Unlike many of the products which have found their way to the marketplace since the boom in alternative and holistic health care, apiary products have been in use for thousands of years.
Considered by some to be nature´s perfect food, it is rich in vitamins and contains almost all known minerals, trace elements, enzymes and amino acids.
Bee pollen contains the male gametes of plants found as small dust pellets in the stamen of flowers. It is gathered from the hind legs of pollen-laden bees at the entrance of the hive.
Bee pollen is a popular nutritional supplement that claims to build the immune system and provide energy for the entire body. It contains 35% protein, 55% carbohydrate, 2% fatty acids and 3% minerals and vitamins. It is high in B complex and vitamins A, C, D and E. It also contains lecithin, betacarotene and selenium.
Used as an immune system builder, bee pollen is thought to have the ability to correct body chemistry and eliminate unhealthy conditions it is considered to have the ability to throw off poisons and toxic materials from the body. Radiation and chemical pollutants are known as the most severe stressors to the immune system. Side effects of radiation treatment decrease the body´s production of blood cells and nutrients in the blood.
The combination of elements make it an excellent source of anti-oxidants. Research studies and clinical tests have demonstrated that bee pollen has an immunizing effect, enhances vitality, and can counteract the effects of radiation and chemical toxins. Its rapid absorption into the blood stream stimulates immunoligical responses.
Bee pollen aids the body in recovering from exercise, returning breathing and heart rate to normal, and improves endurance for repeat exertion. It provides energy, stamina and strength as well as improving mental and physical reactions. It can relieve brain fatigue and improve alertness.
WHAT IS BEE PROPOLIS
Bees create propolis by collecting a resinous sap from trees and then mixing it with wax at the hive. They use this material much the way people use caulk, to seal their homes. Chemically, propolis is exceedingly complex and contains a rich variety of potent terpenes and benzoic, caffeic, cinnamic, and phenolic acids. It´s also high in flavonoids, which by themselves may account for many of the benefits attributed to propolis. Chinthalapally V. Rao, Ph.D., of the American health Foundation, Valhalla, N.Y., reported in Cancer Research (Spt. 15, 1993, 53:1482-88) that these caffeic acids prevented the formation of precancerous tissue in rats after they were exposed to cancer-causing chemicals.
Most medical articles, however, still point to the value of propolis as a powerful, natural antibiotic.
HONEY
Medical journal articles of the past three years have also described the antibiotic properties of honey. A physician at the medical college in Maharashtra, India, recently explored the use of honey-soaked gauze to treat burn patients. The 40 patients treated with honey healed in about half the time, and with half the scar tissue compared with patients trated by other means. (Subrahmanyam M, Burns, Aug. 1994;20:331-3). Dr. S. E. Efem writes ¨Honey is thus an ideal topical wound dressing agent in surgical infections, burns and wound infections.¨
WHAT IS ROYAL JELLY
Royal jelly is a complex mixture of flower nectar, sugars, proteins, vitamins, and bee glandular secretions made by worker bees primarily for developing and maintaining the queen bee. It is said to have many beneficial effects for people with fatigue, depression, convalescence from illness, the ¨growing pains¨of adolescence and in preventing the signs of normal aging or even premature senility.
Royal Jelly has been shown in animal studies to help prevent the cholesterol-elevating effect of nicotine and to lower blood cholesterol levels. In human studies, royal jelly (50 -100 mg per day) has also significantly lowered cholesterol levels. It has also been shown to be antibacterial, promote wound healing and stimulate or inhibit various aspects of immune function, and have moderate antitumor activity.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS OR INTERACTIONS?
People susceptible to allergies may develop sensitivity to apiary products. At the present time there are no well-known drug interactions. As with any supplement you should consult your physician before using. Information provided here is strictly educational and not intended as medical advice.
SUGGESTED READING:
Bee Pollen and Your Health by Carlson Wade
Bee Pollen by Lyungheim, Linda & Jack Scagnetti
Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly, Propolis and Honey: An extraordinary Energy and Health - Promoting Health Series by Rita Elkins
RAW HONEY AND BEE POLLEN CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE WEDNESDAY MARKET IN AJIJIC
