What is honey good for: properties and harm to the body, how to use it correctly
Honey is a sweet product that bees make from flower nectar. Mankind has been using this viscous and fragrant mass for many years as a natural sweetener. At the same time, the shade, taste and texture differ depending on the flowers from which the nectar was obtained. The darker the product, the more pronounced aroma it has. So what exactly is honey good for? This is of interest to many.
Useful properties of the product
Honey is a natural product with antibacterial, antioxidant and antiseptic properties.Also, the composition successfully copes with fungi and acts as an effective probiotic. The bee product contains many valuable components, therefore it can be used to treat and prevent many pathologies.
Cough medicine
Honey has pronounced anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Thanks to this, he successfully copes with cough, including the symptom provoked by seasonal allergies. According to studies, when it enters the human body, honey acts like dextromethorphan. This substance is considered the active ingredient in cough medicines. At the same time, you can use honey from sunflower and buckwheat.
Also, the sweet treat has an enveloping effect. Thanks to its use, a protective film appears in the throat. This helps to avoid irritation. Children who are prone to persistent colds and sore throats are advised to consume some honey regularly.The best time to do this is 30 minutes before bedtime.
Accelerating wound healing
Before the advent of penicillin, honey was used in traditional medicine to fight various infections - primarily dermatological. The bee product has antibacterial, antioxidant and antifungal properties. Thanks to this, the composition promotes wound healing.
According to scientific studies, the bee product is effective against more than 250 strains of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus. Some clinics often use honey bandages. It is believed that they contribute to the elimination of burns.
Allergy Remedy
Honey made in the region in which a person lives includes pollen from local plants. This means that with each serving of such a product, it is possible to obtain a small amount of the allergen. This helps build resistance to pollen, which triggers allergies.
Thus, honey strengthens the immune system and helps to resist one of the most powerful allergens - pollen. However, the use of a local product is considered an important point. In addition, honey contains vitamins, which has an additional positive effect on the body.
Salvation from herpes
The use of honey in recurrent genital and labial herpes helps to achieve significant improvements. This is due to the fact that the product contributes to the accelerated drying of the wound. In addition, the high content of sugars stops the development of bacteria.
Another advantage is the presence of a special enzyme in the delicacy. That is why bee nectar is often included in pharmacy remedies for herpes. However, it is important to consider that the bee product is not able to completely eliminate the herpes infection. It only reduces her symptoms.
Improve memory
The benefits of honey for the human body lies in its ability to improve memory. Bee nectar contains many antioxidants. They protect brain cells from free radicals and other negative influences. According to studies, regular consumption of bee nectar helps to strengthen memory and enhance brain performance.
In addition, the sweet product improves the absorption of calcium by the body. According to scientists, this substance is necessary for analytical activities and making adequate decisions. As we age, the human body needs more vitamins and minerals. This helps prevent dementia. Honey helps to achieve the desired effect.
Sleep benefits
The bee product is suitable for people who suffer from sleep disorders. This delicacy promotes increased synthesis of serotonin. This neurotransmitter is responsible for a great mood and a feeling of happiness.
Then the body converts serotonin into melatonin. This chemical is responsible for the duration and quality of sleep. In addition, honey contains a special amino acid - tryptophan. It also provides restful sleep. No wonder after drinking bee nectar at night people want to sleep.
Natural dandruff remedy
Everyone knows that dandruff is a fungal skin disease. At the same time, honey has pronounced antifungal properties. That is why the sweet product helps to get rid of dandruff.
Cosmetologists advise using a honey solution with a concentration of 10% for this purpose. For its preparation, the beekeeping product must be mixed with warm water. The finished composition is recommended to be applied to the scalp for 3 hours. This should be done before washing your hair.
After 2 weeks of such procedures, it will be possible to completely get rid of dandruff. And the problem will not return even after six months. In addition, bee nectar copes well with dermatitis and other fungal pathologies. With its help, you can eliminate the feeling of itching and get rid of redness of the skin.
Immune benefits
If you regularly consume a bee product, you can achieve a noticeable strengthening of the immune system. Since ancient times, people have been preparing a healing drink based on 1 tablespoon of honey, the juice of half a lemon and warm water. To strengthen the immune system, this drink was recommended to be consumed on an empty stomach.
Modern doctors fully support this method. They claim that the systematic use of such a drink provides excellent protection against diseases and helps strengthen the body's defenses.
Cancer cure
Healing properties of the product help to achieve an antitumor effect. Sweet nectar actively cleanses the body of carcinogens that provoke the rebirth of he althy cells. According to numerous studies, people who regularly consume honey are much less likely to experience malignant tumors.
