The Healing Powers of Honey (22 page)
Read The Healing Powers of Honey Online
Authors: Cal Orey
CHAPTER 13
Honey Bee-autiful
If you want to gather honey, don't kick over the beehive.
âAbraham Lincoln
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A few years after nesting in San Jose, like a forager bee I found a new home in Boulder Creek in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California. It was an Emily Dickinsonâtype setting. On the San Lorenzo River, complete with redwoods and oak trees and wildflowers, honey bees and I lived in harmony. A typical Tuesday and Thursday would mean leaving my young furry childrenâlike bee larvae to meâwhile I traveled to San Francisco State University. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and weekends were heavenlyâa queen bee's existence.
One spring day, after a swim in the river with my two dogs (I had adopted another Labrador retriever), I combined a honey and vegetable oil hair conditioner and massaged the mixture on my long, curly dry locks. Thirty minutes later, I rinsed the goo and shampooed. I dried my hair in the sun. My mane felt soft and silky. I felt like a natural woman again without insect fuzz.
THE BEE-AUTY OF HONEY POWER
I'm hardly alone in discovering beauty benefits of honey and its versatile healing powers from head to toe. As the story goes, Ted Dennard, founder of the Savannah Bee Company, had experienced a beauty brainstorm. One day he was washing his hands at the end of a day working with the hives and noticed how clean and soft they were. He pondered,
How can I bring the beauty secrets of the hive to the market?
After Ted experimented, a line of all-natural beauty products made from honey and other plant and nut extracts came to fruition, thanks to the bees, again. Today, Savannah Bee produces body butter, hand cream and salve, certified organic lip balms, and natural and organic lip tints.
How can I bring the beauty secrets of the hive to the market?
After Ted experimented, a line of all-natural beauty products made from honey and other plant and nut extracts came to fruition, thanks to the bees, again. Today, Savannah Bee produces body butter, hand cream and salve, certified organic lip balms, and natural and organic lip tints.
Since honey is a natural preservative and antibacterial agent, it protects and promotes moisture in the skinâwhich I, too, have experienced. What's more, it's a humectant (an ingredient that holds moisture), something I've used in hair conditioners to help tame my curly mane the same way humidity does in the Deep South and Hawaii.
Eating honey can help you get beautiful on the inside, but treating your body on the outside with the golden nectar can make you look and feel great, too. And honeyâfrom natural stuff in the jar to ready-made honey productsâis making a buzz in the present day and has roots from ancient times.
CLEOPATRA'S FAMOUS MILK-AND-HONEY BATHS
Back in the day of Cleopatra, the legendary queen of Egypt savored honey and its beauty powers. The queen allegedly turned to the nectar of the gods for a facial each morning. Milk-and-honey baths were also part of her beauty regime. The idea was that honey was the golden secret to keeping her skin soft as well as defying age.
In the 21st century royal honey beauty treatments have carried over to spas that cater to the rich and famous and include anyone who wants to be treated like royalty for a spa day or week. It's a pampering honey and milk beauty treatment, like the recipe below from Savannah Bee Company, that draws the healing powers to both women and men, thanks to Cleopatra.
Milk-and-Honey Facial Mask
Plastic wrap or warm face cloth
2 tablespoons organic milk
1 tablespoon
Savannah Bee Company Wildflower Honey
2 tablespoons organic milk
1 tablespoon
Savannah Bee Company Wildflower Honey
Take the plastic wrap and cut the corners to make an oval slightly larger than your face. Cut openings for nostrils and mouth. After you make the mask and apply it, you'll be covering your face with the plastic wrap for about 10 minutes.
Add milk to a small bowl. Slowly stir in Savannah Bee Company Wildflower Honey. Mix well and stir until moisture is smooth. It may be slightly runny. Apply the milk mixture to your face with your fingertips.
Set timer for 10 minutes. Put on some soothing music, lie down and cover face with plastic wrap or cloth. When the 10 minutes are up, wipe face with a warm cloth and rinse with cool water. Gently pat skin dry. Finish with your favorite moisturizer.
(
Source:
Courtesy: Savannah Bee Company.)
Source:
Courtesy: Savannah Bee Company.)
SPA BEE-AUTIFIYING TREATMENTS
It's no beauty secret that honey combined with other natural ingredients can enhance your blood circulation, zaps stress and anxiety, and makes your skin feel silky. All-natural manuka honey, for one, teamed with other honeys and natural plant extracts and essential oils can help exfoliate, soften, and even make your skin look firmer and glow. And this is why some spas around the nation and world include honey in their spa treatments. Here, take a look at some of the popular ones.
