Mad Honey Nepal Hunting, Benefits, Effects, Cost

Hidden deep within the towering cliffs of Nepal, one of the sweetest, rarest and intoxicating sweeteners is the Mad Honey Nepal. Harvested by the seasoned, fearless honey hunters for the hives, hanging on the mountainous cliffs of giant Himalayan Bees. This golden nectar tastes and possesses characteristics like no other.

Mad Honey is known especially for its aphrodisiac and medicinal benefits, sweet taste, and some hallucinogenic effects. In the past, only a limited number of indigenous people on the mountain were familiar with this type of honey. But in recent days, since some photographers and videographers grew interested and posted the Mad Honey Nepal documentary, it has become a luxury item.

Nepal mad honey has been an attraction for adventurers, healers, and connoisseurs for a long time. But what makes this honey so special? Let’s go through Nepal’s legendary mad honey.

What is Mad Honey Nepal?

Mad Honey is a unique food or a sweetener that holds healing power, energizes and provides stamina, and can even alter your perception. It has a distinct reddish hue and intoxicating effects.

This honey can be found hanging on the cliffs in remote mountainous regions of Nepal, like Karnali, Humla, Jumla, etc.

Nepal mad honey contains grayanotoxins, a neurotoxic chemical compound that creates a mild hallucination effect if taken in excessive amounts. However, if taken in proper amounts, it is believed to have different benefits.

Likewise, this honey also possesses traditional significance, especially in Gurung communities.

Unique Properties of Mad Honey

Unlike regular honey, mad honey is infused with medicinal and psychoactive properties. The bees responsible for its production, Apis laboriosa, feed on the nectar of rhododendron flowers, which contain natural toxins. These toxins, when transferred to the honey, give it a unique taste, deep colour, and therapeutic value. Mad honey is sought after for its ability to provide relaxation, pain relief, and even aphrodisiac qualities.

Where is Mad Honey Found in Nepal?

Mad honey is primarily found in the high-altitude Rocky Mountains of Nepal, particularly in the Annapurna, Manaslu, and Langtang areas. The steep cliffs in these regions provide the perfect habitat for giant Himalayan bees to build their hives. Honey hunters risk their lives scaling these cliffs to harvest this rare nectar.

Especially around the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek route in Ulleri, where there is abundant rhododendron forest to feed on, mad honey can be found. Besides this, near Sinuwa and Hinku cave in the Annapurna Base Camp trek route, the mad honey hive can be seen hanging on the cliffs.

Apart from this, Karnali, Humla, Jumla, etc., are remote locations in Nepal, and mad honey hunting is famous.

Mad Honey Harvest Season and Traditions

The harvesting of mad honey is deeply rooted in Nepalese tradition. It takes place twice a year—once in spring (March to May) and again in autumn (September to November), only two weeks a year. During these periods, indigenous communities, particularly the Gurung people, embarked on daring expeditions to collect the honey, following a ritualistic process that has been passed down for generations.

Harvesting Process of Mad Honey

The process of harvesting mad honey is not for the faint-hearted. Only some trained, appointed ones are allowed to climb down the cliff and harvest the honeycomb. Hunters use handmade rope ladders to climb steep cliffs where Apis laboriosa (twice the size of normal bees) build their hives.

Honey hunters have to walk for several days, camping in the midst of forests. The process of harvesting mad honey begins weeks before by preparing handmade ladders to climb down the cliff and other gear.

Once they reach the honeycomb, they perform some rituals, appreciating nature and thanking her for her gifts, such as honey. Then, they smoke the hive to ward off and numb the bees so they do not sting the hunters.

Finally, the hunter climbs down the handmade ladder, which is almost 100 meters long, barefoot, to harvest mad honey. During this process, bees try to scare away the hunter and sting multiple times in their defense.

Once in their reach, hunters use a sickle, specially made by attaching to a long rod, to cut the honeycomb. While one cuts the comb, another uses handmade baskets to catch the honey and transfer it down the cliff.

Finally, the honey is filtered using a straw basket and scooped into the containers.

At last, you can taste the remaining honeycomb. But we do not recommend you have much of it, as it causes hallucinations.

