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Some amazing facts about honey and CLIFF HONEY

The When, What and How behind everything we savor is always pretty fascinating. While a lot of speculation is involved when it comes to the history of the famous cliff honey aka Himalayan mad honey, there are numerous sources that provide insight into the history of this ambrosia, so we thought why not share some of that sweet knowledge with you.


Honey: A Tale as Old as Time

Honey has been prized by different cultures for millennia. It was even referred to as the food of the gods as it never perished. It is said that as a child Zeus, the father of all gods and humanity was fed on honey in the cave of Dicte. Pan the Greek was known as the God of beekeeping while Delphi, the prestigious site of ancient Greece is believed to have been constructed by bees.


The Romans even came up with the line:'' May honey drip on you!'' to express their good wishes to another. Honey is still largely used as a sacred element during rites and rituals across the world. Once used as a funerary gift for the dead in Egyptian culture, honey has for long been considered as a sacred element in rites and rituals.

In African Pedi culture, a swarm of bees is seen as a symbol of luck and therefore, bees are never chased away or killed instead they live in harmony with the people. As for the Buddhists in Nepal, they identified three types of sacred nectar: honey, milk and water. The word 'madhu' (honey) is mentioned more than thousand times in the four Vedas.

While mad honey is known as deli bal in Turkish (paagal meh in Nepal ) due to its crazy properties that make you feel lightheaded and euphoric, too much of this sweet nectar is simply not advised. If you would like to know more about the right dosage. Click here.

The reason why Mad honey is not overtly popular is due to its rarity, it can only be bought from Nepal or Turkey. According to this source, mad honey was first mentioned in the Greek chronicle Anabasis by the historian Xenophone of Athens.


Seconds Food History also mentions some other stories regarding Mad Honey. For instance, the Greek army is believed to have discovered and feasted on mad honey along the shores of the Black Sea in 401 BCE. They experienced the effects of mad honey and were fit to go home the next day.


Another famous account of the origins of the mad honey is when the Mithridates VI, the Kind of Pontus, a kingdom by the Black Sea in 97 BCE, used local mad honey in the path of the Roman army. Once the army came upon it, they fell prey to the crazy effects of the mad honey. Since they were having a psychoactive moment, Mithridates took advantage of the situation and slaughtered them. Not cool, right?

In the 16th century, mad honey was imported and used to give the booze an extra kick, the French called it ‘miel fou’ which literally translates to mad honey.

The Gurung and their relationship with Mad Honey


The Gurung live communally and their feasts typically involve the sacred nectar, whether these ceremonies are linked to birth, death or marriage, mad honey is considered to be highly valued amongst these once wandering tribe. This small community appreciates the uniqueness of the red honey for which a sacrifice is required when the harvest takes place. They live in harmony with nature, their main source of income is sheep farming and Himalayan cliff honey hunting.


Sadly many outsiders do not respect the tradition of the Gurung and therefore seek to acquire mad honey only for profit. By disrupting the natural habitat of the giant cliff bees, they are putting the future of this 'wild' honey at stake. Many buyers do not understand why the habitat matters so much.

It is exactly this natural habitat that differentiates the Nepalese Mad Honey from the Turkish one, this unique grayanotoxin carrier is found only along the valley of the Himalayas.


The properties and quality of our Mad Honey differ from others due to the fact that our harvest only takes place once in Spring. The flora and location of the native land of the Mad Honey needs to be monitored to ensure that this precious nectar does not go extinct. As a small team, we believe that empowering the local tribesmen -the Gurung community means paying them a fair price for the honey collection and working hand in hand with the locals to ensure that the tradition lives on. Due to their remote dwellings, the Tamang and Gurung tribes mainly earn cash through honey hunting.


Why Should Mad Honey be protected?


Unfortunately, to the easy availability of all products, nothing is deemed sacred anymore. This is precisely why we take the preservation of the natural home of mad honey bees earnestly.

Sustainability is one of our core values, this is why we make sure to keep the beehives safe from excessive harvesting. Offseason honey hunting will cause irreparable damage to the ecosystem this is why we wait for the best seasons to harvest mad honey and allow the hives to replenish throughout the year.

By minimizing disruption, we ensure that the home of the Apis Laboriosa Dorsata remains safe and we provide guarded protection to the bees' sanctuary.

More about honey bees here.


A Sticky Business

Mad honey hunting is risky process and with the prevailing state of the eco-system, there is a chance that mad honey might cease to exist if people pursue illegal hunting or if they keep purchasing Mad Honey on the black market. Due to the intense labor involved, it is unfair to purchase a pound of honey at 50 or 80 dollars, this is why we have signed an agreement with the Nepalese Government to ensure the protection of this almost extinct form of craft.

''There's a delicate ecosystem that makes this unique honey possible, and without a balanced and careful harvest, the honey supply may not last long.'' Tree hugger



Why Us?

