Honey, a thick, golden liquid produced, most popularly, by honeybees, is derived from the nectar of flowers. The citrus fruit lemon is a small, yellow, ellipsoidal fruit cultivated for its uniquely tart taste and used as a flavoring agent in many entrees, desserts, baked goods, and alcoholic beverages.
Many people prefer honey, to granulated sugar or other sweeteners, because this pure sugary substance also has impressive antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. For example, honey can be stored almost indefinitely, as microorganisms find it nearly impossible to grow on honey. Aside from its intense sugar content, honey also contains small amounts of other critical vitamins and minerals, including riboflavin (B2), iron, zinc, vitamin B6 and dietary fiber, among others. [1]
Honey lemon water can be enjoyed at any time of the day, including as a relaxing pre-bedtime drink. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Lemon juice has an active ingredient called citric acid, which is commonly used as a cleaning agent given its powerful antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Lemons, lemon juice, and lemon essential oil are also important for alternative or natural medicine practitioners, due to the high levels of antioxidants and phytonutrients present in this fruit. [2]
While lemons are excellent health boosters on their own, they become even more powerful (and palatable) when combined with honey!
How to Make a Honey Lemon Drink?
When most people talk about combining honey and lemon into some sort of superfood booster, they are usually referring to honey lemon water, although there are some other combinations – with baking soda or other nutritional ingredients – also have impressive effects. It is fairly simple to make a honey lemon drink at home. Follow this easy step-by-step process to better health!
A Simple Recipe to Make Honey Lemon Drink
Ingredients
- 2 lemon juice
- 2 tsp raw, organic, unheated honey
- 8 oz water
Instructions
- To make a refreshing honey lemon drink, boil water and let it cool a bit. If you wish to have it cold, don't boil the water. Having said that, warm water is healthier and aids in weight loss. It also helps with colds and congestion.
- Juice the two lemons into the water.
- Stir in the raw, organic honey. Now, enjoy the drink!
How to Make a Honey-Lemon Face Mask?
You’ll be shocked at the stunning results of honey-lemon face mask. After applying it, your skin will be left clean, moisturized, and glowing with good health! Follow these simple instructions to make your own mask!
DIY Recipe to Make Your Own Honey-Lemon Face Mask
Ingredients
- 1/2 lemon (or)
- 5 drops of lemon oil
- 2 tsp honey (raw organic honey would always be ideal)
Instructions
- To make a honey-lemon face mask, squeeze 1/2 a lemon into a bowl. Add 2 tsp of honey to it and stir properly until it resembles a cough syrup.
- Before applying the mask, wash your face thoroughly. Ensure that you don't exfoliate your skin before applying the mask because the lemon juice can cause the exfoliated skin to burn.
- Allow the mask to sit on your face for about 20 minutes, and avoid talking or moving your facial muscles.
- Once done, rinse it off with cold water as it helps to close the pores. Dry your face with a towel and follow this DIY routine every morning and night. Don't forget to apply a good moisturizer after this routine. Continue doing so for two weeks to see results. You face will feel soft, clean and be free of acne. So, happy skin routine to you!
Benefits of Honey and Lemon
Honey and lemon, in combination, may provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, stimulating, appetite-suppressing, immune-modulating, respiratory-enhancing, and metabolism-stimulating effects.
May Detoxify the Body
In folk medicine, honey lemon water has been thought to increase the peristaltic motion of the bowels, helping to cleanse the gut and prevent the build-up of dangerous bacteria. Furthermore, honey lemon water is able to promote urination, and as a diuretic, this concoction can speed up the elimination of toxins from the body. Urination releases unwanted salts, fats, toxins, and water from the body, and this healthy concoction puts that process into overdrive. [3]
May Aid in Weight Loss
Although this combination might contain a possibly high sugar content, the density of minerals and vitamins can actually make the body feel full. Combine that with the metabolism boost that comes from this mixture, and you may have a perfect weight-loss aid. The citrates found in lemons are an important part of the metabolic process in the body.
May Treat Cough
One of the best ways to use honey and lemon is when you are suffering from a sore throat, cough, or other respiratory condition. This combination can soothe the respiratory tracts and prevent irritation, which can reduce the urge to cough, while also promoting the immune system and diminishing bacterial and viral infections in the respiratory system.
May Aid in Digestion
The antibacterial powers of honey and lemon can both combine in this mixture, possibly making it an excellent tonic for your stomach. It is only thought to eliminate dangerous bacteria from the stomach and digestive tracts but also speeds the digestive process, due to the acidity of lemon. Drinking honey lemon water also stimulates the production of bile, which further aids the digestive process. [4]
May Improve Metabolism
Both honey and lemon have the ability to speed up the metabolic process and provide a burst of energy. This is particularly important if you are recovering from an illness or injury, which may be why so many people choose a cup of hot tea with honey when they want to push through the tail end of a cold.
May Treat Acne
There are a number of antioxidants that are accessible in both these foods. When you drink this mixture or create a topical application for the skin, it can have measurable results. Honey and lemon are known to improve the appearance of acne and prevent other skin infections, due to their potentially antibacterial properties and vitamin C content. Lemon juice is often used by itself on blemishes and scars on the skin, but complementing this with honey in your diet is a very wise choice. [5]
May Boost Immunity
The body’s immune system gets a major boost when you combine lemon and honey. Lemons have high vitamin C content, as well as other volatile components and antioxidants, as well as antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Honey, on the other hand, is one of the most powerful antibacterial substances that we know of! Putting the two together, whether for consumption or a topical application, means that your immune system is getting a major boost! [6]
May Control Acidity
Although people think of lemons as highly acidic in nature, when citric acid enters our body, it actually has an alkalizing effect on us! This is very important because diseases often occur when the body is overly acidic. By adding lemon and honey to your diet, you can balance the acidity of the body, which tends to be more acidic, thus possibly lowering your risk of developing chronic disease! [7]
Side Effects of Taking Honey and Lemon
Some people are allergic to honey, so applying it to the face or to wounds to speed healing could have some unpleasant side effects. Also, when applied topically and left on for a long time, honey may cause irritation to the skin. Speak to a dermatologist or an allergist before using this home remedy. While most people are free from any negative effects of this tonic, it is always important to pay attention to your body’s response when trying out a new health strategy!
