When it comes to bee products, the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is honey; a sweet, delicious, and ancient substance that has been known as food and medicine for thousands of years in different cultures. But the hive is not the only place where honey is produced; within it, a world of other valuable products is formed, each with amazing properties and a wide range of uses. Propolis, royal jelly, and pollen are three incredibly important and lesser-known products whose nutritional and medicinal value has been confirmed in many reliable sources.
One of the products of the hive is propolis. A substance that bees produce from a combination of plant resin, wax, and enzymes in their saliva. This sticky compound was originally used to disinfect the hive, but humans quickly discovered that propolis has a wide range of properties and can be used alongside honey as a product with antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Research shows that propolis is one of nature’s most powerful antibiotics. Bees use it to seal cracks, embalm the carcasses of invaders, and clean the inside of the hive. While many believe that only honey has healing properties, propolis itself has a range of active compounds and can be useful for healing wounds, boosting the immune system, and even reducing chronic inflammation.
Royal jelly is also one of the most special products of the hive. This substance, also called royal jelly, is the main source of nutrition for the queen. Bees secrete this gel from their glands and only the larvae that are going to become queens feed on it forever. This special nutrition makes the queen live several times longer than worker bees. Unlike honey, royal jelly has a sour and spicy taste and is used more as a therapeutic substance than as an edible. Research has shown that this substance is rich in active proteins, vitamins and special fatty acids and can be useful for increasing energy, boosting fertility, improving brain function and reducing stress.
Bee pollen is the third amazing product of the hive. Bees collect pollen from flowers, mix it with their saliva, and bring it back to the hive in small pellets. Bee pollen is one of the most complete natural foods in the world, and many nutritionists describe it as a “superfood.” It is rich in protein, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, and antioxidants, and for this reason, some consider it, along with honey, a tool for increasing energy, improving athletic performance, and strengthening the immune system. Bee pollen is also useful for regulating hormones, improving digestive problems, and reducing inflammation. Consumers usually consume it with breakfast, in smoothies, or mixed with honey for a more suitable taste.
One of the important points about these three categories of hive products is that unlike honey, their harvesting and production in large quantities is not an easy task. Propolis is produced in small quantities, pollen is difficult to collect, and royal jelly is naturally produced only for the queen and its harvesting requires precision and expertise. This has made them much more valuable than honey and have a higher price in global markets. But the main reason for the high price is their therapeutic properties and extraordinary effectiveness.
The honeybee is a very amazing creature; this small creature with its complex social life is able to produce substances, each of which has a special therapeutic role in human life. Just as honey has been used as a natural medicine in traditional medicine in Iran and the world for centuries, propolis, royal jelly, and pollen have also found a special place today. These products are not only powerful supplements for boosting the body’s health, but also scientifically unique compounds that are found in few other natural substances.
The presence of powerful antioxidants in propolis helps fight free radicals and protect the body from cellular damage. While honey is more commonly known as an antibacterial, propolis has a different structure and functions more like a natural antibiotic. The flavonoid compounds in propolis play an important role in reducing chronic inflammation, and numerous studies have shown that it can be effective in healing skin wounds, reducing pain, and even improving oral and dental problems.
On the other hand, royal jelly is a powerful energy booster. In many countries, professional athletes use royal jelly to increase their physical strength and concentration. Combining royal jelly with honey is one of the best ways to consume it, and in addition to improving the taste, it increases the absorption of nutrients in the gel. Royal jelly is also very effective for increasing male and female fertility, regulating hormones, and improving mood.
Bee pollen is also a different world. It is so rich that some researchers consider it close to a complete food. Consuming it with honey or milk is a great breakfast for those looking to increase daily energy, reduce fatigue, and improve athletic performance. Bee pollen is also beneficial for improving digestion due to the presence of enzymes and can play a role in reducing seasonal allergies.
Another important point is that all beehive products are only truly effective when they are natural and raw. Just as excessive heating of honey reduces its healing properties, over-processing of propolis or royal jelly can also reduce their original properties. Therefore, choosing a reliable source is of great importance. Beekeepers who use pristine nature, keep their hives free from pollution, and harvest responsibly offer products that, along with honey, can improve the quality of life of consumers. (Read more about organic products)
Finally, it must be said that the products of the hive are an amazing natural laboratory. Although honey is still the most common product, propolis, royal jelly, and pollen have values that have established their place in traditional and modern medicine. These products can strengthen the immune system, increase the body’s energy, improve brain function, and in many cases complement natural treatments. Getting to know these products makes the importance of bees in our lives clearer than ever before and we understand what a huge role these small creatures play in our health.
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