BENEFITS AND PROPERTIES OF BEE BY-PRODUCTS

BEEKEEPING PRODUCTS AND THEIR BENEFITS

Bee products have been used for more than 8,000 years due to their important benefits for the human organism. They are antiviral, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and highly nutritious products. Find out about the properties and benefits of bee products.

WHAT ARE BEEKEEPING PRODUCTS ?

Honey, beeswax, propolis and even venom... Each of these substances plays an important role in the hive and has various benefits for humans. These bee derivatives are a result of the natural activities of bees and many of them have been collected and used by humans as medicinal therapies for more than 8,000 years.

THE HISTORY OF THE USE OF BEE DERIVATIVES

FROM PRIMITIVE BEEKEEPING TO SUSTAINABLE BEEKEEPING.

The earliest beekeeping we know of dates back to periods before 8,000 BC. This was wild beekeeping, where people waited until spring to capture natural swarms and place them in hives made of mud, straw or empty tree trunks. In summer, the honey was collected and separated from the wax.

The ancient Egyptians used honey derivatives not only as food, but also in medicine, funeral rites, and as gifts to the gods. It was believed that the tears of Ra (the god of the sun) were transformed into bees when they touched the ground. 

During the 16th and 17th centuries many of the essential tools for contemporary beekeeping were developed, such as a standardised model of beehives and the creation of bee smokers. 

Today, beekeeping has become a globalised and highly competitive industry, where the main focus is obtaining material. Bee populations are declining ? annually and the species is more threatened than ever due to causes such as pesticides, habitat destruction, parasites and invasive species. 

Sustainable beekeeping has emerged as a way to protect and increase bee populations while ensuring animal welfare. With the help of a large network of conscientious consumers and users, sustainable beekeeping can overcome competitive margins and make possible a better future for bees. 

BEE PRODUCTS 

What are bee products? What are the benefits of honey or wax? Where do royal jelly and propolis come from? Is it good to consume pollen? These are some of the questions we have been asking ourselves for years. Today, thanks to research and scientific advances, we can understand and explain the benefits and properties of bee products. 

HONEY

WHERE DOES HONEY COME FROM?

Honey is a viscous and sweet fluid produced by bees of the genus Apis, more commonly known as honey bees. This honey is produced from the nectar of flowers and is transformed once combined with the bees' own chemical substances, which is then deposited and stored in the honeycombs. 

There are several varieties of honey depending on the plant origin. The most common are rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, lavender, chestnut, orange and orange blossom.

BENEFITS AND PROPERTIES OF HONEY :

1. Antibacterial: Honey contains inhibins and glucose oxidase which act as a bactericide. These properties make honey an ideal natural exfoliant for the treatment of acne.
2. Antiviral + Antifungal: Honey has antiviral and antifungal properties that can strengthen our immune system.
3. Antioxidant: Honey prevents the formation of oxides and slows down cellular decomposition. Therefore, it significantly benefits the immune system and can prevent heart disease.
4. Anti-inflammatory: Honey is a potent anti-inflammatory that reduces and relieves the pain of inflammation. It works on muscles and joints both topically and internally.
5. Moisturising and repairing: It is ideal for moisturising and repairing the skin, but also for moisturising our hair and scalp. 
6. Natural healing for wounds and burns: Its antiseptic properties reduce the possibility of infections. As it is rich in enzymes and amino acids, it favours the growth and repair of injured tissue from wounds and burns.

WHAT COMPONENTS, VITAMINS, AND SUBSTANCES DOES HONEY CONTAIN?

• Vitamins such as: Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B6.
• Carotenoids
• Flavonoids such as: Pinocembrin and Acacetin.
• Acids such as: Fatty acids, pantothenic acid, phenolic acids, abscisic acid, ferulic acid. 

HOW HONEY IS USED: 

• Topical use of honey: 
  • Honey applied on the skin as a facial mask repairs and nourishes our skin by cleansing it of bacteria and through disinfection. This is why honey is a natural remedy for treating acne. Take two tablespoons of honey and spread it evenly over your face, then wait 20-30 minutes before removing it with warm water. Here are 5 face masks with honey and other ingredients that can be easily found at home. 
  • Honey applied to wounds and burns disinfects and promotes the tissue repair process. Honey is also a much cheaper substance compared to other medicines. Cover the surface and depth of the wound or burn with honey on a daily basis. 

