Red honey from the Himalayas. Difference from other varieties of beekeeping products. Useful and harmful properties, recipes. Interesting facts about red honey.
Red honey is a rare beekeeping product harvested by the Himalayan large bees of a special species Apis Laboriosa. The nectar is viscous, transparent, with a reddish-brown tint, the taste is rich, sweet, without bitterness. Habitual perspiration after use almost does not occur. The smell is sweet, fragrant, pronounced. Crystallization in comparison with other varieties is long-lasting, within 9-10 months.
Composition and calorie content of red honey
The nutritional value of this type of nectar is the same as that of dark colored varieties, despite the fact that flowers growing in the apiary area are additional melliferous plants.
The exact composition has not been studied. When introducing into the diet, the average values should be taken into account.
The calorie content of red honey per 100 g of product is 316-334 kcal, of which:
- Proteins - 0.7-0.9 g;
- Fat - 0 g;
- Carbohydrates - 81, 5-84 g.
The glycemic index of the product is 84-90 units.
The composition of red honey is dominated by:
- Pantothenic acid - reduces psycho-emotional stress, prevents cardiovascular disease and improves the absorption of fatty acids.
- Vitamin PP - participates in protein-lipid metabolism, lowers blood cholesterol levels, prevents the development of a heart attack.
- Potassium - without it, heart attacks begin, the skin deteriorates, hair falls out, age-related changes develop rapidly.
- Chlorine - with its lack, the regeneration of the epithelium is disturbed, dehydration develops.
- Phosphorus - a sign of insufficiency is constant weakness, overwork, not associated with physical activity, the development of osteoporosis.
- Iron - with a deficiency of this substance, iron deficiency anemia, tachycardia appear, immunity decreases and memory deteriorates.
- Fluoride - with a lack of a trace element, myopia appears, tooth enamel is destroyed.
But the benefits and harms of red honey are determined not only by the standard set of nutrients that are contained in this product, but also depend on the content of the alkaloid andromedotoxin, which affects the nervous system, first strongly stimulating and then inhibiting impulse conduction, and tannins that enhance it action due to the slowing down of intestinal metabolism. Toxins accumulate in the body, which further negatively affects the general condition. Most of all andromedotoxin contains fresh red honey, and in the fall of the alkaloid in the composition is much less.
Since the main melliferous plant for this type of honey is rhododendrons, which are poisonous plants, the collection has special properties - it contains narcotic substances. For the peculiarity of intoxicating when abused, the product is called "insane" or "crazy".
Benefits of Himalayan Red Honey
The effect of the beekeeping product, obtained by the world's largest bees, was noticed by traditional healers. It has been used to treat many diseases.
Benefits of red honey:
- In small quantities, it is an antidepressant, relaxes, accelerates falling asleep. Suppresses feelings of anxiety and anxiety, stimulates the production of the hormone of happiness - serotonin. Course application will help to recover from stress, to restore efficiency.
- Increases immunity, prevents infection with viral diseases during the season of epidemics, reduces the frequency of recurrences of chronic inflammatory processes in the body. Facilitates intoxication with ARVI and influenza, stops secondary infection.
- It has an anesthetic effect, eliminates painful symptoms during exacerbation of diseases of the digestive organs - gastritis, ulcers. Normalizes the balance between beneficial and conditionally pathogenic intestinal microflora, inhibits pathogens.
- Relieves headache attacks.
- It has an antiparasitic and anthelmintic effect.
- Stops the development of dysbiosis.
- Helps to cope with chronic diarrhea, regardless of etiology.
- Reduces blood pressure, eliminates vasospasm.
- Has an antioxidant effect, isolates free radicals circulating in the blood vessels of the intestine.
- Normalizes blood sugar levels.
- Strengthens blood flow in inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, helps to recover from complications caused by a bacterial infection.
To get rid of nocturnal coughing fits, it is enough to dissolve a third of a tablespoon of red honey in a glass of milk or water. The action of such a medicine is similar to Thermopsis.
The nectar of this variety is useful for men. Direct use before a romantic date will help you relax, become more relaxed, increase potency and improve sperm production.
External application helps prevent the development of infectious and inflammatory processes, stimulates the regeneration of the epithelium. When introduced as an ingredient in cosmetic masks, it improves the quality of the skin and hair, has a rejuvenating effect, and removes cellulite.
Contraindications and harm of red honey
The use of a product of this type, regardless of the type, causes a more or less pronounced tingling sensation in the tongue and throat. Therefore, in case of inflammatory processes of the oral mucosa and tonsils - stomatitis, sore throat, pharyngitis - it is advisable to refuse to use it.
The harm of red honey is not limited to exacerbation of the inflammatory process. The action of the alkaloids that are in the composition is enhanced. They are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream without entering the stomach, which can provoke intoxication.
It is advisable to give up red Himalayan honey:
- with polyvalent allergies, the likelihood of histamine release increases;
- with chronic dermatological diseases of a non-infectious nature - psoriasis, neurodermatitis, eczema;
- in case of violations of the cardiovascular system, if one of the symptoms is a decrease in blood pressure;
- with a stomach ulcer or erosive damage to the esophagus, absorption increases.
You can not introduce a new product to children under 14 years of age, pregnant women and women with lactation.
