The Wonders of Honey: A Guide to Natural Healing

Honey, often dubbed as “liquid gold,” has been cherished for its therapeutic properties since ancient times. Beyond its delectable taste and culinary uses, honey boasts a plethora of medicinal benefits that have been recognized across various cultures and medical traditions. From wound healing to immune support, the diverse array of health-promoting properties exhibited by honey has garnered significant attention from researchers and healthcare professionals alike. This article aims to delve into the scientific evidence supporting the medicinal uses of honey, exploring its potential applications in modern medicine.

Honey is a sugary secretion deposited in the honeycomb by the species Apis. Varieties of Apis that make honey are Apis cerana, Apis dorsata, Apis mellifera, Apis andreniformis, Apis floria, Apis koschevnikov, and Apis laborisa.

Honey has a reference for ages and is described in all religious sects as well. It has a long history of human consumption in nutritional and medicinal aspects. It is used either as a sweetener or flavoring agent.

Historical Perspective

The use of honey as a medicinal substance traces back thousands of years, with references found in ancient Egyptian, Greek, Chinese, and Ayurvedic texts. In ancient Egypt, honey was utilized in embalming practices and as a treatment for wounds and infections due to its antimicrobial properties. Similarly, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, extolled the virtues of honey for healing wounds and soothing sore throats.

Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine mentions and gives prime importance to honey in various contexts like medicine, diet, Anupana (post-drink while taking medicines or in treatment modalities), as an agent used in various medicinal preparations, and in Panchakarma therapies. The Sanskrit word for honey is Madhu, Kshaudra, Makshika, Madhvika, Saragha, Bhringavanta, Pushparasodbhava, and various other names.

Brief description of Honeybee

Honeybee belongs to the Animal kingdom; Phylum – Arthropoda; Class – Insecta; Order – Hymenoptera; Family – Apidae; Genus – Apis; Species – mellifera, cerana, dorsata, etc.

As per a publication published in the year 2015 (K Sharma et al.), India ranks in seventh position among the top ten honey-producing countries in the world. The major honey-producing states in India are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Punjab, and Haryana. Tamil Nadu stands in first position among the South Indian states in apiculture farming followed by Kerala and Karnataka.

Preparation and collection of honey

Honeybees live in swarms that are gathered in hives. The undeveloped females or the worker bees collect nectar from the flowers and pass it through the esophagus into the honey sac. The nectar is a mixture of sucrose, salivary secretions containing invertase which is broken down to invert sugars. The worker bees deposit the contents of the honeysac into the prepared cells of the honeycomb. These cells are sealed by wax.

The honeycomb is smoked, bees are removed, and the comb is cut. The honey is collected either by drainage or by expression.

Physical characteristics of honey

The physical properties of honey are dependent on water content, type of flora, temperature, and certain sugar content. Physically fresh honey is a thick, translucent, syrupy liquid. The color is pale yellow or reddish brown, possessing a pleasant odor and sweet taste. At room temperature, honey is a semisolid solution of precipitated glucose granules. For instance, Honey collected from Datura stramonium is poisonous while that collected from the Eucalyptus species has an unpleasant odor and taste.

Chemical constituents of honey

The primary components are fructose (40-50%), glucose (30-40%), and minimal amounts of sucrose. Formic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, pyroglutamic, gluconic acid, and various aromatic acids are constituents. Vitamins, proteins, and gums are also present. Honey is cholesterol-free.

Physico-chemical properties of honey according to Ayurveda

Various references in Ayurveda have described the properties of Madhu (honey). Madhu possesses Madhura (sweet) and Kashaya (astringent) rasa (taste), it has sheeta veerya (cold potency), increases Vata dosha, and subsides kapha-pitta dosha.

Properties of fresh and old honey as per Ayurveda

Fresh honey has Brimhana karma (promotes nourishment of the body) but does not mitigate Kapha dosha and is laxative in action. Old honey (stored for one year) causes constipation and reduces fat and obesity.

Properties of mature and immature honey as per Ayurveda

Mature honey acts on tridosha to pacify them while immature honey aggravates tridosha and is sour.

Pharmacological properties of honey as per modern science

Various experimental and clinical studies have shown that it possesses anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antipyretic, laxative, cleansing and healing properties.

