If you have searched for Jan Aushadhi Honey, you may have noticed that it is listed under the name “Madhu (Makshik)” in the Jan Aushadhi product catalogue.

The important thing is that there are several different questions hidden behind a simple search for “Jan Aushadhi Honey”: What exactly is the product? How much does it cost? Is it pure? Has it been independently tested for adulteration? What do terms such as C4 sugar, NMR, HMF and diastase actually mean?

This guide looks at those questions separately.

The current Jan Aushadhi catalogue information available online identifies Madhu (Makshik) under drug codes 2377, 2378 and 2379, corresponding to 100g, 250g and 500g glass bottles. Current catalogue-derived information lists ₹40 for 100g and ₹80 for 250g, while the 500g listing currently shows price pending.

However, a product being listed in the Jan Aushadhi network should not by itself be interpreted as proof that every retail bottle has been independently tested by a consumer or that every batch has passed a particular laboratory method such as NMR. Those are separate questions.

Quick Answer

Jan Aushadhi Honey, listed as Madhu (Makshik), is a honey product available in the Jan Aushadhi product portfolio. Current catalogue-derived information lists 100g, 250g and 500g glass-bottle variants under drug codes 2377, 2378 and 2379. The currently reported prices are ₹40 for 100g and ₹80 for 250g, while the 500g price is listed as pending.

As for purity, there is an important distinction: a product specification or regulatory standard is not the same thing as a publicly available, batch-specific laboratory report. Therefore, it would not be responsible to describe Jan Aushadhi Honey as “100% pure,” “definitely adulteration-free” or “NMR-tested” without a current, batch-specific source directly establishing that claim.

Honey quality is assessed using multiple parameters, including moisture, sugars, sucrose, fructose-to-glucose ratio, HMF, diastase and C4 sugar. FSSAI’s honey standard specifies limits for these parameters.

What Is Jan Aushadhi Honey?

Jan Aushadhi Honey is listed in the Jan Aushadhi portfolio under the name Madhu (Makshik).

The current catalogue-derived listing places the product in the nutraceuticals category rather than treating the honey itself as a prescription medicine. The listed variants are:

Drug code	Product	Pack	Current listed price
2377	Madhu (Makshik)	100g glass bottle	₹40
2378	Madhu (Makshik)	250g glass bottle	₹80
2379	Madhu (Makshik)	500g glass bottle	Price pending

The 100g and 250g prices and pack descriptions are reflected in current catalogue-derived listings updated in September 2026. The 500g listing currently shows the price as pending.

That distinction matters because older product lists can contain zero or placeholder MRP values. For example, older 2024–25 copies of the Jan Aushadhi product list show ₹0 against these honey products rather than a meaningful retail price. That should not be interpreted as the current selling price.

What Does Madhu (Makshik) Mean?

Madhu is the Sanskrit-derived term commonly used for honey.

Makshik is another traditional term associated with honey/bee-derived honey.

So when you see “Madhu (Makshik)” in the Jan Aushadhi catalogue, it is essentially the catalogue name used for the honey product.

It is not a separate medicinal active ingredient or a special pharmaceutical compound.

This is also why consumers should not automatically interpret the presence of honey in a Jan Aushadhi catalogue as meaning that honey is a prescription medicine.

The Jan Aushadhi ecosystem contains medicines as well as various health, nutritional and other products. The product’s actual category and label should be checked rather than assuming that everything sold through a Jan Aushadhi Kendra is a medicine.

Jan Aushadhi Honey Price and Pack Sizes

The currently available catalogue-derived information gives the following picture:

Jan Aushadhi Honey 100g

• Product: Madhu (Makshik)
• Drug code: 2377
• Pack: 100g glass bottle
• Listed price: ₹40
• Approximate price per 100g: ₹40

Jan Aushadhi Honey 250g

• Product: Madhu (Makshik)
• Drug code: 2378
• Pack: 250g glass bottle
• Listed price: ₹80
• Approximate price per 100g: ₹32

Jan Aushadhi Honey 500g

• Product: Madhu (Makshik)
• Drug code: 2379
• Pack: 500g glass bottle
• Current listed price: Price pending
• Price per 100g: Cannot be calculated until a current price is available

What does this mean for buyers?

The 250g pack has a lower listed cost per 100g than the 100g pack:

• 100g: ₹40/100g
• 250g: ₹32/100g

That is a straightforward arithmetic comparison based on the currently listed prices, not a judgment about product quality.

Retail availability and the price shown at a particular Kendra can also change, so consumers should verify the current MRP and availability before purchasing.

Jan Aushadhi Honey Ingredients and Product Information

The catalogue identifies the product as Madhu (Makshik) and specifies the pack sizes and bottle format.

