Active Compounds: Polysaccharides callose, Pectin, Cellulose, Lignin sporopollenin and others.
Background: Since ancient times, humans have relied on products from the beehive for nutrition and sustenance. Beyond honey people have enjoyed the "superfoods" qualities of pollen (dense with phytonutrients collected to feed bees) and propolis (tree resins combined with bee secretions forming the immune system of the hive) for health-boosting effects.
Since ancient times, people have known that bees produce honey from the nectar of flowers. There are more than 20,000 species of bees. In ancient times honey was known as, “Nectar of the Gods,” and was the principal sweetener and valued for medicinal purposes.
It is estimated that 50,000 trips between a bee hive and the source of nectar are made to produce two pounds of honey!
Applications:Bee pollen has many therapeutic uses. It contains trace amounts of minerals and vitamins and is very high in protein, carbohydrates and contains many phytonutrients. Bee pollen is considered by many to be a ‘superfood’, and is used for nutritional supplementation. Recently bee pollen has become more popular. Pollen components include the polysaccharides callose, pectin, cellulose, lignin sporopollenin and others.
Bee pollen is rich in minerals and vitamins, including calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, riboflavin, thiamin and vitamins A,B6,C,D,E and K, and 12 different unsaturated fatty acids. It contains biotin, which is important for skin, hair and nails.
Bee Pollen rates well in the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test, which measures antioxidant activity in foods and supplements.
Description: Pollen Collection: The process by which pollen is collected by bees is just one of many complex and fascinating aspects of the remarkable and incredibly valuable Honey Bee. A very condensed summary Beekeepers attach special scrapers to the hive. As the bees enter through this into the hive, the scrapers remove the pollen from pouches (called scopa) located in the bee's hind legs. Bees have special bristles on their back legs that form the scopa which serves as a kind of ‘pollen basket’ into which the bees pack pollen to transport back to the hive. At least 50 trips are needed to bring back one gram of pollen to a hive. Honey bees themselves carry an electrostatic charge as they fly. This charge is involved in pollen collection.
Safety: Bee pollen should not be ingested by those allergic to pollen or bee sting.
Serious allergic reactions have been known to occur with amounts smaller than one tsp. It is highly recommended to consult your primary health care practitioner before using it for this.
For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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