What Honey Can (and Can't) Do

Honey’s been used to heal wounds, ease allergies, and sweeten things up for centuries. Can it really do everything it gets credit for?

How Do Bees Make Honey?

It begins when a honeybee stops at a flower and sucks out the sweet liquid nectar. She stores the nectar in a special sac called a honey crop, where enzymes break it down into simple sugars. Back at the hive, other bees move the nectar into honeycombs. They hover above the cells, creating a breeze that dries out the nectar until it becomes honey, and then seal the cells with wax. Bees visit 2 million flowers to make a pound of honey.

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Beauty Powers of Honey

Since ancient times honey has been used for its rejuvenating powers. Rich in minerals and vitamins, it attracts and retains fluids and acts as a moisturizer on the skin. Honey contains an antibacterial agent called inhibane, which promotes healing. Liquid honey is easier to use in beauty recipes than other, thicker honeys, and will help bind other materials to the skin.

BEAUTY RECIPES

To cleanse the skin, combine 1 tbsp. (15ml) of liquid honey and 1 tsp. (5ml) of wheat-germ oil with 3 drops of apricot-kernel oil. Add 1 tsp. (5ml) of flower water and mix well. Smooth over the face and neck and leave for 10 minutes. Wet a face cloth in warm water and wring it out. Gently remove the facial mixture by wiping with the warm facecloth.

To heal sore or dry lips, melt 1 tbsp. (5ml) of liquid honey and stir in 1 tsp. of rose water. Transfer to a small jar and seal. Use as a lip balm.

To soften dry skin on elbows and knees, warm 2 tbsp. (30ml) of honey and rub into the skin. Leave for 20 minutes. Rinse off and pat dry.

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