Note! The recommended dose of red honey for adults is 1 tbsp. l. per day.
Overdose is dangerous. When overeating, the pressure first drops, and then rises sharply, the heart rate increases. Overexcitement appears against the background of general weakness, hallucinations. Death is possible due to pulmonary paresis or cardiac arrest. Regular use is addictive.
Red honey recipes
Very rarely, this product is added to baked goods, desserts or tea is drunk with it in the evening - it is too expensive. But if funds allow, nectar is introduced in small quantities into salads or set off the taste of meat or fish dishes, which are served with expensive wines.
Red honey recipes:
- Seafood … They cleanse large king prawns, removing not only the esophagus, but also the shell and legs. If the food is frozen, you will have to make an incision along the back to remove the intestines. Beat lemon juice with a blender - 2 fruits, half a glass of olive oil, 1 tbsp. l. soy sauce and 1 tbsp. l. honey. Season with red pepper powder. Marinated 800-900 g of shrimp for 1.5 hours. Cut the bacon into thin slices, wrap the shrimps in it. Preheat the oven to 180 ° C, bake the seafood on one side for 10 minutes, on the other for 5 minutes. Spread the finished rolls on a dish and apply 1 drop of red honey to each.
- Red fish with honey … The marinade is mixed: the juice of half a sweet orange, 2 tbsp each. l. rice wine and sesame oil, 3 tbsp. l. soy sauce, 1 tbsp. l. honey, a quarter teaspoon of chili flakes and a mixture of "five spices". Salted with sea salt to taste. 700 g of red fish fillets of your choice are cut across the fibers, put to marinate, left overnight in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container. Line a double boiler with Chinese cabbage leaves and lay out the pickled fillets. Cooking time - 10 minutes.
- Paradise salad … Almonds are peeled. You need to get 30 g of kernels, for this they are fried in a dry pan and pounded into crumbs. In homemade unsweetened yogurt, 200 ml, stir in 1 tsp. honey and a little bit of various spices - cinnamon, grated ginger, coriander. Cut into equal cubes mango, banana, orange, lime, after removing the zest from it. Lay out the salad on a platter in layers, all the fruits separately, dividing with the leaves of the Lolo-Rosso salad. Pour with dressing, sprinkle with crushed nuts and zest on top. Leave to stand for 3-4 hours to soak the fruit. Served with white wine.
Interesting facts about red Himalayan honey
Himalayan bees build their nests on sheer cliffs. They take care of the living conditions themselves and build them at an altitude of at least 3 thousand meters above sea level. In the same mountains, rhododendrons of several types grow - yellow, golden velvet and Pontic, mauve. Accompanying melliferous plants are bassia venichnaya, zupatorium odoratum and black mustard.
Honey is collected by hereditary collectors. It takes a long time to prepare for a hike in the mountains, a team of 10-12 people trains specially, climbing on vines and ropes to tall trees. Immediately before leaving the village, a religious ceremony is held, sheep, fruits and cereals are sacrificed to the gods. Once upon a time, the rise did not begin without human sacrifice.
Traditional rituals of beekeepers in the Himalayan mountains:
- It is better to start the hike on Tuesday, not on Wednesday. The rest of the days are allowed but not desirable.
- You cannot visit a colony of bees on certain days of the lunar cycle - 8, 11, 23, 26 and 30.
- In no case should you take women with you. Already 7 days before the "honey" hunt, men retired in special tents, where they offered prayers and prepared to get "insane nectar".
- Men who had pregnant wives or menstruating days of close women during the hike were removed from the gathering.
The camp was set up under a rock, then a torch was set on fire or a fire was made near the nest to smoke out the bees. A bortnik, dressed in a nettle shirt, climbed a bamboo ladder to a rock, "armed" only with a bamboo pole and a sharp knife. No outside protection against angry bees or fall protection is provided. The honeycomb is cut, put into a basket and the honey is pumped out at home. It is very important to cut the combs so that the bees do not leave their habitat.
12 villages are responsible for the collection; only 3053 kg of the valuable product are collected per year. Currently, only 26 habitats of the rare Apis dorsata laboriosa bees have been described.
Locals not only offer collection for sale. They themselves use it for medicinal purposes. Real men of the tribe eat 10 g daily on an empty stomach to improve reproductive health.
Cosmetics made from red honey are ideal for white-skinned blondes:
- For face. It is required to apply without any additives, leave for 20-30 minutes. Application within 2-3 weeks stops age-related changes, smoothes fine wrinkles, restores velvety and healthy color.
- For hair. Be sure to rub in May, starting to be sugared, honey is rubbed into the hair growth zone. It accelerates blood flow, eliminates peripheral vascular spasms, stimulates metabolic processes in the follicle area. The curls become soft and shiny.
Now you can take part in the honey hike yourself. It is enough to find a travel agency that organizes such excursions.
If red honey was offered in a store, we can immediately conclude that this is not an original product. Usually it is the nectar of the Himalayan bees, which were moved closer to the village. This product retains its characteristic reddish color and is completely safe to use.
Watch a video about red honey:
It is impossible to determine by appearance and taste where the nectar was obtained from. But you should focus on the price - usually it is 4-6 times higher than for ordinary wild honey. The pick can be bought in Nepal, China or Korea, but it is best to visit the Himalayas and purchase directly from pickers.
