Honey in Ayurveda
By madhudhara
Ayurveda has a significant influence on many aspects of Indian tradition, and India is a nation rich in culture. Ayurveda emphasizes the three main bodily doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha—when it comes to health.
The cure for all of these doshas is one of the advantages of raw honey. The only natural sweetener that is both heavy and chilly while still giving the body the necessary warmth is honey.
As it plays a part in transporting the necessary components of food/medicine to their appropriate locations in the body, raw honey can be used with other foods or medications for health benefits. Due to its restorative qualities, honey is always given top priority in Ayurveda.
The advantages of honey are mentioned in a wide range of religious texts and ideologies. For instance, the Bible and the Quran both highlight its advantages for the body and the intellect. One of the primary ingredients described in the Indian Vedas, including in ayurveda, is honey.
Use of honey in Ayurvedic medicines
Honey is applied both internally and externally in Ayurveda. The most common conditions it is used to treat include eye disorders, cough, thirst, phlegm, hiccups, leprosy, diabetes, obesity, worm infestation, vomiting, asthma, diarrhoea, and wound healing.
Additionally, it should be remembered that although old honey causes constipation and diminishes body mass, fresh honey aids in increasing body mass. Honey has a poisonous impact and should not be cooked or ingested warm. Always choose cold honey over warm honey.
Forms of honey in Ayurveda
There are eight different forms of honey, according to ayurveda:
1. Makshikam: Used to cure TB, asthma, piles, hepatitis, eye conditions, and cough.
2. Bhraamaram: A medication used to cure vomited blood
3. Kshoudram: A medication for diabetes
4. Pauthikam: Used to treat urinary infections and diabetes
5. Chathram: Used to cure diabetes, worm infestation, and blood vomiting.
6. Aardhyam: Beneficial for anaemia, cough, and eye conditions
7. Ouddalakam: Enhances swarasudhi and flavour. Used to cure leprosy and instances of poisoning
8. Daalam: It improves digestion and aids in the management of diabetes, coughing, and vomiting.