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HEALTH BENEFITS OF HONEY

The dangers of sugar have been so widely publicized that many people mistakenly think anything "sweet" equals bad news for the body. While refined sugar is indeed harmful, if not toxic, to your health, nature provides a wonderfully delicious array of natural sugars found in fruits, root vegetables and honey that nourish the body and promote good health.

Getting back to the rich abundance of nature, especially when it comes to the health benefits of honey, is one of the simplest, yet most powerful ways to protect your body. As Hippocrates said: "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."

When using sweetener, always reach for raw, organic honey in order to reap the most benefits. Here are 6 delicious ways that honey improves your health:

1. It boosts your immune system.

Raw, organic honey is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes which protect the body from bacteria and boost the immune system. Cold and flu symptoms, such as coughs, sore throats, and congestion are also kept at bay when treated with honey.

To improve your immune system, add 1-2 tablespoons of honey to warm water daily. For an extra boost, add fresh lemon juice and a dash of cinnamon.

2. It helps you lose weight.

Drinking warm water with lemon and honey on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning, is the main component of every detox program I offer my clients. Doing this on a daily basis is one of the best ways to cleanse the liver, remove toxins, and flush fat from the body.

For optimal benefits, add 1 tablespoon of honey plus the juice of one lemon to warm water every morning before breakfast. This is a very soothing and satisfying drink to end the day with, as well.

3. It reduces the risk of heart disease.

Honey mixed with cinnamon has been shown to revitalize the arteries and veins of the heart and reduce cholesterol in the blood by up to 10%. When taken on a regular basis, this honey-cinnamon mixture may reduce the risk of heart attacks and stop another from occurring in people who have already suffered one.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey with 1/3 teaspoon of cinnamon to warm water, then drink daily.

4. It soothes indigestion.

For those who suffer from indigestion, the antiseptic properties of honey relieve acidity in the stomach and alleviate digestion. Honey also neutralizes gas, becoming the ultimate stomach soother when it comes to overeating.

One or two tablespoons of honey before heavy meals is the best way to thwart indigestion, and if you've already overindulged, add honey and lemon to warm water to help move food through the digestive track.

5. It bolsters your energy levels.

The natural sugars in honey provide a healthy source of calories and energy for the body. Plus, using honey for an energy boost also answers the human body's innate craving for something sweet.

Fight fatigue with nature's answer to low energy. Instead of reaching for coffee, cakes, or chocolate to get you through an energy slump, try reaching for a tablespoon of raw, organic honey instead.

6. It clears up your skin.

Due to its anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, honey is the ultimate organic skincare brand. Apply a dab of raw, organic honey directly to blemishes, and let the skin absorb its medicinal properties overnight. Wash it off in the morning, and after regular use, you'll wake up to clear skin!

Honey is also an effective treatment for other skin conditions, such as eczema, ring worm, and psoriasis. Though honey does not CURE these conditions, it does soothe inflammation and relieve dryness.

8 ways to use honey to pamper your skin and hair

Moisturizing honey masks:

Make sure your hair is pulled back from your face before starting one of these recipes. Your face will feel clean and soft afterwards.

1. Scoop a generous spoonful of honey into your hand and spread all over your face. Rub it into your skin and let sit for 5-30 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
2. Combine 1 tbsp buttermilk, 1 tsp honey, and 1 egg yolk. Apply to clean skin and let sit 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

2. Honey facial cleanser:

Honey is good at dissolving makeup residue, especially when mixed with a gentle oil. Combine honey and jojoba OR coconut oil to create an easily spreadable texture. Rub it into your skin, avoiding eye area, to loosen makeup and unclog pores. Rinse with warm water.

3. Honey almond body scrub:

This scrub is finger-licking good. The texture from the ground almonds exfoliates the skin, while both the almonds and honey moisturize. Combine 2 tsp. ground almonds and 2 tsp. honey to form a paste. Rub into your face with a circular motion. Rinse with warm water. You could easily increase the quantities to treat your whole body.

4. Honey skin lotion:

If you're feeling that dry winter skin coming on, mix a spoonful of honey with a teaspoon of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice (a natural skin brightener). Apply this lotion to dry areas and let sit for 20 minutes. Wipe off with a warm washcloth.

5. Lemon-honey facial treatment:

This is a fun one that's a bit different. I found it on a DIY natural beauty blog. Lemons are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. They also contain alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliate. Cut a lemon in half and remove the seeds. Add 1 tsp honey to one of the lemon halves. Rub the cut side all over your face. Let it sit 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

6. Honey hair shine-boosting rinse:

There are two options. 1) Combine a spoonful of honey with a quart of warm water. Rinse through hair after shampooing. Let it condition for an hour, then rinse. 2) Mix 1-1/2 tsp honey with 5 cups warm water. Rinse through hair and leave on. Dry and style as usual.

7. Cleopatra's milk-and-honey bath soak:

Combine 1/4 cup honey with 2 cups milk and a few drops of essential oil. Add to a hot bath, sit back, and relax.

8. Honey exfoliant:

Use this scrub once a week to soften and clarify your skin. Mix 2 parts honey with 1 part baking soda and rub into your face. This is also good for a full body scrub.

Nutrition Chart of Honey:

Honey is much more than just a simple sugar. Rich in minerals and nutrients, honey also has some antibiotic properties that may aid in the healing process. For thousands of years honey has been used by mankind in many capacities to help give the human body energy and health. Below are the nutritional facts for Honey.

Nutrition Facts

Amount per 1 tbsp (21 g)
Calories	64
		Calories from Fat   0	%Daily Value
Total Fat		0g	0.00%
Saturated Fat		0g	0.00%
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		0mg	0.00%
Sodium		0mg	0.00%
Potassium		0mg
Total Carbohydrate		17g	6.00%
Dietary Fiber		0g	0.00%
Sugars		16g
Protein		0g
Vitamin A	0.00%	* Vitamin C	0.00%
Calcium	0.00%	* Iron	0.00%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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