Rhododendron

The genus

The name comes from Ancient Greek words meaning "rose" and "tree". It is the largest genus in the heath family (Ericaceae), with estimates of its size ranging from 850 to 1,200 species. They can be either evergreen or deciduous. Most species are native to eastern Asia and the Himalayan region. Azaleas make up two subgenera of Rhododendron. Various species are the national flower of Nepal. Some hybrids have fragrant flowers, such as the Loderi hybrids, created by crossing Rhododendron fortunei and R. griffithianum.

Rhododendron anthopogon

Rhododendron anthopogon, the dwarf rhododendron, is a species of flowering plant native to Pakistan, the Himalayas, Tibet, and Myanmar. It is used to make an essential oil. It is an evergreen shrub growing at an altitude of 3,000 - 4,000 m a.s.l., harvested in several regions of Nepal. Its leaves and fresh flowers are used as tea by Himalayan healers to promote digestive heat, stimulate appetite and relieve liver disorders. In Himalayan aromatherapy the oil is said to stimulate the nervous system, and it has been used for treating sore muscles and gouty rheumatic conditions.

Composition of the oil

Monoterpene hydrocarbons make up 76.1% of the oil of R. anthopogon, mainly α-pinene (37.4%), followed by β-pinene (16.1%) and limonene (13.3%). The sesquiterpene δ-cadinene accounts for 9.1%. The composition of the oil is quite different from those of other Rhododendron species.

Toxicity and mad honey

Some species of rhododendron are poisonous to grazing animals because of a toxin called grayanotoxin in their pollen and nectar. Grayanotoxins are produced by Rhododendron species and other plants in the family Ericaceae. Mad honey is honey that contains grayanotoxins. It is produced principally in Nepal and Turkey.

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