Wellness
Faster Healing with Honey
Nature’s Burn Unit
Did you know that you can reduce the time it takes to heal from a minor burn by almost 5 days? It’s true, and we’re going to discuss one of the best ways I’ve found to treat minor burns and abrasions for myself and my family. I’m going to show you how to use honey to heal burns in half the time.
“Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet.” -Samson: Judges 14:14
My uncle was the first person to show me this simple remedy. He had a collection of honey from all around the world from Iraq to Wyoming. Being the only honey connoisseur I know, I feel fortunate he shared with me such a simple way to care for a common injury. I don’t always trust THE experts, but I do trust MY experts. Before we get to how honey is used to heal burns, I’ll touch briefly on some history and lay out a guideline for knowing if a burn is too severe to treat at home. It is best that you only treat things that you’re capable of safely managing.
Early Writings
The earliest writing I could find that referred to using honey as medicine is from roughly 4000 years ago. There was an ancient tablet found in Nippur, Sumeria (an area about 700+ miles east of the Nile River). It says in part, “grind to a powder, river dust and …(unreadable) then knead it in water and honey and let plain oil and hot cedar oil be spread over it.” This remedy is assumed to have been for some form of injury. However, it is entirely possible that this was also an early recipe for the first gluten free cracker.
Another ancient document referencing honey is known as the ‘Ebers Papyrus’ (1550bc). In this document, honey is mentioned more frequently than any other ingredient for various medicinal concoctions when treating wounds. Honey has apparently been known to have antimicrobial properties for thousands of years. I can almost hear Hippocrates saying: “told ya so,” while Galen’s gladiatorial patients mutter: “muth be nithe”.
3 Levels of Burns
Before we get ahead of ourselves, it’s necessary to circle back around and refresh our memories on the basic types of burns. This is to ensure that we’re clear on what I mean by treating “minor” burns. Severity is determined by both how deep the burn goes, and how much surface area is covered by the burn.
In the diagram (left) and you’ll see the three levels of burn severity. First degree on the left, and third degree (or “full thickness burn”) on the right. If the burn goes through the first two layers and into the hypodermis, it’s considered a full thickness, or a 3rd degree burn.
Partial thickness burns are generally limited to the first and second degree. Once the burn goes through the full thickness of the skin (3rd degree), the chances of serious infection go up. That is why it’s critical to seek trained help for these burns.
3rd degree burns are serious and need to be properly “debrided” or scrubbed. Scrubbing a burn is incredibly painful and should only be done after adequate training. Remember that just because a burn is only partial thickness doesn’t mean it isn’t severe. It is critical to be clear about the amount of area on the body that is burned. So as not to bore you, let’s just assume we’re talking about an area smaller than the size of your palm.
I am not going to address burns located on the groin, near/on the eyes, mouth, or nose. If you or someone you know gets a burn in any of the areas I just mentioned, immediately seek trained medical help.
Note: If a burn goes all the way around a body part (circumferential burn) or covers a significant portion of the body, or if the burn is electrical or chemical in nature, IMMEDIATELY SEEK EMERGENCY MEDICAL HELP.
With that out of the way, we’ll get on to how you can treat those minor burns safely and even reduce the amount of time it takes to heal.
Putting Honey To Work
I first used honey on a rug burn years ago at the prompting of my uncle. It worked like a charm. I applied this easy trick on an egg sized area on my forehead. My uncle was gracious enough to supply me a dab of honey and within 2 days the abrasion was fully healed and the scab painlessly fell away on its own. Within 5 days, the pinkness of the new skin was gone entirely. There wasn’t even a hint of scarring. I only applied honey to the wound during the first 2 days. This is considerably fast healing. Studies conducted in certified medical burn units have also tested honey on major burns with promising results. Thanks to honey, doctors now know how to heal burns in half the time.
I don’t always trust THE experts, but I do trust MY experts.
A study in 2008 mentioned in the UK’s NHS website, 1st and 2nd degree burns healed an average of 4.68 days FASTER than the typical burn treatments used at the time. It is noted that there was no increased risk of infection or skin disorders from using quality honey. I always recommend using raw, organic honey.
