Honey Benefits

I absolutely love honey and I have noticed that many brands have product lines that are at least inspired by honey and some even contain it as their ingredient. I have announced recently a new product line from L'Occitane called Bonne Mere and their honey products actually do have honey extract. But besides having already prepared products, why don't we turn to honey itself? It's accessible, a part of our everyday routine (at least it should be) and there are numerous ways you can make it work for you beauty-wise. I am going to mention some general facts about honey and how we can incorporate it into our beauty regime.

Did you know that the darker the honey is, the higher levels of antioxidants are?

Here are some interesting facts about honey:

*honey is very nutritious

*packed with antioxidants

*has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties

*rejuvenates sensitive and acne-prone skin

*helps with fine lines and wrinkles

*nourishes the deep skin layers(dermis) and results show in the upper layres(epidermis)

*attracts and retains moisture

*honey is a skin-brightening agent

*heals cuts and scrapes

*it helps take out the sting out of bee and/or wasp sting incidents and reduce swelling

*is very good in treating diaper rash

*helps you sleep better 

*is relaxing

*very good for immune system

*improves athletic performance (glucose in honey is a natural energy booster)

*manuka honey is exceptionally good for treating acne scars

*honey is good for treating burns and wounds

*helps with healing sunburn

*is good for reducing hyperpigmentation

*mild for treating rosacea

*and let's not forget treating colds and sore throats 🙂

Honey collection is an ancient activity. Humans apparently began hunting for honey at least 8,000 years ago.So far, the oldest remains of honey have been found in Georgia(country).In ancient Egypt, honey was used to sweeten cakes and biscuits, and was used in many other dishes. Ancient Egyptian and Middle Eastern peoples also used honey for embalming the dead.Honey was also cultivated in ancient Mesoamerica. The Maya used honey from the stingless bee for culinary purposes, and continue to do so today. The Maya also regarded the bee as sacred. As for beauty purposes, who can forget the story of Cleopatra bathing in milk and honey soaks?

Did you know that to make 1 pound of honey a swarm of honeybees flies around 24000 miles and visits 3-9 million flowers? Hard workers those honeybees!

Here I have some recipes of easy DIY masks, scrubs, washes and the like.

Honey scrubs:

1) 1 cup of honey + sugar = easy facial and/or body scrub

2) 1 tbsp of honey + 1 tbsp of ground almonds (or ground nuts powder) + 2 tbsp of oatmeal + lemon juice = healthy and nourishing facial scrub

3) 1 cup of honey + 1 cup of coarse sea salt + 1/4 cup of olive ( or almond oil ) = firm face scrub

4) 1 ounce of flaxseed + 1 ounce of almond oil + 1 tbsp of honey = deep cleansing facial scrub

Honey masks:

1) peeled, cored apple + 1 tbsp of honey = mix in a blender and apply to face, leave for 15 min, rinse

2) 1 tomato + 1/2 small cup of honey = mix in a paste, apply to face, leave for 15 min, rinse

3) 1 whipped egg white + 2 tbsp of honey = blend together, apply to face, leave for 15 min, rinse

4) 1/3 mug of cocoa + 3 teaspoons of sour cream + 1 baked papaya + 1/4 honey cup + 3 teaspoons of oatmeal flour = mix in a paste, apply to face, leave for 10 min, rinse

5) 1 squeezed orange juice + 2 tbsp of honey + 10 drops of concentrated chamomile infusion (4 teabags for 250 ml of water) + 10 drops of concentrated mint infusion + 10 drops of concentrated wormwood infusion + 10 drops of propolis tincture = stir well, apply with a cotton pad, leave for 30 min, rinse

6) 1 teaspoon of honey + three drops of essential lavender oil = mix until you get a paste, apply to face, leave for 15 min, rinse

7) 1 crushed banana + 1/4 mug of oatmeal flour + milk + 1 egg + 1 teaspoon of honey = mix until you get a paste, apply to face, leave for 15 min, rinse

8) 1/2 mug of milk cream + 1 tbsp of carrot juice + 1 ampoule of royal jelly + 1 tbsp of honey + 1 tbsp of crushed fruit (apple, peach, banana or avocado) + 10 drops of propolis tincture = stir well, apply to face, leave for 30 min, rinse

Did you know that honey stored in air tight containers never spoils?

Honey help for anxiety:

1 cup of orange juice + 1 teaspoon of honey + pinch of nutmeg powder = mix and use 2x a day for a more relaxing version of yourself

Honey in hair care:

1) 1/2 cup of honey + 2 tbsp of olive oil = apply to hair and keep under a cap for 30 min, rinse, shampoo and style as usual 

2) coconut oil + honey = great alternative if your hair doesn't react well to olive oil/honey combo (like mine) 

Honey in face treatments:

1) 3 tbsp of rose water + 1/4 cup of honey = mix, leave on your face for 15 min, rinse

2) almond oil + honey = good anti-wrinkle serum 

Honey in facial wash:

1) milk powder + honey

1) yoghurt + honey 

I am lucky to consume only raw, real, natural honey which my parents buy from small organic honey producers in Mostar. They bring me all sorts of honey so I truly am pampered. Where do you get your honey? I have heard that raw honey even helps calm allergies but some deny the relation, however, I am alway for getting organic, natural everything that I can (including honey). So I'll always be in favor of raw honey rather than the processed one we have in stores. I also like visiting organic markets, help boost small producers from my country.