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Review
. 2024 Feb 9;13(4):532.
doi: 10.3390/foods13040532.

Geographical Origin Authentication-A Mandatory Step in the Efficient Involvement of Honey in Medical Treatment

Tudor Mihai Magdas  1 , Maria David  2 , Ariana Raluca Hategan  2 , Gabriela Adriana Filip  1 , Dana Alina Magdas  2
Affiliations
Review

Geographical Origin Authentication-A Mandatory Step in the Efficient Involvement of Honey in Medical Treatment

Tudor Mihai Magdas et al. Foods. .

Abstract

Nowadays, in people's perceptions, the return to roots in all aspects of life is an increasing temptation. This tendency has also been observed in the medical field, despite the availability of high-level medical services with many years of research, expertise, and trials. Equilibrium is found in the combination of the two tendencies through the inclusion of the scientific experience with the advantages and benefits provided by nature. It is well accepted that the nutritional and medicinal properties of honey are closely related to the botanical origin of the plants at the base of honey production. Despite this, people perceive honey as a natural and subsequently a simple product from a chemical point of view. In reality, honey is a very complex matrix containing more than 200 compounds having a high degree of compositional variability as function of its origin. Therefore, when discussing the nutritional and medicinal properties of honey, the importance of the geographical origin and its link to the honey's composition, due to potential emerging contaminants such as Rare Earth Elements (REEs), should also be considered. This work offers a critical view on the use of honey as a natural superfood, in a direct relationship with its botanical and geographical origin.

Keywords: botanical origin; clinical trials; geographical origin; honey; mass spectrometry; natural superfoods; rare earth elements.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Acknowledged treatment vs. traditional remedies that use honey-based products.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The Rare Earth Element (REE) group (between tracers and contaminants).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of medical indications of honey.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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