Is it just me or does honey taste better when it’s being squeezed out of a bear-shaped bottle? As a child, I remember reaching for it every Saturday morning and drizzling honey over my pancakes. Even as an adult I’m reaching for that bear to add honey to my tea.
September is National Honey Month and so in tribute to the natural sweetener and the efforts of thousands of bees that go into each bottle, we would like to highlight some of its uncommon uses.
Fruit Preserver
Extend the life of your fruits with raw honey. Create a mixture using one part honey to ten parts water. Use it to cover your berries and other favorite fruits.
Lip Balm
Do you have chapped lips? Apply honey directly to your lips and let it sit. This natural remedy should leave your lips soft and smooth.
Hair Conditioner
Create your own natural hair conditioner by mixing a half cup of honey with a quarter cup of olive oil. Slightly warm the mixture on the stove. Apply it to your hair and allow it to soak in. Rinse with cold water.
Makeup Remover
Honey can even help with hard-to-remove makeup. Mix it together with baking soda to make a paste. Add a few drops of tea tree oil. Then apply using a warm washcloth in a circular motion. Rinse with water.
Breath Freshener
If suffering from bad breath, try mixing a quarter cup of water, one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of lemon juice. Gargle the mixture for three minutes for fresh breath that should last all day long.
Nail Strengthener
For problems with weak, brittle nails, mix one tablespoon of honey with a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar in a shallow dish. Soak your nails for 10 minutes and rinse. Repeat weekly for strong and healthy cuticles and nails.
Sleep Tonic
Sugar and salt help keep your adrenaline from spiking, which can prevent you from sleeping. Mix five teaspoons of raw honey with 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Put a little bit of this mixture under your tongue before going to bed and let it dissolve naturally.
Skin Softener
Honey can also keep your skin naturally soft and clean. Add two tablespoons of honey to a cup of hot water and let it dissolve. Then add two to three drops of lavender essential oil. The mixture can then be added into your bath.
Are you sweet on honey? The Hawaii Honey Festival and Hawaiian Natural Honey Challenge is held every September on the Big Island of Hawaii. For more info, visit: hawaiihoneyfestival.com
