Howland Blackiston - Honey For Dummies

Honey’s hygroscopic quality means it absorbs moisture from the air. This is one of the many reasons why honey is such a desirable ingredient in cosmetics. It’s a star at moisturizing and preventing dryness. This is why honey is considered a natural humectant — it retains moisture.

The simplest and most effective use of honey is to directly apply it! Rub a drop or two of honey on chapped lips before bed. For super-dry skin, add a tablespoon or two of honey to your warm bathwater.

Honey Sugar Body Scrub

A basic, invigorating body scrub to gently exfoliate the skin.

PREP TIME: 5 MIN | YIELD: 1½ CUPS

INGREDIENTS

1 cup white granulated sugar

1 lemon, juiced

½ cup honey

DIRECTIONS

1 Mix all the ingredients and blend well.

2 Take a handful of scrub and rub all over your body; you can use a washcloth or just the palm of your hand.

3 Rinse and then follow your usual bathing routine.

NOTE: A few additional ingredients make this scrub rejuvenating and leave your skin silky soft. For extra moisturizing properties, omit the lemon juice and add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Add 4 drops of an essential oil of your choice to smell divine.

Honey Facial Cleanse

Try this exfoliating polish once a week and watch your skin glow!

PREP TIME: 5 MIN | YIELD: 1 APPLICATION

INGREDIENTS

½ cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

¼ cup honey

DIRECTIONS

1 Mix the ingredients together and rub on face or dry, flaky skin.

2 Rinse and pat dry.

Honey Facial Wash/Mask

Honey is so hydrating and emollient that you can massage this into your face as a quick pick-me-up facial.

PREP TIME: 5 MIN | YIELD: 4 TREATMENTS

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup honey

1 drop tea tree oil

2 drops lavender essential oil

DIRECTIONS

1 In a small bowl, mix together the honey and oils.

2 Tie back your hair; then apply 1 tablespoon to wet skin and massage in.

3 Allow to remain on skin 1–2 minutes, or longer if using as a mask.

4 Rinse and pat dry.

Honey Body Wash

This soap is gentle on your skin and perfect for the shower.

PREP TIME: 10 MIN | YIELD: ¾ CUP

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup liquid castile soap

¼ cup sweet almond oil

¼ cup honey

Your choice of essential oil, if desired

Squeeze bottle

DIRECTIONS

1 Mix all the ingredients with a whisk in a bowl.

2 Pour into squeeze bottle.

Honey Mineral Bath

The honey will scent the bath and soothe your skin. The Epsom salts relax tired muscles. The baking soda helps release the magnesium in the salts for total relaxation, making for a very alkaline soak. Honey take me away!

PREP TIME: 5 MIN | YIELD: 1 BATH

INGREDIENTS

1 cup honey

1 cup Epsom salts

½ cup baking soda

Lavender essential oil, optional

DIRECTIONS

1 Add all the ingredients to a warm bath.

2 Now, soak away and relax.

Honey Bath Bomb

Bath bombs are easy and fun to prepare. They also make great gifts. I use a 2-ounce ice cream scoop to form and place the balls in colorful muffin papers. Or, you can form the balls by hand or even use silicone molds. Then I wrap in clear cellophane bags tied with natural brown twine or colorful ribbons.

Citric acid is easily found at home brewing stores. You can find some suggested resources in Appendix Bas well.

PREP TIME: 20 MIN | YIELD: 2¼ CUPS

INGREDIENTS

1 cup baking soda

½ cup citric acid

½ cup cornstarch

¼ cup Epsom salt

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon essential oil of your choice

DIRECTIONS

1 Mix all the ingredients in a non-reactive bowl. The mixture should hold together when squeezed but will have a dry consistency. If the mixture is too dry, you can spritz it with some water, but be conservative as it is supposed to be dry but hold together under pressure.

2 Divide the mixture and form it into small balls.

3 Let air-dry for 1 hour before packaging.

Hair Rinse

This rinse will make your hair silky soft and shiny. Use it once a week after you wash and condition your hair.

PREP TIME: 5 MIN | YIELD: 3 CUPS (1 APPLICATION)

INGREDIENTS

5 tablespoons honey

1 cup white vinegar

2 cups water

DIRECTIONS

1 Mix all the ingredients together.

2 Rub the mixture into hair and scalp; leave on for 5 minutes.

3 Rinse with warm water.

Shaving Lotion

This luxurious lotion gives you a close shave while making your skin as smooth as silk.

PREP TIME: 10 MIN | YIELD: A TAD MORE THAN 1 CUP

INGREDIENTS

½ cup coconut oil

½ cup liquid castile soap

¼ cup honey

6–8 drops essential oil of your choice; a very herbal lavender or rosemary is nice

A squeeze or pump style bottle

DIRECTIONS

1 Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.

2 Whisk until all the ingredients are incorporated and the mixture looks creamy.

3 Put into a squeeze or pump style bottle. The honey may separate, so shake well before applying. Put a generous amount into the palm of your hand and apply to the area to be shaved. Enjoy your velvety skin.

TIP: If using Dr. Bronner’s essential oil–infused castile soap, omit the essential oil.

Honey Whipped Hand and Body Cream

The honey is whipped into the oil and butter base after cooling. You’re going to absolutely love this very rich and hydrating cream. You’ll feel like you are putting whipped cream on your skin.

PREP TIME: 15 MIN PLUS COOLING TIME | YIELD: 10 OUNCES

INGREDIENTS

4 ounces organic extra-virgin coconut oil

4 ounces organic unrefined shea butter

¼ cup honey

DIRECTIONS

1 In a double boiler, melt the coconut oil and shea butter. Remove from heat and let cool.

2 Using a stand or a hand mixer, beat the cooled, solidified oil mixture until fluffy, like whipped cream. Slowly add in the honey until the mixture is emulsified.

3 Put into a container, date, and use within 6 months.

Sunburn Skin Soother

If you forgot to use your sunscreen and got too much sun exposure, this quick remedy will help calm the burn down. Note: This is not a sun screen . It’s a soothing gel to relieve sunburn.

PREP TIME: 5 MIN | YIELD: 1 APPLICATION

INGREDIENTS

⅛ cup honey

⅛ cup aloe vera gel

DIRECTIONS

1 Whisk together the honey and aloe vera gel until well blended.

2 Apply on clean, dry sunburned area.

The previous recipes in this chapter are meant to apply, not to ingest. But here are a few honey remedies you consume to relieve the discomfort of various ailments and to naturally improve your overall health.