What are the Uses and Health Benefits of Honey?
What is Honey?
Honey is known as “natural sweetener”. It contains fructose, glucose, and other monosaccharides.
It is collected from the nectar of flowers by the bees. The flavor of honey varies on the type of flowers from which the nectar is harvested.
It contains traces of yeast, wax, and pollen. Honey has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
What are the Health Benefits of Honey?
1. Blood Sugar Regulation
Honey contains fructose and glucose that has an anti-diabetic and antioxidant property which can regulate the blood sugar levels. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals and it has the ability to lowers the blood sugar level and increases the insulin production in the body.
Step to follow:
Eat one tablespoon of honey daily because it is helpful to the body.
2. Reduces weight
Honey contains several vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It promotes the metabolism of fats and cholesterol that helps in maintaining the body balance and prevents obesity. It helps in detoxification of toxic substances and cleans the liver and helps in flushing out the fat from the body.
Step to follow:
Add a teaspoon of honey and lemon juice in a glass of lukewarm water on an empty stomach will help in reducing weight.
3. Boosts Immunity
Honey has an antibacterial and antiviral property and is very effective in removing the waste products from the body. It also contains antioxidants such as enzymes and phenols that protect the body from cell damage which occurs due to free radicals, as these free radicals contributes to the development of many chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and liver diseases.
Steps to follow:
- Mix one tablespoon of honey and ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon in a glass of lukewarm water will boost the immunity.
- Drink it once daily.
4. Combats Insomnia
Honey improves the quality of sleep by stimulating the release of insulin that allows the tryptophan for entering into the brain which contributes to the release of melatonin and provides relief to the patient.
Steps to follow:
Drink a cup of herbal tea and add honey to it will relax your mind and help in sleep.
Another method:
Mix 1 teaspoon of honey and black pepper in a glass of warm water.
5. Heals Wounds
Honey has an antiseptic and antibacterial property that helps in cleaning the wounds and prevents from infection. It promotes the healing and reduces pain and other symptoms associated with non-healing wounds such as pus and pungent odor. It provides relief.
Steps to follow:
- Clean the wound with lukewarm water and apply a layer of honey on it and cover it with the bandage.
- Change the bandage after every 24 hours.
6. Improves Digestion
Honey has an antimicrobial property and contains an enzyme called as glucose oxidase that helps in producing small amounts of hydrogen peroxide that can treat gastritis. It cleanses the colon by eliminating the toxins and also neutralizes the acid that occurs due to excessive eating. It also helps in providing relief from other symptoms such as indigestion, bloating, pain and discomfort and improves the digestion.
Steps to follow:
Have one tablespoon of honey before heavy meals will improve the digestion.
7. Treats Cough
Honey acts as an expectorant and cough suppressant that helps in clearing out the mucus and prevents from excessive secretion of mucus in the lungs. It also suppresses the cough reflux and provides relief to the patient.
Steps to follow:
- Add one tablespoon of honey in a cup of hot milk or herbal tea will give relief.
- Drink it daily.
8. Improves Memory
Honey contains polyphenols that improves the brain power. It also prevents the reduction of oxidative damage in the brain and also improves the concentration.
Steps to follow:
Take 1 or 2 tablespoons of honey daily will enhance the brain power.
9. Good for Skin
Honey is a good ingredient used for skin. It combats the acne and acts as a natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory which reduces the symptoms associated with acne and prevents from infection by keeping the skin totally moisturized and keeps the skin glowing. It also removes the free radicals from the skin that may contribute to wrinkles, fine lines and other skin aging problems.
Steps to follow:
- Apply honey on the skin and leave it for 30 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Do it twice or thrice daily it will enhance the skin quality.
Another step:
- Mix equal amount of honey and lemon juice and apply it on the face and let it dry and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Do it once or twice in a week.
10. Fights Against Hair Problems
Honey has an antioxidant and antifungal property that prevents from hair loss and controls dandruff by sealing the moisture in hair. It also helps in stimulating hair growth. It keeps the scalp and hair healthy.
Steps to follow:
- Mix one tablespoon of honey and onion juice and massage it on the scalp. Shampoo your hair after 30 minutes.
- Apply this twice in a week.
11. Reduces Muscle Fatigue
Honey contains glucose and fructose that helps in reducing the muscle fatigue by providing immediate energy to the body. It improves the exercise capacity of the athletes.
12. Treats Eczema and Psoriasis
Honey acts as a natural cleanser that removes the dirt and makes the skin soft and smooth. It provides relief from other symptoms such as inflammation, redness, and itching.
Steps to follow:
- Warm the mixture of honey, beeswax and olive oil in a microwave and let it warm until the beeswax melts.
- Apply it as a lotion daily it will sooth the affected area.
