Mad honey has been used by mankind for several millennia. Although often mentioned for its psychoactive properties, we can’t neglect the health benefits of mad honey. This wondrous substance can have a significant impact on your digestive tract and address wounds and inflammations. The natives also use it for respiratory conditions, as well as some other ailments.
However, the potential uses don’t stop there. Besides mad honey’s health benefits, this superfood is also utilized by cosmetic companies. In this article, we will talk about honey’s cultural importance, after which we’ll share some mad honey health facts.
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Historical and Cultural Context
Although medicinal mad honey is somewhat of a mystery to Western consumers, this marvelous substance was frequently used in Nepal for thousands of years. The local Gurung communities have a patented method for collecting food by climbing down the traitorous Himalayan cliffs. During the process, the Nepalese honey hunters use long sticks to poke honeycombs off the cliffs and, later on, snatch the honey for themselves.
Another interesting thing about mad honey is that it’s produced by the world’s largest bee – Apis Dorsata Laboriosa. These insects fly around the area collecting nectar from winter-resilient rhododendron flowers. As they do so, they also collect grayanotoxins, the substance that causes psychoactive effects but might also be the reason behind the health benefits.
The superfood has a distinct smoky flavor reminiscent of maple syrup. The sensation is so intense that it might even cause your throat to tingle a bit after the consumption. Nevertheless, both locals and foreigners use the substance for various culinary recipes; you can add it to various baked goods and tea, but also for meat glazing.
Keep in mind there’s a big difference in how certain honeys act. Some of them might provide strong mad honey health benefits, while others might not have any impact on your body. The honey’s potency varies based on where you collected it, as well as the type of flowers local bees collect. Mad honey might also differ in terms of its color and psychoactive properties.
Health Benefits of Mad Honey
So, can mad honey cure health?
According to everything we know so far, mad honey isn’t used in any country as an official medical treatment. However, that doesn’t mean it’s useless. Like any other type of honey, this substance can boost immunity, promote well-being, and potentially aid in a recovery process.
The reason why we don’t know much about Himalayan mad honey effects is because the substance is still somewhat of a novelty. Due to the fact that it can only be found on inaccessible cliffs, harvesting the product is extremely hard and even dangerous. There are limited quantities of substance in sales and barely any scientific data.
Chemical composition
Another reason why mad honey isn’t used for drugs is because of its composition. The chemical mixture can vary significantly based on the flowers that the bees collected. For example, one batch can be significantly more potent compared to the previous one.
Whatever the case, Nepalese honey has lots of beneficial substances, including amino acids, enzymes, organic acids, sugars, and other compounds. For the most part, mad honey isn’t that different from field honey that you can find at a local market. As mentioned, the main difference comes in the form of grayanotoxin, which has the biggest impact on our nervous systems.
Because of that same substance, you need to be very careful when using the product. Like with any psychoactive chemical, the effects can vary based on the consumption and your tolerance. The strength will also be affected by the honey itself. So, if you’re using it to soothe various medical issues, make sure to administer it in minimal quantities.
Medicinal Uses of Mad Honey
While mad honey isn’t a sanctioned treatment for anything, the substance is often utilized in holistic medicine. Similar to carrots, kale, nuts, and other superfoods, this incredible natural product can have a positive impact on various systems. Here are a few potential mad honey benefits you might experience during its use:
- Soothes stomach
- Soothes the mind
- Regulates sleep
- Provides a boost of energy
- Stimulates weight loss
- Boosts immunity
- Enhances respiratory health
- Improves skin and hair quality
- Stimulates wound healing
- Reduces inflammation
Boosts immunity
One of the biggest benefits of mad honey is the immunity boost. Like any other type of honey, this substance is packed with antioxidants, which can be crucial for preventing diseases. It also has high levels of potassium and calcium, two chemicals that have a strong impact on your muscles and bones.
Improves breathing
Improved breathing is another one of the Nepalese honey effects. In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons why the local tribes utilize the substance.
Basically, the product can be utilized to eliminate various obstructions in your airways. As it also reduces inflammation, it can be a potent solution for the common cold and cough. The substance has also shown a lot of promise as a potential treatment for asthma and bronchitis. We also need to mention that the chemical might also eliminate microorganisms that are causing the issue.
Improves gut health
Mad honey has a lot of probiotic chemicals that can have a positive impact on your gut flora. By getting an influx of probiotics, you ensure that your internal organs are working as intended. Specifically, your body will be able to process carbohydrates and sugars with ease. As a result, you can stop diarrhea, address constipation, and decrease bloating.
Stimulate weight loss
Mad honey is also full of macronutrients, most notably carbs, and protein, which can provide an energy boost. This makes the product fantastic for post-exercise recovery but also for prolonged, arduous diseases. Mad honey also has vitamins C and B6, as well as minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium.
Taking just one teaspoon of honey before sleep can do wonders for your weight loss. Not only do you get lots of organic chemicals that can fuel your body, but you also benefit from increased glucose generation. As your liver starts producing more glucose, your body will synthesize molecules that can serve to burn fats.
While you might think that honey is bad for your diet, as it’s packed with sugars and carbs, it actually promotes your health in several ways. Specifically, you will feel much fuller after ingesting the substance, which isn’t something that can be said for refined sugars. That way, you won’t crave extra goodies during the day.
Myths vs. Facts
As with any new substance, there are lots of misconceptions regarding mad honey swirling around the blogosphere. Here are some of the most common myths and facts regarding this substance as well as rhododendron honey effects:
Myth: Mad honey is dangerous
Fact: While there are many recorded cases of mad honey side effects, the chemical is much safer than you might think. As long as you buy the product from a reputable source and adhere to the dosage, you shouldn’t experience any drawbacks
Myth: Mad honey can treat anything
Fact: Like regular honey, this is a potent substance that can provide numerous benefits. It’s a perfect addition to your day, providing a boost of energy and soothing minor ailments. However, you should never use it as the basis of your medical treatment. Instead, it should only work as a food supplement
Myth: All mad honey is the same
Fact: The biggest issue with mad honey is that the market is relatively unregulated. Anyone can sell the superfood, which can potentially lead to fraud and subpar product quality. Keep in mind that the Himalayan honey benefits can vary significantly depending on where you buy it. So, you should only buy from stores that perform extensive lab testing
Conclusion
A person can experience all sorts of sensations when using mad honey. From lightheadedness to improved digestion, the substance can stimulate both your body and mind. While the honey is notorious for its psychoactive properties, its chemicals are unlikely to cause severe intoxication and other side effects.
To get the most out of this product, make sure to buy it only from reputable stores such as Real Mad Honey. We take pride in our ability to help clients and deliver a top-tier product. In fact, we’re one of the companies with the best organic policies. That being said, we suggest you read our natural beekeeping guide to learn more about our sustainable practices.