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30modpropoliss

 

How do pollen differ from bee bread?

Bee bread is the same pollen, only preserved. The preservation is done by bees: they treat the pollen with their own enzymes and compact it in the cells. As a result of the enzymes, the outer shell of the pollen is partially broken down, allowing the human body to use it much more effectively. Fermentation leads to the appearance of vitamins D, E and K, which are not present in pollen. If bee bread is properly processed and packaged, there are virtually no storage problems. By contrast, pollen is best used fresh or frozen, because drying quickly reduces its value. It is very sensitive to moisture. If it is not dried enough and not stored in a cool place, pollen starts to mold immediately and becomes unfit for use.

 

 

What should you pay attention to when buying bee bread?

It is unheard of that someone would counterfeit bee bread. However, the granules must not be too hard (overdried) or soft and sticky (insufficiently dried). Overdrying reduces the value, but if it is not dried enough, there is a risk that when stored in a warm and humid place the product may start to mold, which must not be allowed. Properly dried bee bread is as easy to bite through as, for example, chocolate. The granules must be completely cleaned of the husk, with no impurities (wax residues). For long-term storage, of course, it is recommended to keep it in the refrigerator, as with all biologically active products.

 

 

Bees and wasps have flown into the room. How can you get them out?

Leave only one window open in the room, cover the others with an opaque blanket and turn off the light. Ideally, choose a window that opens outward. Bees and wasps, drawn to the light, will immediately gather there. All that remains is to open the window and let them out.

 

 

How can you avoid bee stings?

Bees that are visiting flowers and doing their work never attack a person. At least in my experience, such a case has never happened. However, if a person approaches a hive, the bees come to defend their nest. You should be especially careful after the first sting, when the smell of bee venom is released into the air. For the other bees this is like a signal to attack — even from neighboring hives. If it happens that you are stung, the stinger should be removed as quickly as possible, so that less bee venom enters the sting site and so that people who have not developed immunity to it develop a smaller swelling. Bee stings are used in apitherapy to treat various diseases. It has been observed that beekeepers, for whom stings are an everyday occurrence, do not suffer from several diseases at all. From my own experience I can say that you start to feel rather heavy-hearted after 100 stings in one day. A lethal dose for a non-allergic person is 1,400 stings. It is better to work with bees in light-colored cotton clothing. What they dislike most is dark woolen clothing and the smell of sweat.
 

 

How do bees sting?

Bees do not have teeth. They have a stinger located at the rear of the body that resembles a tail. It is very sharp and has about 10 barbs, similar to a fishing hook. Therefore, once it penetrates the skin, the bee can no longer pull the stinger out. It tears off, and later the bee dies. The venom is formed when two fractions stored in small sacs on the stinger combine; each of them separately is not poisonous.

 

Is your beekeeping produce available in stores?

Unfortunately, I have to say no. I cannot produce such quantities and at such a price as supermarkets demand. I could sell to resellers, but I do not want to put my logo at risk, because I work in the highest segment of product quality. I do not want my honey to be used to raise the diastase number (the main indicator of naturalness) by mixing it into honey of dubious origin.

 

 

Why has honey not been affected by inflation?

As the influence of globalization on the economy increases, competition becomes ever more global. If, for example, potato and cabbage growers have to compete with the nearest neighboring countries, then for beekeepers the geography is much broader — Ukraine, Argentina and China. Beekeepers are in a similar situation to electronics, toy and knitwear manufacturers in Latvia, because honey can be stored for a long time and therefore transported as well. There is a possibility that in the coming years this situation may change, because in many places in the world bees are dying off en masse, especially in industrially developed countries. The reason is a gradual increase in soil contamination with insecticides, pesticides and fungicides, and the ever wider spread of genetically modified plants.

 

 

Why do some people use honey very rarely or not at all?

