Mad Honey vs Regular Honey: Which Is Better for Your Health?
You are a honey lover and are exploring different types of honey. Or, you are tired of having the same kind of honey for a very long time and now want to switch to a unique kind. Or, you are just curious to know more about the difference between mad honey and regular honey.
Whatever the case, Trust us, you have come to the right place. We will walk you through the uniqueness of mad honey, and then you can eventually decide which one to buy.
Mad Honey: Introduction
Mad honey, also known as “psychedelic honey,” has been a dear secret of the Annapurna and Manaslu regions for thousands of years. The Gurung community of these mountain regions are the honey hunters that have been residing in this faraway land. They have been collecting mad honey as their only means of livelihood.
Mad Honey Harvesting technique is still cherished in its pure and pristine form due to the determination of these brave men. Talking about mad honey, which is the world's rarest honey, it is found only in the mountains of Nepal, the Black Sea region, and some other parts of Turkey.
The reason it is rare is the process that goes into making it. Plus, Apis Dorsata Laboriosa, known as the world’s largest honey bees, collects the honey from the sweet blossoms of the rhododendron flower and other Himalayan wildflowers.
The giant honey bees make their homes in the high mountains, where no average human being can go. If you are going to climb such cliffs, you need some strength and willpower. However, the honey hunters are the masters of the Himalayas and have great endurance and perseverance.
History of Mad Honey
Mad Honey dates back almost to 8000 B.C., approximately 10,000 years ago. Luckily, there is a historically fascinating story about a mass murder that occurred in 67 B.C., when the Roman army attacked the Black Sea (a Turkish territory). The supporters of King Mithridates, who was in power at the time, got angry at this stupid, rude invasion of their territory. So they hatched a plot to murder the Roman army. As per their plan, they covered the Romans' path with some mad honey as an act of revenge.
The Romans were naive about the Turkish plan. They accepted the invitation as a way of making peace with the Turks. Therefore, they consumed the honey in large quantities and died then and there. Most of them survived but had irreparable health effects.
Although Turkish mad honey has a long history, Nepalese mad honey still prevails in terms of flavour and effects because Mad honey from Nepal has credible authentication since it is purely harvested in the high cliffs of mountains.
Mad Honey vs Regular Honey
Both regular honey and mad honey have the potential to be healthy, yet they are very different products with unique health effects.
Mad honey, often referred to as hallucinogenic honey or psychedelic honey, is in abundance in the mountain regions of Nepal. The giant honey bees collect nectar from specific species of flowers that contain the neurotoxin grayanotoxins, which can relax both your mind and body.
By consuming the mad honey, you can concentrate better. Consequently, you can enhance your mental creativity level.
Mad honey has a range of health benefits, from curing throat irritation to losing weight. The bizarre honey is a source of good carbohydrates, which can help you kick-start your day.
This psychedelic honey has an unusual taste and colour that are slightly different from the other forms of honey. With only one tablespoon, you can identify mad honey since it gives you a tingling sensation in your throat.
With an adequate source of antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, it treats coughs, works as an antiseptic to clean out a wound, improves any digestive issues, and strengthens bones and teeth. Plus, it contains minerals and vitamins that regulate the blood properly, giving you energy.
Regular honey, on the other hand, is a syrup-like liquid with no mind-relaxing compound. It does have its advantages and contains antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. But the effect of regular honey is less than that of mad honey.
Regular store honey also contains a large amount of sugar, which is not an ideal choice for people with diabetes or those who take less sugar. Therefore, mad honey is the right honey for such people since it contains a low glycemic index.
However, one major difference between the two jars of honey is the presence of grayanotoxin. As we know, the stored honey does not contain any grayanotoxin in its composition. Hence, it cannot be your preference if you are looking to calm your mind.
The presence of grayanotoxin can provide a soothing sleep, and if you have it in the proper dosage, you can also have a productive day. Also, the mad honey effects give you clarity about certain things in your life.
The Myth About Mad Honey
Even though honey is completely safe to consume, there are some myths about it being dangerous. So we would like to bust such myths. Anyone can consume the honey, but you need to be aware of the dosage. Take only one tablespoon of the honey and stir it into some drinks or mix it into some meals.
And if you are new to honey, do not consume it raw. Pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under the age of 14 should also avoid taking honey. So parents should place the jar of honey away from the reach of their children.
There's also a myth about whether mad honey is legal or not. No worries; we have detailed information about this topic in our other blog. Go check it out!
The Authenticity of Mad Honey
The Gurung community of Nepal collects honey from the high cliffs of Nepal with only their age-old equipment. They use no modern beeping technique. Because the new type of honey-hunting technique includes the use of chemicals,
Several modern beekeepers use chemical methods to control pests and insects in their hives. But sadly, the chemicals can be dangerous to bees and have the possibility of polluting honey and other bee products. Hence, due to the traditional way of honey hunting, the erratic honey is authentic, natural, and safe to eat.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that while regular honey also contains similar benefits to mad honey, mad honey is a healthier option for daily use because of its potential physical and mental benefits.