Hypotension and bradycardia caused by the inadvertent ingestion of Rhododendron japonicum

Abstract

A 61-year-old man was transferred to our hospital with the complaints of dizziness, severe nausea and abdominal discomfort after consuming approximately 50 g of the flowers of Rhododendron japonicum. On admission, hypotension and sinus bradycardia were evident. Symptoms including hypotension and bradycardia completely recovered within 12 hours following normal saline infusion and intravenous atropine. The ingestion of certain types of Rhododendron species can cause intoxication, referred to as “mad honey poisoning”, due to the action of grayanotoxins. This is the first local case of acute intoxication caused by Rhododendron japonicum.