3 Honey Remedies You Can Make at Home
More than just nature’s sweetener, honey has long been a staple of many effective home remedies. Advancements in nutrition and pharmacology have proven it to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Here are some ways to incorporate honey remedies into your medicine cabinet:
Honey and Wound Healing
Applying honey to cuts and burns promotes faster healing and decreases inflammation. No, really — studies show that it performs just as well as conventional wound treatments. It has even been shown to be an effective pain reliever. Some of honey’s antibacterial action comes from its antioxidants, osmotic effect, and hydrogen peroxide.
Honey Relieves Cough and Sore Throat Symptoms
If your mom ever responded to your sore throat by making you a cup of hot tea with honey in it, you already know that honey helps relieve symptoms associated with coughs, sore throats, and upper respiratory infections. Simply mix two tablespoons into your tea and enjoy both the sweet flavor and soothing relief it brings.
Skin Care & Hair Health
Because honey is a natural humectant, catching and retaining moisture, it’s a popular choice for skin and hair masks. Honey is also a great exfoliator, as it contains natural enzymes that break down dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. It’s much gentler than many popular exfoliants, making it excellent for people with sensitive skin. Honey massaged into recently healed wounds may even reduce scar tissue formation.
What Honey to Buy
Raw honey that hasn’t had its natural vitamins and antioxidants filtered out is the best choice for use in home honey remedies. Avoid added sugars or syrups. Manuka honey, from New Zealand and Australia, is also a great option, as it’s thought to have especially potent antibacterial properties and does not lead to the “superbugs” that have developed in response to many antibiotics. If you choose to buy Manuka honey, make sure that it’s certified and graded with a Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). Local farmers markets or health food stores are great places to find honey.
Honey is generally safe for everyone except children under a year old and people with bee or wasp allergies, but be sure to consult a physician before starting any at-home treatment. With any remedy that involves ingesting honey, remember that even natural sugar should be consumed in moderation.
At one point, you may have heard that bees were endangered. Thanks to the preservation efforts of apiarists (beekeepers) in Texas and around the country, honeybee colonies have been making a comeback.
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