Milk-and-Honey Bath
The treatment begins with a honey scrub, followed by a warm bath filled with milk and honey, and culminates with a light massage. This is a double delightâbecause it exfoliates and moisturizes the total body.
Manuka Honey Drizzle Body Masque
The spa technician will use bare hands or a spa brush to apply approximately ½to 1 full cup of product to your skin, from the shoulders down to the feet. It will remain on your skin for about 10 minutes before you rinse it off with a shower.
Orange Blossom and Body Wrap
Enjoy the healing hydrating and conditioning properties of a honey wrap. Treatment begins with an exfoliating full-body dry brushing, includes an invigorating orange blossom and sugarcane sugar foot scrub, and concludes with a yummy application of honeyâorange blossom body butter. Fifty minutes.
Manuka Honey Drizzle Pedicure
Savor the pampering of a professional pedicure. Treatment begins with you soaking your feet for 5 to 10 minutes in a basin of warm water and Manuka Honey Drizzle (from Bella Luccè
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www.bellalucce.com
).
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www.bellalucce.com
).
THE SWEETEST DIY BEAUTY RECIPES
Do-it-yourself products make it possible and easy to enjoy the spa benefits in the comfort of your home. And more peopleâboth men and womenâare discovering the beauty benefits of honey, whether it's straight from the hive or comes in a glass jar. Here, take a look at some of the at-home treatments I tried from head to toe and you'll be thanking honey bees forever.
Eyes
Cucumber Honey Eye Nourisher:
One of the best things I did one morning was whip up an antiâpuffy eye cream with 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel, 2 teaspoons cucumber, peeled with seeds removed, ½teaspoon chamomile tea, and 1 teaspoon honey. After steeping chamomile tea in boiling water, I set it aside to cool. In my blender, on a low setting, I combined the cucumber, aloe vera gel, and honey, added chamomile tea, and whizzed it till smooth. I put the honey goo under my eyes using my fingers. Ten minutes later, I looked like I wasn't a worker bee.
One of the best things I did one morning was whip up an antiâpuffy eye cream with 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel, 2 teaspoons cucumber, peeled with seeds removed, ½teaspoon chamomile tea, and 1 teaspoon honey. After steeping chamomile tea in boiling water, I set it aside to cool. In my blender, on a low setting, I combined the cucumber, aloe vera gel, and honey, added chamomile tea, and whizzed it till smooth. I put the honey goo under my eyes using my fingers. Ten minutes later, I looked like I wasn't a worker bee.
Skin
Lemon Drop Body Wash:
The next morning, I went to the bathroom like a bee goes to a honeycomb and prepared a honey soap of 2 cups unscented castile soap, 2 cups honey, and ½ up lemon juiceâand put it in a plastic bottle and shook it. In the shower, rather than using ready-made honey soap, I used a loofah and washed my body and rinsed. Extra benefit: I got to feel my skin soft and could watch CNN right after without fleeing to a spa.
The next morning, I went to the bathroom like a bee goes to a honeycomb and prepared a honey soap of 2 cups unscented castile soap, 2 cups honey, and ½ up lemon juiceâand put it in a plastic bottle and shook it. In the shower, rather than using ready-made honey soap, I used a loofah and washed my body and rinsed. Extra benefit: I got to feel my skin soft and could watch CNN right after without fleeing to a spa.
Feet
Stimulating Camphor and Eucalyptus Honey Foot Soak:
That night, I did the favorite thing I did that day: blend 8 cups hot water, 1 cup honey, 2 cups Epsom salt, 2 tablespoons almond oil, and 6 drops eucalyptus oilâand soaked my feet with it. Fifteen minutes later, my feet looked human again.
That night, I did the favorite thing I did that day: blend 8 cups hot water, 1 cup honey, 2 cups Epsom salt, 2 tablespoons almond oil, and 6 drops eucalyptus oilâand soaked my feet with it. Fifteen minutes later, my feet looked human again.
(
Source:
National Honey Board.)
Source:
National Honey Board.)
Â
Both spa treatments and do-it-yourself action work for me. But it doesn't stop there, especially for bold and beautiful people. Prince Charles's wife, Camilla, for one, is noted as having used bee venomâa natural facelift remedy. It's been tagged as “the botox alternative”âcombining bee venom, manuka honey and shea butterâand promises to minimize wrinkles.
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QUEEN BEE FOR A DAY
A Day in the Life of a Worker Bee
8:00
A.M.
