how to use honey

Submitted by emmline on December 23, 2015 - 8:29am
Body: 

Could someone point me to posts, blogs, or articles about how one would use honey vaginally? I keep seeing references to how it might help with vaginal health, but can't find any guidelines.

Forum:

Aging gracefully

December 23, 2015 - 9:37am

Here is one thread where Christine has a couple of really good posts about the benefits of honey:

https://www.wholewoman.com/forum/node/5917

Just type honey in the search box and you will finds tons of threads about wonderful healing honey.

emmline

December 29, 2015 - 4:31pm

I have to admit...I find it a little incredible that honey could help that much.
Nevertheless, today I spoke by phone with Anne Walters, the WW-trained practitioner nearest to where I live, and that was among her recommendations.

So, I started using it this morning. Remarkably, I've felt much much better all day, since then. We'll see how it goes.

Christine

December 29, 2015 - 6:54pm

Hurray for Anne! Honey is the only substance on earth that is similar to our own natural glycogen, which the cells in our vaginal walls stop storing after menopause. I feel quite certain, although I have not cared to try it, that sugar pills or maple syrup would not work remotely the same! Scientific study has already confirmed it. Lactobacillus species are called “fastidious” because they require a special environment that includes this sugar-protein-sugar substrate. I made the mistake of thinking the dry, painful vagina needed oils and salves, when in fact it is lubricated by the activity of this healthy, rich biofilm. I hope we are doing well in our mission to put honey in every vagina! The pharmaceutical/medical/industrial complex is not going to like it when they realize the drop in estrogen sales, and the increase in demand for real honey, is due to our realization of nature’s best vaginal medicine. ;-)

Aging gracefully

December 29, 2015 - 7:13pm

Right on, Christine! Hurray for honey!!

emmline

January 3, 2016 - 12:26pm

While my official position is "cautiously optimistic" about the results I've gotten from 6 days of honey, applied 2x/day, I am in fact quite amazed.

I was really discouraged by the discomfort and constant awareness of my vagina, and cystocele (which is a fairly minor cystocele at that.) So I've really relished feeling good this past week.

I guess feeding the lactobacilli will be a regular thing, like feeding the chickens or milking the cows. Not that I have to do that, but you know what I mean.

Aging gracefully

January 3, 2016 - 12:29pm

Great analogy actually, emmline! So glad it is helping you, and thank you so much for coming on and telling everyone about it!

emmline

January 16, 2016 - 2:55pm

Disclaimer: I am not a fan of animals being used unkindly in research, in general, but I am nevertheless interested in some of the conclusions.

This knocked my socks off just a little bit.

In researching the confluence of honey and vaginas, I came across this study, in which rats, in whom menopause had been induced via ovarectamies, were fed honey. The honey in this case was a particular form of Malaysian honey, but I have a hunch that good, unprocessed honey from different sources will behave similarly, with minor variations.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21194469

This is interesting. Even on the lower doses of honey, rats grew thicker vaginal epitheliums, gained bone density, and avoided weight gain. Which is a good summary of the kind of results most of us would like to see in our menopause strategies. (So maybe I should repost in the menopause area, but it relates to pelvic health as well.)

CONCLUSIONS: (quoting from the study synopsis)
"Tualang honey was shown to have beneficial effects on menopausal (ovariectomised) rats by preventing uterine atrophy, increased bone density and suppression of increased body weight. Honey could be an alternative to HRT."

I don't use much sugar in my tea, but I'll be subbing unfiltered honey, henceforth, and squeezing it in here and there in other ways as well.

Incidentally, at least .2g of honey was fed per kg of body weight. At this amount, a person weighing 125 lbs would have to consume 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey/day. Not bad. We cannot assume the results in humans would be the same, but I like the sound of it.

Aging gracefully

January 16, 2016 - 2:37pm

Very interesting!! Thanks for posting this for the rest of us to see.

Christine

January 16, 2016 - 5:20pm

I'm not sure how they came to their conclusions as far as uterine atrophy and bone density. I probably have that article somewhere amongst the hundreds in my possession.

