India, Aug. 23 -- Dear Reader,

Two days after returning from the hospital, I fall violently ill with a cough and fever.

"It's your immune system finally collapsing now that the adrenaline and cortisol of dealing with a crisis is gone," my doctor friend says.

Lying at home, in my fevered state with a sandpapery throat, I crave my favourite concoction.

I used to make this mixture for the girls, to soothe their sore throats - one part ginger juice, one part lemon juice, one part basil leaf juice, and one part honey. I'd tempt the girls to have this bitter-sweet potion by upping the honey, and often I'd give them just honey, lemon juice, and hot water.

"Honey has played a major role in the nourishment and health of humankind from ancient...