“If bees were to disappear, humanity would only have four years to live.” This famous quote, often wrongly attributed to Albert Einstein, tells us a lot about the vital role of bees for humanity. Indeed, bees allow, among other things, pollination and they alone ensure this essential act for more than two hundred thousand species of flowering plants! Thus, without them, many mechanisms essential to the earth's ecosystem would be left behind... Furthermore, in addition to this essential aspect for the survival of the human species, we can use bee products to treat the man. Apitherapy, from the Latin “apis” “bee” and the Greek “therapia” “care”, is the treatment with various products from the hive, and they are of great therapeutic interest: royal jelly, propolis, pollen, honey, wax and even venom will be used for their different properties and particularities.
Antiseptic
Honey
The origin
It is the best-known hive product, which comes from the transformation of nectar (sweet substance secreted by the glands of certain flowers, honey flowers) deposited in the alveoli by bees. Its composition varies depending on the flower harvested, hence the different names (Flower, Mountain, Forest honey, etc.), and it is mainly composed of sugars (glucose and fructose), as well as water and various nutrients.
The benefits of honey
Anti-infectives and antibiotics
Antioxidant
Healing
Toning and stimulating
Tonic and digestive protector
Metabolic stimulant
Honey, the best for...
- Boost immunity and prevent infectious diseases
- Stress, nervousness, insomnia
- Fatigue, convalescence, anorexia
- Skin conditions
- Sore throat, cough
- Constipation, digestive disorders
Immunostimulant
Royal jelly
The origin
Royal Jelly is a substance secreted by the glands of young worker bees. It is a milky jelly which constitutes the main food of the young larvae during the first three days of their life, and it is the only food of the queen (hence its name!). It is an incredible source of proteins and nutrients, which varies according to the different species of bee: minerals, water, proteins, vitamins, lipids, carbohydrates, enzymes, nucleic acids and antioxidant nutrients.
The benefits of royal jelly
Stimulating
Anti-infectious
Tonic and digestive protector
Antioxidant
Royal jelly, the best for
- Reduce menopausal symptoms
- Reduce cholesterol levels
- Strengthen immunity
- Prevent chronic rhinitis
- Treat ulcers
- Reduce fatigue and stress
Anti-infectious
Propolis
The origin
Propolis is a more or less solid resin which protects the buds and young shoots of certain trees. A real barrier against pathogens, bees collect it using their mandibles, kneading it and mixing it with their saliva in order to bring it back to the hive, and use it to protect the latter from microbial conditions. They use it to protect the entrance to the hive, to seal cracks, to purify the air in the hive, to line the inside of the cells of young eggs, or even to embalm the insects they have killed.
The benefits of propolis
Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral
Anti-inflammatory
Healing
Immunostimulant
Anticancer
Propolis, the best for...
- Acne, eczema
- Strengthen immunity
- ENT conditions (angina, colds, rhinitis, etc.)
- Wounds, burns
- Labial or genital herpes
- Caries, canker sores, gingivitis, bad breath
- Support chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments
Stimulating
Pollen
The origin
Pollen is the male fertilizing element of the flower, and is therefore variable depending on each species of plant. The bees, while foraging, collect the pollen grains in the form of tiny balls attached to their hind legs, and bring it back to the hive to mix it with lactic ferments and yeasts in order to feed the young larvae.
The benefits of pollen
Stimulating
Digestive tonic
Antioxidant
Metabolic stimulant
Pollen, the best for
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Improve physical performance
- Digestive disorders
- Growth disorders
Anti-inflammatory
Bee venom
The origin
Secreted by specialized glands, bee venom is a substance composed of 85% water which is used by the queen to get rid of her rivals, and by the worker bees to defend the hive, but at the risk of their lives... Constituted of different enzymes, peptides, carbohydrates and lipids, it has particular properties which will be taken advantage of by apitherapists who harvest it in a syringe or use it directly via the bee. Venom therapy is an unconventional treatment that is still being studied but has proven effective.
The benefits of bee venom
Anti-inflammatory
Analgesic
Cardiotonic
Anticoagulant
Bee venom, the best for...
- Rheumatism, arthritis, tendonitis
- Neuralgia, neuritis
- Multiple sclerosis ?
Cosmetic
Beeswax
The origin
Beeswax is a complex mixture of organic compounds secreted by the bees' wax glands, from their 2nd or 3rd week of life until their death. A greasy, white paste, it is used to construct the cells of the hive. It has a dual origin, and depending on whether it comes from cells or old frames, it will be used respectively in cosmetics or in industry (to make candles for example).
The benefits of beeswax
Poultice
Cosmetic excipient
Constitution of candles
Beeswax, the best for
- Dermatological application
- Constitution of cosmetic products
- Industrial use (candles, surface protection products, etc.)
The bee and the hive
What do honey, royal jelly, pollen, propolis, venom and wax have in common? These are all products that come to us from the bee. And to discover the fascinating world of the hive and these little hymenoptera that delight beekeepers, go, let's dive into the heart of the hive!
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Bibliography
Work : Cherbuliez, T., Domerego, R. (2003). Apitherapy - Bee medicine. Amyris Editions.
Work : April, G. (2014). Natural health with apitherapy: Honey, propolis, pollen, royal jelly... Éditions Terre vivant.
Work : Domerego, R., Imbert, G., & Blanchard, C. (2016). Practical guide to bee medicine: honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly... on a daily basis. Baroch Editions.