Mad Honey

The flowers of some species of rhododendron produce a neurotoxin called grayanotoxin, which can be collected and concentrated by bees into potent honey that drives people mad.

Historicity Note

Mad honey was not only known in antiquity, but was successfully weaponized by King Mithridates of the Heptakometes, who laid mad honeycomb in the path of an invading army led by the Roman general, Pompey in 69 BCE. The Roman soldiers became delirious and nauseated after eating the toxic honey, at which point Mithridates's army attacked.

Effect

Mad honey is popular, when consumed in small doses, as an aphrodisiac.
In slightly larger doses, it causes a pleasant euphoria.
Applied topically to a wound, it has antiseptic and pain-numbing effects.

Side/Secondary Effects

In larger doses, the effects become unpleasant and include excessive drooling, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, blurred vision, loss of feeling in the extremities, numbness of the lips and mouth, slowed heartbeat, dizziness, unconsciousness, and potential death.

Manifestation

Looks like honey. Tastes like honey. But can be distinguished from other honeys because it makes the skin tingle and causes a prickling sensation on the tongue.

Source

Imported from Anatolia, where it is cultivated with a species of honeybee that's tolerant of the toxin.

Related Discipline

Beekeeping

Effect Duration

The effects last for only a few hours.