The Mystery of the Murderous Honey of Turkey

In the remote, mountainous regions of Turkey, precisely the Black Sea area, bees produce a unique, dangerous type of honey.

Known as deli bal or 'mad honey', it includes a naturally occurring neurotoxin, grayanotoxin, that is found in the nectar of Rhododendron flowers.

The toxin can cause hallucinations, seizures, and even sometimes, death.

Honey hunters here risk their lives to collect this honey from the cliff-hanging hives.

Legend has it, in 67 BC, King Mithridates' army used it as a weapon of war.

They left chunks of mad honeycomb along the roadside where the Roman enemy picked it up and ate it.

The ensuing disorientation, according to historians, allowed Mithridates' army to easily defeat the Roman soldiers.

Today, in small amounts, this 'mad honey' is sold as a local delicacy and is believed to have medicinal qualities for diseases like hypertension and diabetes..