However, the publicly accessible catalogue information reviewed for this article does not provide enough information to independently reconstruct a complete ingredient panel or botanical-origin profile for the current retail product.

That is an important limitation.

Honey itself is a chemically complex food containing sugars, water and smaller quantities of proteins, enzymes, organic acids, minerals and other compounds. Scientific literature describes honey’s composition and quality through parameters such as sugars, moisture, acidity, ash, HMF and diastase activity.

But a general description of honey chemistry should not be confused with a laboratory certificate for a particular Jan Aushadhi Honey batch.

Is Jan Aushadhi Honey Pure?

There is not enough publicly available batch-specific evidence to make a blanket claim that every bottle of Jan Aushadhi Honey is “100% pure” or “adulteration-free.”

That does not mean that the product is adulterated.

It means the two statements are different:

“There is no publicly verified evidence here proving adulteration.”

and

“Every retail batch has been independently proven to be completely free from adulteration.”

The first may be supportable depending on the evidence reviewed. The second requires specific batch-level evidence.

This distinction is particularly important with honey because modern adulteration can be technically difficult to detect.

FSSAI’s standards establish measurable requirements for honey, while advanced analytical methods such as IRMS and NMR can provide additional information about authenticity and adulteration.

How Is Honey Purity Tested?

There is no single magic “purity test” that answers every question about honey.

Different analytical methods examine different characteristics.

What Is C4 Sugar in Honey?

C4 sugar refers to sugars originating from plants that use the C4 photosynthetic pathway, with common examples including sugarcane and maize.

The term is important in honey authentication because certain added sugar syrups can be detected through differences in stable carbon isotope ratios.

FSSAI’s honey standard currently specifies a maximum C4 sugar value of 7% by mass.

However, consumers should not interpret “C4 sugar = 7%” as meaning that 7% added sugar is acceptable in the everyday sense. The parameter is part of a technical regulatory testing framework, and interpretation depends on the analytical method and the complete standard.

What Is IRMS Testing?

IRMS stands for Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry.

In honey testing, isotope analysis can examine the ratio of stable carbon isotopes. Because plants using C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways have different isotope signatures, the technique can help detect certain types of sugar-syrup adulteration.

Scientific reviews identify stable-isotope methods such as IRMS as established tools for detecting C4-derived sugars in honey.

But IRMS is not a universal detector of every possible adulterant.

For example, scientific literature notes limitations in detecting some adulteration involving C3-plant-derived syrups.

What Is NMR Testing?

NMR, or Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, is an advanced analytical technique used to examine the chemical profile of honey.

In simple terms, instead of checking only one characteristic, NMR can generate a broader chemical fingerprint that researchers can use to investigate authenticity, composition and, in some applications, botanical or geographical characteristics.

A 2023 review in Food Chemistry describes NMR as a powerful approach for honey authenticity and adulteration analysis, while also discussing LC-IRMS for identifying C3 and C4 sugars.

Does Jan Aushadhi Honey have an NMR test report?

A current, batch-specific NMR report for Jan Aushadhi Honey was not independently verified for this article.

Therefore, it would be misleading to write:

“Jan Aushadhi Honey passed NMR.”

unless a genuine report for the specific product batch is available.

Likewise, the absence of a publicly located NMR report is not proof that the product failed NMR testing.

That distinction is essential.

What Are HMF and Diastase?

Two other important honey-quality parameters are HMF and diastase activity.

HMF

HMF stands for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.

It can form in honey during heating and storage as sugars undergo chemical reactions. HMF is therefore useful as one indicator when evaluating honey quality and processing/storage history.

The current FSSAI standard gives a maximum HMF limit of 80 mg/kg for honey under the cited standard.

HMF should not, however, be interpreted as a simple “purity meter.” It is one parameter among several.

Diastase

Diastase activity refers to enzyme activity measured in honey.

FSSAI’s standard specifies a minimum diastase activity of 3 Schade units per gram.

Again, a single laboratory parameter cannot tell the complete story about honey authenticity.

What Does FSSAI Require for Honey?

FSSAI’s honey standard contains multiple quality and identity parameters.

Among the listed requirements are:

Parameter	FSSAI limit in the cited standard
Moisture	Maximum 20%
Total reducing sugars	Minimum 65% for honey not otherwise listed
Sucrose	Maximum 5% for honey not otherwise listed
Fructose : glucose ratio	0.95–1.50
Total ash	Maximum 0.50%
HMF	Maximum 80 mg/kg
Diastase activity	Minimum 3 Schade units/g
C4 sugar	Maximum 7%

These parameters are designed to help establish whether honey meets defined food standards.

FSSAI also publishes a Manual of Methods of Analysis – Honey and other beehive products, showing that honey analysis is treated as a formal food-testing discipline rather than something that can be reliably established using simple kitchen tricks.

