Healing with Honey

Dr Saifuddin Husain, a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine began his career with research
and development in mainstream medicine. Over time, his journey evolved into one of
innovation. A practitioner of organic therapy, he utilises indigenous honey varieties to
provide potent natural remedies. In this feature, we delve into his inspiration to follow a
unique path that integrates health and entrepreneurship when he founded Mufaddal Health
Solutions (MHS TAKECARE HONEY) in Chennai, India.

How it started

One good thing to come out of a painful experience allowed Dr Saifuddin an opportunity
to tread a road less travelled. Enduring intense pain caused by kidney stones was a
recurring battle for him; the severe pain often rendered him unable to stand and
significantly impaired his quality of life. The doctors presented him with the choice of
surgical removal, which propelled him to look for an alternative remedy and he found it
in the form of honey mixed with water. The treatment worked and thus began his
fascination with the potential of honey.

He began researching honey and its benefits as a natural healing agent; especially its
nurturing and therapeutic properties. He discovered that honey is a natural antibiotic,
preventing infections and displaying antiproliferative (ability to suppress rapid and
uncontrolled growth of cells) effects against cancer cells. It functions as a renal
protector, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic, aiding in wound healing and soothing
throat conditions. Honey encompasses anti-cancerous, antioxidant, and antirheumatic
properties, offering immunoprotective effects, alleviating joint pain, lowering blood
pressure, and ensuring heart protection. It also demonstrates liver protective actions,
supports metabolic health, strengthens the immune system, and provides
gastroprotective effects against acidity, heartburn, and gastric ulcers. Furthermore,
honey enhances memory and revitalises the body.

“I visited a few jungles in Gujarat and Maharashtra to study how bees make honey. I
also checked a few honey bee farms in Northern India to understand how it gets to the
consumer”, said Dr Saifuddin, who then tested approximately 42 brands of honey at the
Kings Institute government laboratory in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, before concluding their
lack of purity. The impurities were caused by varying levels of added sugar—ranging
from 33% to 70%—with some higher-quality options containing about 10% to 15%
adulteration, including the use of corn syrup and jaggery.
Fueled by his newfound passion, he began experimenting with a range of honey types
and developing unique blends for specific health concerns. His methodology involved
crafting therapeutic combinations by blending different types of pure honey, from
single-flower varieties to multi-flower ones. He extensively researched their
geographical locations and flowering seasons to source the highest quality of honey. On
one such pursuit, he discovered that honey bees gather nectar from a particular variety
of ‘white grass flowers’ for only 40 to 42 days, producing a rare 100-kilogram yield with
significant healing potential—a phenomenon completely unknown to the locals of that
region.

An uphill climb
He started with a month’s supply of 50 kilograms packaged in handy 1 kg bottles, but
had a tough time persuading people to purchase his product. Most people did not know
about the honey solutions he offered because well-known brands dominated the
market. However, he leveraged his communication skills to raise awareness about
honey and its natural goodness. Creating engaging presentations, he set out on a
marketing tour in several locations, including Mumbai, Ratlam, Nagpur, Indore, Kukshi,
Badwani and Dohad (among others), aiming to educate audiences about the facts and
myths of honey and its usage.

With limited resources, especially after he left his job, he found himself without a
sustainable income for several months. He relied on his savings for a while, and the
meals delivered from the FMB community kitchen helped sustain him. However, due to
poor sales, he had no earnings. Even a single order for a 140-rupee bottle became a
cause for celebration. If he couldn't deliver the product home, people would hang up on
him. Because it was impractical and costly to use his motorcycle for small orders, he
had no choice but to take the city bus or ride a bicycle through the streets of Parrys. To
make ends meet, he had to sell his motorcycle. He still remembers the first day he
reluctantly resorted to cycling for work, but it gave him the strength to overcome the
challenges he faced.

Building resilience

Doubts arose on the concept of treatment with honey, as awareness about the
nutritional aspects of honey and its therapeutic nature was limited. There were also
concerns about the authenticity of the product, with suspicions of essence mixing,
especially when presented with a variety of honey options like litchi, jamun, blueberry,
sunflower, neem, and white grass. Despite the negativity, he continued to advocate for
the scientific evidence supporting honey's therapeutic benefits and the importance of its
purity.
His dedicated efforts gradually transformed sceptics into believers. “One example I
would like to share is that of Moon Mart, a supermarket in Mannady, Chennai. I went to
its owner almost 17 times and he turned me down for two reasons. First, mine was an
unknown brand; second, the pricing.

It wasn’t until he tried our Ginger Honey for his kids—noticing a difference—that he
eventually placed an order,” said Dr Saifuddin. Extending beyond business, he creates
a supportive and calm environment, providing patients with the clarity and confidence to
give honey a chance to heal them.

Milestones

With a focus on quality and innovation, MHS TAKECARE Honey Therapies has evolved
into a successful venture, presenting a variety of 82 distinct honey blends and
therapeutic applications. Dr Saifuddin's satisfaction is evident when he says, "I am in
tears of joy when someone calls and tells me that now my son can speak properly after
so many years."

From addressing common issues like cough and sore throat to providing solutions for
infertility, speech disorders, bone care and a host of other health conditions, honey
therapy has provided a comprehensive and versatile solution and has helped a large
number of patients who have shown improvement and continue to benefit from it.

Future aspirations

With passion driving his success, Dr Saifuddin endeavours to make honey therapy a
universally recognised form of alternative medicine. He plans to expand his venture by
opening honey therapy centres in major cities worldwide and establishing MHS
TAKECARE as a global brand. He also aims to patent his therapy and continue
researching and developing new honey-based remedies.