Description
Bee Honey and Ginger are natural ingredients well-known for their numerous health benefits. When combined, they form a potent blend that plays a significant role in Ayurvedic medicine. The inclusion of Ginger adds many recognized medicinal qualities to this concentrated mixture. Sri Lanka Bee Honey, available in various multi-floral varieties, not only contributes its natural sweetness but also offers the healing 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 carefully obtained through a collective of beekeepers who have undergone training as part of our Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Project. Our sourcing process prioritizes the well-being of the beekeeping community while minimizing environmental impact. We exclusively collect honey from bee boxes located within (Kandyan) home gardens and forest buffer zones, ensuring that we avoid sensitive forests and disturbance 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 altering it with heat, our honey retains all the desirable qualities you seek in pure bee honey.
This range exemplifies how Goodfolks combines traditional knowledge from local communities, which play an important 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 diverse 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 bees.
The Goodfolks Process
In 2020, Goodfolks introduced the Regional Bee Honey Collection which consisted of Dark, Amber, and Gold varieties. Previously, only Sri Lanka Bee Honey was available, with regional variations existing but not effectively communicated. As a result of our efforts, multiple suppliers now offer bee honey specific to different regions, and consumers have gained a better understanding of the intricate characteristics of our honey. This has sparked an ongoing movement towards improvement and refinement within Sri Lanka’s bee honey market.
Throughout this process, we encountered 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 high-quality 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 establishment 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 allows us to consistently monitor output and scale our business accordingly. Additionally, the program has created new opportunities by tapping into the renowned Kandyan Home Garden system – an exemplary model 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. Nevertheless, we remain dedicated 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 Ginger offers several potential health benefits that arise from the synergistic effects of the two ingredients.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Both bee honey and ginger possess potent anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to compounds like gingerol in ginger and flavonoids in honey. The combination may create a powerful anti-inflammatory blend effective against inflammation in the body, potentially helping to alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. (Source: Pharmacological properties of ginger, Shukla, Y., & Singh, M. (2007).)
Digestive Support: Ginger is well-known for its digestive benefits, including reducing nausea, improving digestion, and alleviating gastrointestinal discomfort. Honey also exhibits digestive properties, including promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Together, the blend of bee honey and ginger may help support digestive health by reducing inflammation, soothing the digestive tract, and aiding in the breakdown of food. (Source: Herbal medicine in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders: a systematic review with meta-analysis, Hunt, R. H., et al. (2002).)
Immune Boosting: The immune-boosting properties of bee honey and ginger 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 ginger and other spices, Nantz, M. P., et al. (2012).)
Antioxidant Powerhouse: Both bee honey and ginger are rich in antioxidants, which 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 activity of honey and ginger, Mohammed, N. A., et al. (2013).)
Respiratory Health: Ginger has been traditionally used to alleviate respiratory symptoms such as coughs, congestion, and sore throat. Honey is also known for its soothing effects on the throat and respiratory system. Combining bee honey and ginger may offer respiratory support by reducing inflammation, soothing irritated tissues, and fighting off respiratory infections. (Source: Effects of ginger supplementation on cell-cycle biomarkers in the normal-appearing colonic mucosa of patients at increased risk for colorectal cancer: results from a pilot, randomized, and controlled trial, Zick, S. M., et al. (2012).)
Improved Blood Circulation: Ginger has vasodilatory properties, meaning it helps relax blood vessels and improve blood circulation. Honey contains nutrients that support cardiovascular health. The blend of bee honey and ginger may promote better blood flow, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. (Source: A review on effects of ginger on blood pressure, Renno, W. M., & Alkhalaf, M. (2019).)