When people consume products with flavor enhancers and improvers on a daily basis, over time their sense of taste becomes dulled and the ability to perceive subtle flavor nuances disappears. Natural products without these additives begin to seem bland and tasteless; moreover, bee products do not produce a narcotic effect, as many products do. Although within about two weeks a person’s taste buds gradually adapt, there are other factors as well. To switch to using only natural products, willpower is needed, because with long-term unhealthy diet and an unhealthy lifestyle, thinking and the perception of life also change. In medical terminology, the chemical background in the body changes.

 

 

What are the future prospects in beekeeping?

Low-quality honey of dubious origin, disguised in various ways, will continue to distort the market. The share of rapeseed honey on the market may grow, because with European support the sowing areas of this crop are increasing, although scientists object to it. The objections are related to calculations showing that energy-crop plantings bring little benefit to the ecosystem, therefore it is recommended to sow these areas with forests instead. The premium segment will become more noticeable. People who have achieved a lot in life are paying ever more serious attention to health, demand the highest quality products and are ready to pay for them. Unfortunately, as conventional agriculture supported by agricultural subsidies expands both in Latvia and beyond its borders, the amount of unspoiled natural territories decreases, affecting beekeepers’ opportunities.

 

 

Why is bee bread rarely available for purchase on a global scale?

Devices for extracting bee-bread granules from the cells are not mass-produced anywhere in the world; only if someone designs something individually. This is a pressing problem for many beekeepers — in Latvia as well. By contrast, in the south, from where cheap honey comes, bees almost do not need to build up bee-bread reserves to raise the new generation in spring; nectar flows continue almost all year round. Therefore, bee bread is a priority of northern countries.

 

 

Is it economically worthwhile to engage in beekeeping under the current conditions?

Working in the highest quality segment, unfortunately I have to say: almost no. Therefore, very serious work is needed to educate the public. What helps not to abandon what has been started is the belief that people will begin to understand what is what, will increasingly appreciate the importance of healthy food and will, with the levers of the market economy, adjust the food offer.

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30propolissBEES

Propolis

Propolis is a resinous plant-derived material collected and processed by bees, which they use as a “building material” for the hive and as a hygiene tool: it seals cracks, fixes structures, and locally restricts the development of microorganisms in places where additional protection is needed. Propolis helps maintain balance and reduce the pathogen load in the bee colony.

A beehive is an ideal environment in which pathogenic microflora could multiply (bacteria, fungi, viruses). There is warmth, food, energy and moisture, and there is no direct exposure to sunlight. Yet nature has found a brilliant solution by creating the most healing and sterile product — propolis. Bees disinfect their home with it and seal holes. Thanks to propolis, bees can ensure such sterility inside the hive that even surgical instruments could be stored there.

In nature, young plant shoots and buds, to protect themselves from pathogenic microflora, are covered with an aromatic, thin surface layer with antibacterial properties that visually resembles resin. It contains polyphenols, which have a strong antimicrobial effect, as well as bioflavonoids, or antioxidants, which reduce susceptibility to infections. There are also substances that repel harmful insects. Bees collect this surface layer, process it with their enzymes, add wax, and use it to disinfect the hive and seal cracks. Propolis collected in different seasons differs in color and smell. For example, the scent of young spruce and pine buds in propolis obtained at the time when they are forming is truly noticeable. In appearance, propolis is very heterogeneous, mostly in brownish-gray tones. At a temperature of +30°C it is sticky and difficult to wash off, but at 0°C it is brittle and hard.

Composition of propolis: balms and resins 55%, wax 30%, essential oils 10%, and pollen 5%. These are the main basic components, but if you look more closely, propolis contains about 400 substances. Since pathogenic microflora, by forming genetic mutations, continuously changes its sensitivity to microbicidal substances, plants, in order to protect themselves, are also forced to adapt. This means that propolis changes along with it, therefore it is the most effective remedy against pathogenic microflora.

