Once upon a time, we had a beehive in our backyard, and I really enjoyed being a backyard beekeeper. The best part was having locally-sourced honey right at home. Unfortunately, my kids weren’t too thrilled about the occasional bee sting they’d get from stepping on a bee, and a rough winter followed by an invasion of wax moths eventually took over the hive.
Despite this, we still love the taste of raw, local honey. Even though we try to limit sugar and fructose in our diet, honey has many daily uses. I was skeptical at first, but after trying it out, I’m convinced of its benefits.
Typically, I use the oil cleansing method for my skin care, but if I put on makeup or need to wash my face more than once a day, I turn to honey. Thanks to its natural antibacterial properties, honey is a much gentler alternative to harsh soaps and cleansers. It helps maintain the skin’s natural oils and softens skin while removing blackheads and whiteheads.
The same antibacterial qualities that make honey great for skincare also make it an excellent remedy for cuts and burns. Raw manuka honey is even used in medical treatments to protect wounds, especially burns, and speed up healing. I’ve witnessed its effectiveness firsthand, like when my husband had a nasty cut on his foot and when I had a severe cut on my finger. Using honey with lavender essential oil and consuming gelatin helped it heal remarkably fast.
In our household, if someone catches a cold or flu, I make a natural herbal remedy using honey. It’s a simple use for honey where I mix it with herbs like ginger, cinnamon, and marshmallow root to create a natural cough suppressant. This blend not only eases coughing but also boosts the immune system, helping the body recover more quickly. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even make herbal cough drops using honey and herbs, just be prepared for a bit of trial and error.
Honey isn’t just good for your skin; it works wonders for hair too. I often use my homemade mud shampoo or coconut milk shampoo, but when I want my hair to be extra silky, I wash or rinse it with raw honey. It’s as simple as massaging a small amount into your scalp and hair, then rinsing. It acts like both shampoo and conditioner, leaving your hair silky smooth. For added volume, I use a homemade sea spray or let my hair air-dry.
Although store-bought marshmallows are often filled with unhealthy ingredients, I occasionally make homemade probiotic marshmallows using real marshmallow root, raw honey, probiotics, and gelatin. These are a much healthier treat for the kids, free from artificial additives.
When I struggle to fall asleep, I have a simple go-to trick that always works for me—taking a teaspoon of raw, organic honey sprinkled with a bit of salt before bed. It might sound odd, but it helps lower cortisol levels at night, making it easier to sleep.
Besides honey, bees also produce other amazing products like bee pollen and bee propolis, which I keep in my kitchen. They have multiple uses, though they may not taste as good as honey!
Have you tried any other unusual uses for honey? Share your thoughts below!
