Honey is such a versatile product!

Honey is not just used as food alone. It has such a wide variety of uses beyond. Honey can treat wounds, heal stubborn acne and even serve as a remedy for coughs. You might assume that these are the only uses for honey, but there are many more uses! From topical applications to refreshing recipes, the uses for honey seem almost endless.

#1 Make a lip balm for chapped lips using honey

Honey can be an excellent product for the skin. In our DIY manuka honey mask guide, we showed you how manuka honey can be used to reduce acne, repair skin, provide hydration, minimize wrinkles, and hydrate skin. These same benefits can also be used on your lips. Use honey to make an all-natural lip balm, free of all the synthetic chemicals that come in your store-bought lip balms. What’s more, this simple DIY can be tweaked to suit your needs. Choose from a wide spectrum of essential oils to have different scents, or add some cosmetic grade colouring to make tinted lip balm.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp beeswax
• 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp cocoa butter
• 1 tsp vitamin E oil
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp essential oils 

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients except essential oils in a small sauce pan. Stir continuously over medium-low heat (Start on low and then slowly increase the heat) until all the ingredients have melted and are well combined.
2. Remove from heat and stir in essential oils. While still warm, pour into clean containers. Reuse old tins/twist tubes to keep this DIY eco-friendly. Let cool for a couple of hours before using your freshly minted lip balms.

#2 Lip scrub and lip mask

Honey’s benefits for the lips don’t stop at just lip balm. Make a simple (and delicious) lip scrub/lip mask with just 4 ingredients that you might have around the house!

1. Mix some brown sugar with olive oil and use it to “scrub” lips, which will help to exfoliate any dead skin and allow your lips to better take to the lip mask
2. Next, mix a teaspoon of plain yogurt with a half teaspoon of honey. Spread over lips, and let sit for 5 minutes. Rinse with a warm washcloth, pat dry, and smooth on some of that lip balm you made earlier. Say hello to perfectly soft lips!

#3 Make a sports drink

Protein shakes and smoothies are usually what first come to mind when you think about sports drinks. Did you know that honey makes for a great sports drink too? The honey, combined with the salt in this drink, can lower stress hormone levels in your body for a healthier workout and can boost your endurance.

Ingredients

• 8 cups filtered water
• 6 teaspoons loose tulsi tea or 6 tea bags
• 2 tbsp honey, or to taste
• Big pinch of unrefined salt

Instruction

1. Boil the water, add the tulsi tea and let it steep (off the heat and covered) for 10-20 minutes. Strain. Let it cool to room temperature.
2. Add the honey. Mix in salt to taste.

#4 Infused honey

Want to change up the flavour of your honey and spice up the dishes you’re making? Try your hand at infusing your honey with other ingredients. Ensure you have a sterilised jar, as well as the whole, dried sprigs/buds/leaves/petals of herbs or flowers. Place herbs in the bottom of a jar and fill the jar almost to the top with honey. Stir and wipe the jar rim with a clean cloth, then cover tightly and let sit. The longer it sits, the stronger the flavour. Some ideas for herbs include: rosemary, sage, thyme, mint, lavender, chamomile, rose petals, and pine needles.

#5 Honey as a preservative

Because of the anti-bacterial properties of honey, it can even be used as a preservative. Have fresh fruits you would like to preserve and have over a longer period? Honey might be the answer. Honey can also be used to preserve meats as it draws out the moisture from the meats, preventing them from going bad.

#6 Soak in honey

Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe and milk and honey, giving her a flawless complexion that was the object of envy. Replicate the experience by adding 3 tablespoons of honey, a cup of milk, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to your bathwater. Soft and smooth skin awaits!

#7 Honey in your alcoholic drinks

Nothing screams ‘it’s the weekend’ like a nice alcoholic beverage. The next time you are whipping up a drink, try adding some honey to act as a natural sweetener to cut through some of the bitterness. Honey works as a great natural sweetener for non-alcoholic beverages as well, such as coffee and tea. Try out this recipe below for a fresh take on a classic drink.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 ounces gin
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 lemon twist, for garnish

Directions

1. Combine the honey, gin, and citrus juices in a cocktail shaker. Before adding the ice, stir well to incorporate the thick honey with the other liquids.
2. Add ice and shake for 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe, garnish with a lemon twist, and enjoy!

Conclusion

By now, we hope your eyes have opened to the many ways honey can be used in and beyond the kitchen. Find out about some of the other uses for honey here. Don’t hesitate to stock up on this wonderful ingredient now!