Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: skatesailor on July 26, 2013, 12:14:56 PM

Title: Mad Honey
Post by: skatesailor on July 26, 2013, 12:14:56 PM
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Arrhythmias/40097?xid=ob_&hr=ob&utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=primary (http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Arrhythmias/40097?xid=ob_&hr=ob&utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=primary)

Just came across this article on honey from the rhododendron family.
Title: Re: Mad Honey
Post by: sc-bee on July 26, 2013, 12:32:37 PM
Also known as "Mother-In-Law" honey  :evil:
Title: Re: Mad Honey
Post by: Palouse on July 26, 2013, 01:04:06 PM
The link didn't work for me, but I looked it up. Grayanotoxin.

The rhododendron is the WA state flower, but rhododendrons don't grow well at all in eastern WA...too dry and hot. They grow well on the west side of the Cascades, and they grow really well in the rain forests on the peninsula. Lotsa hippies over on the peninsula, so maybe they're into that sort of thing.

Are azaleas a problem, too?
Title: Re: Mad Honey
Post by: iddee on July 26, 2013, 01:07:23 PM
From my past readings, the poisonous rhods are all in Europe. The ones in the US are safe.


Just going by memory. No links to provide.

I have  azaleas and have never seen a bee on them.
Title: Re: Mad Honey
Post by: sc-bee on July 26, 2013, 01:32:51 PM
Quote from: iddee on July 26, 2013, 01:07:23 PM
From my past readings, the poisonous rhods are all in Europe. The ones in the US are safe.


Just going by memory. No links to provide.

I have  azaleas and have never seen a bee on them.

Hood at Clemson mentioned some problems in the mountains of SC a few years back when the drought was so bad. I don't remeber him siteing any sickness but very bitter, nasty honey. The bees usually by-pass rhods for other sources.

http://www.pickenscountyscbeekeepers.com/MLH.html (http://www.pickenscountyscbeekeepers.com/MLH.html)