OFTEN you will see a television segment or read a magazine article extolling the benefits of honey, in particular honey's ability to act as a natural healing agent.
Honey has been used for years to treat slow-healing wounds, and its use as a natural antibiotic ointment in hospitals has increased. In fact, a leading Australian honey manufacturer is now producing honey especially for this purpose.
Honey does indeed have unique healing properties. It contains many vitamins and minerals and has been used over the centuries for its rejuvenating qualities.
It is an excellent source of many of the B group vitamins, vitamin C, carotene and organic acids, and works well as a natural skin softener and antiseptic. It will also cleanse, heal and moisturise the skin, and is very effective for treating dry, chapped skin and windblown or damaged lips.
If you are one of the many people who suffer with dry, flaky skin on their feet, the daily use of a honey treatment will help to alleviate this problem.
First, splash warm water on the feet, then rub in a good layer of honey and leave for about half an hour so it is well absorbed into the skin. Rinse residual honey off with warm water and pat-dry.
Continue this remedy daily until the condition of your feet improves.
Honey also makes an excellent facial cleanser for teenagers because of its ability to remove blackheads.
To make the cleanser, mix together equal amounts of honey and wheatgerm oil and spread it over your face, avoiding the eyes. Keep it on for 15 minutes, relaxing while you wait. Wash off with lukewarm water and then splash cold water on the face to close the pores, then pat dry with a soft towel.
Yoghurt and honey mixed together is also beneficial to facial skin and can be used as a gentle cleansing milk that exerts natural antiseptic properties. It is ideal for oily skin.
Mix thoroughly together 15ml of natural yoghurt, two teaspoons of honey and one teaspoon of strained lemon juice, and massage gently into facial skin using small circular motions. Finish off by removing all traces of the lotion with a soft piece of clean cloth or cotton wool ball. Rinse face two or three times with cold water and pat dry with a soft towel.
For hands that have been excessively exposed to harsh climatic conditions use the following rich, oily overnight ointment; on windblown or chapped lips rub in a little of the honey ointment as needed.
To make your ointment, gently warm together in a double boiler one teaspoon of honey and one tablespoon each of almond oil and olive oil. Stir constantly until well blended, remove from the stove and beat in two teaspoons of glycerine. Bottle and seal for future use!
When using honey on your skin use only raw, natural honey for best results - honey that hasn't been heat-treated in its processing!
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