Monday, May 13, 2013

Raw Honey Benefits for Skin

Raw honey is the purest, healthiest and most nutritious form of honey and can be considered as one of the most beneficial and natural substance on earth. It can be easily differentiated from clean and clear processed
honey available in market. It looks milkier and contains particles, honeycombs bit, broken bee wings and pollen. Benefits of raw honey for skin disorders and other ailments can be attributed to its antibiotic, antifungal, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It is preferred over processed honey for various types of facial treatment. Purified honey has very little healing properties due to destruction of nutrients during heating and pasteurization. The amazing benefits of honey for skin have been recognized and used for centuries as a home remedy for various skin problems.

Raw honey can be used as an alternative for sugar or simply as a supplement due to its nutrient content, and is considered as a great herbal remedy for several ailments. Some health benefits, apart from its use in natural skin care products, are:
  • Relieves cough
  • Aids digestion
  • Soothes sore throat
  • Gives relief from pain
  • Used for allergy relief
  • Reduces muscle fatigue
  • Calms the nerves and reduces anxiety
  • Boosts immunity and increases energy
Raw Honey and Skin Benefits
With thousands of skin care products available in the market, we are often baffled by the choice. Though most of these products are expensive, we tend to be misled by the commercials and cause our skin more harm than good. Thus, people have started realizing the benefits of natural products which are safe and healthy. This has led to the rediscovery of honey as an important ingredient in beauty treatment.

These are some amazing benefits of raw honey, as a result of its topical use:
  • Wound Healing: Due to its antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it is used for treating cuts, burns, skin rash, skin ulcers and wounds. It reduces swelling, controls infection and promotes healing by acting as a protective barrier over the wound. Its application 2 -3 times a day on the affected area stimulates tissue growth and repairs damaged skin.
  • Anti-Aging Properties: Its use in treatment of wrinkles and fine lines caused due to aging and environmental factors is popular. Its anti-aging property of attracting and retaining moisture reduces the appearances of wrinkles, by keeping the skin hydrated without causing oiliness. It is known to increase production of collagen fibers and improving skin elasticity, thereby assisting cell regeneration for a more youthful looking skin.
  • Reduces Blemishes and Acne: Oily skin usually results in acne, patchy skin, blemishes and blackheads. It has the property of removing skin impurities by unclogging pores and preventing breakouts. It penetrates deep into the skin and promotes acne healing by killing the harmful bacteria and reduces scar formation. Regular application of raw honey on the affected area reduces acne scars and blemishes, and is considered to be the safest and most natural acne cure.
  • Protection against Sunburn Antioxidants present in it protect the skin against harmful rays of sun. It defends the skin from damage, rejuvenates and refreshes the skin, making it healthy, supple and soft.
  • Exfoliates and Nourishes Dry Skin: Exfoliating is an important part of daily skin care routine to remove dead skin cells and reveal radiant skin. The use of raw honey gently exfoliates the skin and stimulates circulation without causing irritation and dryness. It is a humectant which has the quality of attracting and retaining moisture, so it balances the skin moisture to give a soft glowing complexion.
  • Cures Ringworm and Fungal Infections: Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection mostly affecting children. It is the most effective treatment against ringworm and other fungal infections. Its anti fungal properties destroy the microorganisms that cause these infections.

What To Eat To Cure And Help Prevent Headaches

A headache can be a real downer and make your day much less enjoyable. You may not even be able to go about your daily activities because of the pain in your head. There are natural ways to help cure headaches without reaching for the painkillers. Below are some foods you should try to eat to prevent and cure your headaches.

Water, water, water!
Sure, water isn’t really a food, but it is the simplest way to help cure your headache. Water flushes out toxins from your body and keeps your body’s temperature stable. Many headaches are caused by dehydration, so be sure to drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day to keep yourself hydrated and decrease the chances of getting a headache.

Coffee and tea
The caffeine in coffee could actually cure your headache almost instantly. Caffeine contracts the tiny blood vessels in your cranium, so the nerve endings that trigger pain are also affected. The steam from tea helps to unblock your sinuses, while the antioxidants in the tea help to remove toxins from your body and alleviate headache pain. Some people, however, get migraine headaches from caffeine, so be sure to test your body’s reaction to caffeine to see if it works for you.

Bananas
Bananas are rich in magnesium, which helps to combat headaches. If you suffer from headaches repeatedly, including bananas in your diet may help reduce the frequency of your headaches or even prevent them altogether.

Spicy foods
Spices like chili peppers and black pepper are great to ingest when you have a headache because they contain capsaicin, which is said to stop a headache instantly.

Apples
Eating an apple on an empty stomach or early in the morning is said to help cure a headache, as the fruit is packed with flavonoids, which reduce blood pressure and thus decrease headache pain.

Fish
Fish and fish oil are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may lower prostaglandins, the chemicals in the body that can cause inflammation and pain. Eating foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, broccoli and walnuts, can reduce the chances of getting a headache or a migraine.