Sometimes called the nectar of the gods, honey has been a staple in the human diet for thousands of years. The benefits of honey have been touted everywhere from ancient history books to clinical trials in modern society. Honey also has antifungal and antibacterial properties. The high sugar content dehydrates bacteria by producing hydrogen peroxide and other antibacterial chemicals. Honey has been shown to speed up growth of body tissues by helping to form new blood vessels, collagen and epithelial cells. Taking honey and mixing it in with other herbs, fruits and foods can help enhance healing properties. There are countless ways to use honey in home remedies. Below are recipes that aid in ailments. (Click on the link to view recipe.)
1. Honey Citrus Syrups: Sooth Sore Throat And Flu
A great concoction of honey, herbs, spices and citrus fruits to help sooth a sore throat. The spices and herbs help in aiding the inflammation of the throat while the honey soothes and helps get rid of any bacteria.
2. Lemon-Honey: Colds
Here is a recipe with honey and lemons that can ease fever and chill symptoms associated with the common cold.
3. Cinnamon-honey: Overall Wellness
Here is a recipe that naturally boosts your health by incorporating cinnamon and honey that may help in combating hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
4. Ginger-honey: Sore Stomach
Ginger appears to reduce inflammation in a similar way to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by slowing associated biochemical pathways. Ginger also promotes circulation. Combining it with honey in this recipe makes it ideal for an upset stomach.
5. Clove-honey: Toothache
This recipe uses cloves that contain a very strong anesthetic chemical called eugenol. Eugenol is also an antiseptic like honey that helps kill germs that may contribute to an infection. Cloves are also about 20 times richer in eugenol than other sources.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey: Acid Reflux
An unlikely combination to aid in acid reflux, apple cider vinegar has been shown to improve digestion and mineral absorption that plays a role in reducing acid reflux. Take this tonic on a daily basis for relief.
7. Honey Heel Moisturizer: Dry, Cracked Heels
A recipe incorporating honey, milk, and orange to aid in dry, cracked heels. Milk is rich in vitamin A which is essential for healthy skin in helping to repair and rebuild it. The orange serves as a natural chemical peel in aiding to remove dry skin.
8: Honey and Brown Sugar Scrub: Dry Skin
Brown sugar’s texture makes it ideal for removing dry skin. Mix the sugar with the honey for a moisturizing exfoliant for your skin.
9. Honey and Yogurt Face Mask: Acne
Rich in probiotics, yogurt can help decrease inflammation and restore the skin’s natural pH balance. Mixed with honey this mask will also boost the anti-inflammatory properties for combatting acne.
10. Honey and Coconut Water Drink: Sore Muscles
Coconut oil contains many electrolytes that can aid in dehydration, a main reason for sore muscles. This drink includes citrus and honey that together boost energy.
11. Honey and Sugar Cream: Athlete’s Foot
Honey and sugar work together in this paste to minimize the fungus associated with athlete’s foot.
12. Honey and Lemon: Weight Loss
A simple recipe combining honey, hot water, and lemon. Some recent studies in Nutrition Research and Scientific World Journal conclude that honey can aid in weight loss. Lemon has also been found to contribute to weight loss.
13. Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar: High Cholesterol
Ayurvedic texts say honey gets rid of fat and cholesterol in the body’s tissues. This is an example recipe.
14. Honey and Guggul: Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
This is an Ayurvedic guggul-based formula. Triphala guggulu was assessed in a laboratory setting and found to significantly inhibit inflammatory enzymes related with rheumatoid arthritis. Mix with honey for further anti-inflammatory effects in this recipe.
15. Honey and Turmeric: Oral Ulcers
The proven antibacterial and antiviral properties of honey can accelerate the healing process in the case of canker sores. Mix with turmeric and apply this three times a day.
16. Honey and Ginger Cleanse: Sinuses
A recipe taking a mixture of fresh ginger juice and honey to relieve sinus congestion for use two to three times a day.
17. Honey and Orange Juice: Anxiety
Research has shown that orange has a calming effect and can aid in fatigue, exhaustion, and anxiety. Mixed with honey this recipe is great for fighting anxiety. Citrus oils have also been show to increase concentration and alertness.
18. Honey and Pineapple: Smoking Cessation
Pineapple is high in vitamin C, which aids people who smoke tend to lack. Chewing pineapple and taking honey afterwards, as explained here, can also help to curb cigarette cravings.
19. Honey, Bay Leaf, and Celery Seeds: Abdominal Pain
A recipe involving a mixture of ground bay leaf, celery seeds, and honey before lunch and dinner daily. Bay leaves and celery seeds have been shown to aid in stomach ulcers and colic pain.
20. Honey, Cinnamon, and Trikatu: Poor Circulation
A tea concoction to aid in poor circulation by increasing blood flow. Trikatu is effective in curing dyspepsia and helps in proper circulation.
21. Honey and Castor Oil: Hiccups
Hiccups are caused by spasms of the diaphragm, and the ingredients in this recipe are anti-spasmodic, leading to relief.
22. Honey and Cinnamon: Eczema
Scientists have discovered that honey not only heals damaged skin in extremely severe cases of eczema and eliminates the dry patches, but it also has the ability to regenerate new skin growth. This recipe also includes cinnamon for further healing properties.
23. Fenugreek Seeds, Honey, Ginger Remedy: Asthma
This is an Ayurvedic recipe for asthma using fenugreek seeds along with ginger and honey. Honey is good for your respiratory tract while ginger has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Fenugreek is also added because it may aid in respiratory problems including asthma and bronchitis.
24. Homemade Cinnamon Mouthwash: Bad Breath
A recipe incorporating honey, cinnamon, lemon juice, and baking soda. Combined, these ingredients aid in killing odor-causing bacteria.
25. Honey Mask: Oily Hair
This hair mask incorporates egg yolk, which is full of proteins, and honey, which will nourish and replenish your hair.
Even though honey has great health benefits, it is still a form of a sugar, and you should always speak with your physician before incorporating it into your daily lifestyle.
Featured photo credit: Woman holding glass jar of honey via shutterstock.com