So how do you apply it?
Nature’s Burn Unit
Step I
I start every medical intervention with washing my hands when possible.
Step II
It’s important to clean the wound you’re treating as well, whether it be a burn or a cut, scrape, or laceration.
Gently wash (avoid using soaps with essential oils just yet, sometimes that can sting quite ferociously). I keep a bottle of betadine wound wash under my bathroom sink and in my medic bag. After washing, dab dry (do not rub) the burn area with a clean, dry cloth.
Step III
Next, simply dip your finger in the honey and gently spread it directly onto the burn.
Step IV
Apply a bandage large enough to cover the affected area. If it’s a bit larger than a bandaid, you can lay any form of clean dry gauze on top of the honey. Next, tape it to the skin. You can also wrap rolled gauze around the area if you know how to properly do this without cutting off circulation. Take extra care to really secure the bandage if you’re treating a child who’ll be rolling around in the grass minutes after you’re done.
Repeat Steps I-IV Daily
I recommend changing the gauze about once a day. You can wash/re-applying honey in the same manner until the burn is fully healed.
Don’t use “honey sauce” packets from KFC. That is NOT real honey. Make us proud and use organic honey. This ancient method is a safe alternative to antibiotic ointments. And as a bonus, you get considerably faster healing times. In a pinch, this is a safe way to keep a wound clean and to help your body heal itself naturally.
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to share this article to your favorite social media platforms. If you have any natural remedies you’d like to share, we’d love to hear about them! You can submit a completed brief step by step article to wellness@beartariatimes.com. For more articles on Wellness click the link here!
Wellness
The Workout-Success Connection: How Physical Fitness Transforms Every Area of Life
When we think of working out, the immediate benefits that come to mind are usually physical: improved strength, better endurance, or a more athletic physique. But physical fitness transcends the body. The habits, skills, and mindset developed through consistent exercise can be the ground work for success in all areas of life—personal, professional, and spiritual.
- Discipline: The Foundation of Progress
At the heart of every workout routine is discipline. Showing up day after day, regardless of how you feel, builds the muscle of commitment. In the gym, it’s about doing one more set even when you’re tired. Outside the gym, it’s about sticking to long-term goals, pushing through setbacks, and maintaining consistency. Whether it’s advancing your career, deepening relationships, or pursuing personal development, discipline is what keeps you moving forward when motivation fades.
- Goal Setting and Achievement
Fitness is one of the most tangible ways to practice goal setting. Whether you’re aiming to lift a certain weight, run a particular distance, or hit a body fat percentage, every fitness objective requires planning, dedication, and action. The same approach applies to all areas of life. Setting clear, measurable goals with timelines—whether it’s a promotion at work, learning a new skill, or achieving financial stability—is crucial for success. Working out teaches you to break larger goals into smaller milestones, track progress, and celebrate achievements along the way.
- Resilience and Mental Toughness
Life is filled with challenges, and developing valuable character attributes is key to overcoming them. Exercise, particularly intense or strenuous routines, trains your mind to push through discomfort and adversity. Each difficult workout is a lesson in perseverance, and over time, you learn to embrace challenges rather than shy away from them. This mental toughness translates to other aspects of life—helping you navigate difficult conversations, tackle complex projects, or handle unexpected setbacks with grace and determination.
- Focus and Time Management
In our increasingly distracted world, focus is a superpower. Effective workouts demand that you be present and intentional, whether you’re lifting weights, running, or practicing yoga. This mindfulness in training sharpens your ability to concentrate on the task at hand, which is essential for productivity and efficiency in your career and personal life. Furthermore, balancing a consistent workout routine with other responsibilities enhances your time management skills, teaching you to prioritize and schedule effectively.
- Confidence and Self-Belief
Few things build self-confidence like the steady progress you see through regular training. As you hit personal bests or notice changes in your body, your sense of self-worth grows. This confidence isn’t just about appearance—it’s the belief that you can set goals, work toward them, and achieve them. When you believe in your ability to succeed in one area, like fitness, it spills over into other areas of life, from tackling new projects to speaking up in meetings or taking risks that lead to personal growth.
