The Buzz about Honey

Winnie the Pooh was one smart little bear.  Honey, it appears, may be able to cure what modern medicine cannot.  I was going to share with you how wonderful my skin feels after using a honey mask, but after reading some amazing stories about how honey has saved limbs and lives, that seemed a tad shallow. Thankfully most of us will never have to face a life-threatening injury, but with the emergence of drug-resistant super-bugs, it's reassuring to know that something as natural as honey is coming to the rescue.

Healing Honey
The healing ability of honey has been recognized since ancient times and was regularly used to treat wounds and fight infections before the discovery of penicillin.  But don't rely on some of today's over-processed honey that has been stripped of its antioxidants, enzymes, and antibiotic properties to do the same:  Look for raw honey, and if you want the very best you may want to splurge on a jar of Manuka. 
           
Super Manuka Honey
You may be wondering what makes this honey so special and why people are paying upwards of $30 a jar.  Although all honey has some antibacterial activity from naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide, honey derived from the Manuka bush in New Zealand has been found to have an additional, more powerful antibiotic, known as "nonperoxide activity" or NPA.  One way to ensure you are getting genuine Manuka honey is to look for the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) trademark.  You will also see a number next to this which rates the NPA potency of the honey.  Anything labeled UMF 10+ is considered strong enough to be therapeutic. However, you will find that Manuka honey without this trademark is a little cheaper. Hospitals use a sterile grade of Manuka on serious wounds, burns, drug-resistant staph infections, and even MRSA.  If you're not dealing with a dire wound and just want to enjoy good honey that's a lot more affordable, then stick with raw honey.
    
How to use Honey

• ​Eat it!  Use raw honey as a natural sweetener, or as an emulsifier in salad dressings or marinades.  It's also delicious spread on whole grain pancakes or toast.  Don't forget that children under 12 months should never be given honey (their digestive and immune systems are not yet fully developed) and if you're diabetic, check with your doctor.
• Boost your immunity with honey tea.  Combine 2 tsps of honey, 1 tsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp freshly grated ginger (optional) in a cup of hot water.  If you're already sick and feeling awful, add a shot of whiskey for a delicious toddy that should knock you right out!
• Reduce the pain of a sore throat by drinking hot water with honey and lemon.
•  Soothe a cough with a spoonful of honey.  It has been shown to work as well or even better than over the counter cough medicine. 
• Treat minor cuts with a thin layer of honey which may help them heal more smoothly and fight infection.  Cover with a band-aid if needed.
• For minor burns apply a little honey for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.  It should also relieve the pain.
• Use to stop the itch of bug bites - it works! 
• Sleep a little better after eating honey.  It has been shown to facilitate the action of the amino acid tryptophan - the same compound that makes you so sleepy after Thanksgiving turkey.

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Beautifying Honey
Cleopatra was renowned for her flawless skin and was said to have bathed in milk and honey.  As well as being an effective moisturizer, honey also contains glycolic acid, a very gentle alpha hydroxy acid which loosens dead skin cells and brightens your complexion. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties can work wonders on acne, eczema, and other skin irritations.

• Moisturizing Mask:  Smear a blob of honey on damp skin (or mix with a little water) and leave on for about 20 minutes before rinsing off. 
• Exfoliating mask:  Mix 2/3 cup of pumpkin puree and 1/4 cup of honey.  Apply to face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing off.
• Face cleanser:  Combine honey and coconut oil in the palm of your hand and use to cleanse your face at night.  You may find this cleanser a little too oily in the morning if you are applying makeup after.
• Honey Bath:  Add a couple of tablespoons of honey to running bath water, or mix with some sea salt and a little oil (such as olive or jojoba) to make a body scrub to use in the shower.  Apply a honey mask while doing either of these and you'll be glowing all over.

"The secret of my health is applying honey inside and oil outside" 
Democritus - Greek philosopher and contemporary of Hippocrates