Honey is one of the
most appreciated and valued natural products handed down to mankind by nature.
Though usage of honey is traced back to some 8000 years, it’s not until modern
times that its curative qualities have been completely understood. Modern
research has revealed numerous therapeutic uses of honey for clinical
conditions ranging from wound healing to cancer treatment.

Honey is referred to
as “Madhu” in Ayurvedic science. It aggravates Vata, crapes Kapha
and normalises Pitta, the three fundamental doshas, the
equilibrium of which is necessary for optimal health.

Uses of Honey

Honey is used by
households for a variety of purposes like in baking, spreading on bread or
toast, and as an addition to various beverages such as tea. A little bit of
honey when added to a pastry recipe will retard staling (natural preservative),
thanks to its hygroscopic (drawing moisture from air) property. Raw honey
contains enzymes that help in digestion as well as provision of several
vitamins and antioxidants.

Action on body

1)     
Honey is good for eyes
and improving eyesight

2)     
It quenches thirst

3)     
Dissolves kapha

4)     
It is anti-poisonous

5)     
Stops hiccups

6)     
Useful in urinary
disorders, worm infestations, bronchial asthma, cough, diarrhoea and
nausea/vomiting.

7)     
Cleanses and heals
wounds.

8)     
Helps in quick healing
of deep wounds and initiates growth of healthy granulation of tissue.

Therapeutic uses of honey

1)     
It contains sugars
that are quickly absorbed by our digestive system and get converted into
energy; this can be used as instant energizer.

2)     
It is hygroscopic and
speeds up healing of wounds. It removes malodour, aids in growth of healing
tissue and dries up injuries.

3)     
Honey’s
anti-inflammatory activity reduces edema (swelling), minimizes scarring and
stimulates growth of granulation and epithelial tissues to speed healing. It
not only clears rapidly existing infection but also protects wounds from
additional infection.

4)     
It acts as a sedative
and is very useful in curing bedwetting disorders.

5)     
It is a very good
antioxidant, plays a major role in prevention of cancer as well as heart
disease.

6)     
It restores damaged
skin and gives a soft and young look. It can be safely applied by those having
sensitive skin.

7)     
Honey has
antibacterial properties due to its acidic nature and enzymatically produced
hydrogen peroxide.

8)     
Constant use of honey strengthens
white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

9)     
Honey may be
beneficial to athletes as it reduces fatigue. Honey is a good source of glucose
and fructose (according to National Honey Institute)

10)  Honey may be useful
for sore throat conditions also. It may not heal your sore throat but it will
make you feel better. The taste may also take your mind off the pain.

11)  Honey that is local to
where one lives can also help with seasonal pollen allergies because it
contains the same pollen that is producing the allergy. Consumed in this way it
can act as an immune booster.

12)  Honey diluted in water
is helpful for curing stomach aches and dehydration.

Precautions to be taken before using honey

1)     
Honey should not be heated.

2)     
Honey should not be
consumed when you are working in a hot environment.

3)     
Honey should never be
mixed with rain water, hot, spicy foods, and alcoholic beverages, ghee and
mustard oil. When honey is mixed with these, the poisonous properties get
enhanced and cause imbalance of doshas.

Honey Home remedies

1)     
Mix 2 teaspoon of
honey with carrot juice and consume it regularly. This helps to improve
eyesight and is also helpful for those spending long hours before electronic
gadgets.

2)     
Mix 2 tsp of honey
with equal quantity of ginger juice and should be consumed frequently. It is
good for those having cold, cough and congested chest.

3)      One glass of lukewarm
water taken with two tsp of honey and 1 tsp of lemon juice in the early morning
reduces fat and purifies blood.

4)     
Consuming one spoon of
honey daily helps us to lead a healthy life.

Checking purity of
honey

1)     
A cotton wick dipped
in pure honey when lighted with a matchstick burns. This shows the purity of
honey. If adulterated, the presence of water will not allow honey to burn. If
it does, it’ll produce a cracking sound.

2)     
Pure honey does not
dissolve in water quickly but impure honey dissolves quickly when compared to
pure honey.

3)     
Mix a spoon of honey
in a cup of water and find out whether it dissolves to check its purity.

(The author Dr Brindha
S is an Ayurvedic physician at the Arya Vaidya Chikitsalayam & Research
Institute, Coimbatore).