Campakādi Lepa · चम्पकादि लेप
complexion enhancement; fragrance + cosmetic dual.
Honey (Madhu)
Madhu मधु
animal-product bee honey, raw shita
Rasa-Panchaka — five-fold pharmacology
- Rasa
- madhura · kashaya— tastes at first contact
- Guna
- guru · ruksha · shita— qualities
- Virya
- shita— potency (cooling)
- Vipaka
- katu— post-digestive effect
- Prabhava
- Yogavahi — carrier of actions of other drugs
Dosha effect
V
Vata
·neutral
P
Pitta
↓pacifies
K
Kapha
↓pacifies
pacifies (↓) aggravates (↑) neutral (·)
Functions
lepa vehicle for Kapha skincomplexion-improvinganti-microbialyogavahi
Honey is a tridoshic vehicle with Yogavahi action — it carries the effects of other drugs. Cosmetic uses: face lepa vehicle for oily/Kapha skin; humectant for dry skin; mild anti-microbial in acne lepas.
NEVER heat honey above 40 °C. Charaka (Sutra 27 verse on Ahara-yogi) explicitly warns that heated honey becomes Visha (toxic). Modern science confirms — heated honey forms hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) which is cytotoxic. Always add honey to recipes AFTER the heated component has cooled below body temperature.
Used in 6 recipes
Kuṅkumādi Lepa · कुङ्कुमादि लेप
Vyanga; dark circles.
Lākṣādi Lepa · लाक्षादि लेप
post-acne marks; scarring.
Snigdha Udvartana · स्निग्ध उद्वर्तन
dry skin; Vata-prakriti exfoliation.
Triphalādi Mukha Lepa · त्रिफलादि मुख लेप
uneven complexion; dullness.
Oṣṭha-rakṣaka Lepa · ओष्ठ-रक्षक लेप
chapped lips; Vata lip dryness.
Safety flags
- NEVER heat — heated honey becomes toxic per classical and modern toxicology