5 Healthy Uses for Honey

The healing powers of honey have been around for centuries, but you might be surprised how many health benefits you can get from this kitchen staple. This golden liquid has been shown to help fix ailments ranging from a pesky cough to a painful wound.

On your next trip to your local grocery store, check out honey labeled "raw." Raw honey is the unpasteurized version of more commonly used honey but with added filtration, which mainly helps extend shelf life. Research suggests that raw honey's active phytonutrients – as well as its antibacterial and antifungal properties – contribute to its vast array of health benefits.

However, because honey can cause a dangerous disease known as botulism in infants, children under the age of one should never consume honey, raw or pasteurized.

Naturally Suppresses Coughs

If you're stuck with a cough that won't go away, studies show that honey works as well as or better than many over-the-counter cough syrups in soothing it. Honey's thick consistency coats your throat and the sweet taste is thought to trigger certain nerves that make your throat less sensitive to the cough impulse.

Soothes Burns

Applying a thin layer of honey to a minor burn can help quell the stinging sensation and have an anti-inflammatory effect. The antibacterial qualities of honey may also prevent the burn from becoming infected, which could result in a quicker healing time.

Aids Sleep

One of the many soothing properties of raw honey is its ability to help provide sleep relief. Honey may help facilitate the action of tryptophan, which helps make people sleepy. Plus, if you are suffering from a cough that keeps you up at night, a teaspoon of honey could help soothe your throat while you sleep.

Helps Heal Wounds

Applying a thin layer of raw honey to a minor wound may actually help sterilize the cut and help it heal more smoothly, with less scabbing. The application of honey to the site of the wound will help keep it moist, and exposure to oxygen helps to activate an enzyme in honey that forms hydrogen peroxide, which has anti-bacterial capabilities. Gently apply with a cotton swab, and cover with a Band-Aid. However, honey is only appropriate for minor cuts that you would otherwise simply apply antibiotic ointment to – any deep cuts or cuts that appear infected should be evaluated by a medical professional.

Boosts Immunity

The phytonutrients in raw honey have antibacterial and antiviral properties that may help boost your immune system and fight sickness. If you're feeling a little under the weather, try making a "Hot Ozzy" by combining 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice in a 1/2 cup of hot, but not boiling, water.

By Dr. Oz