Healing With Honey

While you may already be fond of having a little honey on your toast, there are also a variety of other uses for this miracle substance.  For centuries, honey has been used for a variety of things beyond mere consumption.  The important properties of honey extend far beyond its uses in consumption.  Although its benefits for fertility, immune system function, and long-life have been highlighted, its topical uses are less well known.

Honey’s anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal as a skin care treatment.  Cuts, sores, a minor infections can all benefit from the topical application of honey.  Smear the honey across the wound liberally and cover with a sterile bandage.  Be sure to dress wounds fresh daily.  Doctors have used honey to heal a variety of conditions including: bedsores, first, second and third degree burns, cuts, lacerations, and even gangrene. 

Honey can also be used as a means to keep skin looking young and healthy.  Honey face masks can help prevent wrinkles, fine lines, and other damage associated with aging.  After washing your face, smear honey across the face and leave it on for approximately twenty minutes.  Apparently, Egyptians were known for using honey in this way in order to keep themselves looking young. 

Honey face masks can also be beneficial for treating acne.  Especially when combined with bee propolis this home-made face mask can help treat facial acne.  Propolis’s high level of anti-bacterial properties alongside honey’s known anti-inflammatory qualities, make this combo ideal for problem skin.  If you are suffering from acne prone skin, but are loath to use the harsh chemicals of drugstore or prescription face scrubs, this honey mask provides a great way to gently cleanse and heal the skin.

Finally, honey can be used as an alternative to traditional hair gels.  Unlike the chemical make-up of traditional hair gel products, honey is an all natural source that can give you the hold you need. 

Using a dime-sized amount of honey in your hand and a more liberal amount of plain all natural aloe vera gel, rub together in your hands and then style hair as usual.  If you need a little extra shine or binding force, add a pea sized amount of olive oil. 

For all of theses uses only good quality honey should be used.   Try unpasturized wildfire honey for optimal results.  Honey is a great all natural alternative to traditional chemical based healing creams, face masques, and hair gels.  So next time you’re in the grocery or health food store grab an extra jar of honey and try out some of its other topical uses.