Regulatory Compliance vs Consumer Laboratory Testing

This distinction is worth understanding.

Suppose a product is manufactured and supplied under an applicable quality-control system.

That does not mean a consumer can reasonably say:

“I personally verified this exact bottle in a laboratory.”

Those are two different levels of evidence.

Similarly, a product specification may state that certain quality parameters must be met. That does not automatically constitute a publicly available laboratory report proving that every bottle currently on a retail shelf has been tested for every advanced authenticity parameter.

PMBI states on its official FAQ that medicines procured for Jan Aushadhi are tested at NABL-approved laboratories before being supplied through its distribution system. However, this statement concerns the medicines procurement/testing process, and should not automatically be converted into a claim that every Jan Aushadhi Honey retail batch has a publicly available NMR report or identical testing pathway.

Is Jan Aushadhi Honey Adulterated?

There is no basis in the evidence reviewed for declaring Jan Aushadhi Honey adulterated.

At the same time, there is also insufficient batch-specific public evidence to declare that every bottle is definitively free from every possible form of adulteration.

That is the scientifically responsible position.

Honey adulteration is a genuine food-authenticity issue internationally. Research literature discusses economically motivated adulteration involving sugar syrups and the increasing importance of advanced analytical methods for identifying it.

But the existence of honey adulteration as a general problem does not establish adulteration in a particular Jan Aushadhi product.

A consumer complaint, social-media post or anecdotal review also cannot substitute for a laboratory report.

Jan Aushadhi Honey Benefits

Honey is primarily a sugar-containing food, not a miracle health product.

Its nutritional composition is dominated by carbohydrates, particularly sugars. Honey also contains smaller quantities of other compounds, including organic acids, enzymes and phenolic substances.

Some research has examined honey’s antioxidant characteristics, but antioxidant activity varies according to factors such as floral source and composition. Therefore, generic claims about “boosting immunity” or treating disease should be avoided.

What about cough?

There is comparatively useful evidence for honey as a symptomatic option for acute cough in children older than one year.

A Cochrane review involving 899 children found that honey probably reduces cough symptoms compared with placebo or no treatment in some circumstances, although the evidence has limitations and does not establish honey as a treatment for the underlying cause of illness.

This is very different from saying that Jan Aushadhi Honey cures respiratory infections.

It does not.

Jan Aushadhi Honey Uses

Honey can be used as a food in several ordinary ways:

• Added to beverages
• Used as a sweetener in foods
• Added to breakfast foods such as oats or yoghurt
• Used in home recipes
• Consumed directly in small quantities

Honey can also be used traditionally for soothing the throat.

But food use and medical treatment should not be confused.

If someone has persistent cough, breathing difficulty, high fever, chest pain or another potentially serious symptom, honey should not be used as a substitute for medical evaluation.

Is Honey Better Than Sugar?

The answer depends on what “better” means.

Honey and table sugar are both sources of sugar and calories. Honey may contain small amounts of compounds that are not present in refined table sugar, but that does not turn honey into a sugar-free or low-calorie food.

Therefore, replacing large amounts of sugar with equally large amounts of honey does not eliminate the need to consider total sugar and calorie intake.

For everyday use, the more useful question is often:

How much added or free sugar am I consuming overall?

Rather than:

Is honey automatically healthy because it is natural?

“Natural” and “healthy without limits” are not interchangeable concepts.

Is Jan Aushadhi Honey Good for Diabetes?

Honey is still a sugar-containing food, so people with diabetes should not assume that it is a diabetes-friendly sweetener simply because it is honey.

Some people with diabetes may include small quantities of honey within their overall dietary plan, but the appropriate amount depends on individual carbohydrate intake, glucose control, medication and dietary goals.

If you have diabetes or are actively managing blood glucose, discuss your diet with your doctor or registered dietitian rather than treating honey as a medicinal alternative to sugar.

Jan Aushadhi Honey should not be presented as a treatment for diabetes.

Can Children Consume Honey?

Children under 12 months should not be given honey.

This is a food-safety issue rather than a question of whether a particular honey brand is “pure.”

Honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores, which can cause infant botulism. WHO warns caregivers not to give honey to infants before the age of one year, and the CDC similarly advises against giving honey to children younger than 12 months.

For children over one year, honey may be consumed as a food, subject to normal dietary considerations.

The evidence around honey and acute cough also applies to children 12 months and older, not infants.

Why Does Honey Crystallize?

Honey can naturally crystallize.

Crystallization occurs when glucose separates from the water portion of honey and forms crystals. Different honeys crystallize at different speeds depending on their composition, especially the balance between glucose and fructose.

Therefore:

Crystallized honey does not automatically mean adulterated honey.

