Therapeutic Uses of Honey in Ayurveda
The FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission defines honey as ‘the natural sweet substance produced by honeybees from the nectar of flowers or from secretions coming from living organisms feeding on plants, that bees gather, transform and combine with specific ingredients, store and leave to ripen in the combs of the hive.’
In Ayurveda honey is called as “Madhu”. Its qualities are explained as follows.
“Vaatalam guru sheetam cha raktapittakaphapaham |
Sandhatru cchedanam ruksham kashayam madhuram madhu ||”
“It has sweetness (madhura rasa) with added astringent as end taste (Kashaya anu rasa). It is heavy (guru guna), dry (ruksha) and cold (sheeta). Its effect on doshas is as follows It aggravates vata, scrapes kapha and normalizes pitta and rakta. It promotes healing process.”
The contents of Honey are:
1. Sugars like fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, lactose and other disaccharides and trisaccharides.
2. Proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids.
3. Volatile aromatic substances.
4. Ashes and water etc.
Various ingredients of honey have helped it to become not only a sweet liquid but also a natural product with high nutritional and medicinal value.
The medicinal quality, taste, texture, color, aroma of honey differs according to the geographical area and the species of plants from which it has been collected.
Types of Honey:
Eight types of honey are described in Ayurveda depending on the type of bee which collects it. They are Pouttika, Bhramara, Kshoudra, Makshika, Chatra, Arghya, Oudalaka, Dala.
Pouttika – This honey is collected by very large bees from the nectar of poisonous flowers. It increases vata, causes gout and burning sensation in chest. It is also sedative and reduces fat.
Bhramara – This honey is collected by large bees and sticky in nature.
Kshoudra – (Honey collected by medium sized honey bees) light and cold in nature. Dissolves Kapha.
Makshika – (Honey collected by small honey bees) very light and dry natured. Usefull in VataKapha diseases and kapha diseases.
Chatra – Heavy and cold in nature useful in gout, Leucoderma (Shwitra).
Arghya – Good for eyes but causes arthritis.
Oudalaka – Useful in skin diseases, and helps in modulation of voice.
Dala – Dry and reduces vomiting.
Amongst all the above “Makshika” is considered as the best type with immense medicinal properties.
Therapeutic Uses of Honey:
1. As it contains sugars which are quickly absorbed by our digestive system and converted into energy, this can be used as instant energizer.
2. As it is hygroscopic it speeds up healing, growth of healing tissue and dries it up.
3. Honey acts as a sedative and is very useful in bed wetting disorders.
4. Honey is very good antioxidant which restores the damaged skin and gives soft, young looks.
5. Honey has antibacterial properties due to its acidic nature and enzymically produced hydrogen peroxide.
6. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.
In Ashtanga Hridaya the great classic of Ayurveda, the therapeutic uses of honey are explained as follows.
“Chakshushayam Chedi tritshleshmavishahidmaasrapittanut |
Mehakushtakrimicchardishwaasakaasaatisaarajit ||
Vranashodhana sandhaanaropanam vaatalam madhu ||”
a.. Honey is very good for eyes and eye sight.
b.. It quenches thirst.
c.. Dissolves kapha.
d.. Reduces effects of poison.
e.. Stops hiccups.
f.. It is very useful in urinary tract disorders, worm infestations, bronchial asthma, cough, diarrhea and nausea, vomiting.
g.. Cleanse the wounds.
h.. It heals wounds.
i.. Helps in quick healing of deep wounds.
j.. Initiates growth of healthy granulation tissue.
k.. Honey which is newly collected from bee hive increases body weight and is a mild laxative.
l.. Honey which is stored and is old helps in metabolism of fat and scrapes Kapha.
Ayurveda explains another special quality of honey. Honey is called as “Yogavahi” . The substance which has a quality of penetrating the deepest tissue is called as Yogavahi. When honey is used with other herbal preparations it enhances the medicinal qualities of those preparations and also helps them to reach the deeper tissues.
Precautions to be taken before using honey:
a.. Honey should not be mixed with hot foods.
b.. Honey should not be heated.
c.. Honey should not be consumed when you are working in hot environment where you are exposed to more heat.
d.. Honey should never be mixed with rain water, hot and spicy foods, and fermented beverages like whisky, rum, brandy etc, ghee and mustard.
e.. Honey includes nectar of various flowers of which some may be poisonous. Poison has hot or Ushna qualities. When honey is mixed with hot and spicy foods the poisonous properties get enhanced and cause imbalance of doshas.
Few Home Remedies with Honey
a.. Mix 2 teaspoons of honey with carrot juice and consume regularly. This helps to improve eyesight and is very helpful for those who sit before computer for long hours.
b.. In cold, cough and congested chest mix 2 teaspoons of honey with equal quantity of ginger juice and should be consumed frequently.
c.. A mixture of black pepper powder, honey and ginger juice in equal quantities, when consumed thrice daily help to relieve the symptoms of asthma.
d.. Regular use of one teaspoon of garlic juice mixed with two teaspoons of honey help to control blood pressure.
e.. One glass of warm water taken with two teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in early morning reduces fat and purifies blood.
Consuming one spoon of honey daily help us to lead a healthy long life.
The Author:
Dr. Krishna.R.S has been an Ayurvedic Practitioner since 19 years, after getting a graduation degree in Ayurveda (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) in 1986 from University of Mysore, India. He completed his post graduation diploma about allopathic medicine and surgery from University of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. His articles about Ayurveda and life sciences have been published in many magazines. http://www.ayurhelp.com
Photo. Stock Snap
which honey brand is best for daily use for general good health & how consume it
Manuka honey is considered the best honey for daily use for general good health because of its antibacterial properties and high nutritional value. Manuka honey is produced by bees that pollinate the Manuka bush in New Zealand and Australia. It contains high levels of methylglyoxal, which gives it its antibacterial properties.
To consume Manuka honey, you can simply eat it raw or mix it with warm water, tea, or lemon juice. You can also use it as a natural sweetener in foods and drinks. It is important to note that consuming too much honey can lead to excess sugar intake, so it is recommended to consume it in moderation.
It is generally safe to put honey in warm tea. In fact, honey is a common natural sweetener for tea and is believed to have some health benefits, such as soothing a sore throat and boosting immunity. However, make sure to wait until the tea has cooled down a bit before adding honey, as high heat can destroy some of its nutrients
Hello! great information. Are you able to tell me why honey should’t be heated? Like if I use it in baking instead of sugar? Thank you
Honey is considered a raw food, and heating it could destroy its natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. These enzymes and nutrients are believed to have various health benefits.
As for using honey in baking, it can be used as a sweetener or a flavor enhancer. However, it may not be an ideal alternative to sugar in certain recipes since it has a distinct flavor and may also affect the texture of the baked goods. Additionally, if you want to get the full health benefits of honey, it’s best to consume it raw rather than expose it to heat. But if baked honey can’t be avoided, it’s still delicious and adds sweetness to every dish.
It is generally safe to put honey in warm tea, however, make sure to wait until the tea has cooled down a bit before adding honey, as high heat can destroy some of its nutrients.