"Consuming 'raw honey' freshly harvested and sold by beekeepers from their hives in the autumn can easily lead to honey poisoning. The cause of honey poisoning is related to the toxic components present in the nectar of flowers," reminds a nutrition expert from Chongqing, urging people to be vigilant.
Experts explain that plants in nature can be divided into two major categories: non-toxic and toxic. Non-toxic plants generally flower earlier, mostly in the spring, while toxic plants flower later, mostly in the autumn.
Therefore, if bees collect pollen from toxic plants to make honey, the honey will become mixed with toxic substances—alkaloids.
Consuming "raw honey" that contains this toxin, alkaloids, and has not been processed, some people may experience symptoms such as allergies, asthma, skin rashes, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even irritability and mood swings, which can also affect sleep.
Therefore, experts advise that when purchasing honey in the autumn, one must be aware of its origin and harvest season. Before consumption, "raw honey" should be cooked into mature honey. The elderly and infants, due to their weaker gastrointestinal function and poor liver detoxification capabilities, must avoid consuming "raw honey" from the autumn season.