Mad Honey has been used for centuries by people all over the world. But just what is it and why has it been so prevalent?
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What Is Mad Honey?
Mad Honey is produced when a specific type of honeybee, called the heather bee, feeds on the nectar of heather plants that are abundant in Iceland and New Zealand. This nectar that is collected by these bees is quite different than what we normally think of like honey.
It appears much darker in color and has a texture that is more similar to molasses. While this type of honey will crystallize over time, it will never have the usual soft texture that normal honey has. The reason why mad honey takes on such a unique appearance is that it undergoes an accelerated fermentation process during its production cycle.
It turns out that mad honey isn’t really honey at all, but actually, a very rare form of manuka made when certain types of bees feed on nectar from heather plants.
What’s In Mad Honey?
Most people believe that mad honey contains all sorts of goodies, like vitamins and minerals, because of its color. A common myth is that mad honey contains high levels of zinc, which is why it is used to treat skin diseases such as acne and psoriasis. In reality, mad honey contains practically no vitamins or minerals. It is only a bit darker in color than normal honey.
The real secret ingredient in mad honey is a compound called grayanotoxin. It is found in the nectar of the heather plant and not in the honey itself. It can cause various side effects, such as dizziness, difficulty breathing, lowered heart rate and even fainting when it is ingested.
The toxin has effects on the nervous system and can be poisonous to humans if taken in large amounts. These effects are why mad honey has gained popularity for use as a topical treatment for skin conditions like psoriasis and acne.
Is mad honey poisonous?
Mad honey is not poisonous to humans if used properly. It is sometimes used as a topical remedy on the skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Though it can irritate your skin, it has no adverse effects on your normal health if ingested in small amounts.
There might be some side effects that can occur from using it. Since the active ingredient in mad honey is grayanotoxin, its side effects can be very serious and potentially fatal if large amounts are ingested over a long period of time.
What Are The Important Health Benefits of Mad Honey?
There are some reported health benefits of mad honey. People have used it as an antiseptic for wounds and burns, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
It is also a very good topical antiseptic for skin diseases like acne or psoriasis. For centuries, it has also been used to help with various ailments of the stomach, heart, and kidneys. But remember, before applying it to your skin, you need to dilute mad honey with water in order to avoid adverse side effects.
Conclusion
The facts are pretty straightforward: mad honey is not honey, it’s very rare nectar extracted from heather plants that are used to treat conditions like psoriasis and acne. But don’t be fooled into wasting your money! It’s not real honey at all; it’s just an odd-colored extract of a particular type of bee that feeds on heather plants in the wild.
