Honey is much more than a natural sweetener, and has amazing health benefits when it’s consumed or applied to the skin. Below are five unexpected ideas on how to use the golden liquid produced by bees.
1. It may provide eczema and wound relief
Medical grade Manuka honey is used in hospitals around the world as it has been clinically-proven to promote eczema wound healing, reduce the risk of further infection and help to retain moisture while soothing the skin. If you’re experiencing an eczema flare up try the Comvita Medihoney Natural Eczema Cream which contains medical grade Manuka honey to help relieve eczema skin irritations and help soothes dry and itchy skin.
2. It aids digestion
There’s a reason why people always offer you a hot tea with honey when you have an upset stomach. The warm tea is soothing and the honey (note cold pressed honey works best) is easy to digest, as it has already been digested by a bee. Plus, the natural sugar in honey will help to give you a little energy boost. Add a slice of lemon to your tea for an extra boost of vitamin C to help support your immune system.
3. It’s a natural preservative
Honey does not need any added emulsifiers or preservatives to keep it fresh, as its natural composition preserves itself. The Ancient Egyptians used honey as a preservative for many of their other foods because it makes a great marinate and it almost never spoils. You can preserve summer fruits and keep them to eat in the winter months – try preserving berries (cover them with one part water to 10 parts water) and sprinkle them over a warm winter porridge.
4. It can condition dry hair.
Does your hair feel damaged? Honey is actually a great natural conditioner - simply add a teaspoon of the stuff to your regular shampoo to smooth your damaged locks. You can also combine it with olive oil or coconut oil for a deeper conditioning treatment. Let it soak for 20-30 minutes with your hair wrapped in a towel before shampooing as usual.
5. It’s great in face masks
In a face mask, honey can help to relieve acne symptoms and help prevent scarring, while also cleansing the skin from dirt and debris. It can be mixed with many different ingredients and has also been known to relieve dry skin and help prevent wrinkles, as it creates a moisture retaining barrier for the skin.
ABOUT THE EXPERT
Michele Wolfe is a Naturopath and author of "Digestive Solutions."
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