In cure, in treatment or even in curative care, the products of the hive (honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly or venom) have prodigious virtues: antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, healing, toning… Let’s rediscover them.
Whether it’s the Honeyof the propolis or the now famous Royal jelly (considered a superfood), bee products are particularly effective in strengthening the immune system and supporting the digestive system, the respiratory system, rheumatism, dermatological conditions, etc.
Main hive products
Harvested, modified or manufactured by bees, some hive products can relieve the most diverse ailments: mouth ulcers, burns, bronchitis, cystitis, etc. This is called apitherapy.
The bees wish us well! And it is thanks to them that we can consume certain hive products. Thus, honey, propolis or pollen are harvested and processed by bees; royal jelly is made by bees. Many studies have shown the health benefits of these products in particular by stimulating the body’s immune defences.
1. Honey
the Honey is a sweet substance made by bees using nectar from flowers that the bees pump out. Composed of more than 80% carbohydrates, honey is rich in energy and, when it is pure, it is well assimilated by the body.
Natural antiseptic, honey is favorable for cardiovascular diseases, it limits the proliferation of cancer cells, strengthens the immune system and has an antibacterial effect. It also contains inhibins which prevent the multiplication of microbes.
It contains in particular minerals, proteins, acids and enzymes which makes honey a good antibacterial and healing agent. We also find flavonoids and carotenoids rich in polyphenols, and with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
It is in our interest to take organic and fresh honey, especially in winter, to support immunity. We recommend a tablespoon (20 g) of honey per day. You can choose the one you like, knowing that the more amber it is, the richer it is in polyphenols. Honey should be consumed in a natural way and, used in moderation, it is considered a sugar substitute. You can taste it on toast, in tea or simply with a teaspoon.
2. Propolis
The propolis is a substance secreted by bees to protect their hive. It is a kind of wax that has excellent antibiotic properties. It boosts the formation of antibodies to keep the immune system in good condition.
Propolis contains beta-carotenes, B vitamins and minerals. In winter or during the flu, you can choose propolis in the form of hydroalcoholic extracts, powder or even mixed with honey.
It is now easy to find food, sanitary or cosmetic products based on propolis: lozenges, syrups, ointments, etc. These products are distributed in pharmacies, parapharmacies and organic shops. attack germs directly which invade the throat and nose in the event of a winter infection.
3. Royal jelly
The star among bee products is called the Royal jelly. It is a real gift that bees give us to take care of our health. They make this whitish jelly with their glands to feed the queen of the hive. Result: this one is much bigger and bigger than its subjects, and it lives much longer.
Known since the dawn of time, royal jelly is a great vitamin concentrate, minerals and amino acids including proline, lysine and acetylcholine. Often pale yellow in color, royal jelly stimulates the immune system and regulates metabolism. It brings a lot of energy to the body and strengthens it by activating the production of white blood cells.
Excellent remedy for fatigue, it also contains a special substance that optimizes nervous and cerebral functioning. Royal jelly is found in the form of a paste in small jars or as a liquid in ampoules. It can be stored in the refrigerator if it is fresh. It can be taken as a 3-week cure.
4. Bee Pollen
Flower pollen is made up of microscopic particles carried by bees and the wind. Harvested directly from these flowers visited by bees, pollen is a real nutritional bomb to boost the body. Indeed, among the products of the hive, it is the one that contains the most protein (20%).
Bee pollen includes 8 amino acids essential in very interesting proportions: leucine, lysine, isoleucine, valine, phenylalaline, theonine, methionine and tryptophan. These amino acids will promote complete protein synthesis in the organism.
Appreciated for regulate the intestinal flora, pollen also contains water, cellulose, carbohydrates, lipids, most mineral salts, enzymes. It even contains, excuse the little, all the B vitamins and has a high content of vitamins C, D and E and beta-carotene. We take a spoonful of fresh pollen once a day for a 3-week cure.
5. Bee venom
Bee venom is produced by glands possessed by worker bees and the queen. This one uses its venom to get rid of its rivals at birth. Indeed, when a new queen hatches, there are actually several queen cells that exist, but only one will survive : the Queen.
Worker bees use their venom to defend the hive, but when they sting, they leave their life and their stinger behind. The queen has a smoother stinger that does not stick to her victims.
Bee venom contains in particular mellitin (with powerful anti-inflammatory properties), amino acids and potent allergens responsible for its benefits.
In apitherapy, bee venom is injected by a professional on the area to be treated, to treat rheumatism. It is used in the treatment of joint pain associated with arthritis, tendonitis, rheumatism, neuritis, neuralgia, and in general on all pain of inflammatory origin.
Be careful however, this therapy can be dangerous. It can only be practiced under strict medical supervision. Especially because people with allergies can be very sensitive to it.