• Ingested use of honey:
  • Ingested organic honey (without colourings, additives, or aromatic compounds) contains vitamins and minerals that help to restore sleep, reduce metabolic stress, improve brain function, and even stimulate our immune system. However, bear in mind that honey contains 80% sugars and 320 kcal per 100 grams, so you should not abuse its intake. 

Honey and honey with CBD from The Beemine Lab.

The honey we use to produce our bee-derived products is organic rosemary honey from the mountains of Madrid. This honey is obtained using sustainable extraction methods that ensure animal welfare.

Hani raw: Pure rosemary honey, from the honeycomb to your home.

Hani +: Honey with CBD, the perfect fusion of the benefits of cannabis and beekeeping.

Our other products containing honey:

• Moisturising cream
• Recovery Balm

BEESWAX

Where does beeswax come from?

Beeswax is a secreted substance produced voluntarily by the wax glands of worker bees. The wax emerges from the bee's abdomen and is then chewed into the whimsical hexagons that make up the honeycomb. 

BENEFITS AND PROPERTIES OF BEESWAX: 

1. Antibacterial: Like honey, beeswax kills bacteria.
2. Anti-viral + Anti-fungal: Like honey, beeswax can kill mould (and other fungi) and it prevents outbreaks of cold sores. 
3. Anti-inflammatory: Beeswax reduces inflammation thanks to its emollient and anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Antioxidant: It prevents skin cell aging. 
5. Nourishing: Beeswax nourishes and moisturises the skin, so it is often used in lip balms and creams.   

HOW BEESWAX IS USED:

• topical use of beeswax: 

It is common to find beeswax in a multitude of cosmetic products due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that keep our skin healthy and prevent aging. With your fingers, take an appropriate amount of beeswax for the area to be treated and use it directly on the affected skin.

• Other uses of beeswax: 

• Beeswax is a remedy for sinusitis or asthma. There are some food supplements and pharmaceuticals that contain beeswax. 
• Beeswax is also used in medicine for ointments and grafts due to its anti-inflammatory, healing and emollient properties.  
• Beeswax is also used to make candles, which create little smoke and have a very pleasant aroma. 

PRODUCTS FROM THE BEEMINE LAB WITH BEESWAX.

The Lip Balm with CBD is made with beeswax and other ingredients such as avocado oil, hemp seed oil, and cocoa butter. These ingredients make Lip Balm with CBD a highly restorative lip balm for dry lips and sensitive areas. 

Moisturising Cream with CBD also contains beeswax. It is a cream with a light texture, which is easily absorbed, nourishing our skin and protecting it from aging. 

Emergency Balm: Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, the Emergency Balm contains beeswax which, together with other components, soothes and reduces muscle inflammation. 

Other bee by-products not yet available: 

PROPOLIS

WHERE DOES PROPOLIS COME FROM?

PROPOLIS IS A SUBSTANCE THAT COMES FROM THE SAP OF TREES (PINE, JUNIPER, POPLAR, CHESTNUT, HOLM OAK, HAZELNUT, ETC...) AND IS COLLECTED BY BEES IN ORDER TO PROTECT THEIR HIVES. 

Propolis is collected mainly in autumn and the work of the bees consists of:

Manipulating it with the help of their legs and mandibles to make it malleable and fill the pollen baskets on their hind legs. This process can take a bee 30-60 minutes, plus the hour they spend inside the hive kneading it together with the wax to achieve the final result. 

BENEFITS AND PROPERTIES OF PROPOLIS: 

Propolis is historically known as a medicinal substance to prevent and treat respiratory infections. 

• Its antiseptic and antibacterial components disinfect and kill bacteria and other microorganisms. 
• Its antiviral property strengthens our immune system and makes it an indispensable component for flu season. 
• Its antifungal property prevents the formation of fungus, making it suitable for preventing and treating the appearance of skin fungus. 

