Bee Products

Posted on 2005-12-30 20:01:01 in Functional Foods & Food Components |

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Bees produce several substances that are useful to humans &emdash; namely, honey, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly.

ROLE FOR ANTI-AGING:

Honey: Used as a skin treatment, honey prevents infection and speeds healing by starving existing bacteria and protecting the skin from infection by new bacteria.

Pollen: Bee pollen is essentially the male seed of a flower blossom that has been collected by bees and to which bees add certain digestive enzymes. Analysis of bee pollen shows it typically contains a wealth of nutrients utilized by the human body, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. Several studies have found that bee pollen is of benefit to men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There is also some evidence to suggest that it may help to protect the liver from toxins.

Propolis: Consisting mostly of tree resins, propolis is used by honeybees to seal the cracks and openings in hives. Propolis is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant flavonoids. It also contains terpenoids, which have antibacterial, antiviral, antiprotozoan, and antifungal effects. For acute internal infections, propolis can be taken along with regularly prescribed medications. It is also an effective salve for wounds, especially in combination with honey. Propolis is available in a dry powder form, which may be sprinkled onto mouth sores as a therapeutic dressing.

Royal jelly: Secreted from glands on the bee’s head, royal jelly is used to feed bee larvae for three days. The queen bee, however, eats royal jelly exclusively and it is believed to account for her fertility and her relatively long life (5-7 years vs. 7-8 weeks for worker bees). Royal jelly contains collagen and several vitamins. It is thought to be an antiinflammatory agent.

THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT:

Refer to packaging.

MAXIMUM SAFE LEVEL: Not established

SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Pollen: Bee pollen should not be taken during pregnancy.

Propolis: Allergic reactions to topically applied propolis are quite common, typically they involve pain, redness, swelling, and sores. Use should be discontinued straight away. Propolis is also a known "sensitizing agent," therefore regular use can cause people to develop allergies to the product.

Royal Jelly: Contraindicated during pregnancy.

Health Headlines MORE »

Knock Out Anxiety
Among women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), regular physical activity helps to reduce anxiety, irritability, feelings of tension, low energy and pain.
Magnesium Helps to Reduce Stroke Risk
For every 100 mg per-day increase in magnesium in the diet, stroke risk may decline by up to 9%.
Senior Runners Continue to Excel
The best male marathon runners over age 65, and the best female marathon runners over age 45, continue to consistently improve their performance.
Stem Cell Therapy Restores Vision
UCLA-led team safely uses human embryonic stem cells to treat macular degeneration.
Beware the Office Air
First-of-its-kind study reports that indoor air in offices is an important source of worker exposure to potentially toxic substances.
One in Five US Adults Afflicted with Mental Illness
Twenty percent of Americans ages 18+ experienced a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder in 2010.
Vitamin D Helps to Combat Vision Loss
In a lab animal model, vitamin D reduced the effects of aging in the eyes and improved the vision of older animals.
Cord Stem Cells Converted into Other Cell Types
For the first time ever, stem cells from umbilical cords have been converted into other types of cells, paving the way for new treatment options for spinal cord
Vitamin E Exerts Role in Brain Health
People affected by Alzheimer's disease are more likely to have low blood levels of vitamin E, as compared to people with normal cognitive function.
VR Exercise Boosts Cognitive Health
Virtual reality (VR)-enhanced exercise, that combine physical exercise with computer-simulated environments and interactive videogame features, yield a greater
Anti-Aging Forum Anti-Aging Forum Anti-Aging Forum Anti-Aging Forum
Anti-Aging textbook Anti-Aging Forum MLDP Anti-aging jobs Join A4M
ANTI-AGING TIP OF THE DAY
Good Habits Lead to Good Health
In that a number of studies link unhealthy behaviors to accelerated declines in thinking and memory skills, these also can readily be remedied. Researchers from the Hopital Paul Brousse (France) studied 5,123 men and women civil service office workers in London enrolled in the Whitehall II study. Subjects were surveyed for health behaviors (smoking, dietary habits, daily activity) at 44 years of age, 56 years, and 61 years...
» MORE