The honey massage is primarily used to purify and detoxify the body and to stimulate the meridians and reflex zones. Through a targeted plucking technique, the ingredients of the honey can be absorbed by the body directly through the skin and penetrate deep into the connective tissue to dissolve deposited waste products and toxins and support the body in self-healing various ailments.

The plucking of the honey on the skin during this massage not only brings a sense of well-being, but can also be painfully challenging. Participants can therefore choose whether they want a gentle or sadomasochistic massage – the healing effect on the body comes naturally. I will show you how to perform this massage with mindfulness.

Back massage

The back massage lasts approx. 30-60 minutes, depending on how long it takes for the honey to be absorbed into the skin. Initially creamy for massaging, it becomes more like plucking with the hands as it dries on the skin. The honey is slowly detached from impurities that come out of the skin. At the end, these are best rubbed off with a warm, wet towel.

Facial massage

The honey massage can also be practised on your own face. Simply apply the honey, leave it on for 10 minutes and then dab rhythmically with your fingertips. Keep your mouth stretched like a fish’s mouth. Continue until the skin reddens and you have had enough. Finally, remove the honey and slag with a warm, wet flannel.

Towards the end of the massage, you will notice a change in the smell of the honey. Sweet and delicious at first, you will no longer want to eat the honey later on. After washing off the impurities, the skin can be treated with oil or cream. The massage can take effect after 24 hours without contact with water. I recommend drinking plenty of fluids.

Hairy skin & exclusion criteria

It is not recommended to perform a honey massage on hairy skin, as it is too painful. In my experience, however, it works well even on a hairy back. The honey sticks the hairs to the skin and plucking them does not hurt particularly. So I would give it a try. You can always stop the massage. Giving up the honey massage because of hair on your back seems like too great a sacrifice to me.
Allergies to bee products, bleeding tendencies and skin diseases are exclusion criteria.

Liquid creamy honey

You can warm crystallised honey slightly in a water bath to make it creamier. With completely liquid honey, it takes longer than 30 minutes for the impurities to come out. I recommend creamy honey that is slightly crystallised.

Honey recommendation

I recommend honey from beekeepers you trust. Honey from Germany and EU countries has high quality standards. Honey from non-EU countries is not recommended as 80% of honeys contain sugar syrup. (Proven by genetic test by the German Professional and Commercial Beekeepers’ Association in 2024. The accepted proof still has to overcome a few official hurdles) Honey for consumption should only be heated to a maximum of 40 degrees, otherwise all the valuable ingredients will be destroyed. It is therefore best to allow the tea to cool down.

I practise honey massage and give workshops to teach others how to do it for their own practice. For example, at the Milk’n Honey Festival from 28 May to 1 June 2025 in Poland. The whole programme is in English, sometimes in Polish. More information is available here: Milk’n’Honey Festival

And a honey massage workshop as part of the isi summer camp at the UHU Lodge, 26–31 August 2025.

If you would like to organise a honey massage workshop, feel free to contact me. s@salzundhonig.de