The earch is located at the at the back of your kitchen’s store cupboard and you’d be surprised at what’s lurking there. It is recommended to avoid eating anything that is past the best-before date. But, that doesn’t mean it is a bad idea to discard it. Many of the everyday ingredients can be utilized for numerous other health and beauty purposes and can be highly useful and reduces consumption.
HONEY is one of the ingredients.
Honey has been used for a long time for its medicinal and healing properties, from Cleopatra who was said to bathe in only asses honey and milk in order to keep her young appearance and appearance, to Poppea, wife of the Roman Emperor Nero who applied a cream that was made of honey and milk on her face for much the same reason. Honey is still used widely by cosmetic firms today, but you can enjoy the same benefits at home for less than the price of store-bought products.
Honey bees collect nectar from plants or flowers, and then transport it to their honey hive. In the hive, worker bees add enzymes to the nectar, and then keep it in their hive. The enzymes transform the nectar into honey once the nectar’s water content has evaporated. There are over 35,000 beekeepers living in Britain However, due to our unpredictable climate , the season is short. Britain produces around 4,000 tonnes a year, however , we consume more than 255,000 tonnes, which means that a significant portion of the honey available on supermarket shelves has been brought in from regions of the world that have longer production seasons.
There are a variety of honey variations, dependent on which flowers the bees have gathered nectar from. The following honeys originate from Britain: Apple Blossom and Cherry Blossom; Borage, Cherry Blossom; Hawthorn, Heather and Lime Blossom; Each honey variety has distinct flavors and some experts think that all might be more beneficial for our health. Manuka honey is a product of New Zealand. It is composed of nectar that is collected from the wild Manuka bushes. This honey is distinctive in flavour and has a dark appearance. Manuka honey, in particular is believed to have significant amounts of antibacterial properties that can aid in healing many issues, like external skin infections. It helps fight throat infections, decrease gum diseases, improve memory, improve levels of energy, boost general wellbeing and decrease anxiety.
Let’s take a closer look at the different ways honey is used for:
Aid Digestion
It was the Romans who first made use of honey as a mild laxative to aid digestion however, throughout time honey was also employed to treat diarrhoea. Honey isn’t able to solve the two issues must it? Honey is believed to be a “preserving” agent that assists in the elimination of bacteria that reside in the digestive tract. Research has proven that these bactericidal properties can also work well in treating digestive disorders like Peptic ulcers.
A Good Night’s Sleep
Honey is rich in several amino acids including tryptophan. Honey, just like sugar, can increase the levels of insulin in the body. The increase in insulin allows tryptophan to get into the brain faster and then it’s converted firstly into serotonin and then into the hormone melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that is responsible for regulating the wake and sleep cycles.
Soothe Coughs and Colds
Consider all the throat lozenges cough syrups, and cold remedies that you buy at the stores and you’ll find that a lot of them contain honey or are sold under the name of lemon-scented honey. Well, that is simply because honey is very effective at relieving the symptoms of coughs, colds and sore throats as well as flu. Why spend your money on store-bought remedies instead of buying the natural honey in a jar. Two teaspoons of honey can soothe a cough. It is particularly helpful in the evening. To soothe a sore throat, combine two tablespoons of set honey together with 4 tablespoons cider vinegar and a pinch of salt, and then gargle to get relief immediately. You can also mix honey and lemon juice in hot water to create the perfect drink for soothing, which has been traditionally utilized to help ease congestion of a cold for many years.
Reduce Allergic Reactions
While there is no evidence-based research on the efficacy of honey as a natural remedy the research is ongoing and case studies are certainly creating evidence for it. Dr. Matthew Brennecke from the Rocky Mountain Wellness Center, Fort Collins, Colorado explains that honey is believed to act as a natural vaccine. After repeated exposure, you’ll build up these antibodies and the body should become used to their presence to reduce the amount of histamine released, resulting in a lesser allergic response.” The reason is that honey contains tiny amounts of pollen, when the body is exposed to these tiny amounts, it will in time develop an immune response and then begin producing antibodies to combat the pollen. A couple of teaspoons of honey a day can be a significant source of relief for seasonal allergies like Hayfever. The most important thing to consider, though, is that honey should be fresh and as local as you can possibly find it, as it will be certain that it contains the same pollens to which an allergy sufferer is prone.
treat Cuts, Wounds and Burns
Due to its antibacterial qualities honey is a wonderful natural antibiotic that is safe to be used both externally and internally. Honey has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 2000 years. It absorbs oxygen and works as an anti-microbial.
The wound is moistened by the water, which helps prevent the development of bacteria and speeds up the healing process.
Sugar Replacement
Our modern diets are chock full of excessive sugar. This is the reason honey is an excellent natural sweetener. Honey usually tastes sweeter than sugar, so it is possible to use less of it. You’ll need to experiment in the amount you use when you substitute sugar for honey in your recipes, but we would suggest trying half the amount. A word of warning though honey should not be served to children below 12 months old, as it may contain the spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria that could contaminate the honey. This could lead to infant Botulism. It may also lead to muscles to weaken and breathing issues. When the digestive system starts to develop, it’s capable of coping with these spores , and honey consumption no longer becomes an issue.
Natural Beauty Product
There are a variety of ways using honey in your beauty routine. You can channel the magic of Cleopatra by relaxing in honey and essential oils. A relaxing and rejuvenating treatment that soothes and hydrates and leaves you with a scent that is like a delicious meal. For a cleanse facial, mix 2 tablespoons of milk with two tablespoons of honey. cover your face and leave for ten minutes before washing off. The honey wil be able toattract dirt away from your pores, while also cleansing the most sensitive skin types. Use on it’s own, or mix it with your favorite herbs for a gorgeously scented moisturizer that works wonders for dry areas, and is especially effective on elbows, hands and lips!
Honey is a natural substance that can provide amazing advantages for beauty and health. It should be included in every bathroom cabinet, not just within the kitchen. Honey is a delicious, golden liquid that can only be continued when bees are safe from their natural environment. For more information about bees and beekeeping , visit the British Bee Keepers Association.