Nepal Mad Honey hunting is a hereditary and traditional process. It is an ancient tradition requiring immense skill, physical endurance, and deep respect for nature.

Mad Honey Hunting in Nepal

The mad honey hunting in Nepal has been gaining attention and popularity globally due to its extreme and cultural significance. Many travelers and adventurers from around the world visit the remote villages of Nepal to witness or participate in this expedition.

However, due to its high demand in the global market, the sustainability of this practice has now become a growing concern.

Nevertheless, the locals welcome the visitors and celebrate with them, maybe sometimes performing traditional performances.

Nepal Mad Honey Bees

Apis laboriosa, the world’s largest honeybee species, produces honey. This species of bee is only found in the Himalayas and can grow up to 3 cm in length, double the size of a normal honeybee.

Grayanotoxins come from the nectar of rhododendron flowers that grow in the wild nature of the Himalayas. The bees have to make nearly 4 million flower visits just to make a kg of honey.

In a normal mad honeybee’s lifetime, a bee can produce nearly 1/12th of a tablespoon of honey. So, you can imagine the labor of producing a kg of mad honey.

No wonder 100 grams of this rare mad honey with a high amount of grayanotoxins can cost up to $200.

Natural Ingredients of Mad Honey

Mad honey contains essential nutrients, antioxidants, and enzymes that are proven to be beneficial for health. The major natural ingredients of mad honey are:

Grayanotoxins: The major psychoactive compounds
Flavonoids: Wonderful antioxidants
Natural Sugars: providing energy and nutrition
Enzymes: Helping digestion and boosting immunity

Benefits and Uses 

If taken in small, controlled doses, mad honey from Nepal is proven to have several health and medicinal benefits. Mad honey has been used for centuries in Nepalese and Himalayan medicine. It has been used on several cultural occasions, culinary, and sometimes for recreational uses.

Health Benefits

Here are some of the health benefits of mad honey:

• Natural Energy Booster: Mad honey is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which help boost your stamina and vitality.
• Digestive Aid: It helps digest foods and reduces bloating and stomach ulcers when taken in the right amount.
• Anti-Inflammatory: It helps in reducing inflammation and joint pain in those suffering from arthritis.
• Regulates Blood Pressure: Mad honey can manage your BP, potentially causing hypotension if taken in a low amount.
• Antimicrobial Effects: Mad honey helps in healing wounds and fights certain bacteria and fungi.

Medicinal Benefits

Besides health benefits, medicinal mad honey from Nepal is used for medical purposes. Some of the medical benefits of mad honey are as follows;

Pain Relief: Used by the indigenous Gurung and Magar communities to alleviate muscle and joint pain.
Stress & Anxiety Reduction: Mild intoxicating effects may induce relaxation (similar to a natural sedative).
Aphrodisiac: Traditionally believed to enhance libido and sexual performance.
Cold & Flu Remedy: Mixed with warm water or herbs to soothe sore throats and respiratory issues.
Diabetes Support: Some studies suggest it may help regulate blood sugar, though research is limited.

Traditional Uses

Mad honey has been used on several cultural occasions by different ethnic groups, like Gurung, Magar, Newar, etc., of Nepal. It has been used in several festivals while performing “Puja”, a special practice of worshipping God.

Likewise, people eat half to a spoonful of honey in lukewarm water to treat joint pain, digestive issues, and respiratory problems.

Shamans, locally called “Jhakri”, also sometimes use Nepal mad honey for mild psychoactive effects.

Effects of Mad Honey

Depending on the usage, the psychoactive properties of this potent vary. If taken in a small, proper amount, it gives warmth and relaxation.

However, if consumed in large amounts, it can cause serious effects like constipation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and sometimes a temporary loss of consciousness. You feel like the world around you is melting away.

Not only psychoactive effects, but a single sting of a mad honey bee can cause a burning sensation and swelling.

Psychoactive and Hallucinogenic Effects

Grayanotoxins are the primary chemical for the psychoactive effects of mad honey. If you are consuming directly from the honeycomb or a large amount, it gives you a little burning sensation.

