Mad honey is one of the strange creations of nature. Manufactured by honeybees that collect nectar on Rhododendron species in the hills above 3,000 meters, this special honey has been used in traditional medicine over centuries especially in parts of Turkey, Nepal and the Black Sea region. The bioactive compound that makes mad honey different to regular honey is the presence of grayanotoxin (GTX) in it which has a therapeutic potential but toxicological risks.
This comprehensive guide examines the scientific basis of the mad honey and the health benefits it is believed to provide after consistent use, its conventional uses, and important safety information for those who are considering its use.
Mad honey has grayanotoxins produced by Rhododendron species, which are naturally occurring compounds with psychedelic effects and the presence of this unusual substance in its content makes it different compared to other types of honey. These substances exert effects on voltage-gated sodium channels on cell membranes that form the medicinal action and the toxicity that may result when using this honey.
Grayanotoxin-III is one of the most researched of the around 25 grayanone-type diterpenoids that have been discovered from Rhododendron species.
In addition to grayanotoxins, mad honey also has anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial (including anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial), anti-tussive, cardio-protective, hepato-protective, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and anti-hypertensive properties, like regular honey, but often increased in its effect, by virtue of its distinctive phytochemical composition.
Mad honey has been used for centuries of years. It was used in Nepal by native honey hunters at first, and later it was recognized in the markets beyond the rural region. It was used to prepare traditional drinks at home, even the fermented ones. Believed to be a symbol of prosperity and vitality, it was often given as a gift on special occasions.
Mad honey has been utilized in the traditional medicine of the past centuries in treating hypertension, diabetes, and gastrointestinal diseases. Mad honey has been popular in countries like Nepal, used orally and topically in the treatment of burns, pain relief in the gastrointestinal tract, pain in the rheumatic or dental region, common cold, and edema.
Blood Pressure Regulation
In animal studies, it has been shown that grayanotoxin III treats blood pressure in rats at low dosage of 200 μg/kg, and the same reduced further with higher dosage of 400 μg/kg, 800 μg/kg, which clearly explains the mechanism of hypotension and bradycardia commonly seen as a result of consuming mad honey.
Clinical Considerations: Although these results indicate possible anti-hypertensive effects, the medical possibility of using grayanotoxin per se, or emerging analogs of it, in cardiovascular diseases, has not been studied exhaustively yet even though its potent heart effect is evident.
Clinical Evidence
An experimental study was the first to determine how grayanotoxin affects the pain threshold in normal mice (acute pain model) and diabetic neuropathy models, which found that grayanotoxin is a highly effective analgesic and is highly applicable in complementary medicine in the treatment of pain.
The study is the first scientific research on mad honey, and its conventional application in pain management that includes:
Acute pain relief
Painful diabetic neuropathy
Rheumatic pain
Dental pain
The antiradical activity of rhododendron honey is exhibited and treatment of the honey leads to changes in the parameters of oxidative stress with the severity of the alteration alleviated in a dose-dependent relationship. Grayanotoxins and phenolic compounds act synergistically to produce more effective antioxidant activity than most traditional species of honey.
Mechanisms: The combination of a variety of active compounds found in honey, which include phenolic compounds as key responsible factors, is associated with the antioxidant activity.
The efficacy of grayanotoxin in diabetes treatment was demonstrated in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus, where blood glucose levels were measured before and after administering grayanotoxin-containing honey at 50 mg/kg orally.
Clinical trials of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus showed that honey application was associated with dramatically lower glycemic index than sucrose or glucose, suggesting potential as an adjunct to conventional diabetes therapy.
Traditional applications for digestive wellness include:
Peptic ulcer treatment: Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects
Gastritis management: Reduced digestive tract inflammation
Improved nutrient absorption: Enhanced enzyme activity
Prebiotic effects: Supporting beneficial gut bacteria
Honey's ingredients exert antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anticancer, and antimetastatic effects, with evidence suggesting use in wound control and treatment. Mad honey's enhanced bioactive compound profile may amplify these benefits.
Strong evidence indicates beneficial effects of honey in treating acute wounds and mild to moderate superficial and partial thickness burns, with mad honey's additional compounds potentially offering enhanced healing properties.
A teaspoon of mad honey nepal is the optimum dose, a safe one. However, this may differ because grayanotoxin content can be variable. Grayanotoxin concentrations are often quite different; measured levels in Canadian samples of rhododendron honey were returned at 3 to 7 ppm, while one study found 100 ppm grayanotoxin in North Carolina honey derived from mountain laurels.
When consumed in excess, the most frequent symptoms experienced by people are hypotension, bradycardia, syncope, stupor, vertigo, nausea and vomiting.
Importantly, because grayanotoxins are rapidly metabolized and excreted, symptoms usually only last one day.
Individuals with the following conditions should avoid mad honey:
Pre-existing cardiovascular disease
Cardiac arrhythmias
Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Children and elderly individuals
Those taking cardiovascular medications
Mad honey is primarily produced in:
Turkey: Black Sea region (highest concentration of cases)
Nepal: Himalayan regions
Korea: Various mountainous areas
North America: Limited production from mountain laurel and rhododendron species
In areas where overproduction has been achieved, the end product frequently is a blend of honey from multiple sites and contacts should be limited to reduce risks from heavy grayanotoxin contamination following the dilution effect. But some beekeepers intentionally make mad honey so as to garner its supposed medicinal value.
Mad honey provides an intriguing integration of traditional medicine and modern toxicology. Although the evidence base for health effects of grayanotoxin-containing preparations from folk medicinal purposes is poor, and their use may be unsafe, limited research suggests they may have some traditional uses, particularly in pain and cardiovascular conditions.
The attitude we should take toward mad honey is rooted in the understanding that it is a dual substance, and capable of harm as well as benefit. There is ample evidence in favor of honey as a drug in health and diseases, however, more research is necessary to cover all its medicinal aspects.
For those who are thinking of mad honey, the message is not subtle: take great care with it; ask healthcare providers; weigh the risks and never ingest beyond a minimal amount. As science progresses, we may discover safer methods to utilize mad honey's special qualities while also mitigating its risks.
MBTpg