Unfortunately, to the easy availability of all products, nothing is deemed sacred anymore. This is precisely why we take the preservation of the natural home of mad honey bees earnestly.

Sustainability is one of our core values, this is why we make sure to keep the bee hives safe from excessive harvesting. We wait for the best seasons to harvest mad honey and allow the hives to replenish throughout the year. By minimizing disruption, we ensure that the home of the Apis Laboriosa Dorsata remains safe and we provided guarded protection to the bees' sanctuary.

More about honey bees here.






50 Shades of Grayanotoxin

Much more than simple compounds, grayanotoxin is a natural compound that makes the Nepalese cliff honey one of a kind. This powerful neurotoxin is present in our Mad Honey and thus in the rhododendron flowers from which they are collected.



If you don’t know much about mad honey, then you’re most probably unaware of the variety of grayanotoxin that exists. Let’s dive right into it and explore the 50 shades of grayanotoxin. Grayanotoxins are also referred to as andromedotoxin, acetylandromedol or rhodotoxin.

Grayanotoxins are present in the Ericaceae family and most specifically in these plants:

  • Rhododendron

  • Pieris

  • Agarista

  • Kalmia

While the rhododendron is present in Europe or Japan and other parts of the world, with over 750 species. Only the ponticum, flavum and luteum have large amounts of grayanotoxin that can have some effect on the human body.


Grayanotoxin is present in all parts of these rhododendrons, from the stem to the nectar. It is often used in cigarettes and herbal medicines. According to this article ,there are up to 25 varieties of grayanotoxin but not all of them have psychoactive properties. The only three most potent grayanotoxin identified are the following:

  • GTX-I

  • GTX-II

  • GTX-III.

Not Your Ordinary Rhodendron Species


The Nepalese rhododendron species that grow on the majestic Annapurna carry varying concentrations of neurotoxic compounds that are cyclic diterpenes. The concentration varies according to seasons and rhododendron species.

The fact that these flowers are part of the natural habitat of the Apis Laboriosa makes it non-toxic for the foraging bees. On the other hand, bees that are force-fed do not survive after ingesting grayanotoxin.



So, how do Grayanotoxins work?


According to Inverse, grayanotoxin works by binding to voltage-gated sodium ion channels in cells.

Grayanotoxins, whether consumed in mad honey or in any part of the rhododendron, work in the human body by binding to voltage-gated sodium ion channels in cells.


The chemical makeup of grayanotoxin has been identified as a diterpene-a polyhydroxylated cyclic hydrocarbon that does not contain nitrogen. As we mentioned earlier, grayanotoxins bind to voltage-dependent channels of sodium and alter their functions by breaking up the usual pattern of transmission. By blocking sodium channels, calcium ions convert into sensitive cells such as nerve, heart, and muscle cells.



Grayanotoxin II is present in the Mad Honey since the bees forage on rhododendrons which are present along with Annapurna. Since their tiny bodies are in perfect harmony with the ingestion of this compound, Nepalese honey possesses potent properties which are safe for humans to consume.


This is the most basic explanation behind the potency of the Nepalese nectar yet, we kept it simple for readers to get an insight into the making of mad honey. After all, knowledge is power!

Myths


To this day, there are many myths and legends surrounding the mad honey due to its composition. The Persian King Mithridates had apparently defeated his Roman foes by utilizing mad honey combs as bait. Since the troop was having a bit of psychoactive experience, they were easily defeated.

Moral of the story: Mad honey is intended for relaxation and not for waging wars. Like any other food with psychoactive properties, mad honey is consumed as means for relaxation and for enjoyable ‘highs’.


What to know about the grayanotoxin in Mad Honey?

The amazing thing about grayanotoxin is that once it gets into your metabolism it is excreted within 24 hours. So, if you feel slightly nauseous, remember that it will not last for more than a day.


As we emphasized in our FAQs, the best dosage for your first tasting is one teaspoon for medicinal benefits and 2 to more for psychoactive benefits. A gradual increase in intake is your safest bet. Since mad honey takes some time to be ingested, it is best not to be gluttonous in case you don't experience the effects quickly.

The level of euphoria is directly linked to the ingestion of mad honey. The aim when consuming mad honey is either medicinal or recreational. Yet, individuals particularly first-timers should be more careful as the distribution of grayanotoxin is never homogenous within honey. The effects of mad honey depend on several factors such as lifestyle and other psychoactive experiences.


Note: A teaspoon a day will not cause any psychoactive effects but simply boost up your immunity. It is commonly used among the Gurung tribesmen as a sort of health supplement.

Psychoactive users are more likely to know that a small amount of mad honey is sufficient.

