10 Surprising Things You Can Do With Honey Besides Eating It
Most Kenyans think of honey as a sweetener — something to add to tea, spread on bread, or drizzle over porridge. And while honey is indeed one of the world's finest natural sweeteners, it is also one of the most versatile natural substances available — with applications that extend far beyond the kitchen.
At Tharaka Nectars, we produce pure raw honey from the Tharaka region and its neighbouring regions that is exceptional for eating — but also extraordinary for a remarkable range of other applications. In this article, we share 10 surprising, science-backed uses for honey that will transform how you think about this extraordinary product.
1. Natural Face Mask and Skin Moisturiser
Raw honey is one of the most effective natural skin care ingredients available. Its humectant properties draw moisture to the skin and lock it in. Its antimicrobial compounds fight the bacteria that cause acne. Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce redness and irritation. And its antioxidants protect skin cells from oxidative damage that causes premature ageing.
How to use: Apply a thin layer of Tharaka Nectars raw honey to clean, dry skin. Leave for 15–20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Use 2–3 times per week for best results.
For acne: Apply honey directly to spots and leave overnight. The antimicrobial compounds will fight acne bacteria while you sleep.
2. Natural Hair Conditioner and Scalp Treatment
Honey's humectant properties make it an excellent natural hair conditioner — drawing moisture into the hair shaft and reducing frizz. Its antimicrobial properties also make it effective for scalp conditions like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
How to use: Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Apply to damp hair from roots to tips. Leave for 20–30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Use weekly for soft, moisturised hair.
For dandruff: Mix 1 tablespoon honey with 1 tablespoon warm water. Apply to the scalp and massage gently. Leave for 3 hours. Rinse. Use weekly.
3. Natural Wound Dressing
Honey's antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties make it one of the most effective natural wound dressings available. It prevents infection, reduces inflammation, maintains a moist healing environment, and stimulates tissue regeneration.
How to use: Clean the wound with clean water. Apply a generous layer of Tharaka Nectars raw honey. Cover with a clean, non-stick dressing. Change daily. Seek medical attention for deep or serious wounds.
4. Natural Lip Balm
Honey's humectant and antimicrobial properties make it an excellent natural lip balm — moisturising chapped lips while fighting the bacteria and viruses that cause cold sores.
How to use: Apply a small amount of honey directly to dry or chapped lips. Leave for 10–15 minutes, then lick off or rinse. Repeat as needed. For a longer-lasting lip balm, mix honey with beeswax and coconut oil.
5. Natural Exfoliating Scrub
Honey combined with a gentle abrasive creates an excellent natural exfoliating scrub that removes dead skin cells while moisturising and protecting the skin.
Honey sugar scrub: Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Massage gently onto damp skin in circular motions. Rinse with warm water. Use weekly for smooth, glowing skin.
Honey oat scrub: Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 tablespoons ground oats. Apply to face and massage gently. Leave for 5 minutes. Rinse. Particularly effective for sensitive or irritated skin.
6. Natural Cough Syrup
Raw honey is clinically proven to be as effective as or more effective than most over-the-counter cough syrups — without side effects, without artificial ingredients, and at a fraction of the cost.
Basic honey cough syrup: Mix 2 tablespoons honey with juice of half a lemon and 1 teaspoon fresh ginger juice. Take 1 teaspoon every 2–3 hours.
Honey onion syrup: Layer chopped onion and honey in a jar. Leave overnight. Take 1 teaspoon of the resulting syrup every 2–3 hours. Particularly effective for persistent coughs.
7. Natural Sleep Aid
A teaspoon of honey before bed replenishes liver glycogen, supports melatonin production, and reduces cortisol — creating the physiological conditions for deeper, more restorative sleep.
How to use: Take 1 teaspoon of Tharaka Nectars honey in warm milk or directly, 20–30 minutes before bed. Consistent nightly use produces the most significant sleep improvements.
8. Natural Preservative for Food
Honey's antimicrobial properties make it an effective natural food preservative. It has been used for centuries to preserve fruits, meats, and other foods.
Honey-preserved fruits: Pack fresh fruits (berries, citrus segments, stone fruits) in a jar and cover completely with honey. The honey will preserve the fruits for months without refrigeration.
Honey marinade: Honey-based marinades for meat not only add flavour but also help preserve the meat and reduce the formation of harmful compounds during cooking.
9. Natural Wood Polish and Conditioner
Honey mixed with beeswax and plant oils creates an excellent natural wood polish that nourishes, protects, and beautifies wooden furniture, utensils, and cutting boards.
