"Honey is fine," said our medical friend, laughing, "as long as you recognise that it's just a form of sugar." Or words to that effect. But you may remember that Dr. Jarvis of Vermont in his book Folk Medicine (published this side of the Atlantic in 1960 by W. H. Allen) saw it as something more. He quotes a Professor of Chemistry as noting the not inconsiderable mineral qualities of honey. Then writes of the vitamin content. He gives nine reasons why honey is better, going from its easy assimilation to the fact that it has a gentle laxative effect and is a sedative, quieting the body. But most people who use honey, whether as a sweetener in tea (without milk) or coffee or just spread on bread like jam, don't have any medical reason in mind.
This year there were honeys brought in by travelling friends and relatives. And here we have Jarvisisms from, for example, New Zealand. A label on a handy plastic jar makes this high health claim: `This honey is scientifically treated and certified "active" because of its "anti-bacterial activity" properties. Being "active" it is an excellent alternative for traditional antibiotics. Ideal for burns and skin problems and may help alleviate the symptoms of stomach ulcers.' Some claim. The label on the other side just says: `Contents: 100 per cent pure and natural New Zealand Honey.' Maybe the words "scientifically treated" just mean that the honey was not heated or otherwise transformed.
Then from France came a jar of very dark brown or almost black honey - labelled Miel de Forets, believed to be mostly of oak flower origin. Runny and very tasty. From Huelgoat in Finistere, not far from Roscoff. Then Malvern Hills honey, sweet and chewy and distinctive. Which leads up to the fact that this coming Saturday, 23rd October, the County Dublin Beekeepers hold their Honey Show at Christ Church Hall, Rathgar, Dublin 6. As well as honey and other bee products to be bought, there is a craft show with everything from aromatherapy to leaded glass and fishing flies. Only £1 for entrance which goes to the Multiple Sclerosis Care Foundation, in Bushy Park, Terenure. Enquiries to Anne Sullivan: Phone 288 8873. Graham Hill writes that the year was a reasonable one for honey in Dublin, even though the early season was not very sunny. Sean Cronin up in Woodtown had good results early on. By the way, hasn't honey been found in Egyptian tombs of long ago? The French pot had a notice that their honey was to be consumed before 28/7/01. Y