When the external temperature rises, it's important to consume cooling foods to maintain a normal body temperature. Many are unaware that honey, a common food, is warming. Consuming warming foods unknowingly can further elevate body temperature, so understanding honey's effects is crucial. Ayurveda considers honey "Amrut," and while warming, it offers many health benefits, especially when combined with other substances. Therefore, understanding the proper ways to consume honey is essential.
The Risks of Consuming Honey Directly During Summer
If honey is consumed directly without being combined with any other food item—it can lead to an aggravation of Pitta (the fiery element) within the body. Particularly during the summer season, this can cause an increase in body temperature and may even trigger sensations of internal burning or discomfort.
The Proper Ways to Consume Honey
You can consume honey in the morning by adding it to lemon water. Drinking a mixture of honey and lemon added to water stored in an earthen pot (Matka) on an empty stomach in the morning helps keep the body cool. Additionally, this practice aids in weight loss.
You can also consume honey by adding it to Sattu (roasted gram flour). Substituting sugar with honey in your Sattu preparation helps keep the body cool while simultaneously providing a boost of energy. This combination helps keep the body hydrated and alleviates fatigue.
Consuming honey with yogurt (Dahi) is another excellent option. You can enjoy a serving of yogurt mixed with a little honey during the afternoon. This aids in improving digestion and also offers protection against the adverse effects of the summer heat.
Honey should never be consumed in combination with Ghee. According to Ayurveda, this constitutes an "incompatible food combination" (Viruddha Ahara). Consuming them together can lead to an increase in body temperature and may disrupt the delicate balance of the Vata and Pitta doshas.