Autumn Marks the Flowering Season of Poisonous Plants; Caution is Needed to Avoid Honey Poisoning
Honey is rich in nutrients. Modern medicine has proven that honey not only has health benefits such as improving intelligence, increasing hemoglobin, improving heart function, and strengthening the body, but it also has certain therapeutic effects for some diseases. However, although honey is beneficial, improper consumption can easily lead to poisoning.
The cause of honey poisoning is related to the toxic components in the nectar of plants. Plants in nature can be divided into two major categories: non-toxic and toxic. Non-toxic plants generally flower earlier, mostly in the spring. In contrast, toxic plants flower later. After autumn, the flowering season for most non-toxic plants has passed, while poisonous plants are in full bloom. At this time, if bees collect pollen from poisonous plants to make honey, it is likely to mix in toxic substances—alkaloids. When people consume this raw honey, which contains toxins and has not been processed, they may experience several symptoms: allergies, asthma, skin rashes, or dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain. It can also cause irritability, moodiness, and affect sleep.
When purchasing honey, it is important to know its origin and harvest season to avoid accidental poisoning. The elderly and infants have weaker gastrointestinal functions and poorer liver detoxification capabilities, so they should be especially cautious about consuming raw honey harvested after autumn. It is best to dissolve honey in warm water, with the temperature not exceeding 60°C, as higher temperatures can destroy active enzymes, vitamins, and other components in honey. Additionally, it is best not to drink honey water on an empty stomach; it is recommended to drink it one and a half hours after a meal.