Boom in honey sales to treat colds and flu
A BEEKEEPER has seen his stock of honey sell in record time as buyers look to natural remedies to treat ailments ahead of cold and flu season.
Derek Cartwright, 59, harvested around 1,000lbs of honey from 1.5m bees in 30 hives this season.
Usually his stockpile sells in around six weeks. However, this year customers have snapped up every jar in half the time.
Mr Cartwright says he has “never seen a season like it” in 30 years of beekeeping and attributed the boom to an increase in health products.
He said: “A lot of my customers are saying they are stocking up on honey to help them cope with illnesses that crop up over winter.
“My stock has sold incredibly quickly as a result.
“There have been queues outside shops believe it or not and I’ve seen people walking down the street with jars in their hand.”
Me Cartwright runs Horwich Honey near Bolton and charges £ 7 for a 455g jar.
Using traditional methods he makes raw honey, which means it hasn’t been pasteurised in order to extend its shelf life.
It is simply taken out of the hive, spun, settled and filtered into jars.
Because Horwich Honey has not been treated, it is claimed to naturally contain antitoxins with qualities which he believes can help with a range of problems.
Honey is regularly used to sooth sore throats and the NHS even use medical- grade versions of the substance to treat wounds.
Research by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and Public Health England has found honey can ease coughing.
Studies also suggest raw honey can be effective in relieving the symptoms of hay fever and asthma.
His product is so popular the former residents of the North
They are stocking up on honey to help them cope with illnesses.. Beekeeper Derek Cartwright of Horwich Honey near Bolton
West who have moved to the continent and even Australia have it shipped across to them.
However, most jars are sold in a number of shops around Horwich which he supplies.
Mr Cartwright is a registered beekeeper with the British Beekeeping Association.
His four apiaries are recorded on the Animal and Plant Health Agency National Bee Unit website and are available for inspection by the Regional Bee Inspector at any time. The hives are positioned to allow them to forage over a range of flora.