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Mr T-Bone
09-10-2006, 03:26 AM
Ok, I think I've heard it all now... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Scientists warn of 'mad honey disease'
By Roger Dobson
Published: 10 September 2006


Mad honey disease is among the rarest afflictions in the world, but it appears to be on the increase.

Only 58 cases have been reported worldwide, but eight people were treated in 2005 alone.

The trend towards eating more natural products may be driving a rise in cases of the disease, whose symptoms can include convulsions, low blood pressure, fainting and temporary heart problems, according to a new report.

"Mad honey disease has the potential to cause death if untreated," say the researchers. "Because of the increasing preference for natural products, intoxication induced by consumption of honey will increase in the future."

Just a spoonful of the wrong honey can cause problems, according to researchers, who report their findings this week in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

Mad honey poisoning is most prevalent in honey from the Black Sea region of Turkey. Compounds called grayanotoxins, found in the nectar of rhododendrons, mountain laurels and azaleas, are thought to be responsible for the disease. Though harmless to bees, they are psychoactive and poisonous to humans. Affected honey is said to have a very bitter taste.

Mad honey disease is among the rarest afflictions in the world, but it appears to be on the increase.

Only 58 cases have been reported worldwide, but eight people were treated in 2005 alone.

The trend towards eating more natural products may be driving a rise in cases of the disease, whose symptoms can include convulsions, low blood pressure, fainting and temporary heart problems, according to a new report.

"Mad honey disease has the potential to cause death if untreated," say the researchers. "Because of the increasing preference for natural products, intoxication induced by consumption of honey will increase in the future."

Just a spoonful of the wrong honey can cause problems, according to researchers, who report their findings this week in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

Mad honey poisoning is most prevalent in honey from the Black Sea region of Turkey. Compounds called grayanotoxins, found in the nectar of rhododendrons, mountain laurels and azaleas, are thought to be responsible for the disease. Though harmless to bees, they are psychoactive and poisonous to humans. Affected honey is said to have a very bitter taste.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/hea...cle1433411.ece

tecumseh
09-10-2006, 05:05 AM
I believe there was a tale from the ancient greeks about a battle that was won by using poisionous honey. I think the story goes that the honey was planted along the trail used by the 'enemy' who consumed the honey and fell sick.

Ann
09-10-2006, 08:42 AM
I believe the Rhododendron ponticum is one of the culprits. While some on the internet have poo-pooed the thought of mad honey disease, it is out there, and has been over the centuries. I worried myself about having bees so close to my neighbor's rhododendron collection (over 8 acres of them), but my local mentors have assured me they bloom so early even if the bees get into them the honey would be for them, not in the upper supers we harvest from. Plus I've observed who goes to the rhodies around here, I haven't seen a honeybee on them yet. Bumblebees seem to prefer the rhodies.

Michael Bush
09-10-2006, 09:17 AM
Of course they failed to mention that all of those were in the middle east...

They did bother to say that there were only 8 cases so far this year. 50,000 people die in car accidents in the US every year.