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Mad Honey
Aug 4, 20213 min read

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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Mad Honey
Dec 12, 20204 min read

Mad Honey Hunting in Nepal

Hunting for honey with the Gurung community is a fascinating experience that allows outsiders to discover their hidden treasure aka the mad honey, at an altitude of more than 3000 meters while discovering their unique culture and way of life. By savoring their prized red honey that is traditionally and ethically harvested, you can experience an appreciation of the rich and abundant Nepalese cliffs without even traveling.


The Curio known as Nepalese Honey Hunters

The Gurung honey hunters are not your average country hunters; these men are among the bravest and most underrated heroes you have ever come across.

Twice a year, mad honey is harvested from the deadly Himalayan cliffs. The tradition of honey hunting has been handed down through generations. The knowledge of red honey hunting is sacred to the Gurung community and whilst this art seems to be rendered extinct, the few honey hunters who still subsist are ensuring that their cultural heritage is kept alive by leading the remaining youth who is still fascinated by honey hunting.



Not Your Next-door Bees

The Himalayan honey/cliff bees known as Apis Laboriosa or giant bees are the world's largest honey bees and can measure up to three centimeters in length. These exotic bees differ from other bee species in numerous ways:

  • Their forewings are over 12 mm in length.

  • Their nesting behavior is unique; nests are typically composed of a single comb built on overhangs on vertical cliffs.

  • Nests are commonly present in altitudes above 1200m. Their distribution is restricted to the Himalayas. The bees are most common in mountainous areas of Nepal, Bhutan, India, and some parts of the Yunnan province in China.

  • Every once in a year, the giant bees gather nectar from white rhododendrons flowers (Lali Gurash) that carry 'mad' characteristics.


Extraordinary Men, Ordinary Lives



The risk taken is no joke albeit it seems like a child's play to the Gurung hunters. The hunters wear little to no protective gear. Originally from Tibet, the hunters moved to the region in the Middle Ages.

They were predominantly subsistence farmers who carried small-scale production of vegetables and livestock and had minimum interaction with the outside world. Their village is at a distance of more than 48 hours of walk from the nearest main road.

''These are people who are very connected to their land, and they’re connected to the spiritual world that comes out of their land.” For a Nepalese Honey Hunter's Last Harvest, Friend and Filmmaker Ben Ayers'99 was there.-Emily McConville

The Process

Honey hunting is not an undistinguished exercise; the Gurung tribesmen perform a sacred ritual including an animal sacrifice known as a Puja to pay their respects to the forest gods for a safe honey hunt. The sacrificed chicken/ sheep/goat is then served as a meal to the head of the honey hunters who is responsible for climbing the rope ladder, extracting the honeycombs, and enduring the honey bee stings. Another meal is typically served after a fruitful harvest. The Annapurna cliffs are vicious and many have lost their lives during their attempts to collect this unique nectar. Their names have been engraved along the cliffs as a tribute to them.



It is common to get rid of wasps by lighting a fire and moving their comb somewhere else. Unsurprisingly, the same is done to drive cliff bees out of their honeycombs; dried leaves are lit, attached to wet ones so that the huntsmen can attach them to their rope and maneuver the smoke while climbing the cliff.


With the aid of a bamboo stick; the hunter works the nest vigorously so as to detach the honeycomb from the cliff. Simultaneously, another stick is used to direct a basket and catch the severed honeycomb. The art of honey hunting not only requires dexterity but also grit which few of us possess. Once the honeycomb is caught in the basket, it is lowered to the ground.


The red honey is consumed in its raw state and is divided among the remaining villagers. Cups of honey tea are served. The honey-hunting site is situated in a remote location that keeps it at bay from foreign exploitation.


The Mad Honey® Harvest

Our harvests take place twice a year for the Himalayan Honey and only once a year for the Limited Reserve to provide the best quality possible. The Mad Honey® believes in an ethical harvest that supports the abundance of this dwindling Nepalese community. Our dedicated on-site team in Nepal is part of the Mad Honey Community; this allows us to have insightful knowledge of the harvests and hunts. Thus, we are able to get our hands on the best quality of mad honey for you.



Superior Honey That Makes you High

We are the first company to trade Mad Honey worldwide and offer an online shop with international delivery. We are experienced and offer a unique experience to each and every customer.

Think we are blowing own trumpets?

Check out our reviews.





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Mad Honey
Aug 24, 20205 min read

Discover the Top 5 Benefits of Mad Honey. It's worth the hype and your coin!

The Mad Honey ® is unique as it makes you trippy and yet, it is unlike anything you have ever tasted. Trust us, we’re not bragging, just take a look at our reviews.

The Mad Honey ® is synonymous with quality and uniqueness. It not only boasts itself for its recreational effects, but also for being a nectar full of virtues that has been delicately extracted from the Annapurna cliffs while respecting the customs of the locals. Our mad honey is certified and approved by the Government of Nepal.


Not your average pot of gold!

The Mad Honey ® is not only highly potent but it is also rich in texture and taste. It smells like nature and has numerous benefits that you’re about to discover.

Mad honey is one of the rarest varieties of honey in the world and is renowned to be sourced from the black sea region and the Himalayan mountains of Nepal.


