In folk medicine, Honey and wax is used as an antiseptic to treat wounds and to remove the wax caps formed in the human ear. It is also used to treat various skin diseases. 8 sorts of honey are described by Sushruta, namely:
•Makshika or the honey collected by the common bee called Madhu Makshika.
•Bhramara, or the honey collected by a large black bee called
•Bhramara.
•Kshaudra, or honey collected by a sort of small bee of tawny colour, called Kshaudra.
•Pauttika, or honey collected by a small black bee resembling a gnat, called Puttika.
•Chhatra, or honey formed by tawny or yellow wasps which make their hives in the shape of umbrellas.
•Argha or wild honey collected by a sort of yellow bee like the bhramara.
•Audalaka is a bitter and acrid substance like honey found in the nests of white ants.
•Dala or unprepared honey found on flowers.
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.
Wax, called Siktha in Sanskrit, is used in the preparation of ointments and ghritas for external application.
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