Health Benefits of Honey: 15 Reasons It’s a Natural Treasure

What has the bees abuzz? The powerful health benefits of honey are what the buzz is all about. We have 15 reasons why honey is a national treasure listed below. But before we get to those health benefits, we need to what actually brings about the health benefits of honey. Only raw honey will have such a potent effect on your health in the 15 ways we are about to list. Commercial honey tends to add chemicals during processing, eliminates the phyto-nutrients, natural enzymes, vitamins and minerals through heating, pasteurizing and filtering, and may include harmful additives.

Also note that though honey benefits the following conditions, they are not all inclusive cures. Therefore, more severe health conditions need to be tended to by a health care professional.

15 Health Benefits of Honey That Work for Your Entire Body

1. Serious Antioxidant Booster

Numerous studies indicate that a daily dose of raw honey can significantly boost antioxidants in your body. This boost in antioxidants comes from the polyphenols found in honey. This boosting of antioxidants can not only fight off common colds and flu, but might also play a significant role in reducing your risk of cancer and heart disease, which are major health benefits of honey.

What to do:

• Take 1 Tbsp of honey four times per day.
• This can be taken straight, mixed in tea or as a sweetener for a smoothie.

2. Natural Cough Syrup

If you are considering an all-natural cough syrup, then you will also find that is another of the many health benefits of honey. Raw honey reduces mucus secretion, which leads to coughing, helps to soothe an irritated throat, and is equally effective as the over-the-counter syrups with diphenhydramine and dextromethorphan.

What to do:

• Take 1 to 2 tsp of raw honey 2 to 3 times per day, especially before bedtime.
• Do not use this remedy on children less than 1 year old.

3. Wound Healing

Wound healing, especially the healing of burns, is also among the health benefits of honey. Honey-infused bandages are an effective healing aid for any type of wound or burn. It is the antibacterial effect of raw honey which does the trick, reacting with the body’s own fluid to create hydrogen peroxide.

What to do:

• Raw honey and ghee mixture can be smeared on a wound dressing and placed over the wound.
• Dressings are changed every 24 to 48 hours, but can be left in place for several days if necessary without causing any harm.
• For burns, honey is usually applied directly to the affected area.

4. Promotes Restful Sleep

Another of the health benefits of honey is its ability to promote restful sleep. It accomplishes this task in two ways: by restocking the liver’s glycogen supply as well as releasing melatonin into the brain, which stimulates tryptophan production. Tryptophan boosts serotonin levels which help you sleep.

What to do:

• Take 1 to 2 tsp of raw honey before bedtime.
• You can also use honey as a sweetener for chamomile tea to improve the potency of both sleep aids.

5. Energy Booster

Athletes have been aware of the health benefits of honey as it pertains to boosting energy and performance for decades. Raw honey’s sugars, vitamins, minerals and protein create a high-performance fuel. Because it replaces glycogen in the liver, it is an excellent pre- and post-workout energy source.

What to do:

• Take 1 Tbsp of raw honey before and after a workout or performance.
• It can be an additive to a smoothie or as a sweetener for a sports drink.
• It also works well as a sweetener for homemade power bars and cereal bars.

6. Fights Pollen Allergies

Fighting pollen induced allergies is one of the most impressive health benefits of honey. Because raw honey contains bee pollen, which was gathered from the pollen producing plants which tend to cause pollen allergies, the consumption of locally produced, raw honey is sort of like vaccinating yourself against pollen allergies.

What to do:

• Take 1 Tbsp of raw, locally produced honey daily, especially during allergy season.

7. Weight Loss Aid

Another of the health benefits of honey is found in its contribution to weight loss. Not only does replacing refined sugar with honey as a sweetener help reduce blood sugar levels, but a number of studies indicate that raw honey can activate hormones associated with suppressing appetite.

What to do:

• Take 1 tsp of honey 10 to 15 minutes before each meal to help curb appetite.
• Replace refined sugar with honey as your go-to sweetener.

8. Pore Cleansing

Cleansing pores is also among the excellent health benefits of honey. The enzymes found in raw honey help to bind and draw out toxins and debris that is built up in the pores of your skin. Additionally, its antibacterial properties help to eliminate breakouts and skin blemishes.

