Why the @&#* Does It Matter What Honey I Buy? Your Honey Guide

crunched by Crunchy Betty on July 20, 2011
filed under Food On Your Face, Skin

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THE question of the Crunchy Betty Honey Challenge so far has been:

“Why does it matter what honey I buy? What’s the difference?”

It matters. And there is a big difference. So big that it will absolutely without a doubt affect the outcome of your honey-washing experience.

Buying honey has turned out to be one of the most confusing experiences I’ve had in my life. Until about a year ago, I always thought honey was … well … honey. But it’s not.

And here’s why.

Figuring Out Your Honey Labels

It appears as if there isn’t really set standard for labeling honey. However, there are relatively loose guidelines honey manufacturers follow, and these will help you choose the right honey for you.

First, it’s important to understand that a huge part of the healthful properties in honey comes from its enzymatic components. When you heat honey on high (or pasteurize it), you’re killing almost all of those things. This leaves behind honey that takes a very, very long time to crystallize, but is lacking in quality nutrition.

Bottom line: Only buy honey that says “raw” on it, if you want to get the full benefit of a honey wash (or eating honey). Any bottle labeled “raw” honey is probably more likely to be pure, as well.

A breakdown of raw honey:

Completely Raw honey: Will likely be crystallized and crunchy when you buy it. It will also contain some of the larger “bits” procured when the honey was extracted from the comb. Things like wax, pollen, propolis, and other remnants. These will not hurt you; in fact, they will offer a boost to your honey wash.
Unfiltered Raw (or Strained): Will crystallize more quickly than the other types, as it either hasn’t been heated or has been pressure “strained” to get out the larger bits of wax and pollen. This is the honey you’ll most likely encounter when looking for raw designation. It is available in most big supermarkets, and every health food store you walk into. This is the type of honey I recommend for the honey wash.
Filtered raw honey: Filtered honey is heated slightly and then passed through a fine filter. This removes all pollen and propolis, leaving behind a much “cleaner” honey. Don’t confuse “cleaner” with “better,” because when you don’t have the other bits, you don’t have the full array of goodness honey has to offer. This is still better than pasteurized, though.

Pasteurized Honey

This is a little tougher, because often you won’t see the word “pasteurized” on your honey container. You probably won’t see any word at all.

Except the word pure, which actually means very little. According to Benefits of Honey, there’s no set labeling standard for “pure” honey – and honey labeled pure may possibly also contain a filler (like corn syrup).

Pasteurized honey is more prevalent in mainstream grocery stores, because by heating the honey to a very high temperature and killing all of the bacterial enzymes, they’re also insuring that the honey will not crystallize nearly as quickly. And that’s what most people are led to believe is good honey.

Bottom line again: Stay away from honey that isn’t labeled as “raw.” If it’s not raw, it’s pasteurized past the point of being fabulously good for your face and your health.

Here’s a buying guide I made (sorry it’s so big), but maybe it’ll help you next time you’re shopping for honey.

There’s one exception to the labeling rules: Locally farmed honey that you buy from the farmer’s market (the kind of honey I HIGHLY encourage you to buy). If you see some, ask the farmer about it. Ask how he/she filters it. How high they heat it. If they add anything to it. (You’ll probably like the answers they give.)

Speaking of heat: Information is conflicting on how high honey can be heated before it loses its rawness, and there’s no legal standard. Myriad online sources say different things, but the standard seems to be heating honey at a range from 120-140 degrees for 30 minutes to 160-170 degrees for 15.

So if you’re asking a local farmer, use those temperatures as a base guide on whether or not you want to buy their honey. (Remember, no heat or low heat is best.)

