Honey has been known throughout history as the “Nectar of the Gods,” a natural sweetener that is not just delicious but it also provides many therapeutic benefits.

Not a lot of people know the many great health benefits of honey which include anti-fungal / anti-bacterial properties, vitamin, mineral, and enzyme content as well as antioxidant qualities. Honey also has relatively low glycemic load as well making it a great choice as a sweetener.

Do note though that not all types of honey are equal. Commercial honey (the kind regularly sold in the supermarkets) are usually pasteurized and heated at very high temperatures, thus causing the honey to be stripped off of its natural healing properties. With that said, if you want to use honey as a natural home remedy, the best type of honey to use is raw honey.

Manuka honey is another great choice for use at home. It is naturally produced in New Zealand. For ages, many people have been using Manuka honey as a natural form of antibiotic.

Below are 14 ways you can use honey as a home remedy:

1. Digestion

Honey is a highly recommended home remedy for common digestion issues including indigestion. It doesn’t naturally ferment in the stomach hence it doesn’t cause stomach upset. It also delivers fast and efficient results in easing stomach ache or cramps. Likewise, the diverse bacteria can be helpful.

2. Weight Loss

Honey is a better alternative to sugar (most especially table or refined white sugars) as honey has been shown to not impact blood sugar levels.

3. Probiotic

Raw honey has natural anti-bacterial effects and it can also serve as a pro-biotic. As a probiotic, honey helps eliminate bad bacteria in the body, while also promoting good bacteria in your intestines.

4. Moisturizer

Honey also works well as a moisturizer for the face or skin. Simply combine honey with some olive oil plus a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to create your own home-made hydrating lotion.

5. Cholesterol

Some studies have shown that honey can also effectively reduce one’s levels of bad cholesterol inside the body.

6. Wound Care

Ointments such as Neosporin are now being implicated in the rise of antibiotic resistant bacterias including MRSA. Thankfully, you can use honey topically on the affected skin to help speed up the wound’s healing. Likewise, honey contains natural anti-bacterial properties that help disinfect the wound or prevent it from becoming infected.

7. Shampoo

Many people use raw honey as a simple shampoo substitute. Honey provides the cleaning effect your hair needs minus the harsh effects of commercialized chemical-based shampoo.

8. Relief for sore throat

Raw honey is a great solution for treating sore throat symptoms and other related conditions. To use: mix a tablespoon of raw honey with a few drops of lemon essential oil, then take as is like liquid medicine. This solution will help speed up the healing and recovery process of your sore throat as it helps soothe your throat and kill its germs.

9. Skin Exfoliator

Honey works wonders as a full-body exfoliator if used in your daily/regular bath. Just add about 2 cups of honey into your warm bath then soak in it for 15 minutes. Next, add 1 – 1+1/2 cups of baking soda, then soak again on the bath for 15 more minutes. The honey will help soften your skin so the baking soda can work double in exfoliating or removing your dead skin.

10. Eczema

You can treat mild eczema with the use of honey too. Some people with eczema even report that it has helped heal their eczema completely. To use: create a paste combining equal parts of honey and powdered cinnamon. Apply to your face (being careful to avoid your eyes) or affected skin after washing. Then wash off again after a few minutes.

11. Seasonal Allergies

If you have seasonal allergy, you can try consuming fresh local raw honey and see if it helps improve your symptoms. It has to be local though.

12. Insomnia and Sleep

Honey is also said to help aid sleep as it has properties that increase melatonin production. Add honey to a glass of warm (not hot) milk, tea, or even just plain clean drinking water.

13. Treatment for (UTIs) Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary Tract Infections can be an extremely painful and cause significant discomfort. Honey is packed with natural anti-bacterial properties perfect for treating UTIs, especially in alleviating its symptoms naturally.