Health benefits of Honey
Honey is a natural food and medicine, regarded as an elixir for countless and even incurable diseases. Its healing properties are mentioned in the Holy Quran, in Surah An-Nahl, verses 68 and 69:
"And your Lord inspired the bee, saying: 'Build your homes in the mountains, the trees, and in what people construct. Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord made easy for you.' From their bellies comes a drink of varying colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed, in this is a sign for those who reflect."
The emphasis in the Quran is not only on the nutritional value of honey but also on its profound healing power. It is important to note that the Quran declares that "in it is healing for people," without specifying any particular illness—implying that honey holds general and wide-ranging medicinal benefits.
Historical accounts also support this. It is recorded that when Hazrat Awf bin Malik Ashja'i (RA) fell ill, he instructed his son to bring rainwater, olives, and honey, stating that the Quran has declared rainwater and olives as blessed and honey as a source of healing. Upon consuming these, he regained complete health.
Another well-known incident involves Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA), who once developed a rash. Though Hazrat Nafi (RA) warned him that sweet things could worsen his condition, Ibn Umar replied, "I will treat myself with honey, for the Quran can never be wrong." He applied honey and recovered fully.
Even in modern medicine, there are documented cases of healing with honey. Around 28 years ago, a doctor from Salford University, England, treated 200 patients suffering from high fever and sensitivity with only honey. Remarkably, all patients recovered completely.
Another case, published in a prominent medical journal, tells of Dr. Thomas, who treated a pneumonia patient by giving him one kilogram of honey over five days. The patient made a full recovery.
For asthma and chest diseases, traditional wisdom suggests boiling radish seeds with honey and administering the mixture three times a day—in the morning, evening, and before bed—for quick relief. Honey is also highly effective for cough, and simply licking it can ease symptoms.
Sages and traditional healers have emphasized certain guidelines for honey usage. Spoiled or overly aged honey should not be consumed. One traditional test for pure honey is that dogs will not eat it unless it is mixed with something else.
Honey is especially useful for diseases caused by colds, such as chest infections. It increases appetite, and when mixed with water and induces vomiting, it cleanses the stomach. It is also known to sharpen vision, strengthen teeth, quench thirst, and aid in the treatment of jaundice.
If there is pain in the mouth or throat or difficulty in swallowing, honey can provide soothing relief. Ancient Vedic texts also mention honey as a remedy for improving vision and treating hoarseness of voice.
Applied externally, honey cleans wounds, promotes the growth of new tissue, and is useful in leprosy. It is also used to treat coughs, clear discharge, eliminate intestinal worms, cleanse the body, and even reduce fat. Moreover, honey is effective against nausea and supports heart health.
According to traditional wisdom, honey that has been exposed to sunlight or excessive heat should not be used. Greek healers recommended mixing honey with rainwater for health benefits and claimed it helps in breaking kidney stones and healing boils in the bladder and intestines. However, Eastern doctors sometimes consider this combination harmful.
Modern doctors caution that individuals with a bilious temperament, or those who tend to feel hot and dry, should avoid honey during hot weather, as it may lead to nausea, vomiting, or aggravate bile-related illnesses.
In the renowned medical text "Al-Qanun," honey is described as a stomach tonic. Physicians suggest that children suffering from stomach cramps can be given a mixture of castor oil and honey in equal parts, and adding a little anise extract or star anise enhances the effect.
Honey water is described as warming and helpful in treating cold-related brain disorders, joint pain, lung congestion, and urinary tract irritation. It also stimulates appetite, relieves stomach cramps, and energizes weak organs.
In conclusion, honey is not only a natural and wholesome food but also a powerful medicine with both spiritual significance and scientifically proven benefits. It truly serves as an elixir—a cure for many diseases, including those considered incurable. However, it is always important to consult a qualified physician for proper guidance on its use.