Important Honey Reminders

As if I haven’t just sprung enough information on you for the week, here’s a little more that you’ll want to remember when you’re buying and using honey:

Do not give honey to babies under the age of 1. Honey contains a specific bacteria that (very, very rarely) may cause botulism in newly developing human beings.
Honey keeps forEVER. Especially when it’s unpasteurized. There’s no expiration date on honey. Use it until it’s gone.
Honey that has crystallized is still good. Just because it is granular doesn’t mean it’s lost any of its goodness. If you don’t like the granulation, put your honey container in a warm cup of water to soften it. (I’ve heard recommendations to microwave it … but, as we know, high heat kills what we want, so keep it away from the nuke-machine.)
Honey is wildly antibacterial. You know this already; I’m just reminding you. This is why it’s great for your face, but it’s also a good thing to put on small scrapes (or acne lesions).
Don’t be confused by clover, wildflower, orange blossom, buckwheat, etc. labels. While there is a slightly discernible difference in the taste of these honeys, they haven’t been flavored. When you see honey labeled as anything that sounds floral, it just means that these are the what the bees “fed on” before they produced the honey. Again – there’s a difference in taste, which might be a fun thing to explore! (I see honey-tasting parties in your future.)

This will conclude the lesson for today’s portion of the Crunchy Betty Honey Challenge.

You have learned a lot.

There is much to digest.

In the meantime …

How is Your Honey Washing Going?

HOLY MOLY!

So far, after two days, we have 200 people signed up for the very first Crunchy Betty Honey Challenge.

How is that even possible? How AWESOME is that?

Two-shiny-hundred new people walking around with gorgeous, glowing skin.

So how’s it going for you so far?

Any insights? Any tips to share? Loving your face yet?

KarinSDCA

I LOVE how easy it is!!! I thought for sure it would take for-ever to rinse sticky honey off my face. Ha! Two splashes of tepid water and my face is clean and supple without a trace of the honey. No need for moisturizer most of the time, either. I haven’t been using the honey directly around my eyes, so I have been using my usual homemade eye oil at night. I have been skipping it in the mornings, though, since my eyes still feel well-hydrated. My face feels so good — neither oily nor dry anywhere. This IS summer, right?

I do have some bumps right at the moment, so I am wondering if the honey is drawing out the impurities just under the skin’s surface? I’ve been doing the honey wash with raw, unfiltered local honey since Sunday evening. (It is crystallized, but I imagine it as a mild scrub.) Visually, my skin looks better than ever. Feeling it, though, I can feel all sorts of tiny bumps. Hmmm…
BatAttack

It’s actually rather fun to see how quickly honey can turn from liquid to completely solid.

I must confess that yesterday I was away from home and couldn’t wash my face with honey. That’s why today I’m letting it sit for a longer time, to feed and heal my skin a bit more.
jennifer

I bought Tropical Traditions Raw Honey. It is creamy like Peanut butter. My poor husband tried to use it for his coffee b/c it was on the counter and I smacked his hand. I suppose I’ll let him enjoy the good stuff after the 2 weeks
Stephanie

First, I’m shocked that I’ve stuck with it for 3 days already (I’m usually not so dedicated).
I’m noticing that my skin feels much softer and did so on Day 1! Like KarinSDCA, I’m noticing some bumps/pimples come to the surface. However, most of the pimples that I had on Day 1 have either completely gone or are disappearing faster than normal. I also have an ugly, red acne scar on my left cheek that’s starting to fade. SO LONG PROACTIVE! HELLO HONEY!!
Joanna

