Honey is a common kitchen ingredient. It has so many uses that a blog might seem a bit a too restricted a place to list its benefits. Nevertheless, the following is a compilation of all the goodness that honey represents…

Honey for Health

Honey is a potent antioxidant with anticancer properties.

1. It can prevent tooth decay.
2. It boosts immunity.
3. It is widely used as a home remedy for common colds, sore throat, flu, and mild coughs.
4. Honey is a natural antiseptic and can help heal external wounds, minor burns, cuts, and bruises.
5. It is a mild laxative. Surprisingly, it can be used in treating diarrhea too since, honey is believed to help destroy certain bacteria in the gut by acting as a 'preserving' agent

Honey and Beauty

• Lemon based mask for hair removal - Mix together 1tsp of lemon juice with 1tsp of Honey. Smooth on to the face in the direction of the hair growth and leave on for ten minutes.
• Natural face lift - Use 2 heaped teaspoon gram flour (chick pea flour) and ½ teaspoon honey with 2 teaspoon of water. Apply it all over the face and neck and leave it on for 15 minutes. When removing it remember to dampen a cotton wool ball or face cloth, and wash it off.
• Natural cleansing - Dissolve two tablespoons of honey in a liter (or two pints) of warm water and splash over the face and neck for up to 10 minutes then rinse with warm water.
• Hair conditioning - Take 100g/4oz clear honey and 50g/2oz olive oil. Mix thoroughly and massage into damp hair. Wrap head in a warm towel and relax for 10-15 minutes. Wash hair as normal.
• Beeswax - Mix together one teaspoon of beeswax granules (available from health food shops) with a tablespoon of clear honey, half a teaspoon of olive oil, and a few drops of rose essential.

Culinary Uses of Honey

Honey is nature's natural sweetener, and very easy to use. Just spread on piping hot toast for a lovely snack. Try out these too…

• Add to porridge to supply central heating when the weather starts to cool.
• Natural yogurt is a healthy start, but can be turned into a real treat with a teaspoon of runny honey stirred in.
• For a tried and trusted drink to soothe colds, put a good teaspoon of honey in a mug, add a slice of lemon with a clove or two, top up with very hot water and drink.
• At teatime, toasted crumpets are sublime when combined with honey.
• Use honey in tea or coffee instead of sugar.
• For a sauce that is not a sauce, top ice cream with honey - a scrummy extra that's no effort.
• To make a speedy pudding, just slice up a banana and drizzle with honey.
• Honey is hygroscopic (meaning it attracts water) so it is good for baking cakes as it keeps them moist for longer.

Honey is a natural product that can be used in a number of ways.

Image credit: healthynaturals.info/