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Bees appeared on our planet way before humans, about 65 million years ago. There is prehistoric evidence showing that humans already collected wild bee honey. Representations of beekeeping activity are found in palaeolithic cave paintings in Spain and art crafts from the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt, while nowadays Indian and African tribes still harvest wild honey from cliffs and tree hollows.
The earliest records of the nutritional value of honey are found in Mesopotamia, where the first organised societies blossomed, while in Egypt we find the oldest evidence of systematic, managed beekeeping. It is considered that ancient Greeks imported the art of beekeeping through their trade relations with Egypt. Information on honey trading has been found on Linear B tablets in Knossos, Mycenae and Pylos, as well as in Homer and Hesiod, who mention wild beehives in caves and oak trees. Honey references are also found in Democritus, Pythagoras, Aristotle and in Greek mythology.
Hippocrates and Galen have written about the therapeutic properties of honey and other bee products.
bee products…
honey
Greeks became acquainted with honey before olive oil and wine. It is a biological product derived from the nectar bees collect from flower buds or melliferous tree secretions.
Honey is an element of a proper diet and it helps maintain good health, being famous for its antimicrobial and therapeutic properties. It contains sugars, aromatic substances, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, organic acids, carotenoids, bioflavonoids and formic acid which is a powerful antiseptic. It boosts our metabolism and heart, lowers blood pressure and increases our resistance to infections, while being a beauty elixir thanks to its healing and reconstructive properties. It is an excellent energy source and helps “night birds” recover from a wild night’ s hangover.
Honey is classified by its floral source in:
a) flower honey, derived from the nectar of the flowers and
b) honeydew honey, that comes from forest plants, such as pine, fir, etc.
Kinds of honey: thyme (for me, it’ s the boss), polyfloral, eucalyptus, sage, orange blossom, fir, pine, arbutus, heather, sunflower, chestnut, cotton, acacia, polygonum.
beeswax
Its use has been known since ancient times. We all remember the Daedalus and Icarus story, as well as Odysseus plugging his men’ s ears with beeswax to avoid being charmed by the Siren’s song.
It is basically an apiculture byproduct, collected during harvest. The raw material is heated at 630 C, causing the wax to melt and rise to the surface, where it is collected, cooled, hardened and further processed to be used in beekeeping again or in quality candles creation, cosmetics, agriculture, art and industry.
It has antibiotic properties which make it capable of preserving honey, thus being used in medicine production.
It offers its healing, softening and anti- inflammatory properties to your skin, while boosting its elasticity. It creates a protective hydro- lipid film on the skin helping it maintain its moisture; therefore skin doesn’t get dehydrated.
I recently discovered special medicinal patches made of pure beeswax and used to heal skin wounds of diabetics. It also protects skin from pollution and premature aging.
pollen
It is the richest natural food, collected from various flowers. It contains proteins, enzymes and gonadotrope hormones that act directly to the male and female sexual glands. Bee pollen is also rich in amino acids and vitamins, mainly vitamin R that protects against brain haemorrhage. It boosts our mental activity, heart and immune system and it has diuretic effect. It strengthens a weakened body, assists weigh loss, makes our hair shine, boosts self confidence and improves sexuality.
Pollen consumption starts with a small amount in order for the stomach to adjust. Proposed dosage is a teaspoon per day at first for about a week and gradual increase to a tablespoon per day. It can be consumed pure or diluted.
propolis
A resinous substance that bees collect from the tree buds. It is enriched by the bees with wax, pollen and enzymes to seal and disinfect the beehive.
Its therapeutic properties have been known since ancient times and it has been named the “black wax”, popular for its anti- inflammatory action; Hippocrates recommended it for treating wounds and burns.
It also has antiviral, anti fungal and antioxidant properties, boosts the immune system and combined with pollen, it helps allergy suppression and gradual immunisation.
royal jelly
Creamy substance secreted from the glands in the heads of workers bees and fed to bee larvae, also known as “bee milk”. Royal jelly is where royal actin, the defining component that causes a bee to develop into a queen is found. It is a rich source of vitamins, amino acids and minerals. It helps against rheumatoid arthritis, boosts a worn out and aging body, lowers blood pressure, cures chronic constipation, helps with kidney damage and reinforces the immune system. It has antiseptic and germicidal properties. Royal jelly is also widely used in natural cosmetics production, as it refreshes the skin, boosts collagen production and speeds up the wound healing process.
bee venom
Even the venom of the bee can be beneficial for our body. It contains very strong anti- inflammatory substances and that is why it should be used cautiously.
It is widely used in treating conditions such as tendonitis, osteoarthritis and bursitis. It helps against sciatica as well as the flu or period cramps.
It can be injected or provided through direct bee sting (have you noticed how beekeepers usually enjoy good health? not a coincidence), however in Greece bee venom treatment is not yet an option.
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