Bee bread is a natural product made from pollen processed by bees, placed in honeycombs, and topped with honey. Bee bread contains numerous beneficial substances that have a beneficial effect on the body. It is recommended for the treatment and prevention of many diseases, as well as for maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin.
What is bee bread and how is it formed?
The product is pollen collected by bees and preserved with a honey-enzyme mixture. The latter is formed from lactic acid produced by bee saliva. It is thanks to these bee enzymes that the bee bread produces a large number of beneficial substances.
The taste of this product resembles rye bread mixed with honey. Insects collect the pollen for bee bread to feed on during the winter.
It's collected from the hairs on the insect's body, where pollen adheres. Upon arriving at the hive, the insect scrapes the pollen off its legs or body, deposits it in empty honeycombs, and then seals it with wax. Since bees pollinate many plant species, the composition of bee bread varies.
Bees have to work hard to store bee bread: this product is preserved only after conditions of complete isolation from oxygen are created. Only then does the pollen begin to ferment.
When ready, bee bread forms dense hexagonal bars. Its texture is similar to bread. Its taste is sweet or sweet-and-sour, and it has a pleasant aroma.
Thanks to a special method of pollen fermentation, most of the allergens are removed from it, therefore reducing the risk of an allergic reaction.
Compound
The composition of bee bread varies, depending on the habitat of the bees, as well as the established natural conditions and, in part, on the insects themselves.
Perga contains significantly more vitamins and valuable microelements than flower pollen. This product contains:
- glucose;
- fructose;
- potassium;
- magnesium;
- silver;
- iron;
- zinc;
- chromium;
- organic acids;
- carotenoids;
- plant phytohormones;
- vitamins A, E, B, C, P;
- amino acids, including leucine and glycine;
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids;
- enzymes;
- monosaccharides.
Nutritional value comparison
| Component | Perga | Flower pollen | Honey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proteins (g/100g) | 21-35 | 15-25 | 0.3-0.8 |
| Amino acids (types) | 22 | 20 | 7 |
| Vitamin C (mg%) | 140-200 | 80-150 | 2-5 |
| Potassium (mg/100g) | 400-700 | 200-400 | 30-50 |
| Enzymes (types) | 12-15 | 5-7 | 3-5 |
Beneficial properties
Bee bread has the following beneficial properties:
- improves immunity;
- stabilizes blood pressure;
- promotes blood renewal;
- fights anemia;
- cleanses blood vessels;
- combats the cause of constipation;
- helps eliminate cholesterol plaques that impede normal blood flow;
- improves the patient's condition in diseases of the endocrine and nervous systems;
- helps replenish potassium and magnesium in the body, which is especially important in old age, since these valuable microelements are washed out with aging;
- fights allergic reactions;
- stimulates metabolic processes in the body;
- improves potency and combats diseases of the genitourinary tract that cause impotence in men;
- improves blood supply to the brain and myocardium;
- resists viruses and infections;
- tones the body, gives energy and strength;
- normalizes hormonal levels;
- prevents premature aging;
- promotes restoration of normal intestinal microflora;
- improves the condition of the skin;
- has a beneficial effect on reproductive capabilities;
- stimulates the functioning of the gallbladder and liver;
- treats colds and viral diseases without the use of antibiotics;
- improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- helps improve skin condition in dermatological diseases;
- Promotes the elimination of toxins and waste, eliminates excess fluid and reduces swelling.
Due to its many medicinal properties, this product is used for such disorders and diseases as:
- laryngitis;
- angina;
- bronchitis;
- ARVI;
- atherosclerosis;
- anorexia;
- prostatitis;
- hormonal imbalances;
- prostate adenoma;
- ischemic heart disease;
- intoxication of any origin;
- psoriasis;
- eczema;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- infertility;
- inflammatory processes of the reproductive system;
- thrombophlebitis;
- varicose veins;
- gastritis;
- stomach ulcer.
The product is also prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment for benign tumors, stress and depression, and exposure to radiation.
Obtaining and preparing bee bread
Because bee bread has numerous beneficial properties, it is in demand and popular. There is a special method for harvesting this product in any apiary.
To prepare bee bread, you need to collect 200-300 grams of the product from each bee colony. It is recommended to select the bee bread from culled combs.
Bees collect pollen even when there's no honey flow. Thanks to their acquired instincts, these insects store pollen pellets in combs near and under the exposed brood. This ability allows beekeepers to obtain 10 to 20 kg of pollen from each primary bee colony. Bee bread is most easily harvested in multi-hull hives.
The algorithm for obtaining the product looks like this:
- When the winter generation of bees is replaced by the spring one, boxes with open brood, as well as empty combs, are placed on the bottom of each hive.
- Dividing grids are placed on top. This is necessary to prevent the queen from occupying the cells with brood.
- After the lower body is filled with bee bread, it is replaced with an empty one.
Optimal storage conditions
| Parameter | Meaning | Consequences of violation |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | +1…+5°C | Loss of vitamins during freezing, fermentation during heating |
| Humidity | 60-70% | Mold at high humidity, drying out at low humidity |
| Lighting | Darkness | Destruction of carotenoids by light |
| Package | Hermetically sealed glass container | Oxidation with air access |
| Shelf life | Up to 12 months | Gradual loss of enzymatic activity |
A wax-sealed container of bee bread can be stored for several years without losing its beneficial properties. The key is to avoid freezing the finished product, as low temperatures destroy the vitamins contained in the bread.
