The bee, the honey, the pollen
The bee
The bee has lived on Earth for at least 15 million years and it is considered as one of the most ancient inhabitants.
It is a social insect which lives in numerous, well-organized societies, the swarms of bees. Each one includes several thousand individuals, 40,000 to 60,000 or more at the beginning of the summer, which are structured in three social classes: the workers (who constitute most of the population) the drones and the queen.
It is remarkable that bees spend most of their lives in activities inside their hive. Only a small part of their activities takes place in the external environment and is perceived to humans.
The bee is nature’s hardest worker and is also a valuable link both in the environmental and the food chain. The most important contribution of bees in nature is their pollinating action. Τhey participate in the completion of plants biological cycle, acting as mechanical transporters of pollen. Pollination is the transfer of pollen which completes the process of fertilization of approximately 70% of all plants.
The usefulness and the benefits that bees provide to humans have been recognized by many ancient cultures. Special references to “Melissa” (bee in Greek) exist in many myths of ancient Greece, the first of which refers to the birth of Zeus. Following Gaia’s and Uranus’s advice, Rhea decided to give birth to Zeus away from Saturn to protect him, since he had devoured their five previous children.
”If the bees ever disappear, the human species will not be late to follow them”.
Albert Einstein
So, Rhea gave birth to Zeus in Diktaio Andros, a cave in the mountain Dikti of Crete, and entrusted the protection and upbringing of the baby to the Kourites and Diktaia Nymphs. The Νymphs Amalthea and Melissa, daughters of Melissea (king of Crete and leader of the Kourites) fed Zeus with milk and honey.
Zeus loved honey and was also called Melittevs, in honor of his nurse Melissa whose name was given to the insect known to all of us, as well as to all the nurse nymphs of Zeus that succeeded her.
The priestesses of the Goddess Dimitra were also called Melisses. Once the goddess decided to personally initiate into her secrets one of her most revered priestesses, the old Melissa. Then, some women tried to find out the secrets of the initiation held by Melissa, but she remained faithful to Dimitra and did not reveal any secrets. Enraged by jealousy, they killed Melissa by dismembering her.
When Dimitra realized this, she sent a plague to the killers and unleashed swarms of bees from Melissa’s flesh. Therefore, bulls and honey were offered in the sacrifices in honor of the goddess Dimitra.
Bee mythology is almost inexhaustible, and each of the myths has different versions.
But all myths and all their versions are connected with the primordial generative forces of Nature.
The honey
Honey as a food product:
Honey, is the food product of honey bees from flower’s nectar (flower honey), or from the honeydew secretions of plants and trees (honeydew honey), which they collect, process and mix with their own special substances and mature in the hive’s honeycomb.
Honey is a nutritious and instantly digestible food. Its main nutrients are carbohydrates (glucose and fructose), proteins, vitamins of complex B, amino acids, enzymes, trace elements (calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc) and water.
Known to humans from ancient times. Its consumption is linked to a multitude of beneficial effects on health and longevity.
Specifically, unprocessed honey (naturally extracted from the honeycomb and packaged without further intervention) is considered a superfood derived directly from nature’s laboratory. It can be maintained unaltered for a long period when stored in proper conditions (cool, dry, dark, and odorless space).
Honey as a pharmaceutical product:
Honey is a valuable ally of the human body, as it acts as a key component for a balanced diet and an important medicinal “product” since ancient times. Hippocrates among all the doctors of his period recommended it as a medicine in many cases. Until today, honey attracts the great interest of the scientific community, possessing important healing properties that even today remain unknown in their complete area.
The main pharmaceutical properties of honey are presented below:
- Promotes healing & offers antibacterial, regenerative, and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.
- Promotes proper digestive function & good blood circulation.
- Beneficial tothe heart and blood vessels.
- Regulatesmetabolism and blood pressure.
- Reduces intestinal germs and parasites.
- Acts against insomnia and sore throat.
- Gives energy and stimulation to the body.
- Reduces the symptoms and duration of the common flue.
- Contributes to the oral hygiene.
- Protects against anemia.
- Helps dealing with hangovers.
“Medicine is your food” Hippocrates.
Honey Crystallization!
Crystallization of honey is a completely natural process, depending on its herbal origin. It is not an indicator of “purity” or “adulteration” and does not affect the nutritional and biological value.
Crystallized honey, if desirable, can be liquefied and returned to its original condition. The best way is the use of a “Bain-Marie”, at a temperature below 45°C.
This honey type is a product of a Single crop!
Its specificness and uniqueness is the reason for its limited production.
The pollen
Pollen is the male element of flower fertilization. It is collected from the bees and after being fermented by them with nectar it is stored in the hive. It is considered one of nature’s most nutritious foods as it contains almost all the nutrients a human needs.
It contains over 250 biologically active substances, the main of which are proteins and amino acids, carbohydrates and sugars, lipids and free fatty acids, as well as vitamins and trace elements.
The pollen is particularly famous for its high protein and amino acids content. Typically, in the same amount, pollen gives more protein and amino acids to the human body than beef, eggs and cheese.
Our Company’s pollen is always safely stored in freezers to maintain the freshness!