I am trying desperately hard to write a book (yes, the same one I started last year before I was waylaid by all the video projects) on this subject. My current students are quite amazed regarding the deep and ancient relationship between flowers, bees, and women. As I told them during our class today, the story just keeps getting more astonishing. Btw, we have a wonderful group of WW on four continents this year!

Christine

back in time

January 17, 2016 - 12:41am

I've been reading about honey here on the forums. What is the best way to get it where you want it?
I read that it's a good idea to apply it twice a day.

I tried to insert a bit of honey in the vagina area (with my back on the bed, and looking up). I just ended up smooching it while trying to get it in; also got some honey on the outside hair (sticky). Plus, I could not get it in very deep with the dab on my finger.

And, if you apply in the morning, won't it just kinda run back down?

Is it best to stand?

[I seem to have a knack of complicating things]

emmline

January 17, 2016 - 5:14am

Hi back in time,
For starters, it is probably easier to work with raw unfiltered honey. The consistency is different--it's pastier, more opaque, stays on your fingertip better. The clear honey will be runnier. However, I have used it before I got the thicker kind, and did make it work.

But the way I do it is like this: I keep a jar on the bathroom sink. I stand, and often put one foot on the toilet seat. Then everything's all opened up in the girl zone. I guess I've gotten adept at aiming for the target, but this does not mean none will ever get wiped off on the way in...a bit might, but I figure it may help there too, and the raw honey isn't so gooey.

I insert about a fingerlength, then wait a few seconds, because I want it to be warm and soft and wipe off inside as I withdraw my finger. There may be a little left smudged down the side of my finger afterwards, but not much.

I don't find it leaks more than the average vaginal leakiness, but you can wear a minipad if you prefer.

Fortunately, I have short fingernails. I think you could probably use an applicator, such as the ones they dispense with vaginal cream, if you wanted to. I'm not sure where to get one, and you'd have that to wash off. I think it's probably easier to just do it.

Aging gracefully

January 17, 2016 - 7:16am

All you need is a very small dab on the tip of your finger. When I applied it for some burning issues I was having in the beginning, I i just bent over hinged from the hip, and stuck it in.
That small dab is enough to start feeding the natural lactobacilli that live there, and make them very happy!

back in time

January 17, 2016 - 12:16pm

emmline - Thank you so much for the help! I did buy organic raw honey ... not local as suggested on the forum as could not find anything, but from the next state, Washington.

I'll give it a go, again. I'm sure I'll do better now. Thank you again.

[hopefully this will go in the right place ... I hit "reply" under your post.)

back in time

January 17, 2016 - 12:21pm

Aging gracefully - Thank you so very much for explaining!

I will try your way, also.

Sorry to say, that often, I just shy away from getting up close and personal with Ms. Prolapse. The head in the sand syndrome, still. And the silly worry about my stance pushing her down and making her worse.

I will pull on my grown up pants, look her in the bulge, and give it a go.

Thank you so much for helping me!

P.S. - To All, I did read here about it being helpful for the anal area. I did insert a dab there, but got a lot of air coming out thru-out the day. Only tried once.

Aging gracefully

January 17, 2016 - 12:40pm

Well, I can't say I would know what it feels like being post hyst, but I do know that I was very alarmed when I found my cervix sticking out. After I found this site and became more comfortable with my prolapse, I did have a feel around to see all what was going on in there. Its not a great thing knowing and then feeling those things sitting in your vagina, but I did become more familiar with the new me.
So, by that time sticking a little honey up in there wasn't really all that big of a deal to me. I would have to say it is all a process of just getting comfortable with the changes, and that can take whatever time you need.

back in time

January 17, 2016 - 2:29pm

You are wise. And so helpful.

back in time

January 17, 2016 - 2:48pm

I lost another post before I hit the save button. So, giving all a break. Quitting for now. :)

Enjoy your day, Everyone! It's Sunday, here.

