Are products such as jam made from rhododendron (komar) flowers safe?

Answer

The Ministry warns against these products. Rhododendron species may naturally contain substances called grayanotoxins, which when taken by mouth can cause effects such as dizziness, nausea, sweating, low blood pressure and a slowed heart rate. Rhododendron species do not appear on the Ministry's list of plants that may be used as food. The fact that a plant grows in the wild, or is known locally, does not mean it can safely be used as food.