Propolis was known already in ancient Egypt and was used for mummification — for embalming pharaohs. Propolis has a very wide range of applications, especially in medicine, because unlike antibiotics, microbes do not develop resistance to it. This could be explained by the fact that because of plant diversity its composition is very variable: it is impossible to collect two propolis samples with identical composition. Propolis is a powerful antioxidant with a regenerating effect. In apitherapy it is used as an analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and immunomodulating agent, because it does not cause side effects. Scientists have also discovered very strong anti-cancer properties and continue research on the use of propolis in oncology.

About 30% of propolis consists of phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant properties. This means it has pronounced anti-aging effects and at the same time reduces the risk of oncological diseases. The body’s ability to resist the effects of radiation improves. It has been studied that by using propolis it is possible to successfully address infertility problems in women.

Since propolis is the strongest natural anti-inflammatory agent, it is successfully used in the treatment of endometriosis.  Endometriosis is a common female disease associated with pain in the lower abdomen, poor well-being and infertility. In folk medicine this disease has long been successfully treated with propolis. It only needs to be prepared correctly so as not to lose its healing properties.

Compared with chemically synthesized medicines that are widely used in medicine, propolis has no side effects. It does not have a negative impact on the kidneys, liver and spleen. With antibiotics it is different. According to WHO (World Health Organization) data, antibiotic use worldwide over the last 10 years has increased by more than 30%. Mortality due to microbial resistance is increasing.

Propolis cannot really be called an antibiotic, because it destroys only pathogenic bacteria, while it not only does not harm the beneficial ones but promotes their growth, and at the same time acts as an antifungal and antiviral agent. More precisely, propolis should be called a a natural anti-inflammatory preparation.

Most often propolis is prepared by dissolving it in alcohol or oil, as well as incorporating it into honey or even chewing gum. When it is dissolved in alcohol or oil, more than half of its value is lost. Therefore, technologies have been developed by which propolis can be mixed in water without heating above +35°C, thereby preserving 99% of the value of propolis.

 

 

Propolis in water

A water dispersion or water extract of propolis is a way to use propolis without alcohol. It is important to understand that, by its chemical nature, propolis is a resinous and waxy product, and a large part of its active compounds are poorly soluble in water. Therefore, water preparations are not identical in composition and activity profile to alcohol or oil extracts — they usually contain different proportions of fractions.

The practical principle is simple: propolis is crushed as finely as possible and mixed with clean water intended for food use. Since the water-insoluble part does not form a true solution but a dispersion, during storage the heavier particles tend to settle. Therefore, before use the mixture should be shaken thoroughly so that the contents are more uniform.

The advantage of a water dispersion is convenience: the product can be taken in small portions and it disperses easily in the oral cavity or gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the fat-soluble fractions of propolis can emulsify during digestion with the help of bile, so “insoluble” does not mean “unusable”.

Water-based propolis preparations are most often used for:

  🟫 for oral care (as a rinse to supplement hygiene),
  🟫 for topical use on the skin (depending on the specific product and tolerance),
  🟫 as a dietary supplement in small doses for those who do not want alcohol tinctures.

Rinsing the mouth with propolis preparations can be a good addition to daily hygiene, because propolis is often used in oral care products.

A 5% solution of propolis in water is intended for daily preventive use, both external and internal. It is recommended to use it as a daily antiparasitic agent against fungi, viruses and pathogenic bacteria

 

 

Propolis in honey

Propolis in honey is a practical way to combine two beekeeping products: the complex of propolis bioactive compounds and honey’s energy value, aroma and ease of use. Most often, in such a product propolis is incorporated in a very fine fraction (down to a powder), so that it is distributed evenly in the honey and, during use, does not create an unpleasant feeling of “little pieces”.

Propolis itself is resinous and waxy, so if it is taken in pieces it tends to stick and disperse unevenly. Fine grinding increases the surface area and improves uniform mixing. Unlike a water dispersion, where particles tend to settle and the mixture must be shaken before use, in honey propolis powder usually remains more evenly distributed (especially if the honey is viscous or already partially crystallized).

