SIX REASONS TO...

1HONEY’S antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can calm and soothe irritated skin, as well as being loaded with enzymes and other nutrients that nourish and cleanse the surface – some beauty bloggers even claim it’s cleared up their acne.

Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it hydrates the skin by drawing in moisture from the air.

Try mixing two tablespoons of raw or Manuka honey with one tablespoon of uncooked porridge oats for a DIY exfoliating mask.

2HONEY is jam-packed with polyphenols – antioxidants that have been linked to increased blood flow and preventing blood clots from forming. One study in rats even showed honey can protect the heart from oxidative stress, which can contribute to heart attacks and stroke.

3AS A carbohydrate made up of fructose and glucose, honey makes for a high-powered, natural energy snack. Unlike refined sugar, it also contains small amounts of proteins and minerals such as B6, riboflavin and amino acids; compounds that help the body metabolise bad cholesterol and fatty acids.

4WHEN applied topically, researchers believe honey can have a healing effect on painful burns and lesions. Applying honey to wounds has been a technique that’s been around since ancient Egypt.

5A 2001 study by the Dubai Specialised Medical Center discovered that raw honey can be used to treat scaling, itching and hair loss thanks to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant properties.

Mix two tablespoons of vegetable oil with equal amounts of honey and apply it to your hair for a DIY hair mask. Leave it to sink in for 15 minutes, and then rinse it off before you shampoo.

6TRY easing a cough with a spoonful of soothing honey. A 2012 study published in the journal Pediatrics found children with upper respiratory tract infections experienced more cough relief after drinking 1.5 tablespoons of labiatae (it’s an aromatic) honey 30 minutes before bedtime, than those that received a placebo.