Simple honey wood conditioner: Mix 1 tablespoon honey with 2 tablespoons beeswax and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Warm gently until combined. Apply to wood with a soft cloth. Buff to a shine. Particularly effective for cutting boards and wooden utensils.
10. Natural Hangover Remedy
Honey is one of the most effective natural hangover remedies — providing fructose that helps the body metabolise alcohol more efficiently, replenishing liver glycogen depleted by alcohol metabolism, and delivering antioxidants that neutralise the oxidative stress caused by alcohol.
Honey hangover remedy: Mix 2 tablespoons honey with juice of half a lemon in warm water. Drink before bed after alcohol consumption and again in the morning. The fructose in honey helps the body process remaining alcohol, while the antioxidants reduce oxidative damage.
Case Study: A Kenyan Beauty Entrepreneur's Honey Discovery
Wanjiku, a beauty entrepreneur from Nairobi, began incorporating Tharaka Nectars raw honey into her natural skin care product line after researching honey's skin benefits. She developed a honey face mask, a honey-sugar body scrub, and a honey-beeswax lip balm — all using Tharaka Nectars honey as the primary active ingredient.
Her honey-based products became her best sellers, with customers reporting significant improvements in skin moisture, acne reduction, and overall skin health. She now sources Tharaka Nectars honey in bulk for her product line.
"Tharaka Nectars honey is the best ingredient I have ever used in my skin care products. The results my customers get are remarkable — better than expensive synthetic products. And the story behind the honey — from the Tharaka region, pure and raw — resonates deeply with my customers who want natural, authentic products."
Our Prices
- 1 kg — KES 800 — Ideal for regular users and families
- 500 g — KES 400 — Perfect for individuals and couples
- 300 g — KES 300 — Great for first-time buyers or as a gift
🚚 We deliver to any destination via preferred courier services. For purchases above KES 5,000, we offer free delivery within Kenya. Bulk orders available for quantities above 15 kg.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use any honey for skin care?
Raw honey like Tharaka Nectars is most effective for skin care, as it retains the active enzymes, antimicrobial compounds, and antioxidants that provide skin benefits. Processed honey has lost most of these properties.
2. Is honey safe for all skin types?
Honey is generally safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin. People with bee product allergies should patch-test before use. Honey is particularly beneficial for dry, acne-prone, and mature skin.
3. Can honey lighten skin?
Honey's antioxidants and gentle exfoliating properties can help reduce hyperpigmentation and even skin tone over time. However, it is not a bleaching agent and will not dramatically lighten skin.
4. How long does honey-preserved fruit last?
Fruits preserved in honey can last for months at room temperature and indefinitely in the refrigerator. The honey's antimicrobial properties prevent microbial growth that would otherwise cause spoilage.
5. Can I use honey as a hair dye?
Honey contains small amounts of hydrogen peroxide that can very gradually lighten hair with repeated use. However, the effect is subtle and slow — honey is not a practical hair dye.
6. Is honey effective for eczema?
Honey's anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and moisturising properties make it a valuable complementary treatment for eczema. Apply raw honey to affected areas and leave for 20–30 minutes before rinsing.
7. Can honey be used as a natural deodorant?
Honey's antimicrobial properties inhibit the bacteria that cause body odour. Applied to clean underarms and left for a few minutes before rinsing, honey can provide short-term deodorant effect. It is not as long-lasting as commercial deodorants.
8. How do I make a honey face mask for oily skin?
Mix 1 tablespoon honey with 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Apply to clean skin. Leave for 15 minutes. Rinse. The combination of honey's antimicrobial action and lemon's astringent properties is particularly effective for oily, acne-prone skin.
9. Can honey be used in baby skin care?
Topical honey is safe for babies of all ages (only oral consumption is restricted for infants under 12 months). Honey can be applied to nappy rash, cradle cap, and other infant skin conditions.
10. Where can I order Tharaka Nectars honey for all these uses?
Order directly from our online store. We deliver nationwide across Kenya and worldwide. Free delivery for orders above KES 5,000 within Kenya. Bulk orders available for quantities above 15 kg.
One Jar. Ten Uses. Endless Benefits.
Order Tharaka Nectars honey today and discover everything it can do for you — inside and out.
- 📧 Email: sales@tharakanectars.co.ke
- 📧 Inquiries: inquiries@tharakanectars.co.ke
- 📞 Call or WhatsApp: 0762769859
Tharaka Nectars — Pure Honey. Real Results. Delivered to You.