The doctor warned about the danger of "hallucinogenic" honey of Himalayan bees
Exotic honey from the mountainous regions of Nepal and Turkey, which sellers call a product with "special effects," may pose a health hazard. The reason is the plant toxins contained in it, which can affect the functioning of the nervous system and the heart. Olga Chistik, a general practitioner and gastroenterologist, told Izvestia about this on August 14.
According to the expert, the unusual reputation of such honey is due to the fact that bees collect nectar from some species of rhododendron. These plants contain grayanotoxins, substances that affect the transmission of nerve signals.
When ingested in honey, these compounds persist and do not disappear during normal storage. It is impossible to neutralize such a product at home.
"What customers call hallucinations is actually a manifestation of poisoning. The toxin affects the functioning of the nervous system and blood vessels: a person may experience nausea, salivation, dizziness, weakness, visual impairment, confusion and visual deceptions," explained Chistik.
In severe cases, the use of such honey can lead to seizures, cardiac arrhythmias and the need for medical attention.
The doctor stressed that it is impossible to predict the effect of the product. The amount of toxins depends on the type of plant, the season and the place of collection, so even two cans from the same seller may have different concentrations of active substances.
According to the expert, it is impossible to determine the danger of honey by its appearance, taste or color.
Myths about the benefits of exotic honey
Some sellers of exotic honey claim its ability to strengthen the immune system, lower cholesterol, protect against cancer, treat stomach diseases, and even affect potency. However, according to Chistik, there is no scientific evidence for such properties.
"Honey does not protect against cancer. There are no food products with proven antitumor effects. Cholesterol is adjusted by nutrition, physical activity, and medications if necessary, rather than using exotic honey," the doctor noted.
She also warned that using such a product for gastritis or peptic ulcer is dangerous. Instead of improving the condition, it can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and other symptoms of poisoning.
At the same time, ordinary honey from the store or from the market does not belong to this category. We are talking specifically about a product from mountainous regions, which is sold as an exotic commodity with unusual properties.
The doctor reminded that any honey remains a product with a high sugar content and a potential allergen. People with diabetes, overweight, and allergies to bee products should be treated with caution.
What to do if there are signs of poisoning
The first symptoms after consuming toxic honey may appear in a few minutes or hours. Among the alarming signs are sudden weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, darkening of the eyes, a rare pulse and a feeling of approaching fainting. If such symptoms occur, it is necessary to stop using the product, put the person down and call an ambulance. It is important to inform the doctor that honey could be the cause of possible poisoning, and show the packaging of the product.
According to Chistik, it's not worth trying to cope with the condition on your own. There are no special home treatments for such poisoning, and patients may need to be monitored in a hospital.
This honey is especially dangerous for people with heart disease, rhythm disorders, taking medications for blood pressure, as well as for the elderly, pregnant women and children.
The expert stressed that the natural origin of the product does not mean its safety: plant toxins can also pose a serious threat to the body.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
