At this time of year, we are all looking for strategies to keep in mind so we can treat the illnesses that come about. Or even better, we prefer to prevent those problems from happening in the first place. And you might not realize that one of your most powerful remedies resides not in your medicine cabinet but in your kitchen.
That’s correct. That beautiful golden substance called honey is a powerful remedy that can help with many sniffles, sneezes, colds and the flu. And make sure to keep it on hand at all times even after cold and flu season, because it has medicinal properties that help with many other symptoms all year long. Here are several ways that honey can help.
Immune System Booster
Did you know that honey can help to boost your immune system? It’s true, as honey contains various vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes, and this in turn can help you to avoid many of the yucky illnesses that go around during the winter months, including colds and the flu. Use honey as a preventative measure to keep the immune system strong and as a treatment if illness happens.
Cough and Cold Reducer
Honey can be so soothing when you have a cough, sore throat or cold. Any type of upper respiratory infection can be helped by the antiviral benefits of honey. Try adding some honey to your hot herbal tea that is specifically designed for colds and sore throats. Or even simply ginger or peppermint tea can be soothing with a teaspoonful of honey. Many natural cough syrups contain honey too.
Springtime Allergy Help
After you get through the cold and flu season, the next step is to be ready for spring. And all those beautiful tree buds and flowers can lead to springtime allergy symptoms from pollen. But the good news is that honey can help you have fewer symptoms. Try to find honey that is produced in your local area, as it is believed that ingesting a local variety helps with seasonal allergy symptoms.
Detoxification Assistance
As the outside temperature starts to warm up and spring approaches, many people start thinking about detoxing their bodies. And just lowly honey makes a great remedy that can assist with detoxification. One great way to get some honey into your body is by adding a small amount of it to warm water along with a squeeze of fresh lemon for an added boost of detoxification.
Healthy Skin Remedy
We all want to have healthy skin that glows, but rather than loading up on a variety of lotions and expensive creams, reach for honey instead. Drinking water that contains a spoonful of honey can help to keep you hydrated while healing issues like psoriasis. The antioxidants in honey also help to keep skin healthy.
You might have noticed that some skin creams include honey. That’s likely because honey is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and that means it helps to heal wounds and burns. Honey can even be applied directly onto the skin for soothing and healing benefits.
Heart Health
A little-known purpose for honey is as a prevention remedy for heart disease and other related issues. Honey has this benefit because it contains antioxidants, which in turn can help to lower blood pressure and bring cholesterol to a healthier level.
To get the best benefits out of honey, choose raw and preferably local honey. You can find this at spots like your area’s farmers’ market or food co-op. Some grocery stores, especially natural foods ones, sell higher-quality brands and types of honey. Be aware that many lower-quality brands of honey add ingredients such as sugar or high fructose corn syrup to their products, so read labels and be cautious about what you buy.
Try drinking a glass of warm, filtered water that contains about a teaspoonful of honey. You can also incorporate honey in other ways, such as by cooking and baking with it as a sugar substitute. And of course honey is always tasty and soothing as an addition to a cup of hot herbal tea. However you choose to use it, just get some honey into your routine this winter and beyond.
