Eat thou honey, because it is good — the Bible (Proverbs 24:13)
Honey, the golden liquid, is a substance produced by honey bees from the nectar of flowers. Not only is it a natural sweetener, but it also has various health benefits and is a natural remedy for many ailments and skin conditions. It is one of the most important ingredients used in traditional and ayurvedic medicine by many people worldwide.
Honey derives its name from the Hebrew word for “enchant.” It is the only food substance that includes all the properties necessary to sustain life, including enzymes, pollen, organic acids, proteins, minerals, and water. It contains various critical minerals like iron and calcium, while it is also fairly rich in Vitamin B. It is also known for the presence of pinocembrin, an antioxidant related to improving brain function.
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Raw, unfiltered, and unprocessed honey is best for your health, while processed and filtered commercial honey is heat-treated which makes it lose many of its properties during filtration and processing. The main components of natural raw honey are sugar, fructose, and glucose, which are very easily digestible. Honey can be relished in various forms – one can have honey by mixing it with juice or smearing it directly on bread like jam, for instance.
Honey has various antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties that give us relief from various ailments. Honey is believed to improve one’s eyesight, cure impotence, and treat urinary tract disorders, diarrhea, bronchial asthma, and nausea. Here are some of the most important benefits of honey for your health:
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1. Boosts energy
Honey can instantly help you boost your energy levels as it is one of the best calorie sources for your body. Taking honey as a great substitute for sugar can easily fight fatigue and lethargic tendencies.
2. Reduces body weight
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Honey is a wonderful substance that can help you reduce weight. Though honey contains more calories than sugar, the presence of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in honey helps digest the fat stored in your body, and help maintain your body weight and prevent obesity. Regular drinking of a glass of lukewarm water with honey and lemon juice is the simplest way to lose weight and detoxify your body.
3. Regulates blood sugar
Honey contains fructose and glucose, which regulate your blood sugar and insulin levels. Therefore, people suffering from diabetes can consume honey without any fear, even though it tastes sweet.
4. Helps in digestion
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The enzymes and antimicrobial agents present in honey can improve your digestion process. Honey is also known for neutralizing gas and constipation due to overeating and indigestion. Thus, including honey in your diet can solve indigestion problems. It is suggested to have one tablespoon of honey just before your meal to help you improve digestion and boost your immunity.
5. Reduces muscle fatigue
Honey is also a great remedy for muscle recuperation and is very beneficial for athletes who suffer from muscle fatigue. Taking honey helps improve athletes’ performance level and prevents muscle tears.
6. Beats insomnia
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Honey, a fat-digesting substance that revitalizes the release of insulin and allows tryptophan (compound that makes us sleepy) to enter the brain easily, helps in fighting insomnia. People suffering from lack of sleep can consume honey with warm milk before going to bed.
7. Treats sore throat and cough
Honey is a great natural healing agent for treating sore throat and cough. The anti-bacterial properties of honey help in fighting bacterial infections that cause coughing, while soothing your sore throat. It can also immediately relieve you of throat infections. You can drink it by mixing it with tea or in warm lemon juice.
8. Heals cuts, burns, and wounds
Honey is well known for its antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties, which are very effective in reducing wounds from cuts and burns. It reduces the risk of infections in your wounds, and thus allows quick healing.
Besides these fabulous health benefits, the natural golden liquid is a great ingredient for fair and glowing skin. It is said that honey was one of the most famous secrets of Cleopatra’s beauty. Nowadays, honey is a common ingredient in various body lotions, hand lotions, soap bars, moisturizers, and many other beauty products, but the best way to get smooth and shiny skin is by applying raw and unprocessed honey. Honey works wonders for soothing skin, preventing wrinkles, acne, treating sunburn, and many more.
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Here is a laundry list of benefits of honey on skin:
1. Moisturizes your skin
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Honey acts as a great moisturizer for your skin as it is rich in natural antioxidants and anti-microbial properties. Using honey on your skin helps absorb moisture and thus keeps your skin hydrated, moisturized, fresh, and supple.
2. Softens dry skin
Applying honey on your body and dry skin areas like elbows and knees can also help one get rid of dry and scratchy skin.
3. Anti-aging
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Honey is a brilliant remedy effective in preventing your skin from premature aging, by keeping free radicals away from your skin and delaying the ageing process. Applying honey can help you wipe away wrinkles and fine lines from your skin.
4. Helps fight acne
Honey, when applied on your skin, extracts all the impurities from your skin and acts as a cleansing agent. Thus, it is used as a natural antiseptic to get rid of pimples.
5. Wipes out razor bumps
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Using razors to remove unwanted body hair is the simplest way, but it might give you a burning sensation that would lead to razor bumps. To get rid of razor bumps and other post-shaving boils, you can immediately apply honey on the affected areas.
6. Helps in getting rid of skin diseases
Due to the presence of anti-inflammatory properties in honey, it can be used in getting rid of various skin ailments like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
7. Reduces scars
Honey helps in lightening skin due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial compounds. Therefore, you can use it as a natural bleach to reduce old scars and dark spots from your skin.
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8. Treats sunburns
Honey protects your skin from harmful UV rays and renews your skin’s ability to rejuvenate. When applied on your body and facial skin, it helps in hydrating it to the deepest layers of sun-exposed skin, and thus helping getting rid of sunburns.
9. Dark circles
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Applying honey on your dark circles can fade them naturally. For better results, you can also mix it with sweet almond oil and apply on the affected areas.
10. Gives smooth and soft lips
Applying honey on your lips regularly can give you soft, plump, and smooth lips. It also can be used as a lip scrub by mixing with brown sugar and a few drops of lemon juice.
11. Moisturizes cuticles
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Applying raw honey can also moisturize your cuticles, as honey contains nutrients and enzymes to nourish your skin. Rub honey over each cuticle to hydrate them. For better results, you can also mix apple cider vinegar and coconut oil along with the honey.
Some of the easy ways to apply honey as a face pack or a facial mask for various benefits are as follows:
1. For a natural face pack
Make a paste of sandalwood powder, turmeric powder, rose water/milk, and honey, and apply it on your face. Leave it for 15-20 minutes and wash it off with normal cold water.
2. For a natural bleach
Make a mixture of tomato juice or tomato pulp and honey and apply it on your face. Rinse it off with cold water after 15-20 minutes.
3. To brighten skin
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Make a paste with honey, lime juice, and chocolate powder and apply the paste on your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and wash it off with warm water with a slow massage.
4. To enhance your skin tone
Make a paste of honey and turmeric powder or fresh milk cream and apply it on your face. Leave it for 20 minutes and cleanse it with cold and fresh water.
5. To get rid of a sun tan
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Blend one teaspoon of raw honey, olive oil, and an egg yolk and apply it on your face. Leave it for 15-20 minutes before washing it with warm water.
6. To heal sun burns
Make a mixture of raw honey and aloe vera gel and apply on the affected areas. Let it stay for around 15-20 minutes, then wash it off with fresh water.
7. To get rid of blackheads using natural exfoliation
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Make a mixture of honey, lemon juice, and sugar and apply on your face, and wash it off after 15 minutes with warm water. This face pack will help you get rid of dead skin cells and will also cleanse your skin.
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8. To control acne
Make a thick paste of honey, fuller’s earth, and lime juice, and leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it off with warm water.
Those are all the benefits of honey on skin and how best to utilize honey for your benefit.
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