Just a Spoon Full of HONEY~

Apis mellifera: Honey Bee

Extreme close up of a bees "tongue"

Apis Millefera, the "honey bearing bee", gathers two things from flowers; nectar (for honey production) and pollen.  The female worker bees suck nectar from the flowers and store it in a little honey stomach as she flies from flower to flower, pollinating as she goes. At first, the nectar is nearly 80% water and the rest is complex sugar chains.  The bees then process this liquid with special enzymes and place little droplets of the converting liquid within the honey comb cells.  The final process is an evaporation process.  The bees maintain an internal hive temperature of approximately 95 degrees F.  They accomplish this by a coordinated effort of fanning their wings.  This forced evaporation results in the thick, viscous liquid gold that we have come to know and love... Honey.

Liquid Gold~ Honey

Honey and Honey Comb

 IS HONEY TRULY GOOD FOR THE SKIN? 

Raw honey, the condensed nectar of flowers, is filled with a vast array health and healing properties.  As with many things when heated to extreme temperatures, as during the process of pasteurization, many of the benefits are greatly changed or even destroyed. We will be discussing "raw" or unpasteurized honey and commenting of the health benefits found with in. 

Raw honey contains an enzyme that when mixed with water, creates hydrogen peroxide. Honey as a mild antiseptic, embodies antibacterial property that can be used to heal minor cuts and scrapes.  Prior to pasteurization,  honey also contains propolis (or bee pollen) as well as other components that stimulate and foster new and healthy skin growth. Coupled with its hygroscopic properties (the ability to obtain moisture from the air and other surroundings), makes honey a very competent natural moisturizer. This enzyme rich, liquid-glory may in fact help prevent and or improve scar tissue, help heal acne abrasions, prevent psoriasis outbreaks and enhance the healing time of minor cuts and burns.

Honey Within the Comb Cells

Honey is a natural at exfoliation.  It contains alpha hydroxy acids, such as gluconic acid, that when applied to skin helps loosen the bonds between the dead skin cells, and strong new skin.  This sloughing off of old skin cells makes the under skin soft and supple.  It provides a glow and radiance  that is found in youthful faces and a softness that bestows health and vitality.  These alpha hydroxy acids also restore elasticity, balance oil production, stimulate collagen production and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Honey is also filled with antioxidants.  These antioxidants "search" out free radicals that are causing havoc to your skin, and destroys them.  It can reverse the effects of sun and wind damage.  Honey is the neutralizer of ageing quickly and bestows the grace of aging well.

A Spectrum of Honey

Honey comes in many different colors.  The differences you see above are due to the time of year it was collected and the types of flowering plants that the honey bees gathered from.  A beautiful spectrum indeed!

THE HOW TO OF HONEY: 

For Lustrous & Silky Hair:

Combine 1?4- 1/2 c. honey (depending on hair length)

with 1/8- 1/4 c. of virgin coconut oil (room temp in liquid state).

Massage scalp with this conditioning agent and run through strands of hair.  Put on a shower cap for 30 minutes.  Shampoo and rinse as usual.   1-4 times per month depending on desire/condition of hair. 

 Milk and Honey Face Wash: 

                                                     

Warm  (slightly) 1/4 c. milk and add a tbs of raw honey.  Take cotton ball and dip in milk mixture and apply to face liberally.  Repeat until you have used half of your mixture.  *Optional If you have individual blemished you can put a dab of pure raw honey directly on spot site and allow 10 minutes to sit. Finish the remaineder of milk and honey mixture by washing/rinsing the face with it. Using gentile circular motions.  Finish rinse with cool water and pat dry.   Use daily or weekly as desired. 

* honey pulls toxins from skin.  Ocasionally people experience slight bumps for the first few days of this facial cleanse.  These will go away and be replaced with beautiful vibrant skin.  Note: the honey is doing its job!

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