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Come winters, and our grandma would take out her much prized honey bottle from her secret cupboard, pour a spoonful of this golden magical sugary syrup into a glass of water and all our winter woes would settle in a jiffy! 

We all have our own share of childhood memories associated with honey and its varied health benefits. So here we shed light on ways to stave off common winter problems with the amazing health benefits of honey.

How To Use Honey For Winter Problems

Honey is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which makes it the best bet for fighting infections and boosting immunity especially during winters. Moreover, it is good for maintaining healthy skin and hair by clearing up toxins and providing the necessary nutrients to the skin and hair. So this winter do not think much and give honey a chance to heal you from within. Wondering how? Here are some easy ways to use honey for common winter problems.

1. To kickstart your mornings 

It goes without saying that honey is packed with essential nutrients which help you to stay healthy and wise. It is used as a natural sweetener since ages thanks to the high fructose content. As it contains good amounts of simple carbohydrates as well as vitamins and minerals, honey acts as an amazing morning drink. You can add a teaspoon of honey to milk to start your morning on an energetic note. It can also be used as an excellent pre-workout as well as post-workout drink for fitness enthusiasts. 

However, if you are a diabetic, please consult your doctor before you plan to take honey and discuss the right amount to take it depending upon your glucose level.

2. To keep your weight in check

Drinking a glass of warm water with honey first thing in the morning is a common sight in many Indian households. And the reason for this is the ability of the honey to control your appetite and thus, aid in weight loss. According to a study[1], consumption of honey delayed the response of the hormone ghrelin (appetite-regulating hormone). This can in turn prevent you from unhealthy bingeing and putting on weight.

So during winters, take a tablespoon of honey with lukewarm water in the morning to keep your weight under control as most people tend to overeat and gain weight during this season. 

3. To fight that stubborn cold

Take one tablespoon of honey at the first sign of a cold or cough. This is because, honey not only contains antibacterial compounds but also immunomodulatory compounds which makes it an effective remedy to deal common infections and boost immunity. You can also add honey and lemon juice to tea or warm water if you want to start your day with tea or warm liquids. For severe cold, take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This will help clear the sinuses and help you get provide quick relief[2].

You can also mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with two cups of hot water. Add a teaspoon of honey and let the mixture cool to room temperature. Use it as a gargle solution every morning to boost your immunity and prevent cold during winters.

4. Get respite from that long-standing cough

The potent antibacterial properties of honey, make it a wonderful natural remedy to treat cough. Roast around 4 – 5 black peppers on slow flame. Then, cool and grind them into a fine powder. To half a spoon of honey, add a pinc h of this powder. Mix well and consume it. Do this regularly every morning on an empty stomach to prevent cough, cold and sore throat.

Alternatively, you can mix 2 teaspoons of honey with equal quantity of ginger juice. Add this to a glass of warm water and drink it every morning. This concoction helps to expectorate mucus thereby providing relief for cough and sore throat[2].

5. For no more bad hair days and dull skin

Honey’s humectant qualities act as a great match for treating dry hair and dull skin. It provides the necessary moisture along with the nutrients to fight frizzy hair and restore the shine and rejuvenate the dull winter skin by helping you to restore moisture and hydrate the skin. 

To deal with dry and frizzy hair, take 1/2 cup of honey and 1/4 cup of olive oil (for normal to oily hair, use only 2 tablespoons oil), mix it well and gently work this mixture through your hair. Cover with a shower cap and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse with water and you are all set to style your hair. To hasten rehydration and fight dull skin, add 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice. Combine the ingredients and apply to your face/body.  Leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing with tepid water for soft skin in winters. 

Tip: For the best results, it is important to buy good quality honey from the market. It is almost impossible to know the quality of honey by just looking at it through the bottle, read the ingredient list carefully to check for “additives” or “added flavors”. A bottle with a “pure honey” label may be diluted with water or sweetened with corn syrup. This is why it is always better to go for a trusted or well known brand.

Make honey a part of your daily diet this winter and see this miracle liquid work it’s magic as you fight common winter problems.

References:

1. Larson-Meyer DE, Willis KS, Willis LM, et al. Effect of honey versus sucrose on appetite, appetite-regulating hormones, and postmeal thermogenesis. J Am Coll Nutr. 2010 Oct;29(5):482-93. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21504975

2. Meo SA, Al-Asiri SA, Mahesar AL, Ansari MJ. Role of honey in modern medicine.  Saudi J Biol Sci. 2017 Jul;24(5):975-978. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5478293/

3. Miguel MG, Antunes MD, Faleiro ML. Honey as a Complementary Medicine. Integr Med Insights. 2017 Apr 24;12:1178633717702869. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5406168/

4. Samarghandian S, Farkhondeh T, Samini F. Honey and Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Research. Pharmacognosy Res. 2017 Apr-Jun;9(2):121-127. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5424551/

Disclaimer: This article is sponsored by Dabur India. The information produced in this article in the form of text, tips, suggestions, and products, comprise of general advice for consumers. It is a part of the public awareness initiative supported by Dabur India.