It's a Honey of a Spa!

Honey and a Few Extra Ingredients Create a Relaxing Home Spa Weekend

© Michele Meehl

Feb 22, 2008

The weekend is finally here and you find yourself in serious need of pampering. A trip to the spa just isn’t in this month’s budget – darn that price of gas! A perusal of the pantry for a sweet treat yields no relief. But does it? Take another look. Is that a pudgy honey-filled bear hiding back there? If so, you’re in luck. With just a few more simple ingredients, let your head-to-toe spa weekend begin.

Why honey? According to the National Honey board, honey is a perfectly natural ingredient for all things spa. Honey itself is a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. With its antimicrobial properties honey also acts as an anti-irritant, making it safe for babies and those with sensitive skin. Because of its overall wholesomeness, honey is used in soaps, lotions, moisturizers, shampoos, bath products and cosmetics.

Honey has been used as a beauty secret by women for centuries throughout the world. While Cleopatra’s milk and honey baths are now legendary, over on the other side of the world, Chinese women were keeping their skin blemish-free using a blend of honey and ground orange seeds. All the while, women of European aristocracy used secret concoctions of honey to keep their long hair soft and shiny and their skin smooth and supple.

For an easy skin softening bath, add 1/4 cup honey to your bath water. If you have more time and a few extra ingredients, try these recipes and many more available at www.honey.com.

Lavender Honey Milk Bath

• 3 tablespoons dried lavender flowers
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk or cream
• 1/3 cup honey

1. Process lavender flowers in a blender until they become a powder, turning off the blender and scraping down the sides as necessary.
2. Whisk together lavender powder, milk and honey in a glass bowl, then pour into a jar. Before each use, shake the jar and pour half of the mixture into the bath.
3. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes enough for 2 baths.

Honey and Oat Exfoliant

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup oatmeal

1. Mix oatmeal and honey into a paste.
2. Smooth onto face and gently massage. Leave for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.

• 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
• 2 teaspoons cucumber, peeled and seeded
• 1/2 teaspoon chamomile tea
• 1/2 teaspoon honey

1. Steep chamomile tea in boiling water. Cool completely. In food processor or blender combine cucumber, aloe vera gel and honey. Blend on low. Add tea and blend until smooth.
2. Store in covered glass bowl. Chill for at least one hour befor use.
3. Apply gently under eyes. Lie down and rest eyes for 10-15 minutes - at least!

• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, up to 1/4 cup for dry hair

1. Mix honey and olive oil in small bowl.
2. Work a small amount at a time through clean hair until well coated. Cover hair with a shower cap (or plastic bag); leave for 30 minutes.
3. Remove shower cap and shampoo and rinse completely.

• 4 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• 4 teaspoons grated beeswax
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons fresh mint, rinsed and finely minced
• 6 drops peppermint essential oil
• 2 drops arnica oil
• 2 drops camphor oil
• 2 drops eucalyptus oil

1. Melt beeswax using a small double boiler. In a microwave safe glass bowl, combine aloe vera and honey. Stir in beeswax. Cool completely.
2. Add mint and oils stirrring until completely mixed.
3. Massage into clean feet and toes.
4. Store remaining treatment in cool place away from sun or heat. Makes two treatments.

Honey Bear

Honey Spa

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