Then, you will feel your body is heating up. Finally, you might have hallucinations like the world is spinning in itself or melting. Your nervous system is interfered with sodium channels, causing this kind of hallucinogenic effect.

If taken in moderate amounts, it might cause a sensation of relaxation and a euphoric feeling, making it a natural stress reliever.

Some users have reported a loss of perception of time and heightened sensory reflexes. A few users have reported that they slept for straight 3 days and saw dream-like visions when awake.

These kinds of Nepal mad honey experiences differ from the level of an individual’s tolerance and metabolism. So, we suggest you take the right dose of honey, or it can be a sweet mad honey Nepal drug.

How much does Mad Honey Nepal cost?

Mad honey cost in Nepal is comparatively more expensive than normal honey. Moreover, the price of mad honey per kg in Nepal is somewhat cheaper than in Europe or other countries.

Mad honey price in Nepal can range between $50 and $300 per 100 g, depending on its purity and source. Make sure that you buy them from local markets, department stores, or directly from the harvesting site. Mad honey found online can be fake, so be careful when buying mad honey online.

Its price per kg in Nepal Daraz (an online e-commerce site in Nepal) can cost around $20-$50 per 100 g. As the product comes directly from local sellers, its chance of authenticity is higher.

Globally, the demand for mad honey has seen a significant surge. It has been popular for its rarity, dangerous harvesting process, and chemical components. Nepal mad honey price on Amazon and eBay is listed around $50-$200.

Some of the sites, like HimalayanHoney.com, sell lab-tested mad honey for around $300 per 100 g.

However, we suggest you visit Nepal during harvesting season, or you can even participate in the harvest and then directly buy from them.

Things to Consider When Buying Mad Honey

• If the honey is too cheap, less than $20 per 100 g, it’s likely to be fake.
• See the lab reports (HPLC test) and grayanotoxin levels. High grayanotoxin levels have stronger effects, and low levels have mild effects.
• If the seller exaggerates its effects, like claiming instant effect or something similar, they are probably faking.

Legal and Commercial Value of Mad Honey From Nepal

Mad honey is legally harvested and sold in Nepal and the international market. Based on its purity and grayanotoxin levels, the mad honey price per kg in Nepal is around NPR 40,000 for premium quality. While in the international market, it can cost up to $900 per kg.

However, its increasing demand in the international market has raised concerns about sustainable and ethical harvesting practices. Nevertheless, the indigenous honey hunters have been trying to preserve their traditional harvesting process and its quality.

Is mad honey legal in Nepal?

Yes, mad honey is legal in Nepal and is sold legally and traditionally in local markets. However, the export of mad honey in large quantities requires legal procedures to ensure its authenticity, ethical harvest, and sustainability.

Export and International Availability of Nepal Mad Honey

The purchase of mad honey in foreign countries is possible. However, its availability, purity, and import regulations might vary from country to country.

Some of the countries have classified it as a medical product, while some have imposed restrictions due to its psychoactive nature. So, check for export regulations and international availability of Nepal mad honey if you are planning to buy or sell.

Mad Honey FAQs

What is mad honey called in Nepal?

Mad honey is called “Madhu” or “Maha” in Nepal. It is also called “Delicious Honey” or “Cliff Honey” locally in Nepal.

Is mad honey only found in Nepal?

No, mad honey is not just limited to the cliffs of Nepal. They are also found in Turkey and certain parts of the Himalayas. However, mad honey found in Nepal is considered the purest and most potent due to its high-altitude availability and pristine environment.

Can you take Nepal mad honey to Europe?

Yes, you can take Nepal mad honey to Europe and many other countries worldwide. However, it is essential to check for import regulations.

Has anyone died from eating mad honey?

While fatality from consuming mad honey is extremely rare, some rare deaths have occurred due to mad honey overdose. Especially those suffering from heart disease and diabetes, or due to sudden drops in blood pressure.

Is Nepal mad honey legal in Australia?

No. Nepal mad honey is not legal in Australia due to its biosecurity and food safety regulations. However, under special medical conditions and with special permits, mad honey can be imported into Australia.