Have you heard of Mad Honey?
Photo taken at the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden by Neet Lowry
What is Mad Honey?
The dark, reddish, “mad honey,” known as deli bal in Turkey, contains an ingredient from rhododendron nectar called grayanotoxin — a natural neurotoxin which in nature protects the plants from foraging animals, but when ingested by humans, even in small quantities, brings on light-headedness and sometimes, hallucinations. In the 1700s, the Black Sea region traded this potent produce with Europe, where the honey was infused with drinks to give boozers a greater high than alcohol could deliver.
When over-imbibed, however, the honey can cause low blood pressure and irregularities in the heartbeat that bring on nausea, numbness, blurred vision, fainting, potent hallucinations, seizures, and even death, in rare cases.
There are many different species of rhododendron in the world, “but according to our knowledge just two or three include grayanotoxin in their nectars,” says Süleyman Türedi, a doctor at the Karadeniz Technical University School of Medicine in Trabzon, Turkey. Süleyman studies deli bal‘s effects and has witnessed more than 200 cases of mad honey poisoning.
Risky Harvesting
Mad honey is a rare and exotic substance, predominantly found in high mountain hives located in regions such as Turkey and Nepal, where rhododendrons flourish in the tropical climate. Harvesting this honey is especially perilous due to the giant honeybees, which construct their nests precariously on steep cliffs.
Approximately a two-hour trek from the village of Bhujung in Nepal, the indigenous Gurung people make their way to a waterfall, carved deeply into the cliffs of the Himalayas, where numerous hives buzz with the activity of some of the largest honeybees in the world. These massive hives serve as the bees’ returning point after they gather pollen from the surrounding rhododendron plants, which imparts the honey’s distinctive qualities. The honey hunters, some of whom have bravely risked the treacherous rope ladders for over 30 years, ascend more than 65 feet above the ground, using long tools to carefully cut away sections of the hive before gently lowering these valuable pieces down to safety.
This mad honey holds a special place as an honored cultural delicacy for the local village, and before commencing the honey collection, the community performs a ritual sacrifice of a goat to their gods—a practice intended both as an offering and to ensure nothing goes to waste, as the goat is subsequently eaten. To facilitate the honey gathering and reduce the risk of stings, small grass fires are strategically lit to distract and disorient the bees, making the dangerous task slightly more manageable for the collectors.
A Dangerous Sweet Treat
In 67 B.C., Roman soldiers launched an invasion of the Black Sea region under the command of the renowned General Pompey. In a cunning move, those loyal to the reigning King Mithridates secretly scattered enticing chunks of mad honeycomb along the paths the Romans would take. According to historical accounts, the unsuspecting Roman army eagerly consumed the honey with great enthusiasm. The hallucinogenic properties of the mad honey soon took effect, driving many soldiers into a disoriented and intoxicated stupor. As a result, numerous flailing and vulnerable soldiers became easy targets and were subsequently slain.
This fascinating history, combined with Turkey’s robust 18th-century trading tradition, appears to be a significant factor explaining the persistence and continued use of mad honey well into the present day.
Sources:
https://interestingfacts.com/fact/honey-made-from-rhododendrons-can-be-hallucinogenic/
https://modernfarmer.com/2014/09/strange-history-hallucinogenic-mad-honey/
https://www.foodrepublic.com/1768235/mad-honey-hallucinogenic/