Rise and shine. My day starts with getting up and feeding my Brittany duo. Then it's time to make a cup of brewed Italian coffee. I take one cup with a splash of 2 percent low-fat milk (and a homemade honey muffin) back with me and crawl into the warm waterbed. I turn on the tube and log on to the computer to fetch my morning e-mail.
A.M.
Rise and shine. My day starts with getting up and feeding my Brittany duo. Then it's time to make a cup of brewed Italian coffee. I take one cup with a splash of 2 percent low-fat milk (and a homemade honey muffin) back with me and crawl into the warm waterbed. I turn on the tube and log on to the computer to fetch my morning e-mail.
9:30
A.M.
Eat a nutritious breakfast. It's time for a light breakfast, such as a bowl of oatmeal or plain yogurt (I no longer eat the kind with high-fructose corn syrup) with fresh fruit and honey on top. (Go to chapter 18: “Ciao, Honey!” for recipe ideas.)
A.M.
Eat a nutritious breakfast. It's time for a light breakfast, such as a bowl of oatmeal or plain yogurt (I no longer eat the kind with high-fructose corn syrup) with fresh fruit and honey on top. (Go to chapter 18: “Ciao, Honey!” for recipe ideas.)
11:00
A.M.
Honey shower time. Take a hot shower. First, light a honey-lavender-scented candle. I spray the bathroom with Cuccio Naturalé's Milk & Honey Scentual Spa Elixir. It creates an aromatherapy environment in my cabin-type bathroom. I spray it on a dry towel and in the air. Turn on rock musicâsomething with a beat. This time around I'm using Cuccio's Milk & Honey Sea Salts and want to enjoy the hydrating and exfoliating benefits of milk and honey. I used it on my feet and body. I also use the Milk & Honey Body Washâit's more fun than a bar of soap. After I dry off, it's a Milk & Honey Butter Blend for my hands, feet, and body. I read that it was “great to use after exfoliating with the Cuccio Naturalé Milk & Honey Sea Salts.” It is. I must e-mail a thank you note to Cuccio for taking me back in time to a Cleopatra milk-and-honey experience.
A.M.
Honey shower time. Take a hot shower. First, light a honey-lavender-scented candle. I spray the bathroom with Cuccio Naturalé's Milk & Honey Scentual Spa Elixir. It creates an aromatherapy environment in my cabin-type bathroom. I spray it on a dry towel and in the air. Turn on rock musicâsomething with a beat. This time around I'm using Cuccio's Milk & Honey Sea Salts and want to enjoy the hydrating and exfoliating benefits of milk and honey. I used it on my feet and body. I also use the Milk & Honey Body Washâit's more fun than a bar of soap. After I dry off, it's a Milk & Honey Butter Blend for my hands, feet, and body. I read that it was “great to use after exfoliating with the Cuccio Naturalé Milk & Honey Sea Salts.” It is. I must e-mail a thank you note to Cuccio for taking me back in time to a Cleopatra milk-and-honey experience.
12:50
P.M.
Get a move on. It's time for a half-hour swim. In the fall/ winter I use the spa resort pool and team it with a hot tub. In the summer, it's a Parks and Recreation pool and the sun is therapeutic. I take 1 teaspoon of raw honey for energy before I go. At home, I use a beeswax hand and nail salve to counteract the dryness from the chlorine in the pool.
P.M.
Get a move on. It's time for a half-hour swim. In the fall/ winter I use the spa resort pool and team it with a hot tub. In the summer, it's a Parks and Recreation pool and the sun is therapeutic. I take 1 teaspoon of raw honey for energy before I go. At home, I use a beeswax hand and nail salve to counteract the dryness from the chlorine in the pool.
1:30
P.M.
Eat lunch. I whip up an Italian-style grilled cheese on whole-grain sourdough bread with tomatoes. Afterward, it's time to try a new wildflower honey in a cup of green tea.
P.M.
Eat lunch. I whip up an Italian-style grilled cheese on whole-grain sourdough bread with tomatoes. Afterward, it's time to try a new wildflower honey in a cup of green tea.
2:00
P.M.
Walk the dogs. Once back, drink a glass of spring water (or two) and squeeze fresh lemon in the glass for a tastier beverage.
P.M.
Walk the dogs. Once back, drink a glass of spring water (or two) and squeeze fresh lemon in the glass for a tastier beverage.
3:00
P.M.
It's time for work. I prefer going to the laptop for articles, desktop for books. Time spent: three hours.
P.M.
It's time for work. I prefer going to the laptop for articles, desktop for books. Time spent: three hours.
6:00
P.M.
