Is your sweet tooth tingling?
It should be–September is National Honey Month!
Humans have been enjoying this sweet golden substance for thousands of years; evidence shows honey has been collected since ancient times, the earliest being 15,000 year-old cave paintings in Spain depicting the process of collecting honeycombs from bee hives in tall trees! Other millennia-old paintings from Africa and India show ancient beekeepers collecting honey, being chased by swarms of bees, and even using the tried-and-true method of using smoke to calm bees before harvesting the honey.
It’s been enjoyed as food, used in wellness applications, and regarded as liquid gold worthy of praise from powerful deities. To put it simply, honey is a natural product from hardworking honeybees that people around the world can’t get enough of!
Candy from nature, honey is a delight in recipes near and far, but honey is a superstar natural product and can be used for more than just its warm, sweet flavor! Here are some of our favorite ways to use honey in your day-to-day life…
All-Natural Moisturizer
Honey makes for a wonderful moisturizer for dry skin, especially for pesky dry elbows, knees and feet. After showering, try gently massaging fresh honey into spot areas, leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse off. Want even more? Try combining with soothing Sweet Almond Oil or nourishing Jojoba Oil for added hydration!
Bye-Bye Dry Ends & Frizz
The thought of putting sticky honey in your hair might not sound appealing, but we love tapping into honey’s hydrating properties to help keep our ends soft and hair frizz-free. After shampooing, coat the ends of your hair with honey, let sit for about 5 minutes, then rinse as normal.
Related: Read more about honey washing & take the “No Poo” challenge!
Skip the Spa & Have an At-Home Facial
Making your own facial scrub at home is super-easy and convenient, especially because you can adjust the ingredients based on your personal skincare needs. To start with the basics, try combining honey, coconut oil, and a splash of lemon juice (avoid your eyes!) with finely ground almonds (for exfoliation). You can even add your favorite beautifying essential oils! Wash your skin with warm water (removing any make-up), gently massage this blend into the skin, let sit for a couple minutes, then rinse.
Make Your Own Lip Balm
Did you know lip balm is one of the simplest DIY projects? It’s true! Consider adding a dollop of honey to your melted wax for added moisturizing benefits and a pop of deliciously sweet flavor. Make sure you mix well before pouring!
Related: Make your own DIY lip balm with this simple step-by-step guide (with pictures)!
Make Bath Time Even Better
Who doesn’t love a good, long soak in the tub? While your tub fills with water, mix honey and hot water in a cup until it is completely dissolved. Pour into the hot bath water before stepping in. Step it up a notch with a milk and honey bath by adding some powdered milk to the mixture beforehand!
Moisturize & Soften Your Cuticles
Giving yourself an at-home manicure? Whether you’re painting or just cleaning up, honey can help keep your cuticles looking fresh and healthy! Try combining equal parts honey, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil (melted) and massaging into each cuticle. Let sit for 10 minutes or so, then rinse with warm water. That’s all there is to it!
Make Honey Syrup to Preserve Fruits & Berries
Yes, yes, and yes! Who doesn’t love fruit and berry preserves? Next time you’re planning on doing some canning, try adding this honey syrup to your jars to help keep your preserves while adding a super awesome & delicious flavor! To make your syrup, combine 1/2 cup of honey with 5 cups of water and up to 1/2 cup evaporated cane juice (optional; you can remove or reduce this if you would like a less sugary preserve) in a pot and warm over medium heat until it reaches 200°F. You can also add citric acid for better preservation. Pour into your jars over the fruit, then continue with the canning process.
Make Infused Honey… Because Why Not?
Time to experiment! Infuse herbs and spices with honey to create your own uniquely flavored sweet treats. To make, simply heat honey in a small pot with the herbs and spices until a desired flavor is achieved. Try adding some lavender to enhance honey’s natural floral flavor, cinnamon and cloves for a fall-time treat, ginger or even jalapenos for a spicy-sweet kick, or dried fruit such as figs or apricots!
What’s your favorite way to use honey? We’d love to hear your sweet secrets! Share with us in the comments!
Health & happiness,
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