HOW PROPOLIS IS USED: 

• Topical use of propolis: The use of propolis on the skin is effective for the treatment of warts, cracks, infections with pus and inflammation, and intradermal infections such as chilblains. With your fingers, take an appropriate amount of propolis for the area to be treated and use it directly on the affected skin.
• Oral use of propolis: As indicated above, propolis is used for the treatment and prevention of respiratory tract infections. There are various formats such as sprays or oils and each has its own recommendations and limits of use. 

POLLEN 

Pollen is the anther of flowers. This food is collected from the hives. The bees collect it from plants and carry it in granules on their hind legs to be transported. Pollen is highly nutritious as it contains all 22 essential amino acids necessary for humans. It is often marketed as a food additive.

PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS OF POLLEN:

Due to its high content of vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and minerals, pollen contains strengthening effects and antidepressant properties.

• Improves and stimulates our immune system, boosting our defences and improving the activity of the circulatory and cardiovascular systems. 
• Improves the capacity for physical recovery, increases stamina and endurance.
• Regulates the nervous system, reducing stress and improving our mood. 
• Stimulates blood flow to the brain and improves intellectual capacity.
• Improves vision due to its high riboflavin content.
• Improves the activity of the digestive system by combating lack of appetite and regenerating the intestinal bacterial flora.
• Reduces prostate inflammation thanks to its zinc content. 

HOW POLLEN IS USED:

• Ingested use of pollen: You can obtain pollen from pharmacies and herbalists. There are different formats with various modes of oral use. The most common is the direct ingestion of the pollen.
• Topical use of pollen: You can make creams, bath salts, tonics and homemade masks with bee pollen (by spraying it). Its anti-inflammatory properties are beneficial for the skin and for those seeking relief from muscle inflammation while its antibacterial properties are effective in reducing acne. 

ROYAL JELLY 

WHERE DOES ROYAL JELLY COME FROM?

Royal jelly is a milky, acidic substance secreted by worker bees to feed the queen bee throughout her life and the larvae in the hive during their first days of life. The future queen bees consume the pure substance throughout their lives while the worker bees consume a derivative combined with pollen. 

How is it produced? It is produced by glands in the throats of the worker bees during their first 5-15 days of life and, together with the stomach substances they secrete, give rise to royal jelly. 

BENEFITS AND PROPERTIES OF ROYAL JELLY: 

• Stimulates the natural defences of our body, improving our immune system, raising our defences, and improving the activity of the circulatory and cardiovascular systems. 
• Provides energy and improves the capacity for physical recovery. 
• Regulates the nervous system, reducing stress and improving our mood. 
• Stimulates blood flow to the brain and improves intellectual capacity.
• Improves vision due to its high riboflavin content.
• Improves the activity of the digestive system by combating lack of appetite and regenerating the intestinal bacterial flora.
• Reduces inflammation of the prostate thanks to its zinc content. 
• It is a natural antibiotic that protects the body from infections thanks to its antiseptic and bactericidal properties. 
• Regenerates the skin and delays aging by promoting skin hydration and elasticity. 

How to use royal jelly:

• Ingested use of Royal Jelly: You can obtain royal jelly from pharmacies and herbalists. There are different formats with various modes of oral use such as tablets or ointments. The most common use is direct ingestion.
• Topical use of Royal Jelly: You can make homemade creams and masks with royal jelly. Its anti-inflammatory properties are beneficial for the skin and relieve muscle inflammation and its antibacterial properties are effective in reducing acne. 

Bibliography:

1. Tahereh Eteraf-Oskouei y Moslem Najafi, Traditional and Modern Uses of Natural Honey in Human Diseases: A Review 2013
2. Abdulwahid Ajibola,et al. Nutraceutical values of natural honey and its contribution to human health and wealth 2013
3. Alzahrani, H. A.; Boukraa, L.; Bellik, Y.; Abdellah, F.; Bakhotmah, B. A.; Kolayli, S. & Sahin, H. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of three varieties of honey from different botanical and geographical origins. Glob. J. Health Sci., 4(6):191-6, 2012.        
4. Mendoza, B. Y. M. (2019). cera, jalea real y veneno de abejas. BIOZ Revista de Divulgación UACB, 4(1).
5. Burlando, B. & Cornara, L. Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review.J. Cosmet. Dermatol.,12(4):306-13, 2013.