There are many benefits of honey which include using honey as an alternative to sugar. Natural honey is especially good for helping limit the number of processed foods we consume in our day-to-day diets.
Below are 12 surprising benefits of honey for you to try, to help you further incorporate the golden elixir into your day-to-day life, not just your diet.
1. Skin care: This is probably the most well-known benefit of honey on the list. Honey is going to become your skin’s new best friend once you finish reading this. To give acne a helping hand, warm some honey between your hands, apply it to the area, leave it for ten minutes and rinse it off. You’ll soon see a dramatic change. Alternatively, add several heaped tablespoons to your bath, soak for 15 minutes, then add a heaped teaspoon of baking soda. Your skin will glow in no time!
2. Sleeping Problems: Can’t get to sleep at night, no matter what? Honey is your solution! The ingredients in unpasteurised honey help promote restorative sleeping by generating additional melatonin to help you sleep peacefully. Stir a tablespoon into your evening’s warm drink and get ready for the best night’s sleep you’ve had for a while.
3. Burns, and Cuts: Although you probably wouldn’t believe it, people have already used honey for generations to solve minor injuries, cuts, and scrapes. It’s especially good for wounds because it doesn’t only clear infections, but stop bacteria spreading. As well as eliminating strong odours from wounds, permanent scarring is dramatically reduced with medicinal honey dressings. Just make sure you are using appropriate quantities.
4. Rashes and Anti-Inflammatory Medicine: Everyone knows a good dose of honey and lemon can help soothe your sore throat but did you know it can also be applied to rashes? It has tonnes of anti-inflammatory agents to help soothe the skin and reduce itching. Rub some honey mixed with extra-virgin olive oil on your rash a few times each day and you won't be bothered by it in no time.
5. Hair Masks: Okay, okay just hear us out here! Although traditionally sticky honey would be your worst nightmare for getting stuck in your hair, when used properly, it can give you a shine like no other. Simply mix a small swirl of our honey into warm water, rinse thoroughly and air-dry as normal. Everyone will be jealous of your sheen! We've put together a luxury honey mask recipe for you that you can make at home yourself.
6. Shampoo: If you've trusted us enough to try the previous point then you should be interested in trying this one too. Unpasteurised honey is superb for helping to restore the health of your hair and scalp. Mix one tablespoon of unpasteurised honey with 3 tablespoons of filtered water, add a few drops of essential oil, then wet your hair. Massage a few tablespoons of honey shampoo into your scalp and rinse well. You might need to wash more each week to maximise the effects, but your hair and scalp will thank you for it.
7. Relieve Hangovers: Had one too many glasses of champagne last night? Although we still can’t provide you with the miracle solution, honey can at least help you ease the pain as you get back into the swing of things. The high fructose content in a few tablespoons will help speed up your body’s metabolism of the alcohol, helping you get back to top shape in no time at all.
8. Rich in antioxidants High-quality pure honey is packed with important antioxidants, including enzymes, organic acids, phenols and flavonoids. These can be helpful in promoting general health, as they can help to lower blood pressure which may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
9. Wound healing and anti-scarring The Ancient Egyptians used to use honey as a medicine for healing burns, wounds and cuts. It is no surprise they did this as honey is most effective at healing partial thickness burns and wounds. Due to the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of honey, it helps nourish surrounding tissues and prevent further infections. By treating tissues gently, you minimise the chance of omitting any scarring afterwards.
10. Overnight throat pains and soreness A good night’s sleep is important for maintaining a healthy diet, but when you are struck down with the common cold, this can be hard to come by. Mixing a spoonful of honey into your evening drink can release enzymes which help to sooth and relax your throat, helping you clear away the mucus and help your sweet dreams return.
11. Gastric Problems Honey might not be the obvious solution for heartburn or stomach pains, but it really should be. The antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds in unpasteurised honey can help with treating your stomach safely and organically. Consume it by the spoonful, or dilute with warm water and the methylglyoxal qualities will fight away bad bacteria in your digestive tract, soothing your pain in no time.
12. Weight loss and Sugar alternatives The sticky golden substance is a great alternative to traditional complex sugars, and swapping regular intakes can help your weight loss. By consuming a spoonful of honey with warm water, you can reduce sugar cravings, and the natural sugars found in the honey break down easier inside the body.
Honey can still do many more things and you shouldn’t be afraid to try it out as a remedy for most common ailments. But, even so, if you are unsure on what honey can do for you, this little list should be the first step to persuading you to making it part of your daily diet. See how much honey can help you now? Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list; you could still try substituting honey in baking for sugar to give you the sweet taste for better body care or infuse it with ginger and lime to create a punchy, powerful preserve for your morning breakfast. Honey is the best example of knowing what to use and how to use it. We know that, and we are sure you’ll agree now too. Purchase your honey today and get the glow!