Nutritional composition of honey

Fructose and glucose are the major carbohydrates present in honey. Besides, it also contains dietary fibers, proteins, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B9, and Vitamin C. Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, and Zinc are the mineral components of honey.

Varieties of Madhu (honey) mentioned in Ayurveda

The varieties explained in Ayurveda vary according to different pioneers. Some accept four types of Madhu, and they are Makshika, Bhramara, Kshaudra, and Pauttika. Some others describe eight varieties of Madhu: Pauttika, Bhramara, Kshaudra, Makshika, Chatra, Arghya, Oudalaka, and Dala.

1. Pauttika Madhu – This variety of honey is collected by small black bees from the nectar of poisonous flowers. It has ruksha (dry), ushna (hot) properties and increases Vata, Pitta, and Rakta. It causes a burning sensation in the chest.
2. Bhramara Madhu – The honey formed and collected by the medium-sized black-coloured honeybees. It is Guru (heavy in digestion) and is excessively sweet in taste. It pacifies Rakta and Pitta.
3. Kshaudra Madhu – This variety of honey is formed by small bees that are brown in colour. It has sheeta (cold), laghu (light in digestion) properties. It is beneficial in Prameha (diabetes mellitus).
4. Makshika Madhu – This honey is formed by the large, brown-colored honeybees. Its consistency is like oil and is helpful in clinical conditions like Kamala (jaundice), Arshas (hemorrhoids), Kasa (cough),etc.
5. Chatra Madhu – The honey is yellow-colored and formed by yellowish-brown colored honeybees that make umbrella-shaped bee hives in the forests. It is Guru (heavy in digestion), and Pichcchila (slimy) and is useful in diseases like worm infestations, leukoderma, bleeding disorders, etc.
6. Arghya Madhu – Arghya honey is formed from the yellow-colored, sharp-mouthed honeybees that collect nectar from Madhuka (Madhuka indica) trees. The honey is white. It possesses Kashaya rasa (astringent taste) and after digestion, it has Katu rasa (pungent taste). It acts on vitiated Kapha-Pitta dosha. It has properties like Balya (strength promoter) and is beneficial to the eyes.
7. Ouddalaka Madhu – The honey is stored inside the anthills and the color is yellowish-brown. It has Kashaya and Amla rasa (astringent and sour tastes) and Katu rasa (pungent taste) after digestion. It aggravates Pitta dosha.
8. Dala Madhu – The unformed honey found in the flowers and is pink in color. It has Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), and Kashaya (astringent). It subsides vomiting and is useful in Prameha (diabetes mellitus).

Medicinal Properties of Honey

1. Antibacterial and Antimicrobial Activity: One of the most well-documented medicinal properties of honey is its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Honey contains hydrogen peroxide, which is produced by the enzymatic action of glucose oxidase on glucose, contributing to its antibacterial properties. Additionally, certain varieties of honey, such as Manuka honey from New Zealand, exhibit non-peroxide antimicrobial activity attributed to the presence of methylglyoxal (MGO) and other bioactive compounds. These antimicrobial properties make honey effective against a wide range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
2. Wound Healing: Honey has been used for centuries as a topical treatment for wounds and burns due to its ability to promote wound healing and tissue regeneration. Studies have demonstrated that honey creates a favorable environment for wound healing by reducing inflammation, preventing infection, and stimulating the proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Furthermore, the hygroscopic nature of honey helps maintain a moist wound environment, which is conducive to faster healing.
3. Antioxidant Effects: Honey contains various antioxidants, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and vitamin C, which help neutralize harmful free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage. Regular consumption of honey has been associated with reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, which are implicated in the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions.
4. Immunomodulatory Effects: Several studies have suggested that honey exhibits immunomodulatory effects, meaning it can regulate the activity of the immune system. Honey has been shown to enhance the production of cytokines, stimulate phagocytosis, and promote the proliferation of lymphocytes, thereby strengthening the body’s defense mechanisms against infections and diseases.
5. Gastrointestinal Health: Honey has been traditionally used to alleviate gastrointestinal ailments such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, and diarrhea. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties may help combat bacterial infections and reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, the prebiotic properties of honey support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, contributing to overall gut health.

