Bee Products: Whats the Buzz About?
Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly are nature’s sweet superfoods made by the buzzing busy bees we all love (and not so love). The consumption of said Bee products have been cultivated and consumed since the times of ancient figures we all read and watch documentaries about. For example, During the times of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra it is said that Cleopatra used Royal Jelly as a secret beauty agent as well as bathed in a mixture of milk and honey! Talk about royal skin treatment. Let’s break these products down to get a greater understanding of what each product is and how they can help us!
Made from the collected nectar of flowers, Honey is a sweet thick liquid produced by worker bees that serves as a storable food. While containing no refined sugars, Honey is known for a wide variety of health benefits such as being loaded in antioxidants, aiding in soothing sore throats, promoting wound healing, and containing antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. This bee food not only enrich your afternoon tea, but provides a health boost under the table.
The next bee product worthy of superfood status is Bee Propolis, also known as “bee glue”. Bees use propolis to insulate and patch repair the interior of the hive to aid in keeping unwanted visitors out. Like us, bees need warmth too and their glue is highlighted to potentially carry many health benefits. Said to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, Bee Propolis is loaded with important vitamins such as B1, B2, B6 , and C and important minerals such as Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, and Copper. Truly Bee Propolis would make a great addition to your yogurt bowl and routine with its rich vitamin and mineral content aimed at the betterment of your health.
The final bee product is non other than Royal Jelly. Similar to honey, however the beefy food source is reserved for the queen and her young larvae. Commonly used as a dietary nutritional supplement to help combat various conditions, Royal Jelly is packed with hundreds of organic compounds that contain antiaging, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor properties for your potential benefit. Whether taken orally or applied topically, there are few human studies regarding Royal Jelly. Despite its rich historical ties to many infamous figures, more studies are needed to conclude specific health benefits that result from taking royal jelly as a nutritional supplement.
To conclude, If you’re looking to dive into the deep end of naturally-sourced health supplements, We highly recommend you add Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly to your dietary routine. Though the potential health benefits are still being researched and studied, at its fundamental basis these bee products are loaded with vitamins and minerals essential to our body’s internal systems. So get the blender out, grab some of your favourite fruits and veggies, and lift your smoothie or shake to another level with the bounty nature provides.