What is grayanotoxin honey?
Grayanotoxin is a naturally occurring sodium channel toxin which enters the human food supply by honey made from the pollen and nectar of the plant family Ericaceae in which rhododendron is a genus. Grayanotoxins are produced by Rhododendron species and other plants in the family Ericaceae. Honey made from the nectar and so containing pollen of these plants also contains grayanotoxins and is commonly referred to as mad honey.Mad honey poisoning is caused by the ingestion of honey containing grayanotoxins. Rhododendrons and other plants in the Ericaceae family are the source of grayanotoxins. Grayanotoxins are neurotoxins which can affect nerves and muscles. Symptoms of mad honey poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea and dizziness.Mad honey is honey that contains grayanotoxins. The dark, reddish honey is produced from the nectar and pollen of genus Rhododendron and has moderately toxic and narcotic effects. Mad honey is produced principally in Nepal and Turkey, where it is used both as a traditional medicine and a recreational drug.
The question arises: What does mad honey do to your body?
Mad honey is different from commercial/marketed honey as it is contaminated with grayanotoxin; it is known as mad honey due to its intoxicating/poisoning effects. Grayanotoxins are diterpenes, polyhydroxylated cyclic hydrocarbons, containing no nitrogens.
How long does grayanotoxin stay in your system?
It is believed, however, that grayanotoxins are rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract because of a rapid onset of clinical signs after exposure. Duration of clinical signs is usually about 1 to 2 days, indicating that grayanotoxins undergo rapid metabolism and excretion. As grayanotoxins are metabolized and excreted rapidly, patients generally regain consciousness and feel better within hours, and heart rate and blood pressure usually return to normal within 2–9 hours. Symptoms of poisoning occur after a dose-dependent latent period of a few minutes to two or more hours.Yilmaz et al. As grayanotoxins are metabolized and excreted rapidly, patients generally regain consciousness and feel better within hours, and heart rate and blood pressure usually return to normal within 2–9 hours.The toxic ingredient of this honey is called Grayanotoxin I. The consumption of mad honey can cause severe bradycardia, hypotension, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.For the sake of prudence, people who are allergic to pollen or with severe seasonal allergies (hay fever) are not advised to eat raw honey. Grayanotoxin-containing honey may cause a burning sensation in the throat, and honey with bitter or astringent taste should be discarded.Mad honey is honey that contains grayanotoxins. The dark, reddish honey is produced from the nectar and pollen of genus Rhododendron and has moderately toxic and narcotic effects. Mad honey is produced principally in Nepal and Turkey, where it is used both as a traditional medicine and a recreational drug.
What is the antidote for grayanotoxin?
No specific antidote is available for grayanotoxin poisoning. If ingestion of grayanotoxin-containing plants has occurred within 3 to 4 hours, emetics should be given to animals of appropriate species if not contraindicated. Patients exposed to low doses of grayanotoxin typically recover within a few hours. In more severe cases, symptoms may persist for 24 hours or longer and may require medical treatment (as described above). Despite the risk from cardiac problems, grayanotoxin poisoning is rarely fatal in humans.Initial grayanotoxin management should include the administration of activated charcoal if the ingestion has occurred within the last 2 hours. The recommended dose of activated charcoal is 0. Supportive care is usually sufficient for management.
What does grayanotoxin feel like?
Symptoms of grayanotoxin poisoning usually occur within 3 hours of ingestion. Common symptoms include nausea and vomiting, sweating, and dizziness. Like the cardiac glycosides, clinical signs of grayanotoxin toxicity include hypotension and bradycardia. Grayanotoxins are produced by Rhododendron species and other plants in the family Ericaceae. Honey made from the nectar and so containing pollen of these plants also contains grayanotoxins and is commonly referred to as mad honey.Mad honey is different from commercial/marketed honey as it is contaminated with grayanotoxin; it is known as mad honey due to its intoxicating/poisoning effects. Grayanotoxins are diterpenes, polyhydroxylated cyclic hydrocarbons, containing no nitrogens.Grayanotoxin, also known as mad honey, caused the patients to present with varying degrees of dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea based on the quantity ingested. Vital signs showed significant bradycardia and hypotension and were successfully treated with atropine and intravenous fluids.Be aware of potential severe interactions between aged honey containing grayanotoxins and alcohol. Such combinations can exacerbate symptoms like syncope and hypotension, especially in elderly patients with pre‐existing conditions, necessitating careful evaluation and management.The degree of mad honey intoxication depends on the quantity consumed as well as the concentration of grayanotoxins. It may act as a hypnotic, with milder symptoms including tingling sensations, numbness, dizziness, swooning, and giddiness.
Is grayanotoxin bad for you?
Consumption of grayanotoxin containing leaves, flowers or secondary products as honey may result in intoxication specifically characterized by dizziness, hypotension and atrial-ventricular block. Symptoms are caused by an inability to inactivate neural sodium ion channels resulting in continuous increased vagal tone. However, excessive consumption of mad honey can lead to serious adverse effects, including bradycardia, hypotension, and altered sensorium [3]. Experimental studies have also suggested cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in animal models, indicating potential broader health risks [4].Such food poisoning cases are sometimes called mad honey poisoning, where symptoms like dizziness, weakness, excessive perspiration, excessive salivation, numbing of limbs, nausea develop quickly after consumption.Bradycardia: A slower than normal heart rate, often a hallmark of mad honey poisoning due to increased vagal tone. Atrioventricular Block: A disruption in the conduction pathway between the atria and ventricles, which can result in a decreased heart rate and impaired cardiac output.According to ayurveda, honey becomes toxic when heated. So never add it to hot liquids or teas, never boil it & dont cook/bake with it.However, excessive consumption of mad honey can lead to serious adverse effects, including bradycardia, hypotension, and altered sensorium [3]. Experimental studies have also suggested cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in animal models, indicating potential broader health risks [4].