HONEY, much more than just sweet.
Honey is a sweet food made by bees foraging nectar from flowers.
The variety produced by honey bees (Apis) is the one most commonly referred to, as it is the type of honey collected by most beekeepers and consumed by people. Honey is also produced by bumblebees, stingless bees, and other insects such as honey wasps, though the quantity is generally lower and they have slightly different properties compared to honey from the genus Apis. Honey bees convert nectar into honey by a process of regurgitation and evaporation.
Honey gets its sweetness from the monosaccharide’s fructose and glucose and has about the same relative sweetness as granulated sugar with a distinctive flavor that leads some people to prefer it over sugar and other sweeteners. It has attractive chemical properties for baking and has been used as a natural remedy for centuries to treat several ailments. It has been an all-time favorite of nutritionists, dietitians as well as naturopaths for being a rich source of natural sugars, essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Beauty BENEFITS of HONEY for the SKIN.
1. Anti-aging. Honey can do wonders for your skin. That’s the reason why you will find it in many skin-care products today. Honey acts as a great anti-aging agent and moisturizer. It is rich in natural antioxidants that have anti-microbial properties. They help protect your skin from harmful UV rays, smooth out wrinkles and facilitate the skin’s ability to rejuvenate.
2. Promotes Wound Healing. Honey as a wound dressing can help promote healing and prevent infection due to its natural antimicrobial properties.
3. Moisturizer. Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air into the skin and ensures it's retained it in the layers where it’s needed most for penetrating long-lasting hydration.
4. Pore Cleanser. The enzymes in raw honey clarify skin and keep pores clear and clean. Plus, the antibacterial properties of honey and coconut oil also prevent bacterial buildup that can lead to skin imbalances and breakouts.
5. Gentle Exfoliator. Honey is loaded with antioxidants, enzymes, and other nutrients that nourish, cleanse, and hydrate skin. Mixed with Oat, can be a gentle natural exfoliator that removes dead skin cells, allowing new cells to emerge for a radiant complexion.
6. Scars Fader. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compounds help to decrease the appearances of scars and increase healing and tissue regeneration. The hydrating properties of honey, coconut oil or olive oil will also help revive skin cells, while regular, gentle massaging will increase circulation to aid skin recovery and cell turnover. It helps lighten up dark circles.
7. Acne Treatment. Honey contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that thwart bacteria that can lead to breakouts. Its anti-inflammatory properties will calm redness and irritation.
8. Sunburn Treatment. Honey restores hydration to the deepest layers of sun-exposed skin and contains powerful anti-inflammatories to calm burned skin and aid recovery. The Skin Care Resource Center reports that current research has determined the effectiveness of honey as a natural form of sunscreen, to protect the skin from sun damage such as premature wrinkling, a condition that in some people can lead to skin cancer.
Beauty BENEFITS of HONEY for HAIR.
9. Hair Conditioner & Shampoo Booster. The enzymes and nutrients in raw honey give dull hair shine without weighing it down. And due to its ability to absorb and retain the moisture, it helps in keeping the hair well hydrated, fresh and smooth, and to strengthen hair follicles for healthy growth.
10. Soothe an itchy scalp. Thanks to its anti-fungal properties, honey helps remove dirt that clogs the hair follicles and causes itching.
11. Hair Highlighter. The enzyme glucose oxidase in honey slowly releases hydrogen peroxide, an ingredient known to lighten hair color.
Did you know that several studies have shown that honey inhibits the formation of bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
Sounds sweet right? Take a look at our website, and try all our Honey homemade soaps: Honey/Oat, Papaya Leaf/Honey and Almond milk/Honey.
References: womenshealthmag.com, en.wikipedia.org, stylecraze.com, livestrong.com
