Unique Ways To Use Honey In Your Kitchen And Home
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If you are like a lot of people, you have a jar of honey in your pantry that you might not use as often as you could. While honey is well known as a sweetener (especially if you can’t get enough of peanut butter and honey sandwiches), it has a number of other properties that may be unfamiliar.
In fact, honey has been used in skin care, hair care, and even wound care for centuries. With these unique ways to use honey, you can find new applications that make you feel better.
Natural Face Mask
With its thick texture and antimicrobial properties, honey makes a great face mask. Take a teaspoon of honey and spread it over your face. Kick back for 20 minutes and then rinse it off. The honey will help your skin retain moisture and give you that dewy glow.
Looking for something simple for blemishes? Clean and dry your face, then add a drop of honey to the blemish. Sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse it clean.
Hair Care
Honey is a great component of hair care, especially if you have dry, damaged, or frizzy hair. Since it is so sticky, use it as a base for other added ingredients, like fresh lemon. Mix some honey into your shampoo or a little water to improve the condition and shine.
Alternatively, you can make a hair mask by dissolving a teaspoon of honey in a few cups of warm water. Allow it to sit on your hair for a few minutes, then dry as normal.
Sunburn Relief
Sunburns in hot weather can make you feel miserable, and honey helps take the sting out. Although the burn itself causes pain, it also dries out the skin and can become very itchy as it heals. To speed up the process and provide necessary moisture, consider adding a thin layer of honey to the burned area.
Stay indoors during the application to avoid attracting bees or other insects. After 10 minutes, rinse it off with cool or lukewarm water.
Wound Care
Did you know that there is a medical-grade honey that doctors use for wounds, burns, and other skin conditions? Honey has been instrumental in wound care for centuries, but its benefits are only just being quantified.
For cuts and burns, you can apply a thin layer of honey to the affected area before covering with a bandage. Be sure to consult with your doctor before using honey in this way, to make sure that the treatment is safe for your specific use.
Moisturizers
As a moisturizer, honey is second to none. The viscous solution holds moisture, which can allow it to restore that moisture to your skin, hair, lips, and more. Toss a half-cup of honey into your bathtub for a luxurious soak that leaves you feeling refreshed.
Create a mix of honey and water to apply as a regular face wash. Add a smear of honey across cracked lips to relieve them. Combine honey, sugar, and coconut oil for a sugar scrub that provides superior exfoliation and moisturizing, without irritating your skin.
Cold Remedies
Getting a cold feels miserable, but you do not have to suffer with the symptoms. Consider snacking on edible bee pollen for a natural, delicious way to boost your immune system. When you start feeling a sore throat or cough, take a teaspoon of honey by mouth directly.
Add up to two grams of propolis to benefit from the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can also dissolve a teaspoon or two of honey in a cup of hot tea for a comforting drink that soothes your spirits. If you don’t drink tea, try adding raw honey to a mug of hot water and apple cider vinegar.
Fruit Preserves
With proper storage, good honey doesn’t go bad. That makes honey a great choice for preserving fruits. If you notice that your fresh-bought fruits tend to wither and dry out within a few days, consider adding a layer of honey to help keep the pests and bacteria at bay.
If you really want to get the most out of your seasonal harvest, consider adding honey as the sweetening agent in your fruit syrups and jams. To ensure food safety, be sure to follow the USDA guide for canning fruit preserves.
Honey Spread
If you just love honey, you don’t need a complicated reason to eat it. Rich in nutrients, honey often makes a better choice than sweet spreads or other concoctions. For a simple spread, simply whip your honey until it is smooth, creamy, and easy to spread.
Honey spread makes a great addition to your charcuterie board or brunch table. It goes well with bread, pancakes, fruit, and cheese. If you want to add a layer of complexity to the spread, contribute some salted butter or even your favorite nut butter to the mix.
Infused Honey
If you are dying to infuse honey with local herbs or make some hot honey, you do not have to put in a lot of work. Take fresh honey and combine it with your favorite herbs or spices in a glass jar. Let it sit for a few weeks, turning the honey over once a day to keep the infusion process going.
If you want to infuse faster (and you are not worried about losing the benefits of raw honey), consider putting the mix into a saucepan and heating it until the honey just begins to bubble.
Honey Glaze
Just like you might add brown sugar or maple syrup to a glaze, you can easily add honey. Put honey in a pot with apple cider syrup and your favorite seasonings, with a touch of vinegar if you want that tangy zip. Consider adding water or juice to achieve the perfect consistency.
This simple combination can make an excellent marinade, barbecue sauce, or glaze for meat or vegetables.
Honey is so much more than a sweetener. You can use it to moisturize your skin and hair, help wounds to heal, or add complexity to your meals. Try these ideas and see how honey can improve your life.
Author bio: Tim Haratine, President of Built by Bees, launched the company in 2015 on a napkin. He outlined basic principles that would guide the artisan honey purveyor, including a commitment first to customers and employees, offering exceptional products at an excellent value, and respecting hard work while delivering on promises. Built by Bees offers products using organic or kosher ingredients that are non-GMO and free from additives and preservatives. The company has won dozens of national culinary awards.
