Uses for Honey – Soothes, Softens, Heals – 719woman.com
September is National Honey Month. Loaded with antibacterial and antifungal properties, honey has a multitude of benefits, in addition to sweetening foods. Honey was considered to be the “nectar of the Gods” by ancient Greeks and ancient Egyptians actually made offerings of honey to their Gods. They also used honey as embalming fluid and as a dressing for wounds. Today holistic practitioners consider it one of nature’s best all-around remedy.
Besides using honey as a sweetener in recipes and tea or coffee drinks, here’s a few ways you can use it …
- Never give honey to children under a year old!
DEEP-CONDITION DAMAGED HAIR:
Summer can wreak havoc on your hair, making it dry and dull. For a deep-condition that will leave your locks smooth and soft try this: Mix 2 tablespoons each of honey and olive oil. Warm in the microwave and apply to hair. Wrap your head in a towel or put a shower cap on. Leave on for 30 minutes and then wash out.
MOISTURIZE CUTICLES:
Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. Rub over each cuticle and let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse. The honey will nourish and moisturize the skin while the coconut oil conditions and protects and the acetic acid in the vinegar will soften skin and balance the pH for healthy growth.
Combine 1/4 cup honey with a splash of lemon juice and milk. Massage the mixture all over your feet and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse with water. Honey helps seal moisture into the skin while the lactic acid in milk helps speed skin-cell renewal. Vitamin C from the lemon stimulates the production of skin-plumping collagen. The result…super smooth feet.
ACNE TREATMENT:
Apply honey to affected area with a cotton ball. Leave on for about 30 minutes and then rinse first with warm water, followed by cold water. Repeat regularly for best results. You can also apply before going to bed, cover with a bandage, and rinse in the morning.
HEAL CUTS FASTER:
Honey can treat wounds naturally with its antimicrobial properties…like a “natural” Neosporin. To prevent minor wounds like cuts and scrapes from getting infected, wash and dry the area and the apply a dab of honey. Cover with a bandage. This can also help the skin stay moist and inhibit scarring.
SOFTEN ELBOWS:
Apply honey to rough, dry elbows. Rub the honey in, let sit for 30 minutes and then rinse.
SPLIT ENDS:
Soften split ends while you’re in the shower. After shampooing, coat ends with honey, let sit for a few minutes and then rinse. Your hair will be less frizzy and split ends will look better.
MAKE A MOISTURIZING MASK:
Combine 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Spread over clean face and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse. Your face will feel amazingly soft and smooth with an added boost from the cinnamon that stimulates circulation.
GENTLY EXFOLIATE:
Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 1 tablespoon baking soda. Splash skin with water, apply honey/baking soda mixture and gently rub in a circular motion. Rinse. This is great for your face or body.
COLD SORES:
If you’ve ever had a cold sore, you know the first symptom is usually a tingling feel. At the first sign of this, apply a bit of honey on the spot a few times a day. Honey has been shown to work more effectively than some over-the-counter remedies by killing the responsible virus.
RELAXING BATH:
This works great! Add a few tablespoons of honey under a running tap when filling up the tub or mix the honey in a bowl of warm water and add to the tub that way. The water smells sweet, the water feels super soft, and it will totally relax you.
FADE SCARS:
I haven’t personally tried this like I did with the other uses. (Just saying.) Mix 1 teaspoon raw honey with 1 teaspoon coconut or olive oil. Apply to affected area and massage with fingertips for a couple of minutes. Place a hot washcloth over the area. Let sit until cool. Repeat daily. (Honey is said to lighten the skin while the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compounds help to decrease the appearance of scars and increase healing and tissue regeneration.)
OTHER USES…
PESKY ANTS –
To get rid of ant problems, mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 2 teaspoons of borax. Spread onto a few small pieces of cardboard and place the cardboard in any areas you have seen ants, keeping it out of reach of children and pets. The ants will be drawn to the honey and eat it, with the borax killing them.
KEEP FLOWERS FRESH –
Add 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to your vase of flowers every time you change the water.
** Raw honey contains more active phytonutrients, antioxidants and enzymes for enhanced benefits. BUT the NIH (National Institute of Health) reports you should never consume raw honey because it is not pasteurized so spores and pollens that are naturally inside honey, remains there. Although many people believe in the healing powers of consuming raw honey, there are serious potential side effects such as allergic reactions and food poisoning. It’s a potential source of botulism so it’s best to stay away from consuming raw honey.