Slimming
Despite the fact that honey is a very sweet product and has a fairly high calorie content, it helps to lose weight. This property of delicacy is especially useful for women. The chemical composition of nectar provides stimulation of metabolic processes. In addition, the composition helps to quickly remove toxins from the body.
To lose weight, it is recommended to eat 2 small spoons of bee product every day. This should be done in the morning on an empty stomach and before going to bed. It is best to mix 1 small spoonful of nectar with a glass of water. According to nutritionists, such a drink is almost identical in composition to blood plasma.
To make the process of losing weight more effective, it is worth doing anti-cellulite honey massage. To do this, liquid nectar must be applied to problem areas and massaged with patting movements. This must be done until the honey turns into a white slurry. After that, the composition must be washed off, and the treated areas should be wrapped in something warm.
Other advantages of the bee product include the following:
- protection against pathologies of the heart and blood vessels - this effect is achieved due to flavonoids in the composition of the bee product;
- healing of gastric ulcers and elimination of other disorders in the digestive organs;
- increasing sports endurance;
- improvement of visual functions;
- eliminate impotence and prevent premature ejaculation;
- improvement of intestinal microflora;
- elimination of pathologies of the urinary tract;
- relieve diarrhea and nausea.
Honey in cosmetology
As a cosmetic, honey has been used for centuries. There is a legend that Queen Cleopatra took baths from milk with the addition of honey and olive oil. Subsequently, masks based on honey and milk were used by ancient Greek women.
In cosmetology, a bee product is often used to combat inflammatory processes. The effectiveness of the substance is due to its pronounced antibacterial properties. Honey face masks help eliminate acne and irritation. They also help to even out old scars and overall tone, cleanse the skin of dead cells and speed up blood flow.
Honey often acts as a component of cleansing face and body masks.The candied product is often used as a scrub. It can be used in its pure form or mixed with coarse s alt, sugar and vegetable oil. Such cosmetics provide a gentle massage and do not leave damage to the skin. They help to get rid of pollution and effectively cope with pollution. Since the bee product has a delicate texture, it is permissible to use it not only for cleansing the skin of the face, but also for the lips.
Hair mask
Honey masks are often used for hair care. With their help, it is possible to achieve a complex impact and get rid of a number of problems:
- Bee nectar has softening properties. This means that it helps retain moisture in the hair. This keeps them beautiful, strong and shiny.
- Honey reduces hair breakage, which often slows hair growth.
- The composition has a pronounced antioxidant effect. This helps to avoid damage to the structure of the hair and scalp.
- Substance strengthens hair follicles. This helps prevent falling out processes.
- The composition has an antibacterial and antiseptic effect. This helps to avoid the development of infection and cope with the symptoms of pathologies such as psoriasis and eczema. The substance successfully copes with dandruff and stimulates growth processes.
- Bee nectar helps cleanse pores and hair follicles. With its help, it is possible to minimize the weakening of the hair follicles, which often causes hair loss.
- The use of honey masks not only accelerates the growth of strands, but also stimulates their re-growth from dormant follicles.
- Honey has a slight lightening effect. Therefore, masks based on it are perfect for blondes and fair-haired girls.
To strengthen the strands, enhance their growth and get rid of dandruff, you should make a honey mask with cognac. This will require the following ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon honey;
- 1 tablespoon cognac;
- 1 egg yolk.
All components must be thoroughly mixed. To increase the effectiveness of the product, you can additionally add 1 tablespoon of burdock oil to it. The finished mask is required to keep 30-60 minutes. Then it can be washed off with shampoo.
To restore the structure of curls, it is recommended to take the following components:
- 2 tbsp honey;
- 1 egg yolk;
- 2-3 tablespoons of beer.
At first, the honey needs to be thoroughly grind with yolk, and then pour beer into it. It is recommended to apply the finished composition to the hair, warm the head and leave the mask for an hour. Then you need to wash your hair with shampoo.
In order to enhance growth processes, it is recommended to use the following products:
- 1 tablespoon honey;
- 1 tablespoon castor oil;
- 1 tablespoon linseed oil;
- 1 tablespoon mustard powder.
To begin with, it is recommended to slightly heat the honey, then add mustard to it, and then the rest of the ingredients. Apply the finished product to the hair for a quarter of an hour and warm the head. When a pronounced burning sensation occurs, the composition should be washed off immediately. Next time, the amount of mustard is recommended to be reduced. The use of such a tool contributes to the rapid growth of hair, the cessation of hair loss and overall recovery.
