Since ancient times, people have revered honey as being both one of the greatest sweeteners as well as medicinal substances. It was used to treat many ailments before, and not simply through consumption but also through topical usage. Indeed, it would have been more common for the ancients to apply honey to their ills by smearing an affected or medically afflicted area with the substance, as opposed to simply ingesting honey as a medicine. However, even though the ancients used honey for various medical complaints, they were not yet aware of its antimicrobial properties, which we happen to know today.
Honey is such an effective antibacterial agent because its water activity is very low, and this discourages the growth of most bacteria. The substance is also an excellent humectant, which is to say that it is a hygroscopic or water-attracting material. Due to this, many people used to apply honey to their skin simply to soften it or prevent it from drying, as the honey would attract water to their skin and moisturise it. An alternative use of honey has been as a hair conditioner. Queen Anne of England, for example, used to regularly apply honey to her hair in order to soften and maintain it.
These properties are transmitted to the products made out of honey or honey soaps, which are known for their powerfully moisturising and emollient properties. These soaps are antibacterial formulations that have the advantages of natural honey in a compact, solid form. You can use them on your skin to reduce dryness, as the ancients did, or perhaps even to prevent the formation of skin problems related to bacterial activity, such as acne. There have even been strong suggestions of honey working to counteract skin aging and the formation of wrinkles, so you can use honey soaps for your face as well.
Honey soaps are excellent for those who are looking for healthier alternatives to the factory-made, generic-blend soaps usually available at the grocery stores. Honey-based soaps are not only more natural, they are also gentle on the skin due to their mild, soothing formulations.
Many of the old recipe’s for honey soap actually had honey in them. It was usually a plain white toilet soap flavored with citronella and various combinations of essential oils. The addition of beeswax to the recipe below gives it a faint sweet aroma. Actual honey may also be added to give it an amber color and a softer texture.
Honey Soap Recipe
1 & 1/2 c. clean rendered tallow
1/2 c. vegetable oil
3 Tbsp. pure beeswax
3/4 c. cold soft water
1/4 c. lye flakes
1 tsp. citronella oil
1/4 tsp. oil of lemon grass (optional)
2 Tbsp. liquid honey (optional)
Melt beeswax in a double boiler till liquid. Beat in vegetable oil and keep warm. Melt tallow and measure. Stir lye flakes into cold water until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
Grease molds liberally with petroleum jelly.
When lye & tallow are lukewarm, pour lye slowly into fat, stirring until thick and creamy.
Add warm wax mixture in a thin stream, beating vigorously to disperse evenly. Add honey and essential oils.
Pour into molds.
Yeild: 1 & 1/2 lbs. hard bar soap
