DIY Homemade Beauty: 10 uses of Honey for Beauty and Health

DIY Homemade Beauty: 10 uses of Honey for Beauty and Health

Hey “BD beauties”!

We all love honey on our pancakes but have you ever used it to pump up your beauty and health regimen? Here are 10 ways to incorporate honey into your daily beauty.

1. Beautiful Skin:

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 and facilitate the skin’s ability to rejuvenate. Honey also has the ability to absorb and retain moisture and this helps in keeping the skin well hydrated, fresh and supple. It is known that ancient women used honey and milk to keep the skin youthful, radiant and smooth. Here are some easy recipes of facial mask and exfoliators that you can try at home.

2. Fights Acne:

It’s embarrassing and debilitating to have acne. Honey can rescue those suffering from chronic acne. It plays a crucial role in the treatment of acne. Acne is caused by the build-up of oil and dirt on skin. Since honey absorbs impurities from the pores on the skin, it acts as an ideal cleansing agent. Honey is also a natural antiseptic, and soothes and heals your skin. It is often used to get rid of pimples.

3. Healthy Hair:

Honey with all it goodness does wonders for your hair! It cures dry, damaged and dull-looking hair. It helps retain moisture and get rid of dry, itchy flakes on your scalp. It also helps keep your hair clean, lustrous, healthy and shiny. Try the following hair mask to get smooth and shiny manes

4. Honey for Eyes:

Well, this may come as a surprise to some of you that honey can be used for eye care. Ancient Egyptians and Indians used honey as a remedy to cure eye diseases.

When applied daily, honey protects and improves eye-sight.

Honey is also beneficial in the treatment of eye infection such as redness and itching of the eyes, trachoma, conjunctivitis and other similar diseases.

5. Controls Diabetes:

Honey is beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. It is a great source of natural sugars like glucose, fructose and minerals along with essential vitamins and minerals like copper, iodine and zinc in small quantities. Honey gives you an energy boost and it’s a much healthier option than refined sugar or sweeteners. It is considered a safe alternative to white sugar for diabetics as long as their blood sugar is closely monitored and they eat it in moderation. Since the level/type of diabetes varies from one person to another, it is advisable to seek your doctor’s advice prior to consumption of honey to safely use it as an alternative.

6. Reduces The Risk Of Heart Diseases:

International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition published in 2009 states that honey promotes healthy heart by improving blood circulation and preventing clogging of arteries. This is possible because honey reduces the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) and concurrently increases the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in blood. It helps in removal of cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels and prevents build-up of a plaque.

7. Promotes Weight Loss:

Including honey in your diet aids in weight loss. Drinking warm water with lemon and honey on an empty stomach every day is the prime component of all weight loss and detox programs. It is an excellent way to cleanse liver, remove toxins and flush out fat from the body. For optimal benefits, you can replace your refined sugar and artificial sweeteners with honey. However, please remember that it should be used sparingly as one tablespoon of honey contains approx. 63 calories.

8. Boosts Immune System:

Honey has great antibacterial and antioxidant properties which give your immune system a boost. It helps in keeping away several ailments such as flu, common cold, etc.

To improve your immune system, add 1-2 tablespoons of honey to warm water and take it daily on an empty stomach. For an extra boost, add fresh lemon juice and a dash of cinnamon.

9. Cures Cough And Sore Throat:

Honey is an effective cough suppressant and soothes sore throat. Adding it to tea or warm lemon water can sincerely relieve cough and throat infection. Honey is also good for children who suffer from night-time cough and upper respiratory tract infections. They should be given two teaspoons of honey before they go to bed.

10. A Natural Healer:

Honey is a wonderful antibacterial agent and is effective in healing burns, cuts and wounds when applied externally. Applied topically to scrapes, lacerations and even sore nipples, honey promotes rapid tissue repair and eases pain. Using honey on open wounds keeps them sterile and prevents further infections, gangrene and other complications. This is due to the presence of a bacteria-killing agent called inhibine, found only in raw honey. Unfortunately, inhibine is easily destroyed during pasteurization.

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