The Buzz About Bees

Why We Need Them and How Honey Heals

Last summer, after a series of financial disappointments, I realized my art was not yet ready to earn me enough to cover my rising expenses. So, I took a part-time job at a local honey shop.

I paint with beeswax, so I was interested in learning more about the source of my artistic medium.

In the past six months, I have learned so much about honey bees and their amazing culture. It has become clear that our survival on Earth depends on them. But there is even more — they produce elements in their hives that provide essential healing for many of our human ailments.

Magical Hive Creatures

Honeybees, the tiny architects of sustainable communities, play an irreplaceable role in our ecosystem, and their well-being is intricately linked to our own.

I’ve become fascinated with the magical world of bees, exploring their importance to our environment, the hidden healing power within their hives, and how incorporating the sweet golden treasure of the hive into your diet can benefit your health.

Why Bees Matter

Honeybees are responsible for fertilizing one-third of the world’s food crops — you might want to read that again. Without their support, these fresh fruits and vegetables would not exist.

Beyond food production, bees play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity. They pollinate a vast array of wildflowers, creating a diverse ecosystem that supports countless other species. This intricate web of life, where every creature plays its part, is essential for a healthy and balanced planet.

The Healing Power of Honey

Honey is more than a delicious sweetener; it’s a powerhouse of nutrients and therapeutic properties. A spoonful of honey helps the body develop antigens against the local pollens, activating a powerful remedy against allergies and colds.

Bees also produce propolis, royal jelly, and bee pollen, each with its unique healing potential.

Propolis: Nature’s Antibiotic Shield

Propolis, the resinous substance bees use to seal and protect their hives, is a natural antibiotic and antifungal agent. It boasts powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties, making it a valuable ally in our fight against common ailments. Studies suggest propolis can be effective in treating sore throats and skin conditions like eczema and even aiding in wound healing.

Propolis is the key ingredient that helps the immune system develop defenses against allergies, colds, coughs, and flu symptoms. You’ve probably heard that you should eat raw local honey to develop defenses against the local pollens. But here’s a secret: propolis is the ingredient that accomplishes this, and it is non-location specific. That means that if you can find propolis (many pharmacies throughout Europe sell it) and take it daily for a period of time, your body will naturally develop the antigens to protect you from pollens that might otherwise cause a reaction.

Please note that I am not a medical doctor, and you should definitely check in with yours if you want to start this type of protocol. But after listening to the stories of dozens, perhaps hundreds of customers at our local honey shop — I am confident that propolis offers potent healing potential.

Royal Jelly: The Queen Bee’s Superfood

Royal jelly, the exclusive food of queen bees, is packed with nutrients and hormones that contribute to their remarkable longevity and reproductive prowess. This potent substance also shows promise in human health, with studies suggesting it can improve cognitive function, boost immunity, and — because it stimulates collagen production in the body — promote skin health.

Bee Pollen: A Nutritional Powerhouse

Bee pollen, collected by bees from flowers, is a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes. This vibrant dust offers a natural multivitamin boost, promoting energy levels, supporting digestion, and aiding in detoxification. Vegans (if they are not so strict that they avoid bee products) might want to take note that it is packed with B vitamins and protein.

Unlocking the Healing Potential: How to Enjoy Raw Honey

To fully experience the health benefits of honey and its hive companions, opting for raw honey is key. Raw honey is unheated and unfiltered, preserving its natural enzymes, vitamins, and beneficial compounds like propolis. Note that raw honey can be harmful to infants under one year old since they haven’t yet developed the immune response to protect themselves against these powerful raw compounds. But this is the same reason why it boosts an adult's immune system.

Here are some of my favorite ways to eat raw honey:

• Spread on toast or shortbread.
• Add a spoonful to yogurt or cereal.
• Whirled in my morning smoothie
• Whisked with olive oil, lemon and herbes de Provence for a delicious salad dressing.
• Stir into a cup of (slightly cooled) tea (keep it below 100°F to preserve the propolis).
• Put it in coffee instead of sugar.
• Straight off the spoon before bed for a deep night’s sleep!

Bee Appreciation

Working at the honey shop has opened my eyes to the fascinating world of bees and the almost mystical ways of the hive. Did you know that drones (the males of the hive) constitute only about 10% of the population? Their only role in life is to impregnate the queen, and once they do (if they ever get the chance), they fall to the ground and die immediately.

When bees are collecting pollen and need to discover a new source in the vicinity, they will send out scouts. Upon returning to the hive, these scouts will “dance” in particular patterns to show their hive-mates the exact location of the new pollen source. Figure 8 patterns indicate the direction of the source, while the width of the pattern shows how far it is from the hive. Amazing!

It’s become clear to me that saving the bees is not just a matter of safeguarding our well-being; it’s an environmental imperative. By supporting local beekeepers, planting bee-friendly gardens, and opting for raw honey, we can raise awareness and actively participate in supporting the bees for generations to come. And there is something to be learned by observing the “hive mentality” of bees and the fascinating culture they create.

But most of all I just love eating raw honey!