Ayurvedic Health Benefits of Honey

Honey: Full of nutrients, antioxidants, and antibacterial properties, honey has been known to the world for a long time. Used in almost every Ayurvedic remedy, honey benefits and uses are endless. Scientifically, honey is addressed as Mel.

What is Honey?

If you have ever tasted honey, which you must have indeed, you must have known it is a syrupy liquid. It is made by honeybees, especially Apis Mellifera. You will find them being used in several food recipes. How would these recipes, like honey potato, honey pancake, and more, have been tastier without it?

Walking in Uttarakhand, you can enjoy tasting the real flavour of natural honey. Uttarakhand honey is very popular and healthy. People prefer to bring more uses of honey when the honey is bought from here. It is now available in several forms. Have you ever tried mixing it with Ayurvedic kadha or herbal tea? The Pahadi Story serves honey products directly from the heart of Uttarakhand. Have you tried them yet?

History of Honey

You all have read about the advantages of honey, but have you wondered how it would have started, like how the world finally managed to taste something so sweet and made naturally?

The history of honey is as deep as the emergence of human civilization. Dating on prehistoric times and further travelling to ancient trends, religious paths, and above all, the medicinal fields, it was found everywhere. Oops, we missed honey benefits for culinary purposes! If you know what Palaeolithic humans are, you will be surprised to know that honey started in that era. Today, it is inseparable from many cultures and religious activities.

Different Names Of Honey

The name of honey comes from the floral source from which it is extracted by bees. After these flowers, honey is named as clover honey, orange blossom honey, acacia honey, buckwheat honey, and eucalyptus honey. Honey, as we all know, is the concentrated and carefully preserved nectar—a real hard work from such small bees. It is also known as Sehad and Madhu. In Spanish and French, honey is regarded as Miel. In the Russian language, it is called Med. In Chinese, people address it as Feng mi. People of Germany call it as Honig, and in Italian, you will find people calling it Miele. The Greek people call it Meli, and the Turkish name it as Bal. In Dutch, it is called Honing, and in Arabic, it is Asal. No matter what the name is, the sweetness remains the same.

9 Different Types of Honey

Talking about the different types of honey, it comes in more than 300 varieties. The varieties depend upon the flowers used in the process to make it.  Some jamun honey or other fruit honey is also worth trying for! These are some of the honey types available in the market:

1. Monofloral honey

It is produced from one flower's nectar. As it is from one flower’s nectar, especially Manuka flowers, the level of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties is always on the higher side. Manuka flower is full of benefits and is expensive, and hence the honey extracted from it is more expensive. This fact makes it more expensive. 

2. Multifloral honey

It is the honey that is collected from nectar from different flowers. Here, as mentioned, the nectar is collected from various sources, making the final honey richer in nutrients. It has a good amount of antioxidants, minerals, and enzymes in it. It is cheaper when compared to monofloral honey. 

3. Raw honey

It is an unprocessed honey with higher health benefits. It is full of antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory features. It never loses its natural enzymes, propolis, and bee pollen. It is very good for recovering from wounds, healing, and severe cold and cough. It has several other health benefits. While looking for best raw honey, you can try the purest raw honey from The Pahadi story, delivering the best.

4. Pasteurized honey 

It is the honey that is further heated and sieved to remove impurities. It can be preserved for a long time with the same taste. It is often transparent and looks good at a glance. It is often used in making desserts. 

5. Blossom honey 

It is the one that is produced through flower nectar. It is the real, organic form of honey. It is never ever blended. It is highly useful in controlling muscle spasms and relaxing muscles.

6. Honeydew honey

It is developed from plant sucking insect secretions. It is highly rich in several components, including mineral salts and iron. It is full of antibiotic properties, too. It might work well against several pathogenic bacteria.

7. Comb honey

It is the honey that lies in the honeycomb. It is indeed the most naturally formed honey which, if you are lucky can find in your neighborhood. Bees make it in the form of wax or hexagons. This honey is chewy but full of health benefits. 

8. Creamed honey 

It is an exclusive type of honey that was crystallized first and then turned into a smooth texture. It has antioxidant properties. It spreads easily and is not messy. It works wonders if you use it while suffering from a cold and a cough. It is also known as whipped honey, soft set honey, and honey fondant. 

