Authentic Mad Honey from Nepal

Mad honey is a rare honey produced by giant Himalayan honey bees that forage on rhododendron flowers high in the Nepali mountains. The nectar contains small amounts of grayanotoxins, which give mad honey its distinctive reddish color, mildly bitter taste, and the traditional reputation for its relaxing, warming effects.

Yes — genuine mad honey is harvested twice a year by the Kulung and Gurung honey-hunting communities on the cliffs of central and eastern Nepal. Avendi lists every jar directly from Nepali vendors who work with those communities, so what you receive is the real product and not a diluted or synthetic blend.

Mad honey is legal to buy, sell, and import in most countries, including the US, UK, EU member states, Singapore, and the wider Asia-Pacific. A small number of jurisdictions restrict it, so we recommend checking your local import rules before ordering if you are outside Nepal.

Taken in small amounts, mad honey is traditionally used as a warming tonic and a gentle relaxant. Users commonly describe a mild light-headed or calming sensation that fades within a few hours. Larger amounts are not recommended — the grayanotoxins that make mad honey unique also mean that, like any potent natural product, less is more.

Start with no more than half a teaspoon and wait at least an hour before considering any more. Traditional use in Nepal is one teaspoon on an empty stomach, and always well below a tablespoon. Do not take mad honey if you are pregnant, on heart or blood-pressure medication, or consuming alcohol.

Honey hunters rappel down Himalayan cliffs on rope ladders, using smoke to calm the giant Apis laboriosa bees, and cut combs by hand. It's a dangerous, twice-yearly practice that has been passed down through generations. Avendi's vendors work directly with these communities so more of the price stays with the hunters.