Apitherapy: How the Honeybee Heals - Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper - page 103

wounds. Rosemary propolis and red propolis from Brazil and Cuba are made by Afric-
anized bees, who gather resin from two rainforest plants, green Alecrin and Clusia, re-
spectively. These two types of propolis have recently gotten some attention.
Oneotherinterestingfactaboutpropolisisthatifawaywardmouseentersabeehive,
it often has no defense against the worker bees, which sting it to death. The bees then
completely cover the mouse in propolis before the rotting carcass spreads its odor or
bacteria throughout the hive.
LET THEM EAT ROYAL JELLY
Yet another magical product made by honeybees, royal jelly is the food of the queen
bee. I had seen royal jelly in plenty of ginseng drinks, facial creams, and capsules in
natural-food shops, but like most people, I really had no idea what it was or where it
came from. This white, creamy liquid is produced by nurse bees, who secrete it from
glandsintheirheadsandfeedittoallbeelarvae.Thequeenbee,however,willcontinue
to eat royal jelly her whole life. The ongoing consumption of royal jelly is one of the
reasons queen bees are twice the size of worker bees, lay about two thousand eggs a
day, and live three to five years longer than workers. To gather one ounce of royal jelly,
you would have to visit 120 queen cells and gently harvest it. This explains the rarity
and cost of this magic elixir.
Royal jelly is a very rich source of both essential and non-essential amino acids; vit-
amins A,C,D,andE;trace minerals andcalcium, copper,iron,potassium, phosphorus,
silicon, and sulfur; essential fatty acids; and sugars. These are some of the necessary
ingredients humans need to maintain a healthy immune system. In traditional Chinese
medicine, it is said that royal jelly stimulates the reproductive system and promotes
good health and well-being. Royal jelly also contains collagen and lecithin, which be-
nefit the skin and make royal jelly a popular ingredient in skin-care products. It also
containscholesterol-lowering components,suchasalltheBvitamins, pantothenic acid,
phytosterols,enzymes,andacetylcholine,aneuronaltransmitter.Inaddition,royaljelly
is said to aid in mood disorders, relieve insomnia, repair nerve cells, strengthen liver
functions, andsoothe digestive disorders. Apotent antibacterial protein called royalisin
has also been found in royal jelly.
OnethingIcantellyouforsureisthatroyaljellytastesterribleinitsauthentic,fresh
frozen state yet it should be taken orally when it is as fresh as possible.