If we could turn back time, we would discover how peculiar history can be—a time when even a sweet and delicious treat could serve as a weapon. That treat was none other than mad honey, a substance now popular for its psychedelic effects. Even though Mad Honey garnered the limelight today, it has always been popular among historians. 

Early Records of Mad Honey

Xenophon’s Account (401 BC)

The first record of Mad Honey can be traced back to the times of Xenophon, a Greek military leader and philosopher. In his book Anabasis, he documented one of the earliest known incidents about mad honey. While he led his Greek mercenary army(the Ten Thousand) through the Turkish town of Trabzon, his soldiers came across wild honeycombs. 

After eating the honeycombs, the soldiers became violently ill with vomiting, diarrhea, and body disorientation—an extreme example of the types of diarrhea and causes that can severely debilitate a person. They couldn’t even stand or walk straight, eventually collapsing from sheer exhaustion.

However, all the soldiers woke up normally the next day and went on about their lives. There were no reports of death. 

Mithridates VI and Mad Honey (67 BC)

Mithridates VI, famously known as the “Poison King,” was a ruler of Pontus, a kingdom in what is now modern-day Turkey. Renowned for his mastery of poisons, he gave rise to the term “Mithridatism,” the practice of building immunity to toxins through the controlled ingestion of small doses. His innovative strategies and resourceful methods cemented his reputation as a creative and tyrannical figure in ancient history.

The Mithridatic Wars

The conflict between Mithridates and Rome unfolded through three significant wars. These wars were sparked by Mithridates’ territorial expansion, which Rome viewed as a direct threat to its dominance in the region. 

While the first two wars ended unfavourably for Mithridates, he remained unyielding and persistent, rallying local allies for one last stand during the third and final war. His adversary, the seasoned Roman general Lucius Licinius Lucullus, led the advancing Roman forces.

The Use of Mad Honey

Mithridates ordered his soldiers to fill the rugged terrain with mad honey for Romans to fall into his trap.  In the mountains of Pontus, bees fed on the nectars of rhododendron flowers that produced honey laced with grayanotoxin. 

This “Mad Honey” was infamous for its potent effects, and also showed symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and extreme disorientation if consumed in larger amounts. Mithridates was aware of its potential as a weapon, hence he plotted a hatch to use it against the unsuspecting Roman army. 

As the Romans walked through the bumpy path, they were captivated by enticing honey oozing out of beehives. The soldiers, unaware of its effects, eagerly consumed it. The sweetness soon turned sour within only a few moments. They became disoriented, and their bodies failed them. Around 1000 Roman soldiers were killed in this strategic war.  It was one of the first times where a bioweapon was used in a war. 

Empress Olga of Kiev(946 AD)

Empress Olga deceived Russian troops into drinking mead mixed with mad honey. After they consumed the mead, they became weak and hysterical. Seizing the moment, her army killed over 5,000 incapacitated men. 

Ivan the Great (1489 AD) 

Ivan the Great also used a similar tactic against the Tatars. They left large contained of mad honey-laced mead for the enemy to consume. Once the Tatars were overcome by illness and confusion, his soldiers returned to the camp and executed a decisive attack to slaughter the disoriented troops. 

In Ancient Economy 

In ancient parts of Europe, gold and coins weren’t always the go-to currency. Instead, people often traded with mad honey. Its rare medicinal properties made it highly prized, so a jar of this precious honey could be exchanged for goods or services. In some cases, it was considered even more valuable than gold. Mad honey flowed through bustling markets like liquid wealth, trusted by all as a reliable and treasured form of trade.

In contrast, Nepal doesn’t share any tales of wars like in Turkey, but it has been a vital part of Nepalese history for centuries. The honey-hunting tribe(Gurungs) has long harvested mad honey from the giant honeybees Apis Laboriosa on cliffs. Known for their bravery and endurance, they played an important role in battles. Plus, they are admired for their resilience. The mad honey is often related to natural herbs like Shilajit, Ashwagandha, Shatavari etc.