Mad Honey is still made and sold today in Turkey and Britain under the local name Deli Bal. The concentration of grayanotoxins is controlled to a low level. These and similar toxins are probably produced by plants to deter grazing animals and harmful insects, such as thrips.

No medicinal value but the leaves of rhododendrons are very poisonous, due to a toxic resin called grayanotoxin. This is also present in the nectar; sucking it from the flowers or eating two leaves, causes serious illness - stomach upsets, gastric haemorrhage, aspiration pneumonia, renal tubular damage and liver damage. Diarrhoea, vomiting, anorexia, weakness, incoordination, stupor and often death (Illinois Veterinary library website, 2013). Honey from pollen of R. luteum is thought to have poisoned Xenophon's army in 401BC and Pompey's army in his campaign against King Mithridates of Pontus in 66 BC. Honey from another rhododendron, R. afghanicum, poisoned Alexander the Great's army in 327 BC. However this may both have been due to Oleander.

"Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten"- HTA guidelines