- Health and Energy: The Foundations of High Performance
Without health, everything else suffers. Regular exercise boosts your physical health, increases energy levels, improves sleep, and reduces stress—all essential for performing at your best in life. Whether you’re pursuing professional excellence or personal fulfillment, having the energy and vitality to keep going is crucial. Fitness ensures that you have the physical and mental capacity to perform at your peak across all domains.
- Accountability and Responsibility
In the gym, no one else can do the reps for you. You are responsible for your progress, and there’s no shortcut to achieving results. This accountability is a powerful principle that applies to life in general. Success requires taking ownership of your actions and outcomes.
Whether you’re managing a business, leading a team, or cultivating personal relationships, understanding that your effort directly impacts your results is key.
- Adaptability and Growth Mindset
Workouts often require you to adjust your approach based on how your body feels, how much progress you’ve made, or what obstacles arise (like injury or fatigue). This adaptability is crucial in all areas of life. The ability to pivot when necessary and stay open to learning and growth—even when faced with failure—fosters long-term success. In fitness, as in life, you’ll face plateaus and setbacks, but those with a growth mindset continue to evolve and improve.
Conclusion: Fitness as a Gateway to Total Life Success
Working out is far more than a physical endeavor. It’s a powerful training ground for life skills that will help you excel in every area. From discipline and goal setting to resilience and adaptability, the attributes you develop in the gym serve as tools for overcoming challenges, achieving success, and becoming the best version of yourself. So the next time you lace up your shoes or lift that weight, remember: you’re not just working on your body—you’re building the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life.
And taking that step into fitness training doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Even something as simple as adding a 20-minute walk to your day can spark positive changes throughout your life. Knowing that this extra effort can ripple into every area, from your mindset to your energy levels, is empowering—and it’s a reminder that small, consistent actions can lead to transformative results across your entire life.
Wellness
Beartaria Times Member Shares History and Benefits of Haymaker’s Punch
Today, we saw a post that will be very beneficial in the coming summer heat, especially for those out in the fields!
Whether it’s valuable resources or witty fun, we find great content on our community app every day. Today, we saw a post that will be very beneficial in the coming summer heat, especially for those out in the fields!
Numismaticbear shared a post introducing some of us to Switchel, also known as Haymaker’s Punch!
This sounds like a great beverage to put together!
Thanks for sharing Numismaticbear!
I tried EC for one week, and I’m never going back. Elimination communication allows your baby to relieve themselves outside their diapers and for you to be in tune with their bathroom needs just as you do with knowing when they are hungry.
This can lead to caregivers becoming more in tune with the baby, giving the baby the option of hygiene, cutting down on waste/laundry, and assisting in earlier toilet training. In many countries today, EC is the standard instead of disposable diapers, just without the fancy name.
Do you use the restroom when you wake up or leave to go somewhere? Well, so does baby, and this is the concept of the four easy catches. If it all sounds complicated, just using time and transition to your advantage is a great place to start. The “four easy catches” are offering the baby the potty upon waking up, at diaper changes, signs of effort, and during the transition (getting in and out of something such as the car seat or baby carrier).
For Mothers (or other caregivers) familiar with EC but have yet to try it because it sounds too daunting, I encourage you to try it!
Before my daughter was born, I knew I wanted to use cloth diapers and implement EC. But I wanted to do these things as they came organically and not force myself if it brought more stress than benefit. By three weeks, I was using cloth diapers, and by 6 1/2 weeks, I began EC with her.
In the first week, my baby had only a few poopy diapers. She usually lets me know when she needs to go. Sometimes, I miss it, and sometimes, I put her on the potty, and nothing happens. It is important to remember why you started and not focus on the misses.
While this article wasn’t meant to be a complete study on the subject, I did want to introduce others to the practice or share my positive experience with those aware of EC.
Many resources online cover the subject in depth, I encourage mothers to read around if this is new to you.
I just wanted to share that it works! I took it slow and still utilize diapers, but I am super happy I began to try and implement EC.
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