Friday, April 9, 2010
Bee Pollen
The photographer had this to say about the great photo above: "This bee was clinging to the sunflower with one leg and used the others to stuff pollen into the containers on the hind legs. Looking closely you can see grains of pollen falling off."
Bee pollen is one of the 'superfoods', according to an article written by Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD, for the Weston A Price Foundation. They describe say "Superfoods -- as opposed to vitamins or supplements -- are foods that naturally concentrate important nutrients. Unlike dietary supplements, or vitamins taken in isolation, superfoods provide many nutrients that support each other and prevent the kind of imbalances that often occur when vitamins are taken singly."
Following below is the text of the bee pollen portion of that longer article on superfoods linked above, only copied here to run in conjunction with my post on Honey for Allergies, and my post about Honey Laundering.
Bee Pollen
"Bee pollen has been popularized by famous athletes who take it regularly for strength and endurance. It has been used successfully to treat a variety of ailments including allergies, asthma, menstrual irregularities, constipation, diarrhea, anemia, low energy, cancer, rheumatism, arthritis and toxic conditions.
A Russian study of the inhabitants of the province of Georgia, where many live to 100 years and a few to age 150, revealed that many of these centenarians were beekeepers who often ate raw, unprocessed honey with all its "impurities," that is, with the pollen.
Bee pollen contains 22 amino acids including the eight essential ones, 27 minerals and the full gamut of vitamins, hormones and fatty acids. Most importantly, bee pollen contains more than 5,000 enzymes and coenzymes.
It is the presence of enzymes, many of which have immediate detoxifying effects, that sometimes provokes allergic reactions in those taking bee pollen for the first time. If this happens, start with very small amounts and slowly build up to a tablespoon or so per day. Some brands are more easily tolerated than others.
Avoid pollen that has been dried at temperatures higher than 130 degrees. Bee pollen can be taken in powder, capsule or tablet form—or in raw unprocessed honey mixed with cereal or spread on toast."
I have known several folks who take bee pollen and swear to its effectiveness. I probably should buy some for myself!
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I knew someone in the most perfect health I have ever seen, in mid-seventies, about 40 years old, who ate absolutely nothing but an occasional sandwich.... but daily, lots of bee pollen and alfalfa sprouts. Never saw anything like it before or since.
ReplyDeleteI take both bee pollen and royal jelly, also use it on skin. Super for both energy and skin. Daily though I eat Plenty of honey... sweetens raw vinegar, super energy drink, gives one cast iron kidneys too. One will never have renal failure if one drinks raw vinegar and honey every day. I drink it like lemonade in the summer and hot lemonade in the winter. I am putting bee hives in the woods behind me this summer for honey for sure... very private, good for them. Good for all of my gardens too... just joined the local bee association this spring, and am learning lots.
I had wanted to build a hive or two this year, based on the specs in one of the Ringing Cedars' books, but time and finances may dictate that it wait. I love apple cider vinegar, use it daily although sans honey for the time being.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever had raw, with the "mother" in it?
ReplyDeleteLooks disgusting in the bottle... lots of white goo floating around... but just shake it up good... that goo is really good for you. I just don't think about it, just do it... kinda like liquid acidophilus (which I had a lot of before I had access to real milk)... I call it bug sludge... but its not too bad, cranberry-flavoured.
Time and finances dictate lots... here, putting calf in my garden shed temporarily, while I collect materials to wall in a structure that is useable. Whatever works!
I use Bragg's; love it, but may make my own this year just because I can.
ReplyDeleteThat is mine as well... I see you cook a lot! Many good ideas... Lemon cream puff filling... omg. Love anything lemon. I cook a lot too. Foodie... big-time. You have just as many if not more interests as I. I have not made vinegar ever though... other than flavouring vinegars. Do you have grapes, make wine-hence-the-vinegar?
ReplyDeleteLemon rocks! There were grapes here when my sister bought this place, variety unknown. Lost the oldest big one climbing up the barn 3 years ago. I've made wine, but no longer drink it. This year I'll pickle some grape leaves, and make some vinegar. Drop me a line to my email address (under my profile).
ReplyDelete