9. Chunk honey

It has pieces of honeycomb. It is often served with some food and is known for its excellent taste. It is too sweet and gives a fibrous texture when eaten. Its chunky texture may look strange, but it is good and healthy to try on. 

Every honey type has a different taste, colour, flavour, and, above all, texture. But one thing that lies common here is the sweetness. The forest honey, though, holds great importance in regards to health and other benefits, especially when it comes from Uttarakhand, the blissful land.

Role of Honey In Balancing Doshas

Honey brings several health benefits, including the three doshas balancing effects. The sweet taste pacifies Vata, and with its hygroscopic nature, it deals with the dryness of Vata. It also increases kapha qualities.

It also has nutritional properties. It has carbohydrates, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. It is an immediate energy source.

Vitamins and Minerals

While testing clinically, honey has traces of vitamins B and C. It also has potassium, magnesium, calcium, and other minerals. It can indeed help in your overall well-being.

Antioxidant

It helps in the digestion process and might reduce inflammation.

Have you tried the benefits of honey with milk? If not, try it now!

Health Benefits of Honey

Benefits of honey with water are something we all have tried once in our lifetime and are aware of honey benefits in it. Check the health benefits of honey, and you will be amazed to know how much this sweet liquid holds for you. It is used in several home remedies and even in many medicinal treatments, especially in Ayurveda.

Ayurvedic Benefits of Honey With Milk

The combination of milk and honey brings several health benefits to your plate. It serves you with the following:

• Better bone health
• Might help with better health conditions
• Good bone health

The combination of pure milk and honey can be seen commonly in drinks, food and desserts. You can even bring some new recipes that you believe will enhance the taste and health. Ayurveda says that when honey is mixed with milk, it brings the benefits of both. Just remember to use the pure form of both.

Ayurvedic Honey Benefits with Water

Water is the main essence of life, and when the sweetness of honey is added to it, it becomes a comforting drink, which is mentioned somewhere in all Ayurvedic books. Honey with warm water is known to activate biochemical reactions. This, in return, boosts overall health. This combination blend harnesses the compounds of nature and benefits one overall. It helps with one's digestion and removes toxins from the body.

Just a note of advice. Never try to take out the honey from a beehive on your own. It can be dangerous. Either hire a professional or bring the sweetness of Uttarakhand home.

Though you must know a lot about the honey by now, to understand what health benefits it serves, you need to dive in deeply. The name golden elixir never arrived like that for honey. It has multiple benefits to learn and apply for overall healthy wellbeing.

A Walk To The Healthy Road With Honey

Honey uses have been endless, and every day its role in Ayurveda is vivid. Let us know some of the major ones:

1. Digestive Aid

Raw honey benefits are huge. Starting with its sweet taste, it also stimulates digestive juices while working on the agni (Digestive issues). Suppose you take a spoonful of honey in warm water, once a day, especially before meals, which can assist you with several health disorders like indigestion, constipation, and bloating. People suffering from Pitta or Vata might find it helpful for digestive support.

2. Honey Might Help With Respiratory Soother

Honey comes with several demulcent properties, especially the ones indulge with coating irritated and soothing problems. This makes it the right stoppage for congestion, cold and cough issues. Almost in every ayurvedic remedy for cold and cough, you will find honey like tulsi honey as a major ingredient besides liquorice, tulsi, and ginger. One can try it with herbal teas, ayurvedic kadhas or directly with warm water. It might directly help in soothing the cough and sore throat.

3. Immunity Booster-Honey The Real Warrior

If honey is used regularly, it might help to make you strong and might internally fight off the environmental stress, too. You can use it in your daily routine if it suits you. People prefer to take it in different forms, especially when they suffer from some illness, as it supports their overall immune system.  

4. Let Your Wound Heal With Honey

Honey comes with hygroscopic properties. It also has an antibacterial feature. Together, it might help in treating the fresh wound. It is believed that if a thin layer of raw honey is placed on the wound, it will help to deal with the infection. Remember to consult your health specialist before you try anything new on medical terms.

5. Let Your Skin Shine With Honey

If you want to see how honey helps your skin shine, you need to apply it directly to your skin. It has antibacterial and moisturizing properties, which let your skin shine flawlessly. It hydrates and supplements the skin while delivering the needed moisture to the skin. The antibacterial properties help in removing the acne and make the skin clean and clear. Several facemasks are made with honey by mixing them with several ingredients. It is a part of a natural exfoliating scrub, too.