As we mentioned in our blog article, Better Than a Pot of Gold, mad honey is not loved only for its psychoactive benefits. It is also used for its health benefits, our customers use it as means to combat anxiety, insomnia and as a booster. Evidence shows that products that contain grayanotoxin can help with hypertension and diabetes.

Love the fast delivery!! Taking since +2 weeks now and it definitely improved my sleep quality and day mood :)))) As I am on other medication, I only take 1 spoon. Taste is stronger than other honeys. I really love it. Thank you.
-BRO W

So are you curious and bold enough to taste this sweet and crazy nectar straight from the Himalayas?

If you're skeptical about its benefits, take a look at our reviews.


Learn more









Rhododendron flower- The flower that gives Mad honey its 'crazy' attributes.

To behold the Himalayan Apis Laboriosa foraging on the Rhododendron flowers and convert the collected nectar into Mad Honey is a one-of-a-kind experience. These highland bees possess genes that are perfectly compatible with the ‘invasive’ flowers which carry grayanotoxin.


The honey produced with grayanotoxin components is a precious nectar that is usually hard to find. And unless you are getting it from here, there is no guarantee that commercial mad honey is not over-processed or simply altered with cheaper kinds of honey.


According to the golden rule of sweetness, the value of honey can be deciphered by the following:

  • The overall quality ( raw, pure, or altered).

  • The region and climate in which the bees operate.

  • And the flora and fauna.

Lali Guransh, an Atypical National Flower

The story behind the production of mad honey is fascinating and unusual. Mad honey is not only about the bees, the honey hunters, but also much about the magic of the cosmos. The Rhododendron flower aka Lali Guransh, the national flower of Nepal largely contributes to the 'mad' properties of mad honey.

Rhododendrons are known for being noxious to humans, however, honey produced from the latter has psychoactive attributes and is largely used for its medicinal and recreational properties in Nepal.



Rhododendron stems are even used in dishes as the plant is believed to possess curative properties. The honey produced from the lali guransh is said to be effective in treating anxiety, insomnia, diabetes, and much more.

Grayanotoxins are toxins produced by rhododendrons and plants of the Ericaceae family. Ericaceaes consist of flowering plants that flourish in infertile growing conditions. This type of plant can be recognized by its leaves which are generally arranged along the stems; flowers usually grow in solitary or clusters with 5 petals, 5 sepals, and 10 stamens.


The Mad Honey Bees that Consume Grayanotoxin

Some types of rhododendron can contain up to 25 different types of grayanotoxin. The giant bees have become accustomed to the existing potent neurotoxin of the Lali Guransh and to them, it is merely a food source; the nectar is carried to the hive where potent mad honey is produced in oblivion.





Contrary to most bees who cannot ingest the rhododendron nectar, the Apis laboriosa has adapted to the highlands and has developed some sort of immunity to grayanotoxin. Hence, the bees are not intoxicated and neither are the humans who consume the Nepalese Mad Honey.


Rhododendron Luteum and Rhododendron Ponticum


The Rhododendrons are grown almost everywhere across the globe, however, it is essential that the giant Nepalese bees forage on the Rhododendron Luteum and Rhododendron Ponticum to produce what is known as mad honey.


The factor that primarily differentiates Nepalese mad honey from the Turkish lies in its conception - the rhododendron flowers flourish independently and are not cultivated in the Nepalese region as they are part of the scenery like the giant honey bees.


Seasons Influence the Potency of Mad Honey


The giant honey bees produce three types of honey; depending on the season, the level of grayanotoxin varies. The most potent form of honey is produced from the flowers at higher altitudes and is one of the rarest and most luxurious types of honey in the world. You can try it out here.


The honey that is harvested in autumn is cheaper since it is created from the Rhododendron present at all sites. This honey is more common and is sold at an average price. It is mainly harvested during late spring and autumn. It is renowned for its regenerative properties.

The most potent form of honey is produced from the Rhododendron flowers in Spring, at higher altitudes and is one of the rarest and most luxurious types of honey in the world.


The Mad Honey Limited Reserve


According to our customer reviews, The Mad Honey Limited Reserve, harvested in spring 2021, possesses a higher concentration of grayanotoxin leading to an elevated experience of the mad honey tasting.

Mad honey that is harvested in Autumn is cheaper since it is produced from the Rhododendron flowers present at all sites.

When it comes to the honey itself, the difference in taste can be as subtle as in the wine-tasting world. For instance, Manuka honey has a fuller consistency and an earthy, mineral-y taste whereas pure Himalayan mad honey has a slightly bitter aftertaste and has a more watery consistency which is why it spreads easily on the skin.

Depending on the harvest season, the potency of Mad Honey varies. See our FAQs to learn more.


If you’re fascinated by the lush scenery created by Rhododendron flowers, we recommend reading the following:



Note: We recommend experimenting with our two products, the Himalayan Mad Honey and the Limited Reserve 2021 Mad honey to assess both and appreciate your favorite.













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