Honey – The nectar of the Gods

Honey, the natural nectar of our bees has long been used by traditional healers all over the World.

Modern medicine is now recognising the healing properties of honey. And it is implemented in hospitals for patients with wounds, stomach ulcers and scleroses.

I was pleasantly surprised when my dad was prescribed honey for a deep cavity in his leg after an operative attempt to stabilise a broken leg with screws – where one of the screws unscrew. This caused an infection and a further operation. Now every other day the nurse changes his dressing and fills up the wound with honey.

In Ayurveda honey has long been prescribed for various ailments such as ulcers and cough, it is said to be aphrodisiac and a vermifuge according to The Sushruta Samhita Sutrasthanam (a classical Ayurvedic text). In the Chikitsa Sthanam it is used with sesame paste and neem to purify and heal sores.

In fact it is often used as a “carrier”, or anupan, for other herbs. The Caraka Samhita, one of the classical ayurvedic texts, recommends a daily dose of honey. However it can cause heaviness and a build up of ama, toxins, so should not be taken in vast amounts. In ayurveda honey is never heated as it is said to change the qualities and make it toxic. It should also not be mixed with spicy foods or ghee. (And perhaps modern scientific studies agree with some of these view).

My grandmother always had a teaspoon of honey every single day. She was well, alert, content until her very last days when she passed at age 91. Perhaps it’s time to follow her example.