The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Blood Sugar
Posted by Tai (Lakewood, WA) on 09/14/2006
★★★★★
My mother in law tells me it helps her everyday with her sugar level (she has Diabetes). She feels much better since she has taken molasses.
Circulation
Posted by Maureen (Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada)
★★★★★
Thank you Norman L. from Abbotsford, BC for taking the time to write about the benefits blackstrap molasses has had for you. I have NEVER heard of anything that helps swollen ankles and your e-mail has given me hope. I have just started using it for other reasons and now hope I get the same results you got. I must say I try so many things that I would not know what worked if something did work! I will pass on something that I discovered last week. I used the remainder of blackstrap molasses I have had for years and bought new organic unsulfured blackstrap molassas last week. There was some that I could not get out of the bottle so rather than waste it I decided to add shampoo and water to the bottle and wash my hair with it to see if it would help my gray hair. Well it did not, no surprise there, but it did clean my scalp (from itch) about 90% for most of the day. It worked just as good as apple cider vinegar does for me without the smell.
'Thank you Earth Clinic for a fantastic site and also to Ted and Bill for your valuable input. Maureen
Energy
Posted by Tone (California) on 05/01/2015
★★★★★
I use BSM to increase my energy level. I give it to my little one to improve hair growth. She wouldn't take it at first. Said it was nasty(It really is unless you particularly enjoy licorice, anise, etc..) I do like Chai and thus created a new take on the beverage. We take approx. 1 cup 18-10 oz of almond milk (We like the vanilla favored) and mix in 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and 1/4 tsp of ground cloves , and 1 tbsp. of BSM. It really is delicious. I have varied this receipe using sweetened almond milk. Very sweet. If too sweet for your liking add ice or a bit of warm water. Oh, I forgot to mention, I warm up this concoction in the microwave for a few minutes before serving
Anemia
Posted by Marilyn (Northern Calif) on 12/05/2016
Hi Robert, I read a book called "Back to Eden", didn't know about the video, will check it out... Thanks for the info.. I have being growing stuff for years, and clay can be little work, but I enjoy it..When I was about twenty and working in a hosp in northern Canada I met a military guy who told me if I held my stomach in while I took care of patients, or just walking around I would never have back problems, so I did/do and so yard work is no problem. TYG for Earthclinic.. Marilyn
Anemia
Posted by Debbie (Okanogan, Washington) on 09/13/2017
I love it in milk too, I used to take a tablespoon and then drank water to wash it down, then I tried a tablespoon in a glass of milk sooooo yummy they say it's good to take before bed and now I have real vivid dreams. Make sure to take a vit c with, helps your body to absorb Happy BSM
Broad Benefits
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 07/05/2010
Book Review "Crude Black Molasses" by Cyril Scott
Even though the book is tiny half of the pages are empty while I think that there must be a lot of interesting things to say about molasses. I actually, only bought this book because I didn't find any other and was very interested in the subject. The author has a very Victorian style of writing which seems to indicate that the book was written long before the first edition was published. He talks about the amount of "gallons" being allotted to the UK in 1946, meaning that it was maybe written somewhere after that date but the writing style feels much and much older. The quality of the paper is also very bad especially for those people who, like me, like to underline anything important (the ink leaks to the next page quite easily).
Anyway, the book does contain some interesting information but would I have bought it if there was another alternative..... surely not!
This said I will go on taking my tspoon full of molasses every day, hoping to keep healthy and to have my hair restored to its original color! If it is true that it can protect from cancer, lower blood pressure, keep your nails and hair in a good condition, cure skin problems, growths, constipation and colitis, ulcers, arthritis, strokes and much more it is surely worth it! An interesting fact is that molasses are alkaline while white sugar turns acid in your body. And also his suggestion to add a bit of molasses when you make your jams (as I use jellifying sugar which only exists in refined form I have always worried about my jams not being too healthy after all!).
Maybe time some author would look into molasses and write a more comprehensive book?
Broad Benefits
Posted by Tawfik (Houston, Texas ) on 08/16/2016
Iit's better to take molasses without green tea since it can interfere with the absorption of minerals in molasses. Try with only warm water. You will get used to the taste.
Insomnia
Posted by Joseph (Detroit, MI) on 09/29/2008
★★★★★
Starting using Blackstrap Molasses for Insomnia. Worked the very first night and then after. I take one-two tablespoons right before bedtime. I now get a full night sleep, no waking up in the middle of the night.
Depression
Posted by Lisa (Jerusalem, Israel) on 08/07/2008
★★★★★
I had tried a lot of things to beat depression, Including: St John wort and different traditional medications. Molasses worked - no side effects. It is just a healthy food to eat. I have about 1- 2 table spoons a day. TO make it easier to eat I made a made a molasses based taffy.
