The Most Versatile Natural Remedy – You Won’t Bee-lieve it!

What magical, natural substance can prevent acne, fight bacterial infection, help lull you to sleep and be added to your morning smoothie or peanut butter sandwich? Congratulations if you’ve guessed it already – honey!

Honey isn’t just for adding a bit of sweetness to foodstuffs anymore. This gooey and delicious nectar is truly unique. Honey is a resource that cannot be reproduced by humans.  This simple fact makes honey a special and precious resource for health, healing and natural remedies. Note: this article is referring to honey only in it’s 100% pure and RAW STATE. Pasteurized honey does not contain the natural healing enzymes, minerals, and antibacterial components of raw

honey.

Antiseptic. If you’ve ever gotten a scrape or cut, chances are, you’ve used hydrogen peroxide to help rid your wound of bacteria and other irritants. Honey surprisingly contains a great deal of hydrogen peroxide, which is released when honey is diluted by water or bodily fluids. If you’ve ever experienced a burn: whether it’s a mild sunburn or something more serious, consider honey as a natural remedy. In World War I, doctors used honey as a burn remedy, as it has been shown to significantly reduce inflammation, pain and helps fight bacterial growth. Try smearing honey across bandage dressing or apply it directly on the wound to reap some of honey’s healing powers.

Acne prevention. Stemming from its antiseptic properties, honey is an excellent natural remedy for fighting chronic acne and the occasional pimple or blotchiness. Because of honey’s ability to fight infection and bacterial growth, it’s a fantastic natural alternative to chemical acne products that can leave skin feeling dry, tight and flaky. Honey is also an excellent moisturizer when used as a topical skin treatment, leaving your skin feeling soothed and refreshed.

Radiance Booster. Loaded with natural, skin-brightening live enzymes, honey gently scuffs off dead skin cells when used as a skin treatment; leaving your skin looking luminous. There are several ways to incorporate honey into your beauty regime, but we recommend using bar or liquid soap with added honey or making your own honey mask at home. Anyway you spin it, honey is a great addition to your bee-auty routine.

Scar-Be-Gone. We’ve heard from dozens of credible sources that honey is excellent at reducing the appearance of scars. Apply honey directly to the affected area 2-3 times daily until coloration and inflammation subside. It may take up to 3 weeks to notice a significant difference, but persistence pays off when using this natural remedy.

Throat Soother, Cougher’s Friend. If a cold or flu has left you with a nasty cough and an uncomfortable sore throat, honey may be your new best friend. Over-the-counter cough suppressants and throat soothers can be expensive and often come with many unpleasant side effects. Try mixing a tablespoon of lemon juice with a few tablespoons of honey for an excellent (and tasty!) throat-soothing serum.

Energy Booster. Honey is an excellent source of B vitamins, which can be tricky to incorporate into your diet. B vitamins help your body break down carbohydrates into glucose, resulting in a natural boost of energy. These vitamins also aid the digestion of fats and proteins which, when efficiently broken-down, provide nutrients essential for a high-functioning nervous system. Because B vitamins are water soluble, any excess intake is excreted through our urine. This means taking B vitamins daily is not only safe, but might be necessary to maintain energy-boosting levels. Just one tablespoon of honey is usually enough to get your daily dose of energy!

Anxiety & Nervousness Tamer. When mixed with your favorite nighttime tea, be it chamomile or peppermint, honey can help tame frazzled nerves and ease your anxious mind. Try mixing a drizzle of honey with tea or atop some plain yogurt for a bit of mental clarity and stress relief. Mmm!

Tough on Stains. Spill a bit of tomato sauce on those new white pants? Instead of reaching for the bleach or other chemical stain remover, try honey. Our sources swear by its ability to remove unsightly stains, especially if they’re caused by something fruity (tomato sauce, blueberry pie, strawberry smoothie, etc.). To remove a pesky stain, try soaking a bit of honey into the fabric and let it sit for an hour or two before washing with cool water.

FeelGoodNow Contributor: Lucy Anne Kagan

When she isn't studying food policy or working with non-profit Apple Seeds Inc., to educate children about healthy eating habits, Lucy spends her time in a cowboy hat, riding pretty ponies through the wilderness. She has a propensity for running and wishes she lived in a world where fast food was non-existent, naps were mandatory, and all cows ate nothing but grass.


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