ADVANTAGE OF HONEY IN THE LENS OF AYURVEDA

Discover the ancient health benefits of honey in Ayurveda. From its revered status as Madhu in holistic medicine to its valued medicinal properties, honey has been treasured for centuries. Join me in exploring the wisdom of Ayurveda and the natural healing properties of honey. Learn how embracing this golden liquid can enhance your overall health and discover the range of Ayurvedic nutrition. Let's dive into the reservoir of honey's natural healing properties and embark on a journey that starts with the wisdom of Ayurveda.

Ayurveda, echoing its ancient hymns for over 5,000 years, hails honey as the "Perfection of Sweetness." It attributes the unique blend of nutrients and healing prowess of honey to the harmonious balance of the five elements - earth, water, fire, air, and sky. Let us closely examine the fascinating nutritional benefits of honey from the profound perspective of Ayurveda. 

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ROLE OF HONEY IN VARIOUS DISEASES 

As a revered ingredient in medicinal formulations, honey possesses a remarkable quality known as "Yogavahi," as elucidated by Acharya Charak. This unique attribute allows honey to delve into the deepest tissues, becoming a potent enhancer of herbal preparations. Dr. Bhavsar illuminates this phenomenon, elucidating how honey not only amplifies the medicinal virtues of concoctions but also facilitates their absorption into the profound layers of our bodily tapestry.

Honey plays a crucial role in the healing symphony of Ayurvedic remedies. Honey is a marvel for wound healing, digestive issues, immune system support, respiratory ailments, and energy increases. It serves as a versatile instrument for wellbeing. Its antimicrobial and relaxing properties aid in the healing of wounds which may be internal or external, ease coughing, enhance digestion, provide sustained energy without causing crashes, and fortify the immune system against infections.

In the holistic landscape painted by Dr. Bhavsar, honey emerges as a dynamic force for health, offering distinct effects based on its freshness. Fresh honey, a product of buzzing hives, may contribute to weight gain and act as a mild laxative. In contrast, the aged counterpart becomes a stalwart ally in fat metabolism and Kapha elimination, making it the preferred choice for addressing health concerns. Beyond its medicinal charm, honey is renowned for enhancing body complexion, voice modulation, and a myriad of therapeutic benefits for the heart, from clearing hiccups to addressing breathing issues, coughs, worms, and even aiding in weight loss. 

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USES OF HONEY DURING THE RAINY SEASON

In the dance of seasons, honey emerges as a potent ally during the rainy season. A remedy for various skin disorders such as eczema, urticaria, fungal and bacterial infections, and psoriasis, honey becomes a beacon of health during the monsoons. Ayurveda christens honey as “Agnideepikam” and “Vrunshodhakam,” symbolizing its role in increasing digestion power and cleansing various skin conditions during this season.

The AIIMS Trauma Centre has conducted a six-week study on 45 patients and opined that “Honey is three times more potent than Betadine Povidone-iodine in treating skin problems.” For the health benefits of honey, one can take 2 to 3 spoons of honey with water which is not hot.

CAN A DIABETIC TAKE HONEY?

Many people wonder if honey is recommended for diabetes. The answer is YES. Honey plays a vital role in controlling diabetes as per Ayurveda.   Honey can be taken along with a certain combination of medicines as it will be more beneficial in controlling diabetes rather than taking it alone. Ayurveda recommends that honey must be taken in the case of diabetic patients and that too along with Ayurvedic medicines. There are three combinations of medicines with which honey will be many times more beneficial in reducing kapha and helping to dry extra wetness thereby controlling diabetes.

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HOW DOES HONEY WORK IN CONTROLLING THE DIABETES?

In diabetic patients, it is commonly seen that the kapha will be in a deteriorated condition.  If we want to control diabetes, then we need some medicine which will help in reducing the kapha. Now, let's understand what are the qualities of Kapha. The Kapha is Guru, which means it is heavy, it is cold and sticky, etc….  The whole world is made up of five things that are Pancha Mahabhuta- Sky, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.  Whenever the elements of water and earth are combined, then kapha will be formed in our body. Then we need such medicine which will reduce this extra wetness.

 

In Ayurveda, excessive urination in diabetic or sugar patients is called 'kledh', which means extra wetness. There are many diseases in which extra wetness increases in the body. Excessive wetness is seen in two special diseases - 'kusht' (in skin disorders) and 'prameh' (diabetes). To control or dry the increased extra quality of kapha and wetness, we need to take certain measures. Now the question is, what can dry it? We are talking about honey here. So, what is the property of honey?

To know the properties of honey, let us start with the Sushruta Samhita, Sutra sthana, Chapter No. 45, Verse No. 132. In verse 132, Sushruta explains some special qualities of the honey. Honey tastes sweet initially, but later it has an astringent taste. It is also a drying agent and can help to bring dryness to the body. One of the common symptoms of diabetes is frequent urination or a feeling of weakness due to excess wetness in the body. The dryness quality of honey can help to control this problem in diabetic patients.

Honey + Amla + Turmeric

It's common knowledge that Amla and honey both have a drying effect on the body and help reduce kapha. Although both are cool in nature, they can be combined for even better results. You can take it with honey or another special combination is turmeric specifically mentioned in the codes of Ayurveda.  

