Bee Pollen is the pollen collected by bees as they gather nectar from flowers for making honey. Like honey, Bee Pollen is used as a food by the hive. The pollen granules are stored in pollen sacs on the bees' hind legs. Beekeepers, who wish to collect Bee Pollen, place a screen over the hive with openings just large enough for the bees to pass through. As the bees enter the hive, the screen compresses their pollen sacs, squeezing the pollen from them. The beekeepers can then collect the pollen from the screen. Commercially available Bee Pollen is either collected from bees returning to their hives (bee pollen), or may be directly harvested from non-cultivated flowers with machines (flower pollen). Bee Pollen contains carbohydrates, fat, protein and some vitamins and minerals. Bee Pollen has been used to build up the immune system to fight colds and to counteract depression. Bee Pollen has also been used internally to increase anti-allergenic properties to enhance the immune system against allergies to pollen. Not only is it an excellent nutritional supplement for enhancing immunity, but it also has strong nutritional compounds for providing increased energy. Bee Pollen contains up to 35% complete protein, as well as 22 amino acids, an especially rich storehouse of B-vitamins, 27 mineral salts, trace elements and several enzymes.
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Bee Propolis is a form of resin, which is collected by bees from tree bark and leaves. When combined by the worker bee with pollen, wax and nectar, it forms a sticky substance called propolis. It is used around the hive as an effective sealant, filling holes and cracks in the shell of the beehive. It is used to seal every crack, and a thin coating of propolis is spread over the surfaces of the honeycomb cells. This is an ingenious method of preventing the introduction of harmful elements into the honeycomb. Bees crawl through a tight tunnel of propolis to enter and leave the hive, thus removing microbes they may have picked up outside the hive. Hippocrates prescribed Bee Propolis for various afflictions over 2,400 years ago. Propolis is an amazing compound, containing all vitamins except vitamin K, and is a source of bio-flavonoids, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc, among other minerals. Propolis has antibiotic and antiviral properties and has been shown to boost the immune system and relieve cold and flu symptoms. It is believed that Bee Propolis can boost the effectiveness of other antiviral drugs. It is well regarded for its healing properties and ability to regenerate damaged cells. Propolis is also an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant and has shown promise in the treatment of malignant disease, liver disorders and various infections. |
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Royal Jelly is a substance secreted by worker bees and fed to bee larvae. The larvae of most bees get to eat Royal Jelly for the first three days of their life, but the queen bees have the privilege of eating Royal Jelly their entire lives. The only difference between worker bees and queen bees seems to be this difference in diet. Royal Jelly is a protein rich food source and also contains over twenty amino acids, enzymes, and vitamins B-1, B-2, B-6, C, biotin, folic acid, inositol, niacin and panto-thenic acid. Though Royal Jelly is obviously a very nutritious dietary supplement, there is much debate in the medical establishment and alternative medicine communities. Supporters of Royal Jelly use claim that it is effective for treating anorexia, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, exhaustion, gout, hepatitis, kidney disease and ulcers. It has also been claimed to retard the ageing process, fight depression and promote sexual health. Detractors point out that none of these claims has been substantiated through scientific tests, but all agree that the nutritional value of Royal Jelly is beyond dispute. The rich combination of enzymes, amino acids, proteins and vitamins is at the very least a healthy addition to one's diet, and further research into the benefits of Royal Jelly will no doubt shed light on its other positive effects on health.
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