Going well but skin a little dry this morning after my honey routine. Iam 52 and it is winter here in Australia. Got a little in my eyes this a.m. – a bit ouchy byt wshed out easily. Away on an overnight work junket tomorrow night and have packed my honey – will share my beauty routine in the communal bathrooms Sweet Dreams all x
http://lilacsinmay.blogspot.com Ronda

~~~Local Honey Rules!! ~ Support your local bees!!~~~

I have been having the same experience as KarinSDCA. I have a lot of little bumps coming to the surface. It is not ugly, it is just different.
Amy

Love, love, love! I’ll never go back to commercial face wash again! I love a good scrubbing face wash so the raw honey is perfect. Like others have said I also don’t need moisturizer but my skin isn’t oily either. It’s magic I have still been using my night moisturizer but only until I have a chance to go get some jojoba oil to use instead. I have had a few bumps pop up here and there but nothing major and it’s not effecting the texture of my skin.

On a side note – I made my own body oil last night (ylang ylang and sweet orange) and it’s FABULOUS!!! I’m 29 weeks pregnant and ran out of belly cream. The body oil is 100 times better…again no more commercial lotions for me! I’ve also stopped taking medication for my heartburn and am trying ACV instead. Yesterday went pretty well with that. I read here last night about possibly using coconut oil so I’m going to give that a go too. I get crunchier every day and I’m loving it Thank you, Crunchy Betty!!!

sugarcoatedbeth

Amy, when I started transitioning into a crunch lifestyle I was taking prilosec every single day and if I didn’t, it would quickly catch up with me. I found for me personally that putting a little bit (maybe 1/4 tsp?) of Bob’s Red Mill baking soda in a glass and then putting in the ACV to fizz up before adding water was the best. Do what works for you. I did that for several days and it’s been several weeks and now I rarely ever have any acid reflux flare ups. I did last night because I indulged in pizza but other than that, I’ve been doing really well. Also think that changing my diet so that I have very little carbs has helped. I wish you the best with the ACV.

http://decadentphilistines.blogspot.com Allison @ Decadent Philistines Save the World

I’m loving it! I think I got the completely raw honey (oops) – it wasn’t completely crystalized, but it has royal jelly and all that other goodness in it. Doesn’t matter – it’s hot enough here in Arizona that it’s melty when I open the jar (weather also helps keep coconut oil liquid at “room” temperature – bonus!). This morning after my shower my face felt a tiny bit dry, but that’s all good now (we also have terribly hard water here in AZ – urgh).
I love this for its simplicity and for how good it smells. I stopped using perfume a while back when I realized that it probably (ha!) wasn’t helping ease my eczema, and now I think I smell even better – like a coconut-y, honey-y goddess!
This is FUN!
Jennifer

I have to say that it is wonderful! Have used hone before on my face, but not exclusively and not as a daily wash. I think I’m hooked! I don’t wear a lit of make-up, but when I do I just clean with oil and then follow with honey. In fact, I’ve been making sure that honey is the last step to my face care. If I use a clay mask, I end with honey. If I want more scrubbing, I add a bit of baking soda. I love my skin right now. Also, I have just started taking 2 Tbls of flaxseed meal daily (started with the honey challenge) and I really think that this is helping as well. I mean day and night results! I have small flesh-colored, sometimes white, bumps on my forhead that have not gone away…until now. I think the honey’s antimicrobial and moisturizing properties combined with the anti -inflamitory properties of flax have been the cure. I’m seriously impressed.

BTW, I would take fish oil supliments, but I’m concerned about the overfishing going on, so I hate to contribute to that. I doubt that fish oil is produced in a sustainable fishing situation. Just too many fish needed. Plus, I like the other benefits of flax (fiber, vitamins, iron, etc).
Lissa

Okay, first off let me say that this is the best timing ever. EVERY. Not only did I get my wisdom teeth out yesterday (I usually alternate between honey and oil cleansing and I really don’t want to be going after my face with a washcloth right now!) but I am driving to Maine next week then flying back. With the honey, I don’t need to bring a moisturizer and I’m not toning or wearing makeup on principle to give this thing a truly fighting chance.

