In the dense Himalayan forests live the world’s largest bees. They are famous not so much for their size, as hallucinogenic properties of their honey. Chinese and Nepalese gatherers risk their lives to collect this “valuable treat”, which is then sold to wealthy Asiatic or curious tourists.
This honey is often called “crazy” or “red”. He is made by Himalayan bees (Apis dorsata laboriosa), whose body reaches three centimeters in length. This subspecies is closely related to the bees Apis dorsata, whose honey is nothing special. It’s all about access to the rhododendron flowers – it is only found in mountain bees.
Many species of rhododendron contain human-poisoned andromedotoxins. They are found in Bhutan, in the Chinese province of Yunnan, in India and Nepal. Himalayan bees live in the rocks, where such poisonous rhododendrons (Rhododendron Luteum and Rhododendron Ponticum) grow and collect their nectar.
The honey obtained from such nectar has really powerful properties. It is also a strong hallucinogen, and a recreational drug that can be used for medical purposes.
In small doses, it can be effective in treating a variety of diseases, from high blood pressure and diabetes to sexual problems. In large doses, this honey can be dangerous or even fatal.
It is extremely difficult to extract this unusual honey. Perhaps this is the most dangerous work in the world. Bees (which are several times larger than usual) arrange themselves large nests on steep rocks, at a height of not less than 2500 meters.
The diameter of these nests reaches one and a half meters and in each can contain up to 60 kilograms of valuable honey. Therefore, to reach it is both difficult and dangerous, even without considering the risk of being bitten by angry bees. They collect honey twice a year – in the spring (during this period, honey is especially “insane”) and in autumn.