omidi, A., et al. (2013).)
