With only a small beekeeping kit, you can already take care of honey bees and enjoy all the benefits that they bring. You probably know that bees make honey and beeswax, but they also make royal jelly, propolis, and pollen. These bee products have multiple uses that you can use for yourself or sell. Look at this list of lesser-known bee products so that you can put your bees to work:
Propolis for Cosmetics and Medicine
Bees make propolis, which is like a resin material. They make it from the buds of poplar and cone-bearing trees to make their beehives. For humans, propolis can be mixed in cosmetics as an ingredient; you can sell it to local manufacturers for a profit. People have been using propolis for several medicinal purposes as well.
You can ingest propolis to prevent canker sores. Based on early studies, daily oral ingestion of propolis for six to 13 months reduces your chances of having canker sores. Early studies also show that propolis can prevent or lessen common colds and other infections in the upper respiratory tract. You can also apply propolis to minor burns every three days for treatment.
Bee Pollen for Wellness
Next, bees gather pollen from flowers that they visit and use it as food for the colony. They mix the pollen with nectar, enzymes, honey, wax, and secretions. These ingredients mix to contain an astonishing nutritional profile of 250 biologically active substances. The substances include proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, antibiotics, and antioxidants.
Unless you have a bee sting or pollen allergy, you can easily add pollen granules to a smoothie or breakfast. The antioxidants in the pollen can protect your body’s cells and prevent cancer and type 2 diabetes. Bee pollen can reduce inflammation and stop the growth and spread of tumors.
Royal Jelly for Women
Last but not least, bees make royal jelly, which bees use to feed their queens. Royal jelly contains water, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, salt, and some vitamins such as vitamin B. You can take royal jelly orally or apply it to the skin in its fresh gel state.
The substance has been proven by studies to reduce menstrual symptoms. Cholesterol levels might also improve if the subject is past menopause already. Those people who have premenstrual syndrome can take royal jelly. A 2014 study showed that a decrease in symptoms could occur after two months. Alternatively, you can add royal jelly directly to small wounds to speed up healing. You can ingest one gram of royal jelly daily for eight weeks if you have type 2 diabetes. The jelly will lower your blood glucose levels.
As you can see, bees have other products aside from honey and beeswax that are immensely beneficial. You can use propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly for yourself and family if you want, although you might have to be careful with the dosage. Otherwise, you can sell them to the people in your community or local businesses who need such ingredients. Overall, you can benefit from these bee products.
