Difference between revisions of "Himalayan Red Honey"
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==Special Precautions of Himalayan Red Honey== | ==Special Precautions of Himalayan Red Honey== | ||
In large doses it can be highly toxic and even fatal. When taken in larger doses, mad honey can cause Rhododendron poisoning (or honey intoxication) which is characterised by vomiting, progressive muscle weakening and heart irregularities. | In large doses it can be highly toxic and even fatal. When taken in larger doses, mad honey can cause Rhododendron poisoning (or honey intoxication) which is characterised by vomiting, progressive muscle weakening and heart irregularities. | ||
| + | * It can induce cardiac arrest and full-scale hallucinations. | ||
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==Benefits and uses of Himalayan Red Honey== | ==Benefits and uses of Himalayan Red Honey== | ||
The properties of mad honey, both pleasant and harmful, are due to the grayanotoxins in it, derived from the Rhododendron nectar. Grayanotoxins are a group of toxins produced by Rhododendrons and plants in the Erincaceae family. | The properties of mad honey, both pleasant and harmful, are due to the grayanotoxins in it, derived from the Rhododendron nectar. Grayanotoxins are a group of toxins produced by Rhododendrons and plants in the Erincaceae family. | ||
* In small doses, the honey can ensure a soothing sense of inebriation much like the experience produced from a substance such as absinthe. | * In small doses, the honey can ensure a soothing sense of inebriation much like the experience produced from a substance such as absinthe. | ||
* Some villagers ingest a teaspoon of the honey each morning, as they believe it strengthens the immune system and can lead to a longer and more fruitful life. | * Some villagers ingest a teaspoon of the honey each morning, as they believe it strengthens the immune system and can lead to a longer and more fruitful life. | ||
Revision as of 14:59, 23 November 2016
Other Names: Apis laboriosa honey, Mad honey, Red honey, Wild Himalayan Honey
is produced by the Himalayan cliff bee (Apis dorsata laboriosa), the largest bee in the world at just over 3cm long. It is the highland sub species of a relatively common bee, Apis dorsata, however only the highland species has access to the Rhododendron flowers that make it’s honey mad. Many Rhododendron species contain grayanotoxins, which is why they are widely known to be poisonous to humans. In the highlands of the himalayas; Bhutan, Yunnan (China), India and Nepal, the rare Himalayan cliff bee lives along side Rhododendrons (e.g. Rhododendron luteum and Rhododendron ponticum), and frequently collects nectar from their poisonous flowers. Red honey is a multifloral honey made of: Rhododendrons (Rhododendron anthopogon, R. cinnabarinum and R. panticum), Bikh (Aconitum spp.), Pangra (Entada scanders), Pieris (Pieris formosa) and Niramasi.
Special Precautions of Himalayan Red Honey
In large doses it can be highly toxic and even fatal. When taken in larger doses, mad honey can cause Rhododendron poisoning (or honey intoxication) which is characterised by vomiting, progressive muscle weakening and heart irregularities.
- It can induce cardiac arrest and full-scale hallucinations.
Benefits and uses of Himalayan Red Honey
The properties of mad honey, both pleasant and harmful, are due to the grayanotoxins in it, derived from the Rhododendron nectar. Grayanotoxins are a group of toxins produced by Rhododendrons and plants in the Erincaceae family.
- In small doses, the honey can ensure a soothing sense of inebriation much like the experience produced from a substance such as absinthe.
- Some villagers ingest a teaspoon of the honey each morning, as they believe it strengthens the immune system and can lead to a longer and more fruitful life.