Watch a video about obtaining and processing bee bread from honeycombs:
The use of bee bread in folk medicine and cosmetology
The product is taken orally and added to various external products.
Use of bee bread for medicinal purposes
There are many recipes using bee bread, used to treat and prevent a range of ailments. The most popular uses include the following:
- Immune-boosting composition. To boost the body's resistance to various viruses and infections, it is recommended to prepare and consume the following composition: mix a teaspoon of bee bread and honey with a tablespoon of lemon juice. The resulting mixture should be dissolved in water, once a day, in the morning. The course of treatment is 1-2 weeks. This composition can be used prophylactically to prevent the development of colds, which is especially important in the fall and spring, and in cases of vitamin deficiencies.
- Cold remedy. Prepare a chamomile tea by steeping two tea bags purchased at the pharmacy in a cup of boiling water. Let the tea cool. Then add 15 grams of honey. Next, slowly dissolve 3 teaspoons of bee bread in your mouth and wash it down with the chamomile tea. Repeat the entire process after 6 hours.
- A remedy for stabilizing anemia. Take a tablespoon of bee bread and dissolve it in a liter of water. Add 200 grams of honey. Shake the mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes at room temperature. After preparation, take a quarter cup of the solution in the morning.
- A remedy that helps with exhaustion and anemia. Take 100 g of butter, 50 g of honey, and 10 g of bee bread. Mix all the ingredients. Spread the resulting mixture on bread and eat it twice a day.
- A hypertension treatment. To stabilize blood pressure, dilute bee bread with honey in a 1:2 ratio. Take a teaspoon of the mixture before main meals. This course of hypertension treatment should last at least 90 days.
- An anti-obesity remedy that helps curb sweet cravings and stimulates metabolism. To prepare the mixture, take a liter of water, 200 grams of honey, and 50 grams of bee bread. Mix everything thoroughly and let it steep for three days. Take one glass of the mixture before meals. Continue taking this infusion for six months.
- To strengthen the immune system and tone the body, take a tablespoon of the product in the morning, a quarter of an hour before breakfast, or during meals.
Mistakes in home use
- ✓ Exceeding the dosage (more than 30 g/day for adults)
- ✓ Mixing with hot liquids (above 60°C)
- ✓ Simultaneous intake with caffeine (at least 1 hour interval)
- ✓ Use metal spoons for dosing
- ✓ Violation of the shelf life of ready-made mixtures (maximum 3 days in the refrigerator)
This video explains the therapeutic and prophylactic dosages of bee bread:
Application of the product in cosmetology
Bee bread is beneficial not only for overall health: it also improves appearance, slows the aging process, and helps maintain youthful skin. Products containing bee bread are widely used:
- A composition for improving the condition of the skin and restoring its natural, healthy color. To prepare, take one part bee bread, fresh lemon juice, honey, and milk, along with one raw egg yolk. Mix all ingredients except the yolk thoroughly, then stir in the beaten yolk. Apply the mixture to your face, leave it on for 20 minutes, and then rinse.
- A nourishing mask for dry, thin skin. To hydrate and nourish the skin, prepare a mask using one teaspoon of sour cream and the same amount of honey and bee bread. Apply to the face and décolleté for 20 minutes. Rinse with plenty of warm water.
- Acne treatment mask for the face. Take a dessert spoon of fresh bee bread, a tablespoon of natural honey, and a third of a teaspoon of propolis powder. Mix everything until smooth. Apply the mask to the skin, leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. A burning sensation may occur as the mask works.
- Hair growth powder. This recipe is suitable for those with thin, brittle, and slow-growing hair. Grind the bee bread into a powder, making a tablespoon of the product. Dissolve it in warm water. Rinse your hair with the resulting mixture after each wash.
All recipes can be used if there is no intolerance to the components included in the bee bread.
Contraindications and side effects
This bee product should not be used during pregnancy or lactation. It should also not be given to children without first consulting a specialist.
Contraindications also include oncological diseases, poor blood clotting, allergic reactions, and exacerbation of chronic diseases.
This beekeeping product should be used with particular caution in cases of nervous system instability and sleep disorders.
When using bee bread for health purposes, as well as to improve the condition of the skin and hair, the following allergic reactions may occur:
- headaches;
- runny nose;
- lacrimation;
- feverish state;
- increased sweating;
- a feeling of irritation in the throat;
- sneezing.
Plan for introducing bee bread into the diet
- Perform a skin test (apply a drop of honey solution to your wrist)
- Start with 1/4 teaspoon in the morning.
- Gradually increase the dose to the therapeutic dose over 7-10 days.
- Follow the course of treatment (21 days of treatment / 7 days break)
- Monitor the body's reaction (pulse, blood pressure, skin manifestations)
Taking this product may trigger anaphylactic shock. This rare but severe side effect occurs if a person has an individual intolerance to bee bread.
Bee bread is a natural, beneficial product used for various ailments, as well as toning the body and boosting immunity. It can be used for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. There is a risk of allergic reactions, so before using the product, ensure you do not have any known intolerance.