There are many honey varieties with different flavors and aromas that depend on which flowers are nearby. Many people like to use honey as a healthier alternative to sugar in their tea or coffee, but there are plenty of other uses for honey that might surprise you. Delve into the best ways to use honey that you haven’t considered and let honey provide benefits to you.
Honey’s Healing Powers
You might be familiar with honey’s healing powers when you consume it, but there are several topical uses for it as well. Rather than reaching for an ointment or cream, raw honey might be the best solution to your problem.
Clean and Treat Scrapes and Cuts
Honey is a natural antibiotic, and it can work wonders to heal minor cuts and scrapes in a timely fashion. Clean the wound, dab a bit of honey on it, and follow with a bandage. It’ll help you heal faster than the typical antibiotic ointments, and you might already have it in your pantry.
Treat Acne
You don’t have to spend tons of money on the best topical acne treatment; instead, you can use honey! Because honey has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s the perfect spot treatment for those pesky pimples. Dab a bit of honey onto your blemishes, and let it sit for up to 30 minutes. Rinse it off with water, and repeat for the following few days if necessary.
Heal Mosquito Bites
Once again, honey comes to your rescue with mosquito bites! Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce swelling, irritation, and itching with just a little dab. As you would for pimples, leave it on for up to 30 minutes, rinse with water, and repeat if necessary.
Soothe Your Throat
Soothing your throat is probably one of the most common uses for honey, but it’s a timeless solution that always works wonders. There are a few different ways to consume honey for a sore or scratchy throat or an uninvited cough. You can take it straight from a spoon, mix it with coconut oil and lemon juice for added benefits, or stir it into your hot cup of tea.
Pamper Yourself, Honey
Now you know that honey can heal many physical ailments, but there are still more benefits! While most keep it in their kitchen or pantry, you might consider keeping a bottle of honey in your bathroom. Rather than spending loads of money on beauty products, you can add honey into your routine to reap the same (or even better) results!
Haircare
Even though you’ve always learned not to put sticky substances in your hair, honey is the exception to the rule. Honey is exactly what you need if you struggle with dull hair and a dry scalp. You can make your own hair mask or simply add honey to your existing hair products.
Heads Up: Adding too much honey to your existing products can cause buildup or stickiness on your hair and scalp.
For the best results, combine honey with coconut oil and olive oil, and then heat it up. Massage it into your scalp and hair from root to tips, and let it sit for up to 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual, and your hair will be smooth and more manageable. Repeat twice each week or as necessary.
Skincare
You already know that honey can help soothe the occasional pimple, but you can also incorporate it into your normal skincare routine. After cleansing your face, mix some honey with warm water and massage it into your skin. You can rinse it off right away or let it sit on your skin for up to 20 minutes for the best results.
Lip Scrub
Dry and flaky lips are no match for honey! Combine honey with a bit of brown sugar and olive oil and scrub it onto your chapped lips. The mixture will exfoliate the sensitive skin and remove any dead skin.
To take it a step further, mix honey with a bit of plain yogurt and let it sit on your lips for about 5 minutes. Once you rinse it off, apply a hydrating lip balm or oil for the smoothest lips possible.
Take a Bath
Even if you prefer not to take baths, the benefits of bathing in honey might convince you to do so. Add a few tablespoons of honey and olive oil to your warm bathwater, and soak for as long as you desire. To kick it up a notch, you can also add some milk to the mixture. Aside from reducing your stress, you’ll emerge from the bath with soft and luscious skin and smell sweet as flowers.
Sleep Better Naturally
Surprisingly, consuming honey before bed can help you sleep more soundly. If you struggle with insomnia, look for raw natural honey for sale before turning to other supplements or prescriptions.
Honey provides fuel for your brain during the night and works to restore your liver’s glycogen levels, as low levels tell your brain it’s time to eat. Therefore, hunger can wake you in the middle of the night and disrupt your sleep.
Through a somewhat complex process, honey also helps your brain produce melatonin. It first spikes your insulin levels, releasing tryptophan, which turns into serotonin and then melatonin. You might take melatonin as a supplement, but your body should still produce it naturally.
Drink Up!
One of the unique ways to use honey is in cocktails. Rather than reaching for the simple syrup to sweeten your drink, you can use honey instead. While different honey varieties work best for select cocktails, the most important thing is to make it into a syrup. Honey is too thick to use in a shaker bottle, so you have to thin it out.
The easiest way to make your own syrup is to heat the honey in a pan with water until it blends together, creating a runny mixture. Now you can use it freely to sweeten your drinks!
Knowing the best ways to use honey that you haven’t considered opens the door to all of the wonderful benefits honey offers. It does more than just satisfy your sweet tooth, and it’s an excellent addition to any household. Aside from your kitchen or pantry, you should add a jar of honey to your first-aid kit, your beauty stash, and even your bar to utilize it in every aspect of your life.
