What are honey packs for men and are they safe?

If you struggle with erectile dysfunction (ED) or low libido, you might be looking for over-the-counter remedies to improve your sexual functioning. One remedy you may have seen at gas stations or online is “honey packs.” 

But what is a honey pack, and what’s even in it? Most importantly, is it safe, and do honey packs work?

A honey pack is a supplement made of honey and other added ingredients, marketed to improve sexual functioning in men. Honey pack brands market the product as all-natural, but there is no evidence that these supplements are safe or have any effect on sexual health.

Every brand has different formulations. Depending on the brand, some may include additional herbal ingredients like:

• Ginseng

• Tongkat Ali

• Tribulus terrestris

• Maca

• L-arginine

• Yohimbe

• Guarana

• Bee pollen

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At best, honey packs do nothing; at worst, they may be harmful. But they are marketed to allegedly result in benefits such as:

• Better erections

• Preventing erectile dysfunction

• Higher libido

• Greater stamina and endurance

• More energy

However, these claims are likely not accurate, as we have no scientific evidence showing a honey pack for men is legit and effective. More importantly, they aren’t safe to try as supplements are not regulated or tested by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so these companies may even have harmful ingredients. Furthermore, they typically make unfounded claims on their packaging. 

With all that in mind, let’s look at what we do know. 

The “science” behind honey packs

First, looking into the main ingredient, honey, there is little evidence that honey has any sexual benefits. Some research suggests that honey could boost nitric oxide levels, and this chemical can contribute to erections by regulating blood pressure and relaxing smooth muscle in the penis. 

However, we don’t have large-scale studies directly linking honey to better erections in humans, and we don’t know how much honey it would take to boost nitric oxide levels enough to really help ED. And that doesn’t mean you should eat a bunch of honey just in case! While honey is safe to consume on its own for most people, it contains high levels of sugar and should only be eaten as part of a healthy and balanced diet, rather than in excess.  

There have also been rumors that honey can make you last longer in bed, but these are unsubstantiated.

Other natural ingredients in honey packs for men might have a modest impact on erectile function, assuming the listed ingredients are actually present and in safe quantities (remember, there’s no FDA regulation on what these companies list on their packaging). 

For example, some research suggests that high doses of L-arginine supplements could improve mild to moderate ED. However, we don’t know how much L-arginine is actually in these honey packs. Additionally, ginseng might offer benefits for ED, but we don’t know how much ginseng is in the packs, either.

Ultimately, there aren’t any studies examining the efficacy of the specific blends of herbs and honey found in any brand of honey packs for men.

Without sufficient research, we simply don’t have enough data to answer questions like, “How long does it take for a honey pack to kick in?” or “How long does a honey pack last?” 

No, honey packs are not considered safe for men. This is because these packs may not just contain honey; they could also contain other ingredients in unknown dosages (and some ingredients which may not be listed at all).

Since honey packs are supplements, they aren’t regulated by the FDA, which means anything could really be in them. What the label says doesn’t necessarily reflect the ingredients or dosages actually in the product. 

The FDA issued a warning in 2021 stating a lab analysis had found that one type of honey pack, “X Rated Honey For Men,” contained tadalafil, the active ingredient in the ED medication Cialis. Then, in 2022, the FDA issued another warning about the Kingdom Honey Royal Honey pack. They found sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra).

In both cases, tadalafil and sildenafil were not listed on the ingredients lists. It’s illegal to include prescription medications in OTC products — and for good reason. There are major risks with taking medications without a healthcare professional evaluating whether they’re safe for you, especially when the medications are totally unregulated and are taken at unknown doses. 

Risks and drug interactions of honey packs 

The inclusion of active ingredients from prescription ED medications is a big risk. The packages do not list these ingredients, and it’s impossible to know the actual amount of tadalafil or sildenafil in any given honey pack, making this even more dangerous.

These medications are prescription-only for a reason; they aren’t safe for everyone. For example, tadalafil and sildenafil can interact with prescription drugs containing nitrates, commonly taken by people with conditions like:

• Diabetes

• High cholesterol

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease

This interaction with nitrates (or other blood pressure medicines) can cause dangerously low blood pressure. 

Side effects of honey packs

We don’t have specific data on the side effects of any given honey pack brand. However, if the honey pack contains unlisted tadalafil or sildenafil, you could experience side effects from these ingredients. 

Potential side effects of sildenafil and tadalafil include:

• Headaches

• Flushing

• Indigestion

• Congestion

• Back pain

• Muscle aches

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Rash

Everyone reacts differently to these medications, and some might experience more side effects than others.

There are also more serious effects of unregulated amounts of these medications, especially when you don’t even know you’re taking them. These can include medical emergencies like priapism, when an erection lasts for more than four hours. Priapism can result in damage to the penile tissue and needs immediate medical attention. 

There are many more effective, scientifically-proven, and safer alternatives to honey packs available. Whether you’ve been dealing with erectile dysfunction recently or for a longer period of time, here are some options you can speak with your healthcare provider about.

Prescription medications

Prescription medications known as phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors) improve erectile dysfunction in part by dilating and relaxing blood vessels in the penis, encouraging better blood flow, and thus, harder and longer-lasting erections. 

FDA-approved PDE5 inhibitors include:

• Viagra (sildenafil)

• Cialis (tadalafil)

• Stendra (avanafil)

• Vardenafil

A healthcare provider can determine if you’re a good candidate for trying these options by taking a full medical history to make sure there are no dangerous drug interactions or other contraindications.

Penile injections

If PDE5 inhibitors aren’t the right fit for you, you can talk to your healthcare provider about penile injections for ED. These prescription injections, administered before sex, help your penis fill with blood, resulting in an erection. 

Since these injections work even if you aren’t aroused, they’re a good option if you struggle with low libido, too. 

Sex therapy

For many men, erectile dysfunction is psychogenic, meaning it’s caused by psychological reasons rather than just physical causes. Some psychological risk factors for ED include performance anxiety related to sex, depression, and chronic stress. Sexual trauma may also contribute to erectile dysfunction and low libido.  A clue your ED is psychogenic could be if you experience normal erections in the nighttime and early morning but still have difficulty when it comes to partnered sex. 

Sex therapy (or even general therapy) can help you address these underlying psychological causes, which can boost libido and improve sexual functioning in some people. 

Healthy lifestyle changes 

Your overall health often goes hand in hand with your sexual health, including erectile function and sex drive.  Some key changes you can make include:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight. Obesity is a risk factor for ED.

• Cutting down on drinking (bye, whiskey dick!) and quitting smoking. Cigarette smoking is a known risk factor for erectile dysfunction.  

• Getting regular exercise. Research suggests that increased physical activity reduces the risk of ED, and may also boost libido. Plus, if you’re more physically fit, you may find you have more stamina in the bedroom. 

If you’re struggling with erectile dysfunction or low libido that’s interfering with your quality of life, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare provider.

You don’t have to turn to ineffective and potentially unsafe home remedies like honey packs to improve your sexual functioning and give you a more satisfying sex life.

A healthcare provider can assess your situation, help determine the underlying cause, and recommend a course of safe and effective treatment. 

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Over-the-counter remedies and quick fixes, like honey packs, are not safe or effective methods for boosting libido or getting harder erections. 

• While honey pack labels might promise results like better erections, higher libido, and greater sexual stamina, there is no scientific research backing up these claims.

• The FDA advises against using honey packs, and lab tests have detected potentially harmful ingredients in these honey packs.

• It’s best to opt for safer and scientifically-backed approaches, such as ED medications (when safely prescribed by a healthcare provider), penile injections, sex therapy, and healthy lifestyle changes.