This week I'm sharing the beautiful benefits of organic honey and my favourite recipes for homemade hair and skincare treatments.
Hello there, Fellow Wanderers,
This week’s blog post is a follow on from last week’s celebration of Word Bee Day, with more of a focus on the natural benefits and uses for organic honey. I have a passion for using honey and making sure that Capegypsy Honey is ethically sourced and sustainable. Living in the Cape, we have the bonus of being able to easily source delicious, organic fynbos honey, made from the nectar of all the beautiful fynbos found in the surrounding mountains. South Africa produces a variety of honey, eucalyptus, citrus and Cape fynbos honey.
Aside from being a much healthier alternative, natural sweetener to your coffee or tea, it has numerous benefits, these include being a good source of antioxidants, having antibacterial properties, aiding in wound healing, potentially helping with digestive issues and soothing sore throats. Honey is a natural ingredient that has been used for centuries in skincare products. It is known for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which make it an ideal choice for treating skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Honey also helps to moisturize the skin and can be used to reduce inflammation. It can be used in a variety of ways, from being applied directly to the skin or added to face masks and other skincare products. Honey is also known for its antioxidant properties, which help protect the skin from environmental damage caused by free radicals. With this many benefits, honey has become increasingly popular in the production of natural skincare products in the beauty industry.
It is for this reason that I have chosen to continue our conversation about protecting our bees and being mindful of the products we buy containing honey. This last week we celebrated World Bee Day and World Endangered Species Day within a day of each other. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, an extremely important act that protects and raises awareness for all animals and plants under the threat of extinction. There are 41 000 species around the world endangered. 18 Species of bee are registered and endangered, 16 vulnerable and 9 critically endangered worldwide. As I spoke about last week there are many reasons why our bee is being endangered, however this week I am focusing on the Beauty/Skincare Industry.
The beauty industry has had a devastating effect on honeybees, which are essential for the pollination of many plants and crops. The use of pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals in the production of cosmetics has caused a decline in bee populations around the world. This has led to a decrease in crop yields and an increase in food prices. Additionally, the destruction of bee habitats due to urbanization and deforestation has further exacerbated this problem. As a result, it is important for us to be aware of the harmful effects that our beauty habits can have on honeybees and take steps to reduce our impact on them.
The skincare industry uses honey, bee pollen, bee bread, propolis, royal jelly beeswax and bee venom in the production of natural products, up until recently many of these were obtained with unethical practices, harmful to bees and their population.
Royal jelly for example, is a highly nutritious substance that contains proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. The process of harvesting royal jelly involves taking away the food source of the bees, which can lead to colony collapse, causing a disruption in the natural balance of bee populations in an area, leading to a decrease in pollination and other important services that bees provide. Royal jelly is produced in the glands of nurse bees and fed to the queen bee. It is sometimes called bee milk because it starts out liquid like milk and becomes thicker as it ferments in her stomach. The substance contains a mixture of proteins, enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and other substances that are beneficial to the queen bee while also providing energy for egg-laying. Royal jelly contains around 11% protein by weight with a mixture of amino acids that are not found in any other type of food source such as eggs. World-wide awareness has been increased to discourage the use and inclusion of natural royal jelly in skin care practices due to unethical practices. This also includes raising awareness in the sourcing, production and use of bee pollen, bee bread, propolis, royal jelly, beeswax, bee venom and honey.
This is why today I am asking you to take a closer look at any of your skincare or health care products that contain honey or any bee product. Take a moment to really verify if the honey etc has been ethically sourced, is it sustainable and does the beekeeper respect ethical practices. If you have any doubt, why not consider sourcing your own honey or wax and making your own skin care products? Many are simple and easy to make, allowing you to continue taking small steps towards an eco-conscious lifestyle.
Below are a few of my favourite recipes for you to try:
Honey lip balm:
Mix together 1 tablespoon of beeswax pellets, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, and 1 tablespoon of honey in a heat-safe container.
Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds, or until melted.
Carefully pour the mixture into a small container, such as a bamboo lip balm tube or glass jar.
Allow the mixture to cool and solidify before using as a moisturizing lip balm.
Enjoy!
Honey is a natural ingredient that has been used for centuries to nourish and protect the skin. It is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal ingredient for a homemade facemask.
Face Mask:
Mix together 1 teaspoon of raw fynbos honey, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, and a generous squeeze of lemon juice.
Apply to your face and let sit for 20 minutes.
Rinse gently with warm water.
Exfoliating Honey Scrub:
Mix together in a small bowl:
1 cup of coconut oil or almond oil if you prefer.
If using coconut oil, melt over boiling water.
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar or coffee grounds.
1/4 cup raw organic honey.
A few drops of your favourite essential oil for scent.
Ensure your coconut is liquefied enough to combine they ingredients together.
Divide into glass jars and use as a gentle exfoliating scrub in the shower.
Nourishing Honey hair mask:
Apply to damp hair.
Mix 1/2 cup of honey and 1/4 cup of olive oil together in a bowl.
Microwave the mixture for 20 seconds.
Remove and stir the mixture thoroughly with a wooden spoon.
Allow to cool to room temperature.
Gently start working through your hair, comb gently to ensure even distribution.
Leave on for 30 minutes.
Rinse off under warm water, shampoo as usual and dry.
Please always remember how sensitive skin can be and make sure that you do not have any skin allergies or sensitivities to any of the recipe ingredients before applying. I hope these recipes inspire you to give them a try or to focus on relooking at your own skincare products. Feel free to DM me and let me know your favourite honey skincare recipe or product.
Take care,
Gwen
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