Honey Lemon Water
Oxymel: Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar Shot
Golden Milk: Honey and Turmeric
Special thanks to my friend and fellow beekeeper Patty Pulliam for her help in preparing this chapter.
Honey is nice on toast. But did you know it can also relieve a multitude of medical issues — from taming a cough and alleviating allergies to healing cuts or burns? Because of honey’s low pH and hygroscopic properties, bacteria cannot survive in it. The pollen in the honey contains various minerals as well as enzymes and B vitamins, which impart immune-boosting properties that help the body fight infection. This is all good stuff.
Although most of the ingredients are easy to find and you may already have them, I include some resources in Appendix B for obtaining the harder-to-find ingredients.
When selecting a honey to use in these recipes, be sure to use a honey that’s just as it came from the hive. That is, not having been heated nor pasteurized, nor ultra-filtered. These processes remove many of honey’s nutritional and health benefits. Unfortunately, product labelling will not reliably tell you this information. So I recommend avoiding the national brands found in supermarkets. Get your honey from local farmers’ markets or a neighboring beekeeper. See Chapter 13 for how and where to shop for the good stuff.
Mixing Up Some Honey-Based Hair and Skincare Products
In this section you’ll find some of my favorite recipes for honey-inspired personal care products. They are all natural, healthy, and work great. I know, when you think of honey, sticky is probably one of the first adjectives that comes to mind. But for many of the honey remedies in this section, the honey is not at all sticky. It’s silky smooth.
Honey’s hygroscopic quality means it absorbs moisture from the air. This is one of the many reasons why honey is such a desirable ingredient in cosmetics. It’s a star at moisturizing and preventing dryness. This is why honey is considered a natural humectant — it retains moisture.
Honey Sugar Body Scrub
A basic, invigorating body scrub to gently exfoliate the skin.
PREP TIME: 5 MIN | YIELD: 1½ CUPS
INGREDIENTS
1 cup white granulated sugar
1 lemon, juiced
½ cup honey
DIRECTIONS
1 Mix all the ingredients and blend well.
2 Take a handful of scrub and rub all over your body; you can use a washcloth or just the palm of your hand.
3 Rinse and then follow your usual bathing routine.
NOTE: A few additional ingredients make this scrub rejuvenating and leave your skin silky soft. For extra moisturizing properties, omit the lemon juice and add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Add 4 drops of an essential oil of your choice to smell divine.
Honey Facial Cleanse
Try this exfoliating polish once a week and watch your skin glow!
PREP TIME: 5 MIN | YIELD: 1 APPLICATION
INGREDIENTS
½ cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
¼ cup honey
DIRECTIONS
1 Mix the ingredients together and rub on face or dry, flaky skin.
2 Rinse and pat dry.
Honey Facial Wash/Mask
Honey is so hydrating and emollient that you can massage this into your face as a quick pick-me-up facial.
PREP TIME: 5 MIN | YIELD: 4 TREATMENTS
INGREDIENTS
¼ cup honey
1 drop tea tree oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
DIRECTIONS
1 In a small bowl, mix together the honey and oils.
2 Tie back your hair; then apply 1 tablespoon to wet skin and massage in.
3 Allow to remain on skin 1–2 minutes, or longer if using as a mask.
4 Rinse and pat dry.
Honey Body Wash
This soap is gentle on your skin and perfect for the shower.
PREP TIME: 10 MIN | YIELD: ¾ CUP
INGREDIENTS
¼ cup liquid castile soap
¼ cup sweet almond oil
¼ cup honey
Your choice of essential oil, if desired
Squeeze bottle
DIRECTIONS
1 Mix all the ingredients with a whisk in a bowl.
2
