Bee Pollen- "Natures Granules of Gold"

Pollen is the male seed of flowers required for the fertilisation of plants. There are two types of pollen:

1. Anemophile or wind carried pollens. These are the types that often cause allergic reactions such as hayfever.

2. Entomophile Pollens are carried by insects primarily honeybees, and are heavier than anemophile pollens. Insect carried pollens never become airborne and are not the culprits of allergic reactions. Quite the contrary, be pollen is a very effective treatment for seasonal pollen induced allergies and other allergies also. *see caution note for Bee Products allergies

How Bees Collect Bee Pollen

On arriving at a flower, the honey bee scrapes off the loose pollen from the stamen with her jaws and front legs, along with the natural collection that is attached to her hairy body. Using the pollen combs on her legs, she brushes the gold powder from her coat in mid-flight and pushes it into the pollen baskets on her hind legs. When the baskets are full, one granule of pollen as we know it has been collected, made up of many 1000’s of tiny grains of pollen. The pollen dust on her body will brush off onto the next flower and pollination will be completed.

Pollen Nutrition

Bee pollen consists of an impressive nutritional profile.

It contains over 250 biologically active substances, including proteins, carbs, lipids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants.

Bee pollen granules consist of approximately:

• Carbs: 40%

• Protein: 35%

• Water: 4–10%

• Fats: 5%

• Other substances: 5–15%

The ‘other substances’ category includes vitamins, minerals, antibiotics and antioxidants. However, the pollen’s nutritional content depends on the plant source and season collected.

Research Results

Bee pollen contains many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making it incredibly healthy.

Studies have linked bee pollen to health benefits such as decreased inflammation, and also improved immunity, menopausal symptoms and wound healing.

Researchers have demonstrated that there is a substance in bee pollen that inhibits the development of numerous harmful bacteria. Experiments have shown bee pollen contains an antibiotic factor effective against salmonella and some strains of coli bacillus.

The Federal Ministry of Health in Germany recognizes bee pollen as a medicine.

In Russia and Sweden, it is common practice to prescribe Bee Pollen as a medicine for certain conditions as it is listed as a prescription medicine, and in France and Spain, Bee Pollen is considered a pharmaceutical substance, and is sold through pharmacies and not health shops.

An interesting fact is that scientists have not been able to reproduce scientifically a pollen that is comparable in any way to what nature and our creator has provided in pure, natural Bee Pollen.

However, most of the evidence surrounding bee pollen and its components results from test tube and animal studies. Additional human research is needed to gain a better understanding of its health benefits.

Possible Benefits of Bee Pollen

• Increased energy

• Weight control

• Clearance of allergies

• Teenage hormonal misbehaviour

• Increase immune system activity

• Longevity

• General health and beauty

• Reproductive and sexual function

• Stimulating appetite

• Improvement in digestive problems

• Prostrate disorders

• Treating depression

Suggestions for taking Bee Pollen

• Take a teaspoonful with a glass of water

• Sprinkle it on cereal, fruit or yoghurt

• Combine with Whitestone Honey or your favourite jam, or spread

• Crush it and add to fruit juice etc.

• Add it to a jelly or similar dessert

• Protein Shakes

• Salad dressings

• Take it by the teaspoonful

Let your imagination go. Just do not cook it as this destroys the live enzymes and the nutrient value.

*CAUTION

If you are allergic to any Bee Products, it is recommended you take bee pollen with great caution or that you do not take bee pollen.

If you are already taking medications do not take Bee Pollen without seeking medical advice.

Patients who have been prescribed Warfarin should consult their Doctors.

Other drugs may interact with Bee Pollen so it is important if you are already taking medications that you consult your Doctor.