homemade health solutions-10 great uses for natural honey

Making your own homemade remedies for colds, acne and even weight loss using natural raw honey is easier than you may think. By using ingredients generally found in most homes you may find new ways to treat common aliments as well as saving money at your local pharmacy.

Honey has been known for it ability to heal and nourish our bodies for thousands of years, with so many anti-inflammatory, anti- viral, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties it is the perfect addition to any medicine cabinet.

The use of natural raw honey is generally considered an easy tasty way to boost your immunity system, rasie your energy levels and help your body heal. So why not try one of the honey remedies below and see if they can help you and your family

Acne

Honey is well known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. And the more untreated your honey is the more vitamins and minerals it will contain that can only benefit the skin in a positive way.

Honey is a great moisturizer once in the natural air, for those reasons if you struggle with oily skin use some of these recipes with caution as honey can aggravate oily skin (the use of lemon juice can help to cut this down)

Lemon and honey moisturizer

Mix equal parts of lemon juice and honey together forming a paste

Apply gently and leave for at least 20 minutes before washing off with warm water

Honey and cinnamon mask

Mix 3 teaspoons of of honey with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder to form a paste.

Apply gently to the affected areas and leave overnight before washing off with warm water

Arthritis

Honey is known to help strengthen the immune system, filled to the brim of vitamins,

Calcium, iron, magnesium and so much more, which make it a wonderful aid for health. There have been many reports that honey has been able to help ease the pain and even some of the symptoms that arthritis can cause

Honey paste

Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with two tablespoons of lukewarm water adding a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to form a paste like substance which can be massaged into the affected body part

Honey cider Tonic

Mix 2 teaspoons of honey with 2 teaspoons of cider vinegar and add to a glass of water

And drink three times a day

This tonic is said to help dissolve the crystal deposits of uric acid that can form around the joints of arthritis sufferers

Bad breath

Bad breath can be caused by many different things, these homemade cures are to assist not replace a good dental hygiene plan, honey has antibacterial properties which can be helpful when trying to control bad breath.

Mouth wash

Mix 1 teaspoon of honey and a Pinch of cinnamon powder into a 1/4 cup of hot water and gargle

herbal tea

Drinking a herbal tea (such as camomile) with a teaspoon of honey can help soothe inflamed gums, remove the taste of mucus buildup in the sinus which can help cause bad breath

Burns

Run a minor burn under cool clean water and apply dark raw honey directly to the burn, If the wounds need dressing you can use sterilized gauze that is coated in the same honey, it will need to be changed at least 3 times a day, to keep the honey from drying.

Cough and sore throat

Honey can be a great natural cough suppressant (buckwheat honey is known to be the best) with anti-inflammatory properties as well as being rich in nutrients it should be in every family medicine cabinet.

A great aid be it a simple spoonful before bedtime or mixed into a homemade remedies the health benefits of natural honey are almost endless.

Honey butter

Mix 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of vinegar into a small segment of soft butter until it forms a paste and eat.

The honey acts as a cough suppressant, the vinegar working as an antiseptic with the butter helping to soothe

ginger honey tea

Place a tablespoon of grated ginger into a bowl, mix 1 cup of boiling water in to the bowl and leave to steep for 5 minutes

Stain into a mug adding 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of lemon

Honey lemon tea

My personal favourite

Take the juice of half a lemon and squeeze into a mug

mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey and top with boiling water.

The vitamins of the lemon mixed with the healing properties of honey make this a soothing fast acting tea to help soothe any sore throat or cold

Throat gargle

Combine 2 tablespoons of honey with four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, add a pinch if salt and gargle.

Can be used a couple of times throughout the day

Honey lemon tea

Mix 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice into a cup of hot tea

( black tea or chamomile are great options)

This is a great tea mix for sore throats or even dealing with hoarseness

Eczema

Honey is known for its anti-bacterial, antiviral, antiseptic and so many other healing properties and the best honey for medical purposes is widely acknowledged as Manuka honey from New Zealand. Research has found that Manuka honey contains a second antibacterial component making this type of honey exceptionally effective medically.

