Bees are such amazing little creatures. They have been around for millions of years, just pollinating away!
As a child, I was fascinated with watching them fly from flower to flower and working away gathering all of the goodies to take back to their hives. I would lay in the grass and just watch them for hours, still do sometimes.
My husband can attest to my love of the honey bee. One summer, my husband had left his soda sitting on the back of the truck while we were outside working. When he went to take a drink, he got quite the surprise..a bee! He quickly spit the little honey bee into his hand and looked over at me saying. “I almost swallowed a bee!” I’m not sure he was expecting my response which resulted in me gently taking the bee from him, sprinkling it with water and placing it on a dry surface and blowing on it’s wings to help it dry out! I think I remember turning to him and saying, “You traumatized the poor thing!!” After a few minutes of drying off, the little bee regained its little insect composure and flew away. I turned to my husband and said, “that was close!” Of course his jaw was still on the ground. “I could have been stung,” he said, as I walked back over to where he was standing. “But you weren’t,” I replied, without missing a beat. We laugh about it now, but I think he was a little upset at the time because my first response was to try and revive the bee (which I successfully did, I might add.) I was “saving the bees” before it was cool and have taught my children to look out for and protect the bees as well.
Imagine my excitement when I learned that we have a Bee Farm (Desert Creek Honey) less than 7 miles away from where I currently live! I could hardly contain myself. I use honey as one of my alternatives to sugar and I incorporate bee pollen into our smoothies, smoothie bowls, and hot tea during allergy season as part of our wellness plan.
So what are the benefits of Raw Unfiltered Honey???
Raw honey is a good source of antioxidants, which help to protect the body from cell damage caused by free radicals! Free radicals can contribute to premature aging and many diseases. Studies also show that polyphenols in honey may play a role in protecting the heart.
Other benefits of raw honey are its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Raw honey naturally contains hydrogen peroxide, which is a natural antiseptic. We keep a jar of Manuka honey on hand to put on cuts and scrapes. Amazing stuff! If you’ve never heard of Manuka Honey, Google it! Every household should have it!
There are an abundance of Phytonutrients found in raw honey. Phytonutrients are compounds found in plants that help the plant thrive and protect them from damage.
Raw honey has been used to help heal digestive issues with much success. Just 1-2 teaspoons a day on an empty stomach can soothe the digestive tract.
Effective for coughs and sore throats.
What about Honeybee pollen?
Many holistic health proponents tout the benefits of bee pollen. Bee pollen is a fine powdery collection of substances from plants that bees store in the hives. Like the raw honey, the pollen helps to combat free radicals, fight aging, help reduce the production of histamines during allergy season and because it is so nutrient dense it can increase energy. Other benefits of honeybee pollen include:
Boosting Metabolism
Strengthening the Immune System
Possibly Increase Fertility
Improve Skin Health
Helps to Support Proper Hormone Balance
and Improves Digestion
I could go on and on about honey and bees. It’s fascinating how nature works and how such a small creature can be so beneficial and play such an important role in sustaining all forms of life on earth!
If you don’t have anywhere locally to buy high quality raw honey, please feel free to click on the link above. Desert Creek has an online presence and ships all over the US. (They aren’t sponsoring me to say that. I just like helping others out when I can.)