Not that I feel the need to wear makeup!!! <<that is my favorite part. My skin is so soft and soooo clear, and this big raw patch under my chin (painkillers+low blood sugar=SORRY, no balance for Lissa today) is going away SO FAST.
Ann Guarino

The honey wash is going great. I’m using Raw Unfiltered Wildflower honey and it feels wonderful and smells even better. I have had to moisturize afterwards because I’m living on a tropical island and the sun is brutal here. The spf is much needed. I think I’m going to try the no ‘poo’ shampoo while I’m on a roll with the honey!

Jennifer

Hey, I LOVE the no ‘poo. Here’s some advice. Wash your hair with the no ‘poo method as you need to. Don’t wait several days if your hair is getting oily. I found that was the way to manage the oils and it never went yucky on me. Also, do a final cold water rinse on your hair after you are done. It helps close pores and reduce oils. Finally, some people have mentioned over time that their hair ended up dry on the ends. Here are two great solutions (do them both). First, add a Tbls of honey to the vinager solution (I also add lemon grass and orange EO and it completely masks the smell). Second, when you are done washing, spray your hair all over with distilled aloe juice (This is what I use: http://www.amazon.com/Warren-Laboratories-Georges-Gallon-liquid/dp/B00014EB6O) This aloe juice has no preservatives, nothing added and does not make your hair stick or leave a residue. I have tried other kinds of aloe and they don’t work like this one). The aloe is the same PH as your hair (acidic), plus it is wonderfully softening.

Do these things, and I think you will not have some of the problems that others have with no ‘poo.

http://decadentphilistines.blogspot.com Allison @ Decadent Philistines Save the World

I’ve also found that when my hair feels extra gunky (like after a run), if I make a thicker baking soda paste, the end result is still clean hair. I use the recipe for conditioner found here: http://mamataneyskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/03/homemade-conditioner-for-your-hair.html – it’s a variation on the ACV theme (with beer – we like beer a lot over here, and this is a good recipe for those poor dead soldiers).
The no ‘poo was the best decision I’ve ever made for my hair – it’s always been flat and boring – now it actually has body. I love it.
That was TOTALLY off topic, hey?

Jennifer

Also, someone mentioned dry skin, so I thought I would share this awesome moisturizer recipe. I use it in the morning and at night. I has honey in it, so I don’t like to leave it on my face. What I do is apply it all over, let it sit for a minute or two, than splash just a bit (and mean just one splash) of cold water on my face and it leaves my skin perfect. Just be sure to shake the bottle before you use it to mix it well.

Daily Moisturizer:
This is a light moisturizer that I love. It is not a cream, soaks right in, and is the best one I have ever used. I mean that. I tried it over the winter and it worked beautifully. Now that it is summer, I still love it.

3 Tablespoons Avocado or Wheat Germ Oil

3 Tablespoons Honey

1 oz Vegetable Glycerin

1/2 oz Rose Water

1 oz Witch Hazel

Mix it all together and store in a small squeeze bottle. Shake well before using and pour a very small abound into your hand, use all over your face. I let it sit for a minute or so and then splash a bit of cold water on my face.

http://earthsgifts.blogspot.com SassyDebs

I will have to try this. I have extremely dry skin. Thanks for the post.

Hugs,
Debs

Heather

I am amazed. After using the honey to wash my face, my skin feels clean without feeling dry. I have never experienced that before! In the past, clean has always been synonymous with dry. I am also totally blown away that a whole jar of honey still costs less than the chemical-y face wash I used to buy way back when. Also – It smells WAYYYYY better than any face wash I’ve used before! And if you happen to accidentally get some on your lips, there’s no icky taste

Jennifer

Ha! I find myself licking my lips because it tastes so good

sugarcoatedbeth

I do the same!

KarinSDCA

MMMmmmm… I lick my lips, too…

Brenda

I have decided that the honeyed-lip licking is my favorite part of my morning shower.

Jenny

So far so good here! I didn’t have raw honey so I just used what I had on hand and even that seems to be having a positive effect! I plan to hit up the farmer’s market today to see what I can find, though. I’m so glad you wrote this up, as I was asking these very same questions!

karen

I also decided to use what I had on hand, Pure Honey. I’m having good results and saw a difference right away. After I use this up I will buy raw honey. Just being frugal.

