In ancient Vedic civilization, it was believed that honey is one of nature’s most remarkable gifts to mankind. It is believed that raw organic honey is highly beneficial when consumed as food or as natural medicine. Honey contains valuable ingredients which have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also acts as a dietary antioxidant.

There are types of honey and raw organic honey is one of them. Raw organic honey is significantly more effective than other forms of honey. Besides the regular health benefits it offers, its numerous properties also have healing effects on the hair and skin. Honey locks hair moisture, treats scars, lightens skin and so much more. 

In this blog, we will cover some common queries about honey and its positive effect on skin and hair health. Read on to acquaint yourself. 

Is it Safe to Eat Raw Honey? 

It is not just safe, but it is beneficial to eat raw honey. Raw unfiltered honey has different beneficial uses due to the organic properties present in it. Although, both raw and regular honey contain spores of a harmful bacteria called clostridium botulinum that can cause botulism if consumed. However, please note that an adult body is well-equipped to prevent the spores from growing but the infants cannot as their organs aren’t fully developed yet. Hence, it is advisable to not give raw unfiltered honey to infants who are not 1-year-old.

Allergy Warning: If you are allergic to pollen, celery, or other bee-related products, do not use honey on your skin.

What is the Difference Between Raw Honey and Regular Honey? 

Raw organic honey is derived directly from the honeycomb. The only filtering that it undergoes is straining to remove the unwanted particles. Regular honey on the other hand is the one that is processed and pasteurized. In this process, regular honey loses a lot of its nutrients. Raw unfiltered honey doesn’t undergo processing and hence has many of the beneficial elements intact. Raw unfiltered honey contains bee pollen, bee propolis, and a lot of antioxidants. Read the packaging content before purchase to choose the best raw honey from the market. 

What are the Benefits of Raw Honey? 

• An Antioxidant

  Free radicals contribute to several chronic diseases, skin aging, acne, etc. It acts as an antioxidant that curbs the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. This, in turn, aids better skin health. 

• Nutrient-Dense

  Best raw honey contains different helpful vitamins, amino acids, and minerals that are highly beneficial for our body.

• Heals Wounds

  The healing property of honey comes from Hydrogen peroxide and other ingredients which creates an environment that makes it difficult for new organisms to grow while destroying those already living in the body. The antiseptic effects make raw honey ideal for wound dressing. Its acidic nature heals by accelerating the release of oxygen from wounds. 

• Eczema Prevention

  Raw unfiltered honey acts as a natural cleanser. Eczema is a skin condition that leads to red, itchy, flaky skin that causes discomfort. A mixture of honey and cold-pressed olive oil can be applied to the skin to get rid of the problem. 

• Strengthens Immune System

  Honey has many antioxidants and bacteria-fighting assets that help against fighting infections that are a result of viruses and bacteria. It is hence always advisable to have raw honey every day before breakfast.

• Helps Gum Diseases

  Raw honey is anti-bacterial and has healing properties that help alleviate infections. Teeth and gum diseases like gingivitis, bleeding and plaque can be treated with regular use of honey. 

How Do You Use Raw Honey For Hair? 

• Controls Dandruff

If you have a bad case of dandruff and itchy scalp and have tried different shampoos and oil, then you aren’t alone. A published study concluded that the application of a mixture of honey and warm water to affected areas helps treat itching and flaking within one week if the mixture was left on for three hours before rinsing. 

• Cleanses Hair Follicles

Raw honey has anti-microbial properties that help clean the impurities that can clog the pores so that hair growth can proceed without any problem. To allow the hair to grow without any hurdle, blend 5 tablespoons of raw organic honey with 2 cups of water and apply the mixture to washed hair. Cover your head with a shower cap and let the concoction stay for 30 minutes.

• Naturally Lightens

When you mix raw honey with water, small amounts of hydrogen peroxide are created. This leads to hair lightening over time. This process is the same as any other bleaching process and hence can be used to yield lighter hair. 

• Moisturizes Dry Hair

Honey acts as a humectant, it helps keep the moisture intact by pulling moisture from the environment. Since it helps in cleansing the scalp, it relieves itching and combats dry scalp.

• Increases Shine

Raw unfiltered honey helps moisturize the hair as it has the properties of emollient and humectant which make it a great hair moisturizer. Emollients smoothen the hair follicles, which adds shine to dull and frizzy hair. The dry strands of hair are moisturized as the humectants blend with water molecules.

Is Raw Honey Good for the Skin?

Yes, raw unfiltered honey has myriads of skin-healing properties. It can be used to treat skin problems and maintain skin health. 

• Honey for Face Acne, Psoriasis, and Eczema

For chronic skin conditions, honey can be used to treat it by making a paste, doing a spot treatment or applying a face mask. Apply this for several minutes and rinse. To treat such conditions, it is important to use unpasteurized honey. Raw unfiltered honey contains healthy bacteria which plays a vital role in healing. It will activate the immune system and help with inflammation and redness to heal wounds. Making a mask and applying a patch test is a must before starting to apply anything on the face.

• Honey for Skin Lightening and Brightening

Researchers haven’t concluded that raw honey directly lightens and brightens the skin. Although, due to its exfoliating properties, using it on your face can help eliminate dead skin cells that make your skin look dull which can reveal brighter skin. After cleansing your face with soap and water, apply unpasteurized raw organic honey to your face. Leave the honey on your face for several minutes before rinsing off.

• Goodbye Scars

Honey has antiseptic properties. An antiseptic prevents the growth of organisms like bacteria that grow in pores. Thus, honey works wonders for acne and acne scars because of its anti-inflammatory qualities. The sugar in honey stops bacteria from increasing. You can use honey in different ways to apply it to your face.

The amount of study done on the healing power of raw honey treating scars is limited and is still developing. A study found that honey does not work for scarring caused by burns and deep cuts. 

Summing it Up

Raw unfiltered honey may contain more nutrients than regular honey does and can have more health benefits. Research so far on the medicinal uses of honey has been promising. Considering the studies on raw honey, its healing properties, and nutrition suggest that it can be more than a healthy sweetener. Thus, raw unfiltered honey can be used for amazing benefits for skin and hair. Go ahead and make the most of this time-tested remedy. It will certainly help you meet many skin and hair goals!