the power of honey…

so… if you know me or hang out with me already, you know i’m a big natural health guru… i am all about doing your own research, then making your own decisions in faith on what you should do. i try not to overwhelm people with my “interesting facts” or random thoughts on things like dairy, chiropractic care, vaccinations, natural birth, raw vitamins, dryer sheets, the government or how your body is God’s temple and you need to treat it right! ok, ok, i by NO means know everything, or have any type of medical degree but i like to learn and i like to try to be healthy.

i thought i’d let my first health and wellness blog post be about something fun like bees. well, it’s really about local raw honey and the benefits it has that you probably didn’t even know about… there are lots of “superfoods” out there to boost your immune system, but few are as potent as bee pollen.

did you know:

• that raw honey can actually fight off bacteria and parasites. it contains natural antibiotics that can help kill them directly. applying honey topically to a wound can not only speed up the healing process with it’s plethera of vitamins, minerals and enzymes but can heal the tissue while preventing infection. bacteria simply cannot live, so the infection reverses itself. {you can even read about the results of cesarean patients using honey after surgery here.}
• that 1 out of every 5 people suffer from insomnia. we’ve all heard of people like michael jackson who allegedly died post a crazy concoction of sleeping medications. people are so desperate to fall asleep that the un-natural drugs they cram into their fragile bodies doesn’t allow them to wake back up. raw honey promotes healthy sleep. just 2 teaspoons in a cup of water, chamomile tea or warm almond milk will help knock you out, in a good way.
• you can condition your HAIR! mix honey with an equal amount of olive oil, lather the mix through your hair, then wrap your head up in a warm towel for about 30 minutes… then shampoo out. i’ve heard your hair has never looked or felt better! {haven’t tried it yet, but i will soon!}
• it can help with poor digestion… mix honey with an equal amount of apple cider vinegar and dilute to taste with a little h2o. it won’t only help your tummy but is great for the joints and even helps promote weight loss. {love it!}
• mixed with an equal amount of oatmeal it works as a great face masque. leave it on for 30 minutes, then wash it off… it’s an amazing deep cleanser and will help reduce acne and unwanted blemishes.
• it cools, removes pain and aids in fast healing when applied directly to burns. it not only keeps bacteria from growing but it also prevents scarring. {you can beat this stuff with a stick.}
• it can help with your allergies! {mine are TERRIBLE and always have been…} i’ve learned that local raw honey can sensitize you to the pollen in your area, and helps as a natural remedy. a spoonful a day is what my mum says to do… over a bowl of fruit, oatmeal, or in your tea, just get it into your system on a daily basis and it should help…

here are a few other articles you can check out thanks to a favorite website of mine… natural news.com: immune system. allergies. healing powers. honey health. keep in mind that raw honey means it hasn’t been pasteurized or filtered and comes directly from the bee hive. local means it’s from your specific area… we’ve got some straight from bee farmers here in Charlotte, NC and we LOVE it! check the local natural health food stores, farmers markets or online for the good stuff, but not your regular supermarket. the lists of benefits could go on and on, so be sure to check out some of the listed articles for more info. be curious! hg