6. Honey Might Help in Increasing Energy

Honey comes up with natural sugar, which acts as an immediate source of energy. Having a spoonful of honey anytime in the day might help with kapha or Vata dominance. It is especially good for those who are suffering from unwanted fatigue and looking for solutions. Do not take honey as a replacement for your treatment; you might take it along with it.

7. Might Sleep Well With Honey Consumption

Honey comes with special abilities to maintain a balance of Vata dosha. In return, this property can help you obtain the biggest thing you strive for in the modern world- peaceful sleep. You can add honey to the warm milk and enjoy the raw honey benefits. It creates a calming effect and encourages better and sound sleep. It can prove a big help to those who are struggling to sleep well, but don't forget to visit your doctor first before starting to use it regularly.

Honey's Role in Mental Well-being 

Well-being is something that cannot stay limited to the physical self. A healthy soul needs to be mentally healthy, too. Honey might help you with it as it might have a calming and balancing effect on your mind. Now, were you able to decipher why some people prefer taking it in the morning? Besides adding energy, it passes the calming effects too! Indeed, the best way to start the day! 

The sweetness it holds also delivers the pinch of contentment. This might be the reason why some cultures have sehad chatana rituals for newborns. 

Its taste can uplift the mood, and you must have seen its presence in several meditation practices. You can try eucalyptus honey directly from the mountains to experience the healthy benefits and that nature. Surely, you would have never thought of the fact that honey can bring you close to nature. Have you ever thought that the benefits of eating honey can take you so far ahead?

Facts to Remember While Adding Honey to Your Daily Routine 

Let us start by quoting before trying anything new in your daily routine. Remember to consult your doctor. Sometimes what is a blessing for one can be a curse to another, so just don't try something because it benefited others.

Some of the things that you should properly check to determine honey benefits are as follows:

• You will find honey varieties in the market, but remember to opt for natural, raw, high-quality honey that has been sourced from the organic honey sellers. You can try the local honey sellers, too. Among other raw honey benefits, retaining natural enzymes and carrying several health benefits is always at the top.
• There are many health benefits of honey, but remember to understand what dosage will suit you. You can start with a tablespoon of honey every day, but slowly the amount can be increased or decreased depending upon your doshic density. Sometimes it also varies from individual to individual.  
• The benefits of honey with warm water are something that almost everyone is aware of. Consuming it in the morning is considered to be an effective practice for better digestion.
• If you are undergoing diabetic treatment or medication, take honey as per the quantity the medical practitioner allows.
• Children who are below one year should avoid taking it as it may attract some unwanted health complications.
• Nowadays, several people are allergic to pollen. Such people should avoid honey, as instead of enjoying the honey benefits, they may face severe consequences.

Honey- Sweet Facts

Do you know honey is full of antibacterial properties? That might be the reason why it is used in most ayurvedic medicines, especially the ones that are for colds, coughs, and infections. People who cannot consume sugar openly also rely on honey to enjoy a balanced diet with ease.

Remember when someone addressed someone as honey, what came to your mind? The sweetness of the relationship they serve here is compared to the flower nectar. It is said the world has enough honey, but only the humble bees are capable of collecting it.

Honey- A Blessing From Nature

Nature delivers serenity and mind and body correctness. Honey benefits are one such blessing that can actually help you to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Honey benefits seem to inherit healing properties. Ayurvedic doctors have always recommended honey for its versatility and aftereffects. This gift of nature comes through the vibrant flowers.

Advantages of honey has several energetic gunas that can positively influence the three doshas of the body- Vata, Kapha, and Pitta.

Wrapping up With The Sweetness of Nature- Honey

Who would have thought such a small bee could be the biggest labourer who works so hard to make food for humans? Honey benefits always point towards overall wellbeing. It can be used in several ways.

Next time, when you add honey to any of your food or drink, remember you are adding a spoonful of magic that might take you on a healthy tour.

The buzzing of bees will sound more exciting next time when you recall that these bees are behind the sweetness you cherish.

Honey is the flower nectar that can be treasured forever. Imagine the flavour if it were from the lap of Uttarakhand!