AlliR

Thank you, Leslie, for your honey explanations! Now, off to the Co-Op to buy ‘real’ honey!
http://www.hippie-status.blogspot.com Kelli

I friggin love this!!!! Not that I hated my skin care routine before (Black soap, then ACV toner, then a teeny dab of coconut oil if I felt dry), but this is soooo much simpler! One step: Wash with honey. That’s it! No need for anything else. I usually wear the teensiest bit of make-up, just concealor and mascara, but I’m keeping a clean face for now so I don’t have to fool with anything extra.

My honey is from a local family farm. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS!!!!
Emily (eakelp)

I also echo the wonderful comments. I have even starting putting a little in with my oats in the morning and i swear I will never go back to processed honey again. I lick my lips as well so I am sure they are not receiving any benefit but this stuff is wonderful. I am using the raw, unfiltered, unprocessed honey as well. AWESOME!

And i will be trying the no poo suggestions up there too since my hair is dry on the ends.
Marie

I’m loving it also!! My skin is feeling great and my acne is starting to clear up. The smell of honey is one of my favorites ever!
TLE

While i have found it easier to apply on moist skin, applying and massaging it on dry face leaves the skin super supple after rinsing. Today i applied with damp hands on dry skin, seems easier to apply and massage well.

Beth

Me too… Damp fingers or it felt like to much pulling on my skin! But do love this and love the simplicity!!!

http://califia7.blogspot.com/ Shonneky

Today is my third day of participating in the honey challenge and MY SKIN LOOKS AND FEELS WONDERFUL!!! It’s smoother, it feels cleaner and it glows….not shines but glows. I am a african american woman who has tried many many things to clean my face and this is by far my favorite. Sometimes if my face feels a little tight after then clean is completed then I will use just a little spritz of rosewater and aloe vera juice to tone and voila….my face feels lovely. I can’t recommend it enough.
Trisarahtops7

I have Mountain Ridge “pure raw” honey. But what does “pure raw” mean?
Natalie

Love lvoe love love love it. Feels amazing. I usually just rinse my face with water and pat it dry before applying the honey. I dont even us 1/2 a tsp to apply it….I use a 1/3 tsp measuring spoon and end up eating at least a bit of it Sooooo awesome.
http://www.thegravyboatblog.com Paige

I did my first honey wash this morning, and like some of the other commenters I was pleasantly surprised that it washed off so easily! I was able to rub it on my face before getting in the shower and then wash it off once I got in, no problem. Very exciting!
http://earthsgifts.blogspot.com SassyDebs

It is day 2 for me today and I love it. It has made my skin feel smoother, softer and more moisturized. I still need a moisturizer afterwards but it is much better than before. I have extremely dry skin so the added extra is great. Thanks for the challenge.

Hugs,
Debs
Brianna

I found honey that said unpasteurized but not raw…would that be the same thing?

KarinSDCA

It probably means it was heated, but not high enough or long enough to be considered pasteurized. The wording / marketing is rather confusing on honey.

Alice

I started using honey just as my face started peeling from a sunburn, and it healed really quickly! This is the first time I’ve gotten such a bad sunburn, though, so I don’t know how fast it would heal normally, but I’m willing to bet the honey helped.
Ali

i have done this 3 days in a row and i’m loving it! i’ve had a reaction similar to that of few other people: my existing acne/scars have been healing RAPIDLY, but i did get one new pimple on monday night. however, nothing new since and the tiny guys at my hairline have completely disappeared, which i think is even more amazing because they didn’t get a full dose of the honey. my nose feels like it could use a little scrubbing.

i don’t feel like i need moisturizer at all afterwards, but i have been putting on spf as necessary.
http://groovy-mom.com Groovy Mom

I echo what someone else just said about moist skin (just posted about this challenge!!). I add a little water to my hands before rubbing them together and massaging onto my face. Otherwise I feel like the honey pulls and sticks too much. A little water adds a nice “slip” and feels great.
sugarcoatedbeth