Likewise:

Liquid honey does not automatically prove pure honey.

Temperature, storage conditions and the natural composition of the honey all affect crystallization.

So the popular idea that “pure honey must crystallize” is too simplistic.

Crystallization should be treated as a normal physical characteristic rather than a stand-alone authenticity test.

Jan Aushadhi Honey vs Other Honey Brands

A useful comparison should separate price and product information from subjective quality judgments.

For example, current retail listings show that 250g packs of established brands can sell at different prices depending on the retailer and offer. A current 1mg listing showed Patanjali Honey 250g at ₹110, while a BigBasket listing showed Dabur Pure Honey 250g at ₹125.

These are retail prices observed at particular times and are not necessarily universal MRP or permanent prices.

Factor	Jan Aushadhi Madhu (Makshik)	Dabur Honey	Patanjali Honey
Product category	Listed in Jan Aushadhi portfolio / nutraceuticals listing	Branded food product	Branded food product
Example pack	250g glass bottle	250g pack available	250g pack available
Price observed	₹80 listed	₹125 retail listing	₹110 retail listing
Approx. ₹/100g	₹32	₹50	₹44
Current availability	Jan Aushadhi network	Retail/online channels	Retail/online channels
Product claims	Refer to actual Jan Aushadhi label	Brand makes its own purity/testing claims	Brand makes its own product claims
Independent batch-specific NMR report verified here?	No	No	No
Overall quality ranking	Not assigned	Not assigned	Not assigned

Jan Aushadhi’s current catalogue-derived listing reports ₹80 for the 250g Madhu (Makshik) pack.

Dabur’s current retail listing provides a 250g pack at ₹125, while Patanjali’s current listing provides a 250g pack at ₹110.

The figures demonstrate a price difference, not a difference in purity or health value.

It would be incorrect to conclude that a cheaper product is automatically inferior or that a more expensive product is automatically better.

How to Buy Genuine Jan Aushadhi Honey

If you want to purchase Jan Aushadhi Honey, start with the official distribution network.

The Jan Aushadhi website provides tools for locating PMBJP Kendras and also lists official support/contact information.

When buying a bottle, check:

1. Product name

Look for the actual product name on the packaging.

2. Drug/product code

Where applicable, compare the code printed on the package with the catalogue information.

For Madhu (Makshik), the currently listed codes are 2377, 2378 and 2379 for the 100g, 250g and 500g variants.

3. Pack size

Check whether you are buying the 100g, 250g or 500g variant.

4. Batch number

A legitimate packaged food product should carry relevant batch/lot information.

5. Manufacturing/packing information

Check the date-related information printed on the package.

6. MRP

Compare the printed MRP with the amount being charged.

7. FSSAI information

Check the relevant food licence/label information on the packaging where applicable.

8. Seal and bottle condition

Do not purchase a bottle if the seal appears broken, leaking, tampered with or otherwise compromised.

9. Keep your bill

A bill gives you useful evidence if you later need to raise a complaint.

10. Use official complaint channels

PMBI’s official website lists a toll-free number and complaint email, along with Kendra-related support information.

How to Store Honey

Store honey according to the product label.

As a general food-storage practice:

• Keep the container tightly closed.
• Protect it from excessive heat.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
• Use a clean, dry spoon.
• Avoid introducing water or other food into the container.
• Follow the manufacturer’s storage and best-before instructions.

Honey can change in colour, texture and crystallization behaviour during storage without those changes automatically indicating adulteration.

Final Takeaway

Jan Aushadhi Honey, listed as Madhu (Makshik), is a honey product in the Jan Aushadhi portfolio, with currently listed variants of 100g, 250g and 500g.

The currently available catalogue-derived information lists:

• 100g — ₹40
• 250g — ₹80
• 500g — price pending

The 250g pack therefore works out to approximately ₹32 per 100g based on the currently listed price.

The more complicated question is purity.

There is a difference between meeting a food standard, complying with a procurement specification, passing a laboratory test and having a publicly available batch-specific report. Honey authenticity can involve several analytical parameters and techniques, including moisture, sugars, HMF, diastase, C4 sugar, isotope-ratio analysis and NMR.

So the most accurate conclusion is not that Jan Aushadhi Honey is automatically “the purest,” nor that it is adulterated.

The evidence reviewed supports a more useful consumer position:

Check the current product label, batch information, MRP and source of purchase, and do not treat unsupported online claims about NMR, purity or adulteration as laboratory evidence.

For health, honey can be a food and may have a role in relieving acute cough symptoms in children over one year, but it is still a sugar-containing food and should not be presented as a cure for diabetes, obesity, cancer or other serious diseases. Most importantly, honey should never be given to infants below 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism.

Frequently Asked Questions