Energy
Posted by Laura (Plainfield, IL) on 06/17/2008
★★★★★
Hi! This is a great website. I just tried the ACV yesterday and noticed an increase in my energy. I'm interested in trying the BSM for constipation. I bought some molasses, but it doesn't say "black strap" on it. Does it have to be black strap molasses, or is all molasses considered black strap molasses? Thanks, and God bless.
EC: Regular molasses is the first or second boiling of cane sugar syrup, while blackstrap is the third boiling of the syrup. Iron levels are said to increase 5% in the 3rd boiling.
Energy
Posted by Judy (Saint Cloud, MN) on 06/04/2008
★★★★★
I have been taking a teaspoon of blackstrap molasses every a.m. for the last two plus months. my energy level has increased by leaps and bounds. as far as the gray hair goes ??? I haven't really noticed a huge change but maybe with time it will show. I am a 55 year old female from MN. and have a positive feedback with blackstrap molasses.
Fibroids
Posted by Yul (P, South Africa) on 02/09/2008
★★★★★
(Normal) Molasses has made a HUGE difference in my bleeding from fibroids! (BUT BLACK STRAP Molasses actually extended my bleeding due to the sulphur acting as an anti-coagulant! So I'm really wondering if most ladies here are calling Molasses, BSM or Black Strap Molasses, when they're actually using the sweeter one??)
MY STORY:
I've had 11-17 day long periods within a 28 day cycle for the past 5 years now due to having a fibroid. I've also been craving ice due to iron deficiency thorough summers and winters!
6 months ago I decided to drizzle Molasses (the normal sweeter one) into my ice-cubes, and what a hit!!! I just did it for the iron, but when I had my first and 2nd periods after that, I noticed that my bleeding was not as heavy, but thought it was just my imagination. The 3rd and 4th months my periods went from 11-17 days to only 6-7 days!!! Almost NO pain, and quite a lot less bleeding, especially after the first initial heavy days.
Then I tried ADDING BLACK STRAP MOLASSES to the normal molasses (1:2). This time my bleeding (the 5th period since starting this Molasses journey) just would not stop!! It was SO heavy and SO painful, day 9 was as heavy and painful as day 2-3, and for the first time in years I had to take pain medication! The only thing I had changed was the Black Strap instead of just the normal Molasses.
Then I remembered that the lady at the health shop said that the difference between Black Strap and normal sweet Molasses, is that Black Strap contains SULPHUR. I then read up about sulphur on the internet, and saw that it acts like an ANTI-COAGULANT (which stops your body from stopping bleeding!!) and can cause strong bearing-down pains, which was exactly what I was experiencing! So I immediately stopped the Black Strap and my bleeding immediately slowed down and stopped within 2-3 days.
This past month I've just been on the normal Molasses, and my 6th period has just ended in 6 days again!! I'm SO glad I've discovered this, and can feel my fibroid getting smaller!
WARNING: Just make sure you don't overdose on Molasses!! It was very easy for me to do since I was already in the habit of eating ice all day, and found that by drizzling Molasses into my ice was so delicious that I would often prefer that over food! I was going through 1 BOTTLE (250ml) every 1-2 DAYS!!!
Molasses is very high in iron, copper, etc. These nutrients in high doses can be bad for your liver/pancreas, etc, and yesterday I was extremely weak, shaky, yelow/green/nauseas, with a temperature, after having had diarhoea for 2 days before (could be a sign of iron overdose). I immediately stopped eating my Molasses ice and feel a lot better today.
I think I'm first going to research and find out exactly how much of each nutrient is in Molasses, and how much is safe to take, so that I don't overdose and cause some serious dammage... (Scary!!)
But over-all I'm feeling amazing (before yesterday!) and everyone is saying how much better and healthier I'm looking!
I would like to know though, if most people here are calling 'normal' Molasses: Black Strap Molasses???
Constipation
Posted by Mama To Many (Tn) on 02/14/2018
Dear Bette,
I have given my children blackstrap at that age. Maybe a teaspoon or so at a time.
If she will eat prunes or drink a couple of ounces of prune juice each day that may help, too.
~Mama to Many~
Constipation
Posted by Karen (Kingsland, Georgia) on 10/11/2007
★★★★★
I have been taking the blackstrap molasses for two weeks now. I have super energy now with in days of using it. i,ve also been having regular bowel movements daily. don't want to stop taking this am sold out.
Anemia
Posted by Nicole (Los Angeles, CA) on 09/28/2007
★★★★★
I am a huge fan of BSM. I have used it to help alleviate symptoms from anemia and it really works. Recently, I had a weird thing happen where I was feeling slightly nauseated after consuming even small amounts of sugar. I switched from drinking my customary one cup of coffee to a cup of English tea sweetened with BSM and some half & half. The nausea disappeared and on top of that I feel like I am burning 'cleaner' energy- if you will. Maybe it's the minerals. Give it a try- it's great!