Honey is a great aid in helping to treat Eczema, it is known to be able to soothe and repair damaged skin, providing much needed moisture which helps alleviate the itch associated with eczema and other skin conditions such as dermatitis.

Cider and honey tonic

mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar with 1 teaspoon of honey into a tall glass of water and drink 3 x day with food

Honey cinnamon paste

Combine equal parts of honey and cinnamon powder until a paste forms and spread lightly over the affected skin leaving on for at least 1/2 an hour

Lime honey tonic

Mix the juice of a half a lime with 1 teaspoon of honey in a cup of warm water

Best to use before breakfast

Hair care

Honey is a great natural conditioner and moisturizer for hair, helping to lock in moisture and encourage hair growth over time, try one of these natural easy hair care ideas, using honey and other common kitchens foods

Honey conditioner for dry hair

Combine ½ a cup of honey with 1 egg yolk and apply to wet hair, leave to condition for ½ an hour before rinsing with warm water. For best results use this treatment once a month.

Hair maximiser

Mix 1 tablespoon of raw honey, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and enough olive oil to help dilute the paste making it easier to massage into the scalp. This homemade conditioner can be used up to 3 times a week.

Insomnia

Honey is a great natural aid in helping treat insomnia, not only does it taste great but being rich with amino acid tryptophan and serotonin both essential to promoting sleep as well as fuelling the liver which helps relieve stress hormones, ensuring an all-round deeper rest.

Honey milk

Mix 1 teaspoon of honey into a glass of warm milk and add a dash of cinnamon

Sleep tonic

combine 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of honey

This can be taken as is or diluted with hot water to make a tea and is perfect before bed.

Sinusitis

Honey is a great natural remedy for helping to alleviate if not cure many types of sinus and ear infections, many tests are being done and have been done to test honeys ability to kill bacteria and its ever growing use for medical purposes.

The use of local honey can be a great aid in helping sinusitis sufferers as well as hay fever sufferers, as the use of local pollens can help build up a natural immunity over time.

Honey and Cider Vinegar tonic

Combine 1 tablespoon of apple cider and 1 or 2 teaspoons of honey with a glass of water

Drink this tonic one to three day to help break up congestion and improve sinus infection

Ginger honey tonic

Combine 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 whole clove (spice), I portion of chopped ginger, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of local honey with 1 tall glass of water.

This is a great homemade remedy to help with sinus pain and chest congestion.

A teaspoon of honey

A teaspoon of local honey has been reported as a great aid in helping sufferers of allergies and sinusitis, lowering the symptoms and pain associated with these medical conditions. It is thought that by using raw honey made from the very pollen that surrounds your local district that over time your body builds a natural resistance if not immunity to the local flora.

1 to 2 teaspoons of local honey a day may help your body build up a resistance to the pollen's in your local area, a safe indulgence with many benfits

Weight loss

Natural raw honey is a great aid to those struggling to lose weight; it not only helps substitute the sweetness of sugar but it is thought to help mobilize and burn through the fat already stored on your body much faster than any other natural food. Helping with increased energy and digestion, honey is a great additive to any diet, providing much needed nutrients which aids your immune system as you adjust your calorie intake.

Honey cider tonic

Combine 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with 1-2 teaspoons of natural raw honey into a glass of water and mix well.

Best taken before each meal as it is rumoured to increase the body’s natural metabolic rate, act as an appetite suppressor and help reduce water retention.

Results are gradual but effective, (my husband will be testing this over the next coming months so will let you all know)

Honey tea

Combine ½ cup of boiling water with ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder and 1 teaspoon of raw honey, finish with cool water and drink.

This tea is best taken straight out of bed in the morning before food.

Honey and lemon drink

Boil a cup of water and allow to cool, to a drinkable temperature before combining 1 teaspoon of honey and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice.

Energy drink

Fill a water bottle with cold water and mix in at least 1 teaspoon of honey, this makes an excellent exercise aid as it helps keep the body hydrated and provides guilt free energy.

As with all medication, natural or otherwise it’s best to talk with your doctor or naturopath for the best advice concerning you. Knowledge is power and power when used right can change our world