What to do:

• Mix 1 Tbsp of raw honey with 2 Tbsp of coconut oil until it is of a spreadable consistency.
• Massage into clean, dry skin of your face and neck in a gentle circular motion.
• Rinse with warm water.
• Repeat this daily.

9. Moisturizing Mask

Another of the health benefits of honey is its use in a moisturizing mask for your face. As a natural humectants, honey draws moisture from the air and helps it to be absorbed into your skin. Additionally, it helps to hold it into the deeper layers to help with long lasting skin hydration.

What to do:

• Simply apply 1 to 2 tsp of raw honey to clean dry skin and allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Rinse off with warm water and repeat 2 to 3 times weekly.

10. Fades Scars

Causing scars to fade is also among the attractive health benefits of honey. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of raw honey help to regenerate the skin tissue in scars. This regeneration of cells promotes the healing of the skin and causes the darkened pigment to fade until the scar disappears.

What to do:

• Mix 1 tsp of raw honey with 1 tsp of coconut oil.
• Massage the mixture into the affected area in a circular motion for a few minutes.
• Place a hot washcloth over your skin and allow it to sit until cool.
• Rinse and repeat daily.

11. Cuticle Moisturizer

A great cuticle moisturizer for producing healthier and more attractive nails is also among the health benefits of honey. The nutrients and enzymes for nourishing and healing skin and nail tissue is abundant in raw honey. Besides those nutrients, honey acts as a humectants and keeps those cuticles supple and elastic.

What to do:

• Mix together 1 tsp each of raw honey, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil.
• Massage the mixture into your nails and cuticles and allow it to sit for 8 to 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
• Repeat this several times each week.

12. Hair Conditioner

Also among the surprising health benefits of honey is its ability to help condition hair. Again those abundant enzymes and nutrients found in raw honey are utilized in regenerating, moisturizing and strengthening hair shafts all the way down to the roots. It makes your scalp healthier, prevents damage from drying and returns the luster to your hair.

What to do:

• Mix together 1 Tbsp of raw honey with 2 Tbsp of coconut oil (more if you have longer hair).
• Apply this mixture to damp hair starting at the ends and working up to the scalp.
• Allow it to sit for 20 minutes before rinsing well.
• Repeat this treatment a couple of times per week.

13. Treat Sunburn

Since honey works well on burns and wounds, it is no surprise that treating sunburn is also among the health benefits of honey. Raw honey’s abundant mix of vitamins, minerals and nutrients helps to soothe burning, reduce inflammation and promote the regeneration of healthy skin tissue.

What to do:

• Mix 1 part honey to 2 parts aloe vera gel.
• Apply this soothing mixture to your sunburned skin.
• Repeat as necessary.

14. Increased Libido

Among the more exciting health benefits of honey is its ability to help increase libido. Believe it or not, honey is an aphrodisiac and its consumption aids in both the production of testosterone as well as estrogen. The Chinese, Greeks, Indians and even the Vikings made use of honey to help increase fertility. In fact, in many cultures, well-wishers give a jar of honey as a wedding gift.

What to do:

• A couple of teaspoons of raw honey every day sounds like a pretty good idea, don’t you think?

15. Treatment of Gum Disease

Though sugar is often associated with healthy teeth and gums, the treatment of gum disease is another of the health benefits of honey. Because honey has antimicrobial properties, it helps get rid of plaque and bacteria below the gum line. One of its enzymes even reacts with body fluids to create hydrogen peroxide.

What to do:

• Mix 2 to 3 Tbsp of raw honey with 2 cups of water and 12 drops mint oil and keep in a bottle or jar.
• Use this mixture as a mouthwash after brushing.
• You can also rub raw honey directly onto your teeth and gums after brushing.

Sweetening Up

Honey goes well beyond just being a super, natural sweetener, it has so many nutrients and nutritional properties that it is one of the most powerful natural healers as well as a national treasure.

Try out one or several of the health benefits of honey in our list above and watch its potent, sticky goodness bring about better health for you and your family. Don’t forget to add questions, comments, recipes and success stories in the section below.

Images from depositphotos.com & pixabay.com.