Ah, honey, one of nature’s greatest treasures. This liquid gold is the pride of the bees and one of the most beneficial and nutrient-rich substances available on the planet. If you think that honey is just useful for sweetening your tea or making salad dressing, you’ve got another think coming. Buckle up as we explore some of the incredible (and lesser-known) benefits of honey for a healthy gut, great skin, and supermodel hair.
Skin
Spot treatment
Pesky pimples can pop up when you least expect them. Before that big presentation at work or your yearly family photos. Instead of relying on drying spot treatments to soothe the inflamed skin and reduce redness, use a cotton swab to apply a dap of honey to the area. Leave this on your face overnight and rinse off in the morning. You’ll be surprised at how much a simple natural remedy can erase the appearance of your behemoth zit. For even more pimple banishing power, mix in a little lavender and tea tree oil to the honey before you apply it.
Cleanses pores
While honey by itself works wonders as a spot treatment, combining it with jojoba oil is the best way to create a blackhead-busting mask to deeply cleanse and refresh pores. It contains potent antioxidants, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties, making it the perfect cleaning tool. Plus, it can hydrate and tighten tired skin, meaning it is excellent for anti-aging as well.
Heals burns and cuts
Honey can decrease inflammation and help encourage the growth of new skin, which means that it works wonders on minor burns and household injuries. It helps prevent infection and has been used for thousands of years as an effective wound treatment. Far before the age of modern medicine, honey was prized for its healing powers. It is a proven antibacterial and anti-inflammatory substance and a great tool for nourishing damaged skin.
Gut
Prebiotic
Though it is one of honey’s lesser-known benefits, the gut-boosting power of this liquid gold cannot be overstated. You’ve likely heard of probiotics. Live bacteria food you can eat or supplements you can take while you’re on antibiotics to help counter the adverse effects of such strong medication on your gut health. Prebiotic’s are a special form of dietary fiber that acts as a fertilizer for the good bacteria in your gut, and honey is an excellent way to do just that.
Weight loss
Yes, honey can help heal your gut from the inside out and restore the balance of good and bad bacteria. However, it may also help you lose belly weight and reduce the amount of extra padding around your waist. Honey can help suppress the production of ghrelin (the hunger regulating hormone), which means that you’ll be inclined to eat less and, therefore, consume fewer calories, leading to weight loss. It is especially beneficial if you use it in place of processed, white sugar in things like tea and coffee.
Hair
Seals in moisture
One of the biggest struggles with hair care (especially in the winter) is trying to find those super moisturizing products that seal in critical nutrients and restore luster to your hair. Since honey is a natural humectant, it takes the moisture from the air seals it in your hair and skin. Not only does this help keep your hair shiny and conditioned, but it also reduces breakage and promotes growth.
Lightens hair
If you’ve been wanting to lighten your hair, but don’t want dramatic highlights or chemicals seeping into your head, honey may be just the solution you’ve been looking for. When you let this sticky substance (2 tablespoons of honey to 3 tablespoons of water) sit on your wet hair for about an hour, it will actually work as a highlighting mask and subtly lighten your luscious locks. Honey contains an enzyme known glucose oxidase, and when it stays on your hair for an extended period, this enzyme slowly releases hydrogen peroxide, which naturally lightens the hair. Remember, this won’t produce salon-like results; however, it is a great way to add some natural highlights to brown hair.
Prevent scalp conditions
Since honey is a potent antibacterial agent, applying it as a mask can help prevent and treat numerous conditions such as dandruff, psoriasis, and eczema. Use it regularly to keep your scalp clean and free of any impurities.
