[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877) › c6.s3 # The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c6.s3: Honey and Wax The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c6.s3 - **Language:** English ### Honey and Wax ### [c6.s3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.1) \*Sans.\* मधु, \*Madhu\*, माक्षिक, \*Mákshika\*. ### [c6.s3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.2) \*Vern.\* \*Madhu\*, \*Beng.\* \*Shahad\*, \*Hind.\* ### [c6.s3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.3) Eight sorts of honey are described by Susruta, namely: ### [c6.s3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.4) 1. \*Mákshika\* or the honey collected by the common bee called \*madhumakshiká\*. ### [c6.s3.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.5) 2. \*Bhrámara\*, or the honey collected by a large back bee called \*bhramara\*. ### [c6.s3.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.6) 3. \*Kshaudra\*, or honey collected by a sort of small bee of tawny colour, called \*Kshudra\*. ### [c6.s3.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.7) 4. \*Pauttika\*, or honey collected by a small black bee resembling a gnat, and called \*puttika\*. ### [c6.s3.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.8) 5. \*Chhatra\*, or honey formed by tawny or yellow wasps which make their hives in the shape of umbrellas. ### [c6.s3.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.9) 6. \*Argha\* or wild honey collected by a sort of yellow bee like the \*bhramara\*. ### [c6.s3.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.10) 7. \*Audálaka\* is a bitter and acrid substance like honey found in the nests of white ants. ### [c6.s3.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.11) 8. \*Dála\* or unprepared honey found on flowers. ### [c6.s3.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.12) Of these varieties the first four only are described by recent writers and the first alone is used in medicine. New honey is considered demulcent and laxative. Honey more than a year old is said to be astringent and demulcent. Old honey is preferred to new. It is much used in the preparation of confections and electuaries, and as an adjunct to decoctions, pills and powders. ### [c6.s3.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3.13) Wax, called \*siktha\* in Sanskrit, is used in the preparation of ointments and \*ghritas\* for external application. ## Linked texts (1) - [Suśrutasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.med.samhita.susruta) — Suśruta & Nāgārjuna (siddha/alchemist), Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c6.s3) · Pramāṇa