Although there are many reasons to save the bees, one of the most compelling is the miraculous uses that honey has for us humans. With tons of health benefits, there are plenty of unusual uses for honey besides putting it in your tea. Always opt for Manuka honey or local honey that’s less processed than grocery store alternatives — your local farmer’s market is a great resource. Here are the most fascinating ways to use honey that you’ve never heard of before.
1. It’s a hangover remedy
Put down the Tylenol and pick up the honey! Just a couple of tablespoons in a glass of water should do the trick. Honey accelerates alcohol metabolism, helping the body eliminate toxic compounds in the process. A tasty and all-natural remedy that will have your throbbing headache gone in no time.
2. It can be used to topically health cuts, burns, and more
There are lots of antibacterial treatments that accelerate healing and stop your wounds from getting
Infected. Honey has the same antiseptic effect and can help bruises, burns, and cuts heal significantly faster. Just apply a thin layer to the affected areas.
3. A treatment to make hair softer
Yup, honey can even act as a moisturizer to get your locks shiny and bring salon-quality results.
Mix a tablespoon of honey with your shampoo for additional hydrating qualities, or make a mask of it, mixing honey with olive oil and applying for 15-20 minutes before thoroughly rinsing it out.
4. A skin moisturizer
Moisturizers can be an expensive part of any skincare routine. Cut the costs by making your own natural blend at home. Just heat a little bit of honey until it’s become liquid, pour it over herbs, and let it sit for a week. Then, you can mix a teaspoon of this liquid into unscented lotion for super soft skin. Just remember to only use 1 tablespoon of herbs per 8 ounces of honey.
5. An exfoliator
Honey has so many topical benefits on the skin and can help keep you as youthful as possible. Just like it nourishes and hydrates, it’s also perfect to mix with some ground almonds or brown sugar to make a potent body and face scrub. Have a DIY spa day, slough off those dead skin cells, and reveal your inner glow!
6. A workout booster
Surprisingly, honey can improve the performance of your workout session. If you want to go that extra mile but don’t drink coffee or find that caffeinated beverages aren’t doing the trick, consider consuming a tablespoon of honey before your workout for better overall performance.
7. A weight loss assistant
Replacing sugar with honey can help you achieve your weight loss goals, and will also prevent that dreaded sugar crash. It’s much lower on the glycemic index, and is a natural metabolism booster, helping you burn fat quicker. The flavor is heartier than processed white sugar, and hence you won’t have to use as much to sweeten your drinks or food. However, remember that moderation is key, as it’s still high in sugar.
8. A remedy for intestinal parasites and gut health
Instead of trying chemical-filled medicines, a natural alternative to intestinal parasites is honey. Mix water, vinegar, and honey for this blend to be effective. It protects the gastric mucosa by promoting blood flow and stimulating epithelial cell growth. Plus, its overall anti-inflammatory effects make it superb for gut health, promoting good bacterial growth.
9. A cure for seasonal allergies
If you’ve built up a tolerance for seasonal allergy pills and prefer a more natural remedy, consider fixing those pesky sinus issues and watery eyes with honey rather than OTC treatments. Raw and unpasteurized honey can help with these symptoms. Since bees pollinate local plants and take local allergens with them into honey, ingesting it can help reduce allergies over time.
10. It may improve heart issues
The antioxidants in honey are the main reason why it’s so beneficial to our health. These antioxidants, according to some studies, are associated with lowering the risk of heart disease and protecting your overall cardiovascular health. It can lower blood pressure, regular heartbeat, and even improve blood fat levels.
11. Mental health benefits and increased memory
Some studies show that honey can help prevent neurological diseases and memory disorders. It can also act as an antidepressant and reportedly has anti-anxiety benefits as well. Some people even believe that it can even help with convulsions. If you want to protect your memory and brain from neurodegeneration, consider adding honey to your diet.
