Honey is made by honey bees using the nectar from flowers. It is considered to be nature's wonder and many people may want to learn how to use honey effectively. There are reports about the anti bacterial properties of honey.
http://bio.waikato.ac.nz/honey/honey_intro.shtml#ref4
It has been used as a natural sweetener for long time. Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicines recognized the medicinal values of honey.
The color, flavor and taste of honey depend on the flowers from which the bees take the nectar. Honey produced from buckwheat is dark with a strong flavor. The golden clover honey is the one widely available.
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/dk_ayurvedahoney.html
http://www.holisticchineseherbs.com/food/honey.html
Studies conducted by Mayo clinic shows that honey is a good cough suppressant. When given to kids, it was as effective as over the counter cough suppressants.Since, there is a risk of infant botulism, it is better to avoid giving honey for kids under age one. Botulism is a serious form of food poisoning.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/honey/an01799
Since honey is sweater than granulated sugar and it contains carbohydrate and calories more than the same quantity of sugar, it is not recommended in diabetic diet.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes/AN00425
Some doctors tried honey bandages for the wounds and found those are effective. The wounds on diabetic patients are slow to heal because of the inability of body to replace infected tissue with healthy tissue. When used honey infused bandages for such patients, doctors found the wounds are healing faster. The researchers are trying to find out the exact substance of honey which helps to cure wounds.
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diabetes/articles/2008/10/07/the-healing-power-of-honey
There is a risk on wound botulism in using honey to dress the wounds. If it can be sterilized effectively without losing the antibacterial properties, then honey can be used to heal wounds without any risk.
http://bio.waikato.ac.nz/honey/honey_intro.shtml#ref4
According to the USDA standards, honey is graded as A, B, C or substandard. The factors considered in grading honey are flavor and aroma (50 points), .absence of defects (40 points) and clarity (10 points). The grade a honey must have a minimum of 90 points and the grade C honey must have a minimum 70 points. The substandard honey is the one fails to meet the grade C qualities.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3011895
Tips
1.To measure honey easily, use non-stick cooking spray on the measuring cups or spoons.
2.Heating honey will affect its color and flavor.
3.To remove the crystals in honey, just warm it up.
Store honey at room temperature away from direct sunlight .Storing honey in refrigerator will make it crystallize faster.http://www.ghfllc.com/honeyfacts.html
How to make a honey face mask
Take one egg white. Beat the egg whites slightly. Add one teaspoon of Olive oil to it and mix again. Add flour little by little while stirring to make it a paste. Apply the paste to face for 20 minutes. It can be washed off using warm water.
How to Make a Home Remedy for Sore Throats
TThis video shows how to make tea using ginger, honey and lemon to help with sore throat and cough. The ginger is thinly sliced and hot water poured on to it. Then honey and lemon are added to it.
Introduction
Honey is a natural sweetener. It is used in cooking and baking. Honey is produced worldwide naturally and commercially. The flavor of honey depends on the kind of flowers bees use to make it. Honey can be kept in a cool dry place and need not be refrigerated. Crystallization of honey is natural and will not damage honey. If crystallized honey is warmed it will be liquid again. http://www.honey.com/downloads/crystallization.pdf http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf553486.tip.html http://www.tasteofhome.com/Cooking-Tips/Ask-the-Test-Kitchen/Crystallized-Honey Vitamins in honey are Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B-6, Choline and Betaine. It also contains the minerals Calcium, Iron, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Magnesium, Fluoride and Selenium. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/cgi-bin/list_nut_edit.pl
Honey As a Natural Remedy
When you have sore throat, take a teaspoon of honey. The honey will coat your throat and provide some relief. http://ezinearticles.com/?Sore-Throat---Soothe-Your-Sore-Throat-Naturally&id=2006152 Honey applied locally will heal burns without leaving marks. To treat pimples, mix honey with a few drops of lemon juice and apply to the face. For best results, the treatment must be done for a continuous period of time.. 2 teaspoons of honey mixed with 2 teaspoons of ginger and taking it frequently will help to relieve cough and cold. Taking one glass of warm milk mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey will help you relax and sleep better.
Honey and Lemon for Weight Loss
Add one teaspoon of lemon juice to one glass of warm water. Add two tea spoons of honey to it. Mix well and drink it. Repeating it for about three months may help some people lose weight. Doing this with cold water is not effective, so make sure the water is warm. http://www.pioneerthinking.com/dk_ayurvedahoney.html http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/animal-product/benefits-of-honey-in-weight-loss.html http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/honey-and-lemon.html
How to use Honey as a Face Pack
Ground 1/3 cup of oatmeal. Add enough honey to make a paste. Apply it to the face. Wait for half an hour for it to dry. Then wash it out with cold water. It will make the facial skin smooth. This face pack can be used once a week.
Another face pack can be made with honey and banana. Mash half a banana and add 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply this mask and leave for 10 minutes. After than wipe off with a damp wash cloth.
To moisturize your skin, apply honey, leave it on the skin for 5 minutes and rinse off well.
Also, honey can be used as a lip gloss. Just apply it as you would a regular lip gloss.
http://www.free-beauty-tips.com/facemasks.html http://www.certainremedy.com/oatmeal/
