Got a jar of raw honey in your cupboard? You know it’s good for you, but are you struggling to come up with ways to use it other than sweetening your tea?
You’re in luck! There are all kinds of beneficial uses for honey, some of which, like the following 12, are stranger than others.
1. In a healthy sports drink
Using raw honey and natural, unrefined sea salt is a great way to replenish the sugars and salts you naturally lose when you sweat during exercise. Using Tulsi (Holy Basil) tea as your base, and mix 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 pinch of sea salt into 2 cups of tea.
2. In your end-of-the-world stockpile
Are you building up an emergency food supply for the apocalypse? Honey should be in it! This food of the gods never spoils—collections of it have actually been found in ancient Egyptian tombs. It also provides the perfect balance of glucose and fructose for energy, along with a ton of healthy vitamins and enzymes.
3. As a burn treatment
Extensive research has been done on using raw honey to treat burns, as it’s incredibly effective in soothing and healing the skin. To use raw honey this way, first cool the burned area with cold water or ice. Then, apply clean, raw honey to the burned area. Next, wrap the area with plastic wrap to keep it in place. Change the dressing and check for an infection every 48 hours.
Note: Only try this home treatment for minor burns. In case of a serious burn, call the emergency room.
4. To wash your face
Forget your expensive cleanser and switch to raw honey. It’s naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, but not harsh on the skin. It’s especially great for acne, redness, and dry, irritated skin.
5. To help clear up a yeast infection
There is some evidence that applying raw honey in and around the vagina can help get rid of yeast infections. Apply the honey in and around the area, let it sit for 30 minutes, and then wash it off in the bath or shower.
6. To condition your hair
Adding honey to your conditioner, or using it on its own as a hair mask, will leave your hair feeling soft and silky. Just be sure to rinse it really well!
7. As a natural cough and sore throat elixir
Naturally soothe a sore throat or cough by adding 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of fresh, grated ginger to a cup of almost boiling water and letting it steep for 5 minutes. Then, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of honey to the drink. Stir until the honey dissolves and then drink!
8. To help heal cuts
Honey’s antibacterial properties make it effective in cleaning and treating minor cuts and scrapes. Try using raw honey instead of Neosporin on minor wounds.
9. As a lip balm
Use a mixture of honey and coconut oil to moisturize your lips. This is great for the texture of your lips and it will also protect them from toxins—if you can stop yourself from licking it off!
10. In a sweet bath
Add a few tablespoons of honey to your bath to soften your skin and sweeten the smell. For a little bit of extra softening, add a cup of milk as well. This honey and milk combination was a favorite of the beautiful Cleopatra, who used it to achieve soft, flawless skin.
11. To kill parasites
Ate some poorly cooked meat? Forgot to wash your hands after taking the kids to the petting zoo? Help get those nasty parasites out of your system with a mixture of raw honey and apple cider vinegar. Simply add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of honey to a glass of water and drink it down!
12. As a hangover cure
For the times you’ve had one too many—or perhaps more—finish the night off and start your next morning with a glass of honey water. Honey has been proven to actually aid the body in breaking alcohol down more quickly, thus getting it out of your body and making you feel better sooner.
A glass of water with about 1 or 2 tablespoons of honey should do the trick.
Be sure to use 100 percent raw, organic honey, as many of the substances in the grocery store called ‘honey’ are nothing more than over-cooked, corn syrup-enhanced sweeteners.
What’s the strangest way you use honey?
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Burn-Using-Honey
http://empoweredsustenance.com/uses-for-honey
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anna-brones/20-unusual-uses-for-honey_b_949475.html
http://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-health/natural-hangover-remedy-honey.aspx#axzz3Q0NBzd5o
