by jharmon

Created on: January 18, 2010   Last Updated: January 20, 2010

Humans might have been collecting honey for its sweet properties maybe as long as 10,000 years, but this natural product of bees also has health benefits.

Sore throats: Yes, honey is good for a sore throat. Honey not only helps to soothe the throat by gently coating it, but it also works as a natural antibiotic, fighting any infections that caused the sore throat. Try gargling slightly warmed honey, perhaps with warm water and some lemon and a pinch of salt.

Cuts and burns: Speaking of honey's antibiotic abilities, this sweet stuff also makes a nice (though sticky) paste for minor cuts and other wounds. How so? Honey helps to disinfect wounds by naturally, slowly releasing hydrogen peroxide. Remember this is only a home remedy for small wounds and burns; anything serious and you need to see your doctor or go to the hospital.

Hangovers: Have too much to drink last night? To fight those hangovers, try a tablespoon of honey the next day. Honey contains natural sugars which speed up the oxidation process of alcohol in the liver. Works best when slightly warm honey is added to a fruit juice.

Ulcers: Honey has the natural ability to pull water from its surroundings, which means in your stomach it denies fluid to the bacteria there causing ulcers. Thus, honey can help ulcers by killing bacteria.

Losing weight: Believe it or not, honey can help in the battle of the bulge. How is this? Honey, when slightly warm and mixed with water or juice, helps your body in digestion of fat stored in the body. But don't over do it, because honey does have more calories than sugar.

Energy: Need a little boost in the morning? Or maybe after a jog or long walk? Honey is an excellent source of energy for the body. A tablespoon of honey equals about 64 calories.

Toothache: Ouch! Darn that sore tooth! But it's honey to the rescue once again. Mix five teaspoons of honey with a teaspoon of powdered cinnamon, then apply it to the sore tooth. The pain should slowly ebb away in about 10 minutes or so.

Acne: Spread a thin layer of honey on your skin to combat pimples and other acne. Honey's natural antibiotic abilities not only help to keep the skin clean, but it also roots out and destroys many bacteria that can cause facial blemishes and the like.

Sleep: Honey can even help you get a good night sleep because its amino acids, vitamins and minerals act as a natural sedative. Works best if you mix a spoon of honey with warm milk.

Digestion: A little warm honey mixed with apple cider vinegar can help your food digest. If the vinegar tastes or smells too strong to you, cut it with some warm water.

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