Potency medicine in honey. GIS withdraws the product from stores

This is a product popularly called “Turkish honey for potency”, which should be based on herbal ingredients. According to GIS, “in the product sample (…) the presence of pharmacologically active substances – sildenafil – which was not declared on the label” was found. As emphasized in the announcement, sildenafil cannot be present in food due to its medical effects. The GIS speaks directly about the health risk, especially in the case of people taking certain medications (containing phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors or nitric oxide releasing agents). The origin, purity and dose of sildenafil in the product are unknown.

Turkish honey for potency – details of the recalled product

GIS provided details of the recalled product in its announcement:

• Product: Themra Bitkisel Karisimli Macun (Turkish honey for potency), 240g,

• Lot number: 2021121,

• Date of minimum durability: 17/12/2024,

• Producer: Veysi Topuz Hal Mah. Turgut Özal Bul. Yeni Hal Kompliki Toptancilar Sitesi No: 24/Z Blok No: 30-31 Akdeniz/Mersin.

“It should also be added that in the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, other member states have already reported notifications regarding Themra products from the same manufacturer. Therefore, there is a high probability that other batches of the product in question may also be adulterated,” the warning reads.

What is Turkish honey for potency?

Turkish honey for potency is a herbal mixture based on honey (although it often contains glucose-fructose syrup). The properties supporting male potency are attributed to the herbal ingredients of the product (sometimes also sold as a paste) – specifically to a plant called Epimedium, also called goat weed. Epimedium is (especially in Asia) a popular ingredient of potency preparations.