Propolis in honey is most often used as a dietary supplement — in small portions, between meals or together with tea (warm, not very hot). It is also sometimes used locally (for example, in the oral cavity) according to tolerance. It can be used for a wide range of inflammatory processes, fits into various cleansing programs, and for daily prevention. It is used both externally and internally.
If a person uses propolis for the first time, it is recommended to start with a very small amount (for example, ¼ teaspoon) in order to assess tolerance.

 

 

What do propolis and vaccines have in common?

In viral infections, the outcome is determined by the speed and quality of the immune system’s response: how quickly the body can recognize the pathogen, activate protective mechanisms, and limit the replication of the virus.

What they have in common is time. It is important to understand that neither propolis, nor vaccines, nor medicines destroy viruses. The immune system does that. However, to do it, the immune system must prepare the appropriate antibodies, and this process requires time, which is sometimes measured in several days and depends on the resources available to the immune system (energy, nutrients, workload and so on). Vaccines train the immune system in advance. This means that after vaccination immune memory is formed — memory B and T cells and an antibody response — which helps to respond faster if the body encounters a specific pathogen or its components. As a result, the infection more often proceeds in a milder form, and the risk of severe disease is reduced.

A drawback of vaccines is that they work only against a specific virus, and it should be taken into account that viruses constantly mutate. Since

Vaccines do not always completely prevent infection, especially if the virus changes (mutates) and new, different strains emerge or if antibody levels decrease over time, but immune memory can still protect against more serious consequences. This is why booster doses are used for some infections. But the problem is that the number of known viruses in nature is measured in thousands, so it is logical that it is impossible to be vaccinated against all of them.

Propolis works differently, it is not a vaccine and it does not “prepare antibodies” in a targeted way. Propolis, with its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, interferes with viral replication, preventing viruses from multiplying rapidly. Meanwhile, the immune system has a chance to prepare the appropriate antibodies. As a result, the disease proceeds in a milder form or even without symptoms. However, it should be borne in mind that the composition of propolis is variable (depending on plant sources, the season and the region),and therefore there is no single “standard propolis”.

Garlic also partly has a similar property to propolis, but when going to a public place, where infection with viruses most often occurs, people around you are unlikely to like the specific smell. Propolis, on the other hand, has a pleasant aroma.

 

 

Bee propolis covers

Bee propolis covers, or propolis cloths, which are used in hives as a cover for honey frames, over time become impregnated with propolis, the smell of honey, essential oils and wax. Propolis in the hive provides ideal sterility in an environment where there is warmth, moisture and a food base for various microorganisms (fungi, viruses, bacteria). Their reproduction is drastically limited.

Such covers can be used for inhalations: warm them slightly and keep them near you to inhale the aromatic vapors of propolis, which can be useful when cold symptoms appear, with a stuffy nose and throat irritation (inflammation). They are also useful for a mild cough and during recovery after bronchitis.

A propolis cover can be used as a compress, warming it slightly beforehand (for example, on a radiator or above warm water steam, but without wetting it), and together with warmth the anti-inflammatory substances of propolis promote better blood circulation and help reduce stiffness. It is recommended to place the cover on tense muscles, joints where pain is felt, or on areas of back pain.

In cases where skin problems are observed (for example, dryness, irritation, mild eczema without open wounds), it is not recommended to place the cover directly on the skin surface. A thin clean cotton cloth should be placed between the skin and the cover.

Some people place the cover near the bed or at the workplace to create a light hive aroma in the room, which is considered calming and antibacterial. The observed effect includes a calming influence, easier falling asleep and less stress.

It is not recommended to use a bee cover if there is a high temperature, acute bacterial infections, or open wounds. Caution should also be observed if an allergy to bee products has been noted before.

It is best to store the covers in a dry and cool environment, avoiding direct sunlight.

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