It's time to eat. Now that my body and mind have been taxed, it's time to feed my mind, like spa guests who are provided with prepared dinners to die for. Tonight I had a Mediterranean Wrap. (Check out the end of chapter 6 for the recipe.) And that is good for worker bees headed back to work.
P.M.
It's time to eat. Now that my body and mind have been taxed, it's time to feed my mind, like spa guests who are provided with prepared dinners to die for. Tonight I had a Mediterranean Wrap. (Check out the end of chapter 6 for the recipe.) And that is good for worker bees headed back to work.
7:00
P.M.
Have a cup of homemade lemonade. I pair chamomile tea with an exotic teaspoon of honey and ¼cup of fresh lemon juice and ice cubes.
P.M.
Have a cup of homemade lemonade. I pair chamomile tea with an exotic teaspoon of honey and ¼cup of fresh lemon juice and ice cubes.
9:30
P.M.
Take it easy. This a good time to de-plug from the computer and phone. I turn on a film and chill. I treat myself to a honey truffle.
P.M.
Take it easy. This a good time to de-plug from the computer and phone. I turn on a film and chill. I treat myself to a honey truffle.
11:00 p.m.
Prepare for bedtime. I wash my face with honey-oatmeal soap, use honey lotion on my hands. I use a cuticle conditioning butter stick made with milk and honey. I light scented beeswax candles in the bedroom.
Prepare for bedtime. I wash my face with honey-oatmeal soap, use honey lotion on my hands. I use a cuticle conditioning butter stick made with milk and honey. I light scented beeswax candles in the bedroom.
12:30
P.M.
Sweet dreams. I fix a cup of 2 percent low-fat organic milk with a teaspoon of honey and ½teaspoon cinnamon. My thoughts are on autumn, when bees produce their honey harvest (and their beekeepers extract the nectar). It's a time when I clean my cabin (piling wood to stocking the pantry) and clean my hive for wintertime, when I bundle up like honey bees and dream about springtime, another season of the honey harvest.
P.M.
Sweet dreams. I fix a cup of 2 percent low-fat organic milk with a teaspoon of honey and ½teaspoon cinnamon. My thoughts are on autumn, when bees produce their honey harvest (and their beekeepers extract the nectar). It's a time when I clean my cabin (piling wood to stocking the pantry) and clean my hive for wintertime, when I bundle up like honey bees and dream about springtime, another season of the honey harvest.
(
Sources:
Cuccio Naturalé and Savannah Bee Company.)
Sources:
Cuccio Naturalé and Savannah Bee Company.)
Â
Whatever season or wherever you live, a honey exfoliating mask will rejuvenate your facial skin and you'll feel good both inside and outside. Try this Deep South recipe and enjoy the total queen bee pampering treatment with a cup of tea and honey.
Harvest Pumpkin & Honey Exfoliating Mask
1 teaspoon green tea,
brewed
2 teaspoons pineapple,
diced
4 tablespoons pumpkin
puree
1 tablespoon
Savannah
Bee Company Honey
2 teaspoons aloe vera gel
½ easpoon sunflower oil
4 teaspoons cornmeal
6 drops Frankincense
Essential oil (optional)
4 drops cinnamon extract
(
optional
)
brewed
2 teaspoons pineapple,
diced
4 tablespoons pumpkin
puree
1 tablespoon
Savannah
Bee Company Honey
2 teaspoons aloe vera gel
½ easpoon sunflower oil
4 teaspoons cornmeal
6 drops Frankincense
Essential oil (optional)
4 drops cinnamon extract
(
optional
)
Steep green tea in boiling water. Set aside to cool.
In blender or food processor puree pineapple and place in medium-sized mixing bowl. Add pumpkin, Savannah Bee Company Honey and aloe. Mix well. Stir in sunflower oil, green tea and cornmeal. Reserve remaining green tea for another use. Add frankincense and cinnamon. Stir.
Apply small amount of pumpkin mask to cheeks, forehead, chin and neck. Massage in circular motions gently buffing skin. Repeat. Apply more product as needed. Leave a thin layer of pumpkin mask on face and neck for 15â20 minutes.
Rinse with tepid or cool water and pat dry with soft towel. Follow with appropriate moisturizer. Store remaining mask covered in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Makes 4 treatments.
(
Source:
Savannah Bee Company.)
Source:
Savannah Bee Company.)
Now that you've got honey beauty secrets, in chapter 14 it's time to bring out the people behind the honey bee, from beekeepers to packers. These folks who love honey are connected to natureâa connectedness like that of a bee colony. I've contacted some unforgettable people who respect sacred honey bees, as well as folks who put it all together so you and I can enjoy honeys in all forms, types, and regions that'll wow you.
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