Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Honey known as Madhu in Ayurveda is a sweet fluid produced by Apis species. Unlike other sweets it possesses Astringent secondary taste with Dry qualities. While Sweet in taste it has a Pungent post digestive effect and Cold potency allowing it to pacify Kapha and Pitta doshas effectively. It acts as a Yogavahi or bio enhancer penetrating tissues to deliver medicines. Therapeutically it is a premier scraping agent known as Lekhana used for obesity and diabetes known as Prameha. It also heals wounds and treats respiratory disorders like cough and asthma. Ayurveda strictly warns that honey becomes toxic known as Visa if heated or mixed with hot substances or equal quantities of ghee.
Honey, known in Ayurveda as Madhu, is a naturally occurring sweet fluid produced by honeybees by the enzymatic transformation of floral nectar. In Ayurveda, it is far more than just a sweetener; it is considered a powerful therapeutic agent and a Yogavāhī—a substance that penetrates deep into the tissues and potentiates the action of other medicines mixed with it. Unlike sugar, which increases Kapha, Honey is unique for its ability to balance Kapha dosha due to its astringent sub-taste and scraping qualities.
Honey is a thick, syrupy, translucent fluid, varying from yellow to yellowish-brown. In Ayurveda, it is classified under Jangama Dravya (animal origin products). It is highly valued for its ability to unite fractured tissues (Sandhana) and heal wounds (Ropana). Charaka Samhita describes four types of honey: Mākṣika (oil-colored, considered the best), Bhrāmara (white and heavy), Kṣaudra (brownish), and Paittika (ghee-colored).
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Charaka Samhita:
Honey is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:
The recommended dosage according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is:
Honey is considered safe for almost all ages when used correctly. However, Ayurveda issues strict warnings regarding its heating and combination with hot substances, which can render it toxic.
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Mel (Honey)
World Health Organization
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42052
Codex Alimentarius – Standard for Honey (CODEX STAN 12-1981)
FAO/WHO
https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) – Madhu
https://www.ayush.gov.in
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) – Honey Standards
https://www.fssai.gov.in
PubMed – Honey Medicinal Research Articles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=honey+medicinal+properties
ScienceDirect – Honey Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/honey
SpringerLink – Clinical Studies on Honey
https://link.springer.com
Wiley Online Library – Honey Research Articles
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
USDA – Honey Nutritional Profile (FoodData Central)
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
National Honey Board (USA)
https://www.honey.com
** **Q. Can it be taken daily?
Yes, in small quantities (e.g., 1 tsp) it can be taken daily to scrape fat and maintain health, provided it is not heated.
Q. When should it be taken?
It is often taken in the morning with room-temperature water for weight management, or as a vehicle with medicines.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
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Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Honey known as Madhu in Ayurveda is a sweet fluid produced by Apis species. Unlike other sweets it possesses Astringent secondary taste with Dry qualities. While Sweet in taste it has a Pungent post digestive effect and Cold potency allowing it to pacify Kapha and Pitta doshas effectively. It acts as a Yogavahi or bio enhancer penetrating tissues to deliver medicines. Therapeutically it is a premier scraping agent known as Lekhana used for obesity and diabetes known as Prameha. It also heals wounds and treats respiratory disorders like cough and asthma. Ayurveda strictly warns that honey becomes toxic known as Visa if heated or mixed with hot substances or equal quantities of ghee.
Honey, known in Ayurveda as Madhu, is a naturally occurring sweet fluid produced by honeybees by the enzymatic transformation of floral nectar. In Ayurveda, it is far more than just a sweetener; it is considered a powerful therapeutic agent and a Yogavāhī—a substance that penetrates deep into the tissues and potentiates the action of other medicines mixed with it. Unlike sugar, which increases Kapha, Honey is unique for its ability to balance Kapha dosha due to its astringent sub-taste and scraping qualities.
Honey is a thick, syrupy, translucent fluid, varying from yellow to yellowish-brown. In Ayurveda, it is classified under Jangama Dravya (animal origin products). It is highly valued for its ability to unite fractured tissues (Sandhana) and heal wounds (Ropana). Charaka Samhita describes four types of honey: Mākṣika (oil-colored, considered the best), Bhrāmara (white and heavy), Kṣaudra (brownish), and Paittika (ghee-colored).
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Charaka Samhita:
Honey is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:
The recommended dosage according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is:
Honey is considered safe for almost all ages when used correctly. However, Ayurveda issues strict warnings regarding its heating and combination with hot substances, which can render it toxic.
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Mel (Honey)
World Health Organization
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42052
Codex Alimentarius – Standard for Honey (CODEX STAN 12-1981)
FAO/WHO
https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) – Madhu
https://www.ayush.gov.in
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) – Honey Standards
https://www.fssai.gov.in
PubMed – Honey Medicinal Research Articles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=honey+medicinal+properties
ScienceDirect – Honey Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/honey
SpringerLink – Clinical Studies on Honey
https://link.springer.com
Wiley Online Library – Honey Research Articles
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
USDA – Honey Nutritional Profile (FoodData Central)
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
National Honey Board (USA)
https://www.honey.com
** **Q. Can it be taken daily?
Yes, in small quantities (e.g., 1 tsp) it can be taken daily to scrape fat and maintain health, provided it is not heated.
Q. When should it be taken?
It is often taken in the morning with room-temperature water for weight management, or as a vehicle with medicines.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
Report Problem