Clinical Applications

The medicinal properties of honey have found application in various fields of medicine, including wound care, dermatology, otolaryngology, gastroenterology, and oncology. In clinical settings, honey-based products such as honey dressings, creams, and syrups are used for the management of chronic wounds, surgical wounds, diabetic ulcers, radiation-induced mucositis, and other medical conditions. Moreover, honey supplements and formulations are being investigated for their potential therapeutic benefits in conditions ranging from respiratory infections to metabolic disorders.

Honey as Home Remedy

• Intake of one teaspoon of garlic juice and two teaspoons of honey regularly twice a day helps control blood pressure.
• One teaspoon each of lemon juice and honey mixed with one glass of warm water taken on an empty stomach in the morning helps purify the blood.
• In asthma, a mixture of honey, ginger juice, and black pepper powder in equal quantities till the symptoms subside is taken.
• For improving eyesight, one teaspoon of honey and carrot juice to be taken daily is helpful.
• Apply 5 ml of honey mixed with a little quantity of lemon juice as a face wash.
• External application of honey over cracked lips is helpful.
• To apply the luster of the hair, add 5ml of honey in four cups of warm water and rinse the hair.

Safety Considerations

While honey is generally safe for consumption and topical application, certain precautions should be taken, especially in vulnerable populations such as infants under the age of one year and individuals with compromised immune systems. Raw honey may contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism in infants, hence it should not be given to infants. Additionally, individuals allergic to bee pollen or bee venom may experience allergic reactions to honey and should avoid its consumption or use.

• Avoid excess intake of honey.
• Avoid honey intake with hot food items, spicy foods, rainwater, alcohol, etc.
• Avoid eating honey while working in hot environments.
• Avoid feeding honey to infants under the age of 12 months to avoid the risk of botulism.
• Avoid mixing and consuming equal amounts of honey and water and honey and ghee.

Adulterants of the honey

Corn syrup, cane sugar, and artificial inverted sugars are some of the adulterants of honey. Chemical tests like Fiehe’s test for artificial inverted sugars, and reduction of Fehling’s solution help in detecting the genuinity of honey.

The religious significance of honey

• In Hinduism, honey is considered one of the Panchamrita (five elixirs of immortality).
• In temples, Madhu (honey)is poured over the deities in a ritual called Madhu Abhishek.
• In Buddhism, Buddhists observe Madhu Poornima, a festival day that commemorates Lord Goutham Buddha making peace among his disciples by retreating into the wilderness. On this day, Buddhists offer honey to monks.
• In the tradition and culture of Islam, Prophet Mohammed mentions honey as a healing agent and the holy book, Quran mentions the use of honey in the regular diet.
• Ramamurthi, An Indian Sandow used honey in his regular diet.
• Goliath, a Philistine giant, and Hercules, a legendary hero in Greek and Roman mythology also used to have honey regularly in their diet.

Conclusion

Honey is a sugary deposit of honeybees collected from the nectar of various flowers. It is rich in fructose and glucose. Ayurveda has explained Madhu or honey elaboratively in the texts. Characteristics of fresh and old honey, mature and immature honey, and eight varieties of honey with their properties and therapeutic applications are explained in classical references of the Indian system of medicine. Medicinally, honey has a lot of importance and possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, wound healing, and pharmacological actions. It is used in clinical conditions like asthma, obesity, respiratory infections, skin disorders, burn injuries, etc. It also serves as a good product from a cosmetic perspective. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islamic traditions follow the practice of honey in different rituals.

References

1. Alvarez-Suarez, J. M., Giampieri, F., & Battino, M. (2013). Honey as a source of dietary antioxidants: structures, bioavailability and evidence of protective effects against human chronic diseases. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 20(5), 621-638.
2. Kwakman, P. H., & Zaat, S. A. (2012). Antibacterial components of honey. IUBMB life, 64(1), 48-55.
3. Molan, P. C. (2015). Honey: antimicrobial actions and role in disease management. New Zealand Medical Journal, 128(1410), 55-69.
4. Al-Waili, N. S., Saloom, K. Y., Al-Waili, T. N., & Al-Waili, A. N. (2011). Influence of various diet regimens on deterioration of health and development of gastrointestinal ulceration and small bowel obstruction and their prevention with natural honey. Preventive Medicine, 52, S98-S102.
5. Eteraf-Oskouei, T., & Najafi, M. (2013). Traditional and modern uses of natural honey in human diseases: a review. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 16(6), 731-742.
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