Thank you for posting this today! I recently purchased a big jar of honey that does say pure and raw on the label but is the regular consistency of most honey that you find in any store. Today I picked up a different honey that is fair trade certified, raw and organic. The consistency is really thick and maybe a bit crystallized so I guess now I know that would be my best choice for the challenge.

Also, I have suffered with staph infections (tested positive for MRSA). The last time I felt one coming on, I put honey on it the way I would neosporin or a similar product. NOTHING else healed it faster than honey and that was just using the regular honey you buy in the honey bear container. Within two days, it was practically healed. Normally it would continue to get worse and worse and last for days. Honey is now one of the main staples in my newly crunchy home and I recommend it to anyone that will listen. Even if they think I’m crazy.
Adrienne

First off: MMM, MMM, GOOD. It’s fun to wash my face with honey.

My skin is freaking out right now, but in a good way, I think. Nothing scary, no sensitivity, dryness, or oiliness. There seems to be a lot of surface-level detox going on. And this in just two days!

I have been dabbling with the oil-cleansing method for a month or so but hadn’t been doing it regularly. Honestly, the honey challenge is what got me to start washing my face at night, every night — I wanted to have a clean face for the honey! (Okay, so it’s only been two days, but I am so happy that I trust in my momentum.)

So far, so good.
Cinderella Tomblin

In Ayurveda, it is very important never to boil, bake or cook with honey. it changes the properties much closer to poison
sandy

I have been loving it. I really want to wash my face all day just to feel the goodness. I usually leave the honey on my face like 5 minutes. I will floss my teeth, or somethng while I wait. It rinses off great. I am experiencing a few break outs~but hay it could be something I have eaten too. I just put a dab of honey on the spot. So far so good. Honey says “Pure, Natural Raw” on the label. Is this ok? It is clear no crystals etc.
Alison

Loooove this line: “newly developing human beings” — adorable Honey washing is going; skin is not yet clear, but I have deep faith in crunchy things…
Andrea S

Loving it, Betty!! My face is soft and acne free!

Thanks for the info on raw honey. I am not sure if it is in the grocery stores in my state. I have looked in the regular grocery stores and the natural food store and no raw honey. Do some states ban it?
https://annetteleggett.wordpress.com Annette

Oh thank goodness you answered my question. My honey is raw and crystalized and I wasn’t sure how to warm it up – so I’d been kinda slathering it on my face like a honey mask but now I know how to soften it up safely!!

Yay!!
http://Bizzybuzzinhoneybeezness.blogspot.com Julie

I’m delighted with your blog! I’m a beekeeper….I love honey, and I love our *girls* (bees) more. Thank you for supporting and using “raw” honey and your local farmers. We have 100% pure,all natural,raw honey and it really depends on what type of nectar the bees collected as to how much or how fast the honey will crystallize. I never heat our honey and haven’t yet had any to crystallize. Keep up the good work and thank you again for giving the *girls* (Honeybees) a good word about their work…honey..it’s good for you!
Nicksterluv

I have what I think is probably a dumb question–I get my honey from my uncle, who is a beekeeper. It’s not crystalized when he gives it to me, but since it’s from a beekeeper and not bought from a store, does that mean it’s probably raw unfiltered?

http://www.makeitbakeitbuyitfakeit.blogspot.com Stephanie

That sounds about as pure/raw/unfiltered as it can get, but ask your uncle if he heats it or filters it. Wish I had an uncle who was a beekeeper!

Nicksterluv

I will ask! Thanks, Stephanie! And yes, I am definitely WAY lucky to have a beekeeper in the family.

http://freshmommyblog.com Tabitha Blue @ Fresh Mommy Blog

I’m loving it so far!! I hope it helps clear up my skin, and in fact… has anyone had any breakouts while using honey? I’m wondering if it’s helping to clear up my skin by bringing things up to the surface. I’d love to hear your opinions or experiences with this.
andrew

question, i was just once told. the darker the honey, the more purer/raw it is?
http://LILBITFARMS.COM Diana

So interesting to read this info about Raw honey. We provide raw goat milk shares and the process of pasteurization is almost identical in milk, killing good bacteria and destroying enzymes that make it a “whole” food. And in the regular milk industry, the way the animals are raised and treated REQUIRES pasteurization in order to “clean” the milk well enough that it is fit for human consumption. Yuck :p
