Oshun by Selina Fenech
It’s Oshun’s elixir. Just one of the sweetnesses she uses to end conflict, seduce, and bring healing to those in pain. Soon after my teacher, Robin Rose Bennett, taught my class about the anti-septic, anti-bacterial, wound healing power of honey, I experienced it for myself.
One afternoon while preparing a rose petal infusion for a party, I ended up spraying scalding water on my right eyelid. I can only use two words to describe this: insanely painful. After yelling expletives, I grabbed some aloe from the refrigerator, put it on my eyelid and went to the bathroom mirror to survey the damage. The lid was red, it was starting to swell-and yes, it really hurt. The aloe was cooling, but I was expecting folk and I couldn’t sit around holding aloe to my lid. I went back to the kitchen, grabbed a container of lavender honey and spread it on the burnt eyelid. 30 minutes later when my friends arrived, they could not believe what had occurred. There was no mark, no redness and barely any swelling. What could have been a trip to the hospital ended up being a dash to the refrigerator and the cabinet.
I also use honey on my girls when they get scrapes or cuts.
Honeys:
Garlic honey is a fabulous mix. Chop fresh garlic, put it in a container and cover it with honey. I use this as part of my salad dressings or take it in water to fight off colds.
Ginger honey is also delicious. I gave this to my honey when he had voice and throat problems. (chop fresh ginger and put it in a container and cover it with honey.)
My lavender honey was aptly described by my friend Judi as, “sexy!” Indeed it is. That batch of sexiness sure healed my eyelid. It is great on toast too! (Prepare just like the other honeys. I spent a lot of time removing the fresh lavender buds for this mix but it was worth it.)
Of course, there is the fantastic sage honey. Tear fresh sage (salvia officianalis) leaves and pour honey over them. This is potent and yummy treat for a sore throat!
The Sage Honey 
OOh, sounds wonderful! How long does the garlic/honey mix keep its potency?
Seemingly forever! Honey is a great preservative and garlic is anti-bacterial so they hold up well together. My garlic honey goes pretty fast though. I make it in small batches (5-8 oz) and in two to three months it is gone! 🙂 It is great for the little ones during cold season too.
Hi there,
when you make the sage honey do you cut up the leaves? Do you let them soak in the honey for a time before you use it and for a sore throat how much do you give? A teaspoon maybe?
Greetings. Yes, I tear the leaves when I make my sage honey. Not too small, just a bit. I made some sage honey 9 days ago and based on the taste it is ready to use now. It is too good!
The art of dosages. Hmmm. If I had a sore throat, I’d probably take a teaspoon three times a day. Maybe even in warm water or lemon tea.
It is also important to think about why one has a sore throat before deciding what to use. My teacher Robin tells us that when we work with herbs we “treat people, not symptoms.” I love this mantra. It really challenges me to think outside of the box and take in the whole picture when figuring out which herbs to work with.
I hope this is helpful.
Have you ever tried ginger and honey? Best with fresh ginger, slice very thinly and cover with honey. Helps with sinusitis or cold.
Yes. I love it. I gave ginger honey to my husband when he had throat problems. He liked it so much he kept eating it after his throat was healed. 🙂
I use honey in the ‘monkeymilk’ I make for my daughter:
I pour some ricemilk in a blender, a banana, little chunk of ginger and then the o so sweet honey. hmmmmmm.
Grok, a dutch tradition:
my dad uses the honey against the cold a and flu. he boils dark rum, with lemon and honey (short boil, otherwise it wil caramelise) and then gives the person in need a little cup filled with the substance. after you start sweating… everything comes out!
Now Im gonna try the garlic honey!
Oooh, that Grok sounds delicious!!!!!! I might try that when I don’t have a cold. 🙂
Hi Ekere/Mariahadessa
the day after I read about how you used honey on your eye, I noticed (pain as well as split skin) something going on between some of my toes. I couldn’t think what to do, besides wishing I had rosemary oil or powder already prepared. Then, it came to me–use garlic honey. I wasn’t sure the cause but garlic is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-parasitic and the honey is so curative too. I had it on hand as I keep it as a staple in the pantry. After spreading it on three times, my toes were healed!!!
way to go, honey and garlic
Laurie
This is incredible, Laurie. Your experience is inspiring me to experiment with the garlic honey as a healer for skin conditions. Thanks for sharing this.
Hi
I am so happy I came upon your site (thanks to YMIB). I am a fellow herbalist or training to be in my own way.
I appreciate some of the information you have given so far. Thanks.
cheers
Train on! Working with the herbs has deeply enriched my life. I studied them on my own for years. After I had my second child, I was really spurred on to learn from someone. I really feel like I have to take charge of my children’s healing wherever possible and the herbs make that possible. Welcome.
You go girl. I’m not commenting on any of your blog posts in particular, just wanted to say that – in general – I admire your passion and dedication to herbs and the holistic lifestyle.
All the best!
Karen Jones
Thank you so much, Karen. The earth has so much medicine for us! Please come through and share what you know whenever you can.
one love,
ekere
[…] cook with garlic every single day. Really, I love the stuff. I make a garlic honey and use it as part of my salad dressings. I also give teaspoons of it to anyone with a sore throat […]