Body Moisturizer
Honey has a pronounced anti-cellulite and moisturizing effect on the skin of the body. To achieve the desired results, the composition must be applied to problem areas and a thorough massage should be done. This procedure moisturizes the skin and saturates it with nutrients.Also, honey massage enhances blood circulation, cleanses the dermis of toxins and toxins and makes it smoother.
No less useful procedure for the skin are moisturizing baths. To do this, you need to take 2 tablespoons of honey and mix with a cup of hot water. Then add 2-3 drops of lavender oil to the composition and pour the mixture into a bath filled with warm water. Systematic honey baths effectively eliminate stress, cleanse the skin and make it more silky.
Honey Almond Scrub
Composition based on honey and crushed almonds brings great benefits to the whole body and facial skin. It is especially effective to use such a scrub in the bath. To get a useful tool, it is recommended to take the following components:
- 1 small spoonful of honey;
- 1 tablespoon chopped almonds;
- 1 tablespoon oatmeal;
- 1 small spoonful of aloe juice.
All components must be mixed thoroughly and add a little water. Ready scrub is recommended to be applied to the steamed body, décolleté and face. After 15-20 minutes, the composition should be washed off with cool water. With regular use of honey-almond scrub, you can make the skin more delicate, smooth and silky.
How to eat honey
It is important to consider that honey is considered a fairly high-calorie product. If used incorrectly, they get fat. In order not to get better, you should follow the daily norm of the product. For an adult, it is 1-2 tablespoons. This amount is enough to maintain the tone of the body, strengthen the immune system and obtain the necessary substances. If desired, you can eat a little more honey. However, in any case, you can not exceed the amount of 100 grams per day.
At the same time, children under 3 years old are allowed to give no more than half a teaspoon of the product per day. Children under 12 years old can consume a maximum of 1-2 teaspoons. This dosage applies to sunflower, linden, clover and any other varieties of honey.
It is worth considering that the bee product is recommended to be eaten on an empty stomach. This will help to saturate the body with the necessary amount of energy. If you plan to eat honey several times a day, this should be done half an hour before meals or 2-3 hours after that.
Immediately after a meal, eating a bee product is not recommended. This will lead to additional stress on the digestive process. If you use the product before meals, it will be possible to speed up metabolic processes.
When using bee nectar, it is important to consider that it is strictly forbidden to heat it up to a temperature of more than +40 degrees. This will lead to the loss of most of the useful properties of the product.Therefore, you should not add a he althy treat to hot tea or milk. When drinking drinks with honey, it is recommended to use warm liquid.
It is most useful to use the product in its pure form. Dentists advise rinsing the mouth after this to avoid the multiplication of bacterial microorganisms in a sweet environment.
Another great remedy is honey water. For its preparation, it is recommended to take 1-2 small spoons of bee nectar for 1 glass of warm water. You can also add some lemon juice to the composition. To improve he alth, it is recommended to drink 1 glass 2 times a day.
What is the danger of honey
Honey rarely harms the body. As with any other product, they should not be abused or exceeded daily. If you overeat honey, you can get poisoned. There is also a risk of deterioration in the functioning of the kidneys and pancreas.This is due to the high content of fast carbohydrates in the composition of the product.
When honey is heated to +42 degrees, beneficial substances are destroyed in it and harmful substances begin to be released. It is important to consider that unscrupulous sellers can heat honey before selling it. This simplifies the process of pouring the mass into containers.
To ensure that the bee product does not harm the body, it is important to consider contraindications to its use. The main limitation is the individual intolerance of the bee product.
In some cases, doctors do not recommend eating sweet treats for obesity, dermatological pathologies, bronchial asthma, and diabetes. This also applies to pregnant and lactating women. The use of the product should be limited in case of exacerbation of gastritis, urolithiasis or cholelithiasis, a significant increase in body temperature, chronic pancreatitis.The same applies to people who have undergone stomach surgery in the recent past. The listed categories of persons should consult a doctor before using a bee product.
Can I eat honey before going outside
Of course, honey can be consumed before going out. However, it is important to take into account some nuances. In warm weather, there is nothing to worry about. In autumn, spring and winter there is a risk of hypothermia. If you warm up with tea, 10-15 minutes after that you should not go outside. At the same time, honey does not play a special role in this case.
However, the bee product itself causes excessive sweating in a number of people, especially when combined with tea. Therefore, a hot drink combined with honey can provoke hypothermia of the upper respiratory tract when going outside.
As for warm honey water, it doesn't cause these effects. Therefore, after drinking it, you can immediately go outside.
Honey is an extremely valuable product that brings great he alth benefits. This is due to the high content of vitamins and minerals in the composition of bee nectar. In order for the composition to give the desired effect, it is important to choose a natural product and strictly follow the instructions for its use.
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