Surviving60

January 17, 2016 - 4:06pm

Don't lose any more posts, b.i.t., because we want to hear more from you! We are all anxiously awaiting Christine and Lanny's next big project which is aimed specifically at the post-hyst women out there. Your feedback as you make your way on this journey will be so helpful and enriching to our forum. Thanks for all the feedback you have provided so far. There is nothing on this planet that is better for you than to learn this posture and the techniques and tools that assist you in visualizing and keeping those organs held forward and away from the outlet. You will want to be cautious with the exercises, as you may have sutures tethering the vaginal canal in place. So glad to have you aboard! - Surviving

back in time

January 21, 2016 - 8:39pm

Just now back on again. I seem to get something posted and then life gets busy and it takes me a while to get back on here. (I posted first sometime near the holidays; then I just could not get back here....life was pulling me away.) But, I've done better, lately.

Surviving 60 - Thank you! I appreciate your positive and helpful comments! I've not done exercises, other than walking. I will wait for Christine's materials for the "post-hyst me". The WW posture/walking.... still! ..... gets me tired. But, much less so than the first efforts just after my diagnosis (3 weeks with my back sore and tired, trying to engage WW posture).

I need to do a Spring cleaning and find my medical file, from way back then. I have the surgical report (just need to see where I stashed it).

I am relieved to be here. Main stream medicine has never fit me and I have avoided it most of my life. I have always dreaded an appointment with a doctor. A lot of what I have experienced, I have been able to deal with myself and remedy most (I just seem, somehow, to intuitively know what to do) -- but the prolapse whammy is different. I have already had a battle with a nurse practitioner and I was able to get it to be the path I wanted to take (but which lots of communicating about the goal I wanted and planned to do!).

I have not added in much work on breathing. Just every day type of breathing is hard for me. I've always breathed opposite of what is recommended. Many years of shallow breathing and even unconsciously holding my breath. I haven't read up on nauli and firebreathing .... not sure if I should ever try that. Just waiting for Christine's new material(s).

Still scheming on how I can get my old lady parts to a state where all is not sore and working up to getting brave enough to play around with a sponge .... so that once a month I can get out there and do a 60-second course, walk-trot, with my dog (but with uneven dirt ... horse barns ... and some twisting and turning). As, I STILL want to do agility with my dog. I will have to explain that at some time. I don't know if any links are allowed (so I could show what I am talking about. I am not a world class athlete and approaching 70, I don't really run, but very worried that agility will compromise my BP .. and the training/playing I do with my dog).

Totally rambling and off course from the topics. So will stop and see if I can get it saved.

Thank you, again, to Christine, and the WW Crew/Moderators and all the Post Contributors!! I am relieved to be able to study and learn ... and soon purchase some helpful products for me.

Aging gracefully

January 21, 2016 - 9:10pm

Hi back in time,
So glad to see you back posting! Please do show us your dog training video. We could maybe give you some points on modifying some of your movements to be more whole woman friendly.

back in time

January 22, 2016 - 3:33pm

Got the honey up there while standing.

After inserting honey (when you first start doing so), can you feel sore? Maybe not sore, but tender? I've only got a dab in once (maybe twice). Not trying for 2x/day yet.

Maybe something else is going on. Not sure. I am working on drinking more water (never been great at that....no thirst). Maybe a hydrated bladder can cause a feeling of sensitivity/tenderness.

Does any one lubricate your appendage and then dab on the honey?

back in time

January 22, 2016 - 3:40pm

Aging Gracefully ... thank you so much for your reply.

I will work on getting a new video made. I don't do much videoing (never much desire to use a camera).
[a downfall to being a good dog trainer .... videos should be done, along with record keeping .... oh well, we just do it for my dog to have something to do re: a job and a fun way for us to spend time together]

I have some old videos (they show pretty bad posture); and a couple that I actually paid for when we trialed one day. I will take a look-see and see if I need to cut them down time-wise. The hubby gets so nervous watching us in a course run, that he normally does not go w/ us. LOL

Aging gracefully

January 22, 2016 - 4:44pm

Hi back in time,
Here is a thread where Christine explains a bit more about the honey and a stinging feeling that some people get when applying it:

https://www.wholewoman.com/forum/node/5917

You will find her reply part way down. And, also another very interesting post from her further down in this thread. It's a great read!