Hong Kong health authorities are investigating the city’s third case of suspected mad honey poisoning in two months after a woman fell ill after consuming goods brought by a friend from Nepal. The Centre for Health Protection reported on Monday that the 42-year-old woman experienced hypersalivation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness about an hour after eating the honey on Sunday.

She sought medical attention at Kwong Wah Hospital’s accident and emergency department, where she was treated for low blood pressure and an abnormally slow heart rate. A spokesman for the centre confirmed that the woman is in stable condition.

Mad honey, typically dark red, is mainly produced by bees that ingest the nectar of certain poisonous plants in Turkey and Nepal. It is used in traditional medicine or taken recreationally. Initial inquiries suggest that the woman’s symptoms were caused by grayanotoxins, a type of neurotoxin affecting nerves and muscles, found in the honey brought from Nepal by a friend.

Grayanotoxins are derived from plants belonging to the Ericaceae family, including rhododendrons. Other symptoms of poisoning can include diarrhea, excessive perspiration, and abnormal skin sensations.

Authorities reported at least two similar cases in June, involving two men, aged 35 and 50, who suffered dizziness and vomiting after ingesting suspected mad honey from Nepal. A 49-year-old man experienced similar symptoms in November of last year after consuming honey mailed from Nepal.

The Centre for Health Protection urges the public to buy honey from reliable sources and to discard any honey with a bitter or astringent taste. Special caution is advised for honey from India, Nepal, and Turkey’s Black Sea region, as these have been linked to past cases of grayanotoxin poisoning.

Family doctor Lam Wing-wo emphasized that grayanotoxin poisoning is treated more seriously than typical food poisoning due to its effects on the nervous system. Treatment typically involves supportive care in hospitals, and medications such as atropine may be used. He noted that many cases involve souvenirs brought back from travels, which are difficult to regulate.