Natural Honey (Shahad) : Introduction & Health Benefits

Natural Honey is available in a liquid thick form and sweet taste. In India, it is popular with Hindi names Madhu (मधु) and Shahad (शहद).

How do honey bees make honey?

Honey is made by Honey-Bees using flower nectar. Wild Honey bees transform flower nectar into honey by the Regurgitation process.

This Natural Honey is a big source of energy and sweetness that needs no additional flavors. It is stored by bees for cold weather. When fresh food sources are not available, then they use this food. Honey collection from wild bee nests is very ancient, and people every year collect it from bee nests. Bees mostly made their nest on trees in the jungle in cold places with water availability in short range.

How do we collect honey?

In the process of collecting wild honey from the bee nest, the people follow this procedure. For this purpose, people went in groups of two or three at night. They all wrap their body with clothes and using Kapoor (Camphor) to avoid the bite of bees. At first, one person checks the bee nest with a sharp long wood rod by entering it into the nest. Then he examines the rod to know about honey is ready in the nest or not, raw yet.

If honey is ready, then one person prepares a smoke to escape bees from the nest. When, all bees ran away by smoke, and then another person cut the bee’s nest with a sharp instrument. He collects the entire nest in a basket and then at home differentiates the honey from the nest. To get it, simply the nest pieces are pressed with hands and then filter 2-3 times. The nest is a combination of thousands of small white shells containing Honey. It is in natural form and does not require any flavor or other ingredients.

Some people collect it at home through a beekeeping business. This honey is not natural as made by honey bees because these bees do not get any flower nectar and only produce honey from their provided sugar food from beekeepers.

Some main health benefits of Natural Honey are as below:

Health Goodness Of Natural Honey

Here are some evidence-backed honey remedies:

1. Sore Throat Soother:

• Recipe:
  • Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with warm water.
  • Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• How it Works:
  • Honey's antimicrobial properties may help soothe a sore throat.
  • Lemon provides vitamin C and adds a pleasant flavour.
• Reference: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

2. Cough Suppressant:

• Recipe:
  • Consume a spoonful of honey directly or mix it with herbal tea.
  • In simple Ayurvedic Home remedies for cough, we use a mixture of it and Ghee (clarified butter). Do not use the same amount of both because the same amount creates poison. In every type of cough, this home remedy is useful. Use this mixture 3-4 times a day to get rid of Cough.
• How it Works:
  • Honey has been shown to be as effective as cough medicine in alleviating cough symptoms, making it a natural alternative.
• Reference: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine

3. Wound Healing Balm:

• Recipe:
  • Apply a thin layer of raw honey to minor cuts or burns.
• How it Works:
  • Honey's antibacterial properties may help prevent infection and promote wound healing.
• Reference: International Journal of Surgery

4. Face Mask for Acne:

• Recipe:
  • Mix honey with a small amount of cinnamon to form a paste.
  • Apply as a face mask and leave on for 10-15 minutes.
• How it Works:
  • Honey's antimicrobial properties, combined with cinnamon's anti-inflammatory effects, may benefit acne-prone skin.
• Reference: Clinical Pharmacology: Advances and Applications

5. Digestive Aid:

• Recipe:
  • Mix honey with warm water and a splash of apple cider vinegar.
• How it Works:
  • Honey may help soothe the digestive tract, while apple cider vinegar supports digestion.
• Reference: Journal of Medicinal Food

6. Allergy Relief:

• Recipe:
  • Consume local honey regularly, starting before allergy season.
• How it Works:
  • Some believe that local honey may help the body build tolerance to local pollen, potentially reducing allergy symptoms.
• Reference: International Archives of Allergy and Immunology

7. Weight Loss:

• Recipe:
  • Use Honey with hot water every day. In Ayurvedic Home remedies for weight loss, it is the main home remedy. Use it regularly in the morning before the meal with the liquid solution of Honey and warm water to get the best results. Some people use it with Lemon juice to get a fast result in weight loss.
• How it Works:
  • Honey's natural sweetness can be a healthier alternative to refined sugars.
  • It may help control cravings and contribute to a more stable blood sugar level, supporting weight management.
• Reference: Nutrition Reviews

8. Eye Care:

• Recipe:
  • Alone Honey can be used as an eye toner. The people at home usually apply it in their eyes with a soft rounded small rod. It improves our eyesight.
• How it Works:
  • Honey contains antioxidants and antibacterial properties that may benefit eye health.
  • It could contribute to preventing infections and soothing irritation.
• Reference: Journal of Medicinal Food

9. Wound Healing:

• How it Works:
  • The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of honey can aid in wound healing.
  • It creates a protective barrier, reduces infection risk, and supports tissue regeneration.
• Reference: International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds

10. Boosting Immunity:

• Recipe:
  • Consume a spoonful of honey directly.
• How it Works:

• The antioxidants in honey may support the immune system.
• Regular consumption might help the body fight off infections more effectively.
10. Reference: International Immunopharmacology

Other Benefits

It is a strong healer of wounds and also utilizes as the best heart tonic or blood purifier.

Baba Ramdev suggests taking one spoon daily to promote long and healthy living. In summer, we can use honey with water and milk solution, as a juice. it is one great source of energy, and contains vitamins and other healthy ingredients. 

Honey has many health benefits and is used to cure Mouth Ulcers, Dysentery, Night Blindness, Malaria, Paralysis, Pyorrhoea, Tuberculosis, Infertility, and Skin itching disorders. Hence take advantage of this organic substance at home.

Pros and Cons: Extraordinary facts about Honey

Honey has many positive and negative propositions. According to Acharya Charaka some most described quotes about it are:

• Normally honey supports life, but it causes death when it is mixed with equal amounts of ghee and also when heated.
• Honey is wholesome for the persons of Kapha constitution, and the same is unwholesome for the people of Vata constitution.
• It is suitable for those who live in marshy land and are unsuitable for those living in dry areas.
• It is suitable for prescribing in cold weather but is unsuitable in summer.
• Honey is beneficial for young and harmful for older persons.
• It gives good results when taken in small quantities, but it is harmful if taken in large amounts.
• Amadosha, which is caused by the intake of Honey, is more difficult to manage due to its contrary treatment.
• If Shahad is taken with Kakamaci or with the ripe fruit of Nikica, it causes death or diminishes the strength, complexion, energy, and luster.

In this way, the effects of the Shahad are plentiful due to different combinations but when used wisely.

Hence, we recommend you take the Health Benefits of Natural Honey to treat diseases or maintain good health.

Important Notes:

• Quality Matters: Opt for raw, unprocessed honey to retain its full spectrum of benefits.
• Moderation is Key: While honey offers health benefits, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
• Individual Responses: Responses to honey can vary. If you have specific health concerns or conditions, consult with a healthcare professional.

Bottom Line

Harness the natural goodness of honey by incorporating it into your daily routine. Whether you're aiming for weight management, seeking eye care, or promoting overall well-being, honey's versatile properties make it a valuable addition to a healthy lifestyle.