To make the mixture, simply combine 1 spoonful of Amla, 1 spoonful of honey, and 1/4th spoonful of turmeric. You can take this mixture once a day on an empty stomach in the morning or after a meal. Honey on its own has medicinal properties, but when combined with other Ayurvedic ingredients, it becomes even more powerful. This mixture can help control blood sugar levels by digesting kapha more quickly.

NagarMotha + Honey

Another medicine is NagarMotha, which is also known as Musta.  It helps in controlling diabetes. When combined with honey, it can be beneficial for obese individuals. To prepare this remedy, add 20 grams of NagarMotha to 2 litres of water. Boil this until it reduces to 1 litre. After the boiled water comes to room temperature and cools completely, add two spoons of honey to the mixture. Drink this water throughout the day to reap its benefits.

Giloy or Guduchi + Honey

Giloy or Guduchi also helps in controlling the sugar level because it is mostly bitter taste dominant and in more sense, it means bitter taste will do the job of drying. Take 20 ml of Giloy juice with honey.  This mixture can be taken once a day in the early morning on an empty stomach without eating or drinking anything OR after a meal. 

However, it's important to note that only pure honey should be used as adulterated honey may not provide the desired results in controlling diabetes. Honey is highly recommended for diabetes with the combination of ayurvedic medicines which are discussed here in detail.

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PRECAUTIONS AS PER AYURVEDA WHILE CONSUMING HONEY

It is advisable to refrain from combining honey with hot foods or water, avoid consuming it in hot environments, and be cautious of mixing honey with ghee in equal proportion. Additionally, it should not be paired with hot, spicy foods or fermented beverages such as whiskey, rum, brandy, or mustard.

Many people believe that mixing honey with hot water and lemon can help in reducing body fat. This remedy has become popular on social media and on the internet and is often recommended to be taken on an empty stomach every morning. Almost all the people who are suffering from obesity or fat must have used it at least once in their lifetime because this is an easy-to-see remedy but this can be life-threatening and also cause several diseases. Therefore, it's important to know the proper way of using honey to reduce body weight or obesity without causing any harm to the body.

First of all, let us know what the qualities of honey are. Charak Rishi, in the 245th Verse of the 27th Chapter, has said that,

 “Vatalam Guru Shitam Ch Rakt Pith Kaphaham Sandhaatu Chhedan Rooksham Kashayam Madhuram Madhu”. 

It means that all types of honey are of the nature of heavy, cold and dry, causing dryness in the body. According to Ayurveda, honey is known to strengthen the joints and help reduce body fat. It also can reduce bleeding, such as during menstruation, as well as nosebleeds and internal haemorrhages.

 

After telling the benefits of honey, Acharya Charak immediately cautioned in the next verse that in a hot environment and with hot things honey can turn into poison. It is advised that people suffering from heat should also avoid consuming honey as it can be harmful to them.

“Anyatha madhoo ushna ushnatha athvam vishanvaya guru ruksha kashyathvam chatyata alpam hitam Madhu”

Acharya Charka has given a strict warning that the honey which is heated or the honey which is used with hot things and the people who are suffering from the heat should not use honey, in these cases, honey will become life-threatening also. 

According to Acharya Charak, honey is considered to be poisonous in Ayurveda. Honey bees are inherently poisonous creatures, and they collect honey from various flowers. Therefore, honey should always be consumed in limited quantities. Ayurveda completely prohibits the use of honey with hot beverages like hot water, milk, or anything hot. Additionally, honey should not be heated. However, there are numerous misleading articles and videos on the internet and social media encouraging the use of honey with hot substances, which is considered poisonous in Ayurveda.

ADVANTAGES OF HONEY WATER

From the above discussion, it is clear that honey should not be heated or consumed with hot things.  So, what is the appropriate way of consuming honey? According to Ayurveda, the correct method is to mix honey with water that is not hot.

To prepare honey water, take one litre of water and boil it until it reaches 250 ml. Allow it to cool completely, and then mix in 2 to 3 spoons of honey. Now, your honey water is ready to use with double benefits. Firstly, the boiled water cooled completely is light in nature, always very easy to digest and can effectively eliminate kapha and fat from the body. Secondly, when honey is added to the water, the prepared honey water will become much more useful in losing weight healthily and naturally without any side effects, especially in the case of obese people who have been struggling with their weight since birth.

According to Ayurveda, honey should be used in moderation as excessive consumption can be harmful to our health. More than 500 years ago, the sage Charaka warned about the dangers of improper honey intake, which can lead to undigested matter known as "ama", the root cause of various diseases in Ayurvedic philosophy. Dr. Bhavsar cautions against consuming heated honey, as it can destroy digestive enzymes and result in ama or toxins in the body.

THE SWEET CONCLUSION: EMBRACING THE AYURVEDIC ESSENCE OF HONEY

 

In conclusion, Ayurvedic principles unveil honey not just as a sweetener but as a versatile tool for enhancing health and well-being. By understanding its unique nutritional profile, selecting the right type, and incorporating it into your daily routine according to your doshic constitution, you can unlock the transformative magic of this golden elixir, embarking on a journey towards holistic wellness.