The popular weight loss drink with honey, lemon and hot water has been around for a long time. However, honey, despite being undoubtedly medicinal, needs to be consumed carefully.
Kamal Pai’s experience serves as a cautionary tale. The 32-year-old teacher from Mangaluru decided to have honey with hot lemon water on an empty stomach every morning for a few months to shed some extra kilos. While she initially noticed some weight loss, she later developed acne all over her body.
“I should have consulted an expert before mixing it in hot water. Though it was fine initially, gradually the increased. Eventually, an ayurveda expert advised me that honey with hot water is not good for health,” she says. Once she stopped taking it in hot water she felt better, she adds.
“In ayurvedic practices, honit ey is widely used as a stand-alone substance believed to bring balance to the kapha dosha (water element within the body),” says Dr Niranjan Prabhu B G, assistant professor, Department of Dravyaguna, Sri Raghavendra Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital, Maladihalli, Karnataka.
The uniqueness properties
From spreading it on a toast to using it for skincare, this sweet syrup has been a go-to ingredient for those in the know. Raw honey stands out from a variety of popular sweeteners such as white sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and stevia due to its unique characteristics of warmth and dryness. Compared to refined sugar, honey has a lower glycaemic index (58 than 60 in sugar).
Where does it stand out?
Besides fructose and glucose, honey also contains antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium and potassium. Its most unique feature is the astringent quality. “Generally sweet taste increases kapha element in the body, but honey has both sweet and astringent properties, which helps reduce the kapha element and is advised in obesity management,” explains Dr Prabhu.
Read more – Ayurveda’s six everyday tastes for a healthy living
Ayurvedic views
Raw honey (known as madhu in ayurvedic literature) is considered as a medicinal sweet due to its warming effect on the digestive system, it helps to calm the kapha dosha. Moreover, its post-digestive sweet taste calms vata (air element) dosha. Experts say that this sweet syrup is known for its ability to serve as a carrier, or anupana, for medicinal substances, allowing them to penetrate the tissues.
However, it is advisable to avoid using honey during summers or when experiencing pitta aggravation. One may use honey as a sweetener during fall and spring.
Read more – pitta body type.
Say no to heat
“Honey is the collection of pollen grains, nectar along with the digestive enzymes of the honeybees which is collected in honeycomb. This liquid contains lots of enzymes which get activated when mixed with hot substances or heated and becomes toxic,” says Dr Prabhu, when asked why honey should not be heated.
Also, a person with indigestion and low digestive fire should avoid consuming honey as it is not easy to digest and may lead to chronic indigestion, he adds.
A study on mice has shown that heating honey changes the antioxidant and other beneficial properties of the liquid.
Benefits of raw honey
The beneficial effects of honey are mainly attributed to its phenolic compounds, which act as antioxidants, that reduce inflammation and regulate the immune system.
Here are some of the benefits shared by experts.
- A source of antioxidants
- Anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting properties
- Improves lipid (fat) metabolism
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
- Promotes healthy gut bacteria and improves digestion, making it helpful in managing gastrointestinal issues like ulcers and gastroenteritis
- Source of carbohydrates, hence, it can be used as pre and post- workout food
How much honey a day
“If you usually have honey mixed with water in the morning, it is important to keep the water lukewarm to avoid heating the honey. Alternatively, you can take one teaspoon of honey to regulate your fat metabolism,” says Dr Ajayan Sadanandan, head – ayurveda ethno-medico-botanical team, Ashtamgam Ayurveda Chikitsalayam & Vidyapeedham, Palakkad, Kerala.
For kapha and vata individuals, it is recommended to use honey in small amounts, starting with one teaspoon and gradually increasing to one tablespoon per day. Whereas, pitta individuals should use only one teaspoon, say experts.
When it comes to skincare, honey is suitable for all doshas, with general exception for pitta individuals . A half or one teaspoon of honey can be used per day, confirms Dr Prabhu.
Precautions before eating honey
- Do not feed honey to infant less than a year old
- Do not mix with hot water
- Avoid it during summer season and noon time
- Do not consume it with ghee and radish
- Do not mix with hot and spicy foods such as mustard sauce and fermented drinks