Nepalese and Turkish mad honey are the most popular ones though the Nepalese one has the upper hand since it is harvested naturally without mechanical interruption while Turkish mad honey is cultivated and then harvested.

As you might have remarked, we abstain from large-scale production, instead, we focus on the quality of our honey through minimum production. We work hand in hand with the local honey hunters to make sure that The Mad Honey ® is harvested ethically and that we continually sustain the tradition of mad honey hunting in the Gurung community. By purchasing from us, you’re keeping the Gurung culture alive and tasting the best nectar of the Nepalese mountains without having to budge.


So what makes our Mad Honey Unique?

Our Nepalese honey is harvested from a high altitude in the traditional way without disrupting Dame Nature. Since The Mad Honey ® products are 100% natural and that Nepalese mad honey typically involves a complex hunting process and is extremely rare, it is not surprising that it on the pricier side as pure and unprocessed mad honey is limited in supply, and production costs are typically higher since it involves intense labor. The honey hunt is a risky and delicate process that only a few can attempt. Watch Honey Hunting in Nepal by Nepal, 8th Wonder of the world to find out more.



Extracting this sweet gold means delivering an exquisite product to honey and psychoactive enthusiasts alike. As we earlier stated, acquiring mad honey is a rather complex process but the reward is ambrosial!

Our mad honey is extracted from nutritious and high-quality beehives that are surrounded by rich floral vegetation. Apis Dorsata bees are the only mad honey producers in Nepal living at an altitude of +3,000 meters and producing honey only twice a year; once right before summer and the second time in winter. Our Mad Honey Limited Reserve collects honey only once a year, at the end of spring-the peak of the blooming season so as to reach the highest level of potency.

Nepalese mad honey is different from your average honey as it contains high medicinal values. So, here are our top 5 benefits that mad honey has to offer.


1. A Healthy Psycho-active Alternative

We’ll be the first ones at The Mad Honey ® to admit that these past two years have been crazy. With the pandemic looming around the corner, we are always on the lookout for new ways to enjoy ourselves and nothing new; for centuries, people across all regions have been researching new methods to relax.


Mad honey is not only great due to the fact it is organic but also due to the fact that it has natural psychoactive properties. Therefore, it is used as a healthy medium of enjoyment and pleasure.


The giant Nepalese bees forage on the stunning Rhododendron flowers that contain grayanotoxin which is a psychoactive compound that is also present in the mad honey that the bees produce. This is precisely why mad honey gives hallucinogenic or psychoactive effects after consumption. Mad honey is undoubtedly, one of the sweetest and healthiest alternatives of getting boozed without compromising your sanity or health. Like everything else, mad honey should be consumed in moderation.


2. Energizing Effects

With around 26 amino acid and nutrient compounds namely vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, calcium, and mineral, it is not surprising that mad honey boosts the metabolism. Mad honey helps to get rid of fat and aids in food digestion, thus converting fat into energy and not weight gain. Sweet guiltless pleasures, who can say no to that?


3. An Alternative Remedy To Traditional Medicine

Honey has been used for coughs, wound healing, diabetes, sexual stimulation, hypertension, diabetes amongst others in all parts of the world for centuries. Mad honey is used for multiple purposes, which vary from those of regular honey.


It is employed as an alternative remedy for hypertension, diabetes, flu, gastrointestinal ailments, gastric pain, arthritis. Mad honey is believed to be a prominent immune booster among the Gurung tribesmen of Nepal.


The nectar is used for treating wounds and works wonders for different types of skin issues. Skincare lovers, we've got your back! In addition, it is an effective ally against viral and bacterial infections.

Raw honey is known as an effective germ killer and a skin tissue regenerator. Hence, it is a great product to reduce acne due to its antibacterial and antifungal characteristics.


Last but not least, mad honey is a strong aphrodisiac, so if you fancy livening up the birds and the bees, you might want to try out some of The Mad Honey with your partner.


4. Reduces Ulcers and Gastrointestinal Problems

Mad honey is frequently consumed by locals to cure peptic ulcers, abdominal or gastric pain, bowel disorders, indigestion, dyspepsia, and other related issues. Mad honey is abundant in antioxidants which aid in preventing and restoring the damaged cells in the digestive tract and is therefore believed to reduce gastrointestinal problems.


5. Helps to prevent cancer and heart diseases

According to research published by Hindawi in 2012, mad honey is believed to be one of the highest carrier of phenolic compounds that contribute to high antioxidant properties which in turn, help prevent cancer as oxidants and free radicals are responsible for cancer development.


''Eat Honey, Think Sunny!'', Winnie The Pooh

Now that we are pretty much sure that you are convinced that you need to try out some of this good stuff asap. Let's not be carried away and consume too much of sweetness. The recommended dose is one or two teaspoons. Some people love experimenting with mad honey but it is technically a neurotoxin, so you better be careful with that one! If you are looking for something out of the ordinary to relax and arouse your taste buds, we highly recommend buying The Mad Honey and testing it for yourselves!

And YES, We ship worldwide!!


Find out more:


Find out more about what makes The Mad Honey® different in our About Us section.












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