Anemia
Posted by Katy (Astoria, Oregon) on 06/04/2007
★★★★★
Molasses (Remedy): Molasses is packed with iron and other nutrients. I have a large fibroid and have been losing lots of blood during period, this caused my iron deficiency! I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia and was not craving ice like many of the other writers, but was eating tons of MINTS. Ice craving, I have read many times, is associated with iron deficiency! It's actually called "Pica," or a craving for unusual substances without nutritional value. People often eat dirt as well. I noticed that when I ate molasses as well as started an iron supplement along with my usual multivitamin, my mint craving went away. I see that people say their ice craving went away after taking molasses and that made me want to mention the link with iron deficiency and this strange craving! Thanks, Katy.
Gray Hair
Posted by Mary (Dayton, OH) on 02/24/2007
★★★★★
After reading here about black strap molasses and gray hair, I have been taking 1-2 tablespoons in my coffee each morning for a little over three months. I tried it in hot water and it was horrible. In coffee, it taste like a latte, and after getting used to it, I look forward to it every day. The first two months I noticed a difference, but wondered if it was my imagination or wishful thinking. Now at three months, I would say the gray is 70% gone, and my stylist is absolutely amazed. The white patch above my forehead is gone completely. I'm 40 yrs old, and was starting to gray rapidly, it was costing a fortune to keep covered. The first 2 months, my hair grew so fast, that the gray was showing quicker, but I'm glad that I stuck with it, the little bit I have left is hardly noticeable, and I am hoping that in time, it will all be gone. I am so thankful that I read about this on your site, and will be taking it for the rest of my life. I have also noticed an increase in energy, and believe it to be the molasses also. Thank you!
Cancer
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 09/08/2016
Joanne, you would take it with baking soda. Read up on that. When you mix them in hot water it'll foam for a bit.
The theory is that the sugar in the molasses is a bait for the baking soda to get where it's needed.
Cancer
Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 09/08/2016
CANCER AND MOLASSES
Joanne has raised an important point about the sugar content of molasses. Sugar has been implicated in the current obesity and diabetes "epidemics" and many of us have been steering clear of as much sugar (especially white sugar-or white anything for that matter! ) as is possible to exclude from our diets. A bit is needed for the brain of course.To cure cancer with molasses? Stretching things a bit far I think. I am trying not to blow a gasket here! However, molasses has been touted as an exception to the "no/low sugar" rule on account of the fact that it is the un-refined component of the extraction process AND moreover, it contains so many beneficial minerals and vitamins and gosh, do we ever need those friendly guys! BUT sugar cane is often grown on nutrient-depleted soils and subject to quite a lot of herbicide treatment unfortunately. Think mass, mono horticulture for this crop. But, if you grab the organic version, you might be on firmer ground. I try the brew whenever I remember to take it which certainly isn't every day. Also, the thought occurs to me that there is more than one type of sugar in molasses and therefore is a more balanced product.
Sucrose would seem to be more suspect than fructose but the jury is now out on too much fructose also. I guess we could all worry ourselves to death when it comes to our nutrition and how to source the good things in life. But hey, knowledge is power when it comes to fueling our bodies and those of our children. I hope Joanne gets more responses. What does E.C have to say on this vexed question please?
Gray Hair
Posted by Bernie (SOUTHFIELD,MI)
★★★★★
For approx 20 years I have been taking Blackstrap Molasses - 1 Tablespoon daily in warm water. Sometimes if I need more energy I will take a second Tablespoon. How did I find out about Blackstrap Molasses? I purchased a book many years ago about the positives on the product. Today I am 55 years and do not take any medications from a doctor. The great reason I loved the book was about gray hair. My hair today has very little gray hair compared to other people my age.
P. S. I do also take other natural products along with Blackstrap - so I would not state that Blackstrap is the only reason for good health.
Milia
Posted by Michele (Camas, Wa) on 01/25/2018
★★★★★
After taking Blackstrap Molasses for a few weeks, my skin started to clear at a very deep level. I had Milia, small cysts that stay in the skin. These started to clear up miraculously after taking the Blackstrap Molasses. It's wonderful stuff!
Gray Hair
Posted by Cherish (Tucson, Az.) on 02/26/2015
If you're going for the Iron, learn about the long list of foods and other nutrients that either block or impair our uptake of Iron. Even though some foods, like Spinach, are known to be high in it, it is said to not be bioavailable. Learn how there are nutrients that we can take with Iron sources to enable and even triple our uptake. Intake doesn't equal uptake. You could be ingesting iron in vain if you're putting the wrong foods in the same digestive time period, thus blocking your uptake. More study.
Acne
Posted by Sandy (Il, US) on 02/09/2015
For Kristen the oily skin has improved, does that mean BSM is not good for dry skin? Can somebody please tell me? I have issues like digestive problems, (specially in winters because it is so cold here that I can not go for walk during winter and it really effects me both mentally and physically), keep burping all the time if I eat something with skin like soy beans or kidney beans. Need help.
