The Beehive

History of the Beehive

As long ago as 7000 BC mankind were etching cave walls indicating their involvement with the honeybee. Numerous cave paintings depict men and women robbing honey from bee colonies in trees and crevices in rock faces. The Egyptian Pharaohs were entombed with a hermetically sealed jar of honey for use in the after life. Samples taken from those discovered were found to have retained honeys nutritional values even though they were over 3000 years old! Honey is mentioned in the Bible and the Koran and is recorded in various medicinal treatments of some 5000 years ago. According to science the honeybee and flowering plants evolved at roughly the same time about 150 million years ago. It is estimated that the honeybee is responsible for the pollination of 80% of all plants, some 24,000 varieties. These include many medicinal herbs used in pharmacology since ancient times. Approximately 120 are food crops, which would not propagate without the attentions of the honeybee. The four beehive products generally considered being most beneficial, as part of a healthy lifestyle are Honey, Royal Jelly, Pollen and Propolis. Although they share many characteristics each of them has a unique and special blend with its own particular applications. The best beehive products come from bees, which forage in lush remote areas, far from the chemical pollutants commonly found in agricultural fields and cities. This helps ensure they are pure, natural and nutritionally rich just as nature intended.

Pollen
Pollen is the male sex cell in all-living plants. Within its nucleus it contains DNA and RNA, which determine the shape, development and function of all living cells. It is possibly the oldest food on the face of the earth and has been know as natur es most perfect food containing 96 elements, including, soluble vitamins (Pro vitamin A, B complex, C, D, E, K, H, P) 22 amino acids, 27 mineral salts (Incl. Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, & Iron) proteins, enzymes & coenzymes. When the bee gathers pollen it is mixed with nectar so that it may be more easily made into pellets the form used in the hive. The early Egyptians called Bee Pollen life giving dust and when mixed with honey was used as a poultice on wounds. Today bee pollen is commonly used as an energy provider and is regularly used by athletes the world over to boost their stamina. It is also credited with the successful help in many diverse conditions including allergies, prostate disease, digestive upsets, provides improved resistance to illness, improves blood circulation and strengthens the coronary arteries. It is reported that many centenarians in the former USSR owe their incredible longevity to the consumption of large quantities of bee pollen. Carlson Wade in About Pollen states , The healing, rejuvenating & disease fighting effect of this total nutrient are hard to believe, yet are fully documented. Aging, digestion upsets, prostate disease, sore throats, acne, fatigue, sexual problems, allergies & a host of other problems have been successfully treated by the use of Bee Pollen Key Benefits of Bee Pollen: Natural energy booster if taken regularly, can help alleviate allergy symptoms, aids digestion, improves prostate health and lots more

Royal Jelly
The honeybee produces Royal Jelly from the hypopharyngeal glands located in its head. Such is its potency; new larvae are fed solely Royal Jelly for the first 2 days, which enables them to grow into little bees within that period. The bee destined to be the Queen is fed Royal Jelly for her entire life, which will be about 5-7 years; whereas the workers are taken off Royal Jelly and fed Honey and Pollen resulting in a life span of 4-6 weeks. Such is the power of Royal Jelly. It also enables her to lay up to 3,000 eggs daily. Royal Jelly is a storehouse of nutrition containing vitamins A, C, D & E and also contains an abundance of the B vitamins. One of the major B vitamins found in Royal Jelly is pantothenic acid, a substance found in all living tissue. It also contains 18 amino acids and a variety of minerals. Royal Jelly provides a variety of benefits to the human body including antibacterial and antiviral action, the acceleration of wound healing, the promotion of cell-tissue regeneration, provision of energy and an all round calming effect on the bodys central nervous system. Key Benefits of Royal Jelly: Beneficial to the skin & contains all essential amino acids Can help alleviate the symptoms of stress

Propolis
Honeybees metabolize Propolis from sticky resin secreted by trees and buds. They use it to line their hives thereby creating an environment many times more sterile than that found in a modern hospital. Propolis is a powerful, natural antibiotic, which enables 60,000 bees to live together in a bacteria-free environment. The Romans used Propolis to heal tumours, ulcers and nervous disorders. Although Propolis is known to contain a host of B-complex vitamins, minerals, 22 amino acids and enzymes: It has been used for centuries, importantly contains bioflavonoids believed to be essential in the healing process. Propolis acts as a stimulant on the bodys immune system and current uses include the treatment of respiratory tract conditions such as asthma and bronchitis and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and acne Key Benefits: Safe, natural and powerful antibiotic & antiviral with no side effects Helps with coughs, colds, sore throats, mouth ulcers, flu & respiratory problems, skin problems and more Supports the immune system