

(image source, Lesley Anton)

For years, Los Angeles designer Lesley Anton used her empty honey bear bottle to hold dish soap at her kitchen sink. Her clever, eco-friendly idea led to the creation of cast porcelain Honey Bears, paying homage to what Lesley describes as an “iconic form that embodies the American kitchen.”

I was so inspired by Lesley’s dish soap idea that I looked up a few more uncommon uses for the sweet, sticky substance. I am a honey enthusiast. I take on the philosophy of Buddy the Elf: smearing it on toast, on pancakes, in tea, on apples, on peanut butter sandwiches, in lemonade, in cupcake recipes, on a spoon, through a straw. I thought it might be nice to incorporate honey into other domestic situations. Here are nine alternate uses for the iconic honey bear:

Skin moisturizer Mixed with eggs and flour, honey can cure dry winter skin. Add sugar and you have a cake!

Antiseptic When the glucose in honey is diluted in water or body fluids, hydrogen peroxide is gradually released. So dabbing some honey on a wound will not only keep it clean, but it will also prevent a bandage from sticking to the sore.

Energy booster When glucose is absorbed by the brain it reduces fatigue, so add some honey to water to create a quick and natural energy drink after a long night out.

Burn relief Honey has been known to sooth the sting in sunburn and other minor burns. Mix honey with petroleum jelly to create a cooling post-beach lip balm.

Hangover cure In case you weren’t impressed enough with the amazing glucose in honey, it also speeds the metabolism of alcohol, making a hangover pass more quickly.

Stain remover Honey can stand in as a pre-wash stain remover for fruit stains.

Hair conditioner Honey can clear buildup without stripping hair of its natural oils. It will also form a protective layer on hair preventing damage from styling products and other elements. Adding honey to some olive oil and buttermilk will make it easier to use.

Antifreeze Honey will not freeze but also has a considerably high boiling point so it will not evaporate, making it beneficial as antifreeze in the winter as well as in the summer. Some brands of antifreeze also choose to add honey as a thickening agent to coat the pipes of a radiator.

Golf balls Inside every golf ball is a smaller rubber ball filled with liquid. Up until the 1960s, that liquid was honey but has recently been replaced with a synthetic liquid with similar properties.

Who knew there were so many other uses for my favorite condiment? I was hoping it could be used to clean the drool off my keyboard. Will you be trying any of these natural home remedies?

info sourses: Life Hackery, Grandma’s Craft Guides, Modern Mechanix