I was able to get my honey Raw and Local, although it was from King Soopers lol I didn’t have a chance to get to the farmers market to get it from Black Forest. I too LOOVE what it’s doing for my skin and how surprisingly easy it is to rinse off! YAY Betty!
http://www.makeitbakeitbuyitfakeit.blogspot.com Stephanie

Pasteurization kills off all the good stuff. After that it’s just another sweetener.
Courtney

I’ve seen several comments mentioning the tiny bumps or “break outs” and I would like to know as well, if anyone can provide the answer. I’ve seen an increase in the time it takes to heal, which I’m very thankful for, and my older acne is clearing up quickly, but like others I’ve had a couple new ones pop up shortly after starting. Most of them are just really small white heads that aren’t becoming inflamed, but I’ve have one or two big ones arise. Is this normal? I find it completely weird because other than the new bumps I’ve noticed an improvement in my skin’s condition. It’s like you have to look past the acne to see that I have really great skin, it’s just camouflaged by bumps right now. Is this normal? And can anyone explain why it’s happening?
Amber

Ok, I am totally addicted to this. Probably staying with this after the challenge.

My honey SAYS pure, but Im not 100% sure. Some online sources say that the brand I use its strained a lot, to make sure theres no remnants in it, but heated REALLY REALLY low. But now I cant read the label for the brand. I think my sister tore it of. So….. Im trusting that for now.

Does honey exfoilate at all? Because if it doesnt, I think I will do a honey wash in the morning, and the no nonsense scrub at night.
Beth Walters

Hey!

Where does Manuka honey fit into this scheme of things – it’s all I’ve got in the kitchen and I’m really having trouble sourcing some raw honey – it would be great if I could use this?

Thanks!
Annemarie

Question, even though this is a month or so late. So the honey that I buy is said to be raw, and peeled right off the comb and put into a jar with no pasturization or anything. It’s yellow, sticky, has a creamy consistancy, and has honey comb pieces and other crunchy things that float to the top, that I have to stir in.
But it has NEVER gotten hard or crystalized?! I keep it in the bathroom, and it is just starting to get cool out, but should I look into another honey supplier?

Stacy

If you keep it in your bathroom heat could be part of that reason. The coconut oil I keep in the bathroom is frequently slightly melty because of the location, versus oil kept elsewhere.

Also, I actually have a package of honey still in the comb sitting on my counter right now. Some areas are chunky, but others are perfectly smooth. If it has other pieces to stir in, etc, I can’t imagine it’s filtered in any way. Those would be the first things to go.

Good luck with your honey adventures!

Daisy

Manuka honey is one of the best types you can use! It is even more antibacterial than regular raw honey and has been used to treat staph infections, severe burns, etc. The only honey I know that is stronger than Manuka is Ulmo, but Ulmo has been much harder to find in the last year or so.

Using Manuka will make your two weeks even more effective!
http://ehoneybees.com ehoneybees

All honey types are good, but polifloral honey is the best!
Stacy

I haven’t checked my main large grocery store yet, but when I happened to be in a small Mediterranean store I quickly noticed their array of honey! Not *one* bottle was labeled as raw, which was frustrating. Per your exceptions though, there was a brand by local farmers that probably would be great.

Since I was aiming for raw though, I hit the jackpot. I found honey that was delivered — still in the comb! I figured that’s about as raw as it gets. Getting used to the honey wash, and will see how it goes.
Littlered786

hello, I came across your website searching for OCM and then i read your blog on honey. very informative since i already use a cold cream to cleanse my skin and ever since i stopped ive broken out for the badly and these pimples wont go away i started again ad my skin is glowing. I will try the honey bt its soo hard to find raw honey and its soo expensive. i want to point out that honey is not bad for babies. In my religion, it said that that honey has healing properties so eating honey in warm water and lemon on empty stomach first thing in the morning is the best thing you can do to yourself. When a baby is born, we feed the baby honey like not even a tiny drop. many eastern cultures practice this and i think its very healthy for the baby.