Seasonal allergies: the honeybee connection
"If bees were to disappear, [we] would only have a few years to live." ~ Albert Einstein
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For centuries, humans have believed that there are health benefits in bee nectar. This unique substance is mentioned extensively in the Bible and the Quran as both precious and powerful. Honey's antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties found favor in ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations as a home remedy for wounds and ulcers. Native Americans used honey to heal bee stings and cuts, as a facial, and to soothe burns and sore throats. In clinical studies, honey has shown promise in treating the prostate in Western Europe, and has been found to promote healing of other ailments when conventional treatments have failed.
Many swear by honey and other bee products as a natural remedy for pollen allergies. The belief is based on the theory that bees collect pollen from local flowers that cause allergies, so small amounts of the pollen, ingested regularly from honey, bee pollen, propolis or royal jelly, helps the body build up a tolerance to those local pollens.
Honey
According to the National Honey Board (NHB), honey “contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants”. Regarding free radicals, the NHB says, "In general, darker honey varietals have been shown to be higher in antioxidant content than lighter honeys. Additionally, honey has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health."
Honey colors and flavors vary depending on the flowers visited. Colors run the gamut and it's not uncommon to find amber, red, brown and even black honeys on the market. Clover and alfalfa are most commonly sold yet many flavors, even specialty ones like lavender, exist. Darker colored honeys typically have a deeper flavor.
Additionally, honey is sold in several forms, including:
Comb - the original form with the edible honeycomb intact
Liquid - extracted from the honeycomb using centrifuge and filters to remove comb and pollen particles, resulting in a transluscent
Natural crystallized - a semi-solid or granulated suspension
Creamed - a spreadable combination of liquid and crystallized honeys, also called, 'whipped' and 'cremed'
Raw - unheated, unpasteurized, unclarified, and unfiltered
Whatever form you choose, be sure to obtain honey from hives in your local vicinity - within 30 miles of where you live is good - for the best allergy relief results. Swallow a spoonful of honey as is or to mix with warm water or tea to soothe the throat, cough or inflammation.
Bee pollen
Bee pollen is the male reproductive seed of the flower that is gathered, mixed with the bees digestive enzymes, and stored on the hind legs of the honeybee. Later, the pollen is collected in traps at the entrance to the hive.
Bee pollen is low in calories but rich in proteins, amino acids, essential fats, oils and sugars and contains some trace minerals and enzymes. Although pollen is consumed in small quantities that do not meet the daily requirements, it is beneficial for adding essential nutrients to an insufficient diet.
Like other protein rich foods, fresh pollen loses its nutritional value within a few days when stored at room temperature, so it is usually dried. Even though dried pollen is sensitive to sunlight, its shelf life can be extended for several months by storing at room temperature in a dark glass container or cool dark place. When stored properly, bee pollen obtained at the end of the farmer's market season (usually October) may last through the winter.
Bee pollen is antibacterial, antiviral, and rejuvenating. The pellets have a slightly nutty flavor and can easily be chewed as is or added to smoothies, applesauce, or yogurt. Start with a small amount and increase gradually as desired. It's advised to begin eating bee pollen in the fall or at least several weeks prior to allergy season for the best results.
Propolis
Propolis is a "sticky glue" formed from tree resins that are chewed and mixed with bee saliva. Propolis has so many benefits for health that it is considered a natural cure by the World Health Organization (WHO). Propolis actually protects bees from disease and climatic stresses. It is primarily used in healing ointments for its antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral applications.
It is often used as a sore throat gargle or a rinse for irritated eyes.
Royal jelly extract
Royal jelly (referred to as "bee's milk") is the partially fermented pollen-honey mixture produced by the salivary glands of worker bees (nurses). This pale, creamy substance is fed to young bee larvae and to the queen bee who lives off of it exclusively throughout her adult life. Quite naturally, this rare product is highly sought after for inclusion in beauty and reproductive health products and can be rather expensive.
Royal jelly contains vitamins B5, B6, and fatty acids in high concentrations along with water, sugars, amino acids, minerals, enzymes, and 10-HDA which is reported to be useful in treating problems resulting from tissue deficiency and frailty, as well as menopause, high cholesterol, colds, allergies, poor digestion and stress.
Things to know
Bee pollen and royal jelly have mistakenly been called "the perfect food" by product marketers. It is important to remember that bees have very different nutritional needs from humans. Also no one food is 'perfect' for everyone, nor does any one food source contain 100% of the nutrients needed by the human body.
Bee pollen can be contaminated by mold, cleaning of hive debris, collections from chemically treated flowers, and colony disease treatments which decrease its nutritional importance. Likewise, since its high water content (67%) poses a contamination risk for royal jelly, some companies use chemical preservatives to ensure safety. Therefore, it is important to know the source of your product is both reputable and chemical free.
Larger retail markets often carry bee products from outside the local or regional area. These are fine for sweetening, poultices, etc but for seasonal allergy purposes, local pollen is recommended.
Farms and farmer's markets are an excellent source as you can ask farmers directly about their methods and quality. Food coops are another option as they access and support mostly local beekeepers.
Did you know?
The bee population is decreasing rapidly. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) the declining bee populations pose threat to global food security and nutrition! Aside from the potential extinction of yet another species, bees play a critical role in the human food supply. Nearly 1/3 of our foods rely on honeybees for pollination. The threat of extinction, therefore, places our food supply at risk. In the earlier mentioned survey, Bernard Vallat, the Director General for the World Organization for Animal Health stated, "Bees contribute to global food security, and their extinction would represent a terrible biological disaster." The US Dept of Agriculture has updates on Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and honeybee survival.
CAUTION: This content is provided for informational purposes only. Be sure to consult with a physician or primary health practitioner before adding any supplements to your normal diet. Anyone with a known allergy to bees stings and honey should avoid use of bee products in general as there is a possibility of producing an anaphylactic response which could have serious consequences.