The history of honey is as rich as the product itself dating back to 2100 BC with mentions in Sumerian and Babylonian cuneiform writings, the Hittite code, and the sacred writings of the Indians and Egyptians.

Besides its widespread use as a common kitchen ingredient, honey carries with it a far greater responsibility and role within the medicinal realm. Studies have indicated that the drinking of honey water improves antioxidants in the blood thereby helping with the prevention of narrowing arteries. Calculating weight for weight, honey is said to contain the same amount of antioxidants as spinach, and in the similar range of antioxidant producing foods such as apples, bananas, oranges and strawberries. It is said that raw honey has strong antibacterial properties and in addition tit gat stimulate tissue growth speeding up the healing process.

Manufactured in the world’s most efficient factories, the beehive, a pound of honey is made from gathered nectar from more than two million flowers across a 55,000-mile radius. With a primary composition of fructose, glucose and water, honey also contains other sugars as well as trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins and amino acids making it a great energy booster.

A Spoonful of Honey
Composed primarily of the sugars, glucose and fructose, the third greatest component of honey is water. In addition, it also contains numerous types of sugars, acids, proteins and minerals. The sugars are also called sweet carbohydrates and each type serves a different purpose. It is these sugar components that make honey a worldwide popular sweetener.

Taking a broader perspective on Mary Poppins’ approach that “a spoonful of honey makes the medicine go down”, you can use honey directly or as a component for many ailments:

Pressure Sores	Burns
Ulcers	Bed sores
Abscesses	Inflammation of throat
Coughs	Skin smoothener
Surgical Wounds	Chilblains
Abrasions	Cuts
Sunburn	Laxative
Antiseptic	General Salve

SWEET BEAUTY REMEDY
For Balance Combination Skin
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon yoghurt

Place the ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Gently apply to face, avoiding eyes. Leave for 15 minutes. Rinse with some warm water. A powerful humectant, helping with moisture retention and softening of texture, honey is also an antiseptic; yoghurt kills harmful bacteria and egg yolks add moisture to the skin.

PUCKER UP
1 tablespoon honey
1⁄2 teaspoon rosewater

For soft, luscious, glossy lips, mix together honey and rosewater and apply to your lips straight away. Honey shines and softens the lips while rosewater helps to dilute the honey so it’s less sticky and also soothes the skin.

Beauty Tip:
Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s going to suit every skin – some people have more sensitive skin than others. So mix up a small batch and test it on your arms before slathering all over your face.