Honey! Bee-u-t-ful _ Part III The Benefits of Honey





My buddy blogger has been writing about skin and body wellness. This post relates to the use of honey in beauty and skin products.
http://holisticallyhaute.blogspot.com/2011/01/ingredient-spotlight-honey.html

 

humectant /hu·mec·tant/ (hu-mek´tant).  A substance that promotes retention of moisture

Honey is a humectant that can attract and maintain water, keeping your skin well-hydrated during these freezing cold days of winter or in the heat of summer sun. You can use honey contained in natural beauty products for your face, skin and hair. There are many homemade and handmade honey products such as soaps, facial masks, and creams that you can whip up with things from your kitchen or garden.

Today, in America especially, we are entering a new found age of enlightenment when it  comes to revisiting the use of organic, naturally grown "fruits of the earth" in the products we buy. We are embracing a kind of rebirth of natural remedies and ingredients in response to the risks presented by artificial additives and preservatives contained in the food we eat, plastics in the containers we package our food in, and potential cancer causing chemicals within the beauty products we use daily. In reading various medical articles about the benefits of honey I learned that it has antibacterial qualities that have proven to be effective in healing wounds and preventing infections.

Dr. Andrew Weil says in his November, 2006 newsletter Self Healing: “Honey’s antibacterial properties, due in part to its hydrogen peroxide content, help to quickly clear an infection and prevent new ones from developing. Honey stimulates the growth of skin tissue, reduces inflammation, and minimizes scarring, and it has the added benefit of creating a smoother surface between the wound and dressing. Since the wound
is less likely to stick to the bandage, removing it is easier and less painful, and damage to the newly grown skin tissue is avoided.”

Honey is often combined with goat's milk, oatmeal, olive oil, lemon, and botanicals in the production of natural skin care products. You will find many markets throughout the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York that carry an assortment of holistic and handmade products. The Windmill Country Markets located on Route 14A between Dundee and Penn Yan has a few different vendors that offer soaps, shampoos, and creams. You will also find all the varieties of edible honey products supplied by local beekeepers.

I have included two fun homemade skin care recipes for you to try that I have used myself. Please enjoy and feel free to comment in the box provided at the end of this post.

SOFT SKIN SOAK

This is a wonderful bath for dry, sensitive skin and is gentle enough for children.
 You can use any variety of honey in this recipe.

 Mix together these ingredients and pour into a clean glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid.

• 1 cup water
• 1⁄2 cup honey
• 1⁄2 cup goat's milk base liquid soap
  add two or three drops lavender or almond oil

 Gently shake to remix and pour 1/4 cup into the bath under the running water.

 Soak for 15 to 20 minutes.

 SMOOTH SKIN TREATMENT for face and body

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice-freshly squeezed if possible

 Whip all ingredients together in a small shallow bowl.
Massage into hands, elbows, heels and feet and anywhere your skin is rough or dry.

 Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse well with warm water and pat dry.