What the texts say
Charaka's word is uṣṇārta, a person afflicted by heat. The warning sits among the honey rules in his list of incompatible foods, which also bar honey and ghee in equal quantity and hot water after honey. Sushruta (Sutra 20.14) warns against honey "with hot things, or in heat". His commentator Dalhana explains "in heat" as the hot season, that is, summer and autumn.[1][2]
The modern view
We found no study that tests honey in hot weather, or honey in people suffering from heat.
From the classical texts
Questions people ask
Related
Heated honey (garam shahad)
Charaka says hot honey, and honey for someone suffering from heat, lead to death. Sushruta also warns against honey with hot things.
FoodHoney and hot water (shahad aur garam pani)
Charaka lists hot water after honey as incompatible, and Sushruta makes the same rule. The Ashtanga Hridaya names cold water as honey's after-drink.
FoodCurd in summer (garmi mein dahi)
The Ashtanga Hridaya says not to eat curd in spring, summer or autumn, and the same line says not to eat it at night or hot.
FoodHoney and ghee in equal parts
Charaka and Sushruta both say honey and ghee taken in equal amounts are incompatible. Charaka files it under incompatibility by quantity.
Sources
- Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana 26.84 (Atreyabhadrakapyiya Adhyaya).
- Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana 20.14, with Dalhana's commentary, NIIMH e-text.
Updated 4 November 2026