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Composition
of pollen :
Fresh pollen
contains:
water 5 to 36%
dry substances 64 to 95% including the following:
· mineral salts 2.5 to 38%
· lipids 4.2 to 19,8%
· albumin 8 to 30%
· inverted sugars 8.5 to 40%
· starch 5 to 7%
· vitamins from all groups
· amino acids essential for human growth
· growth substances essential for bee glands (ovaries,
pharyngeal glands, fat bodies)
· folic acid
· substances attractive to bees
· antibiotic substances
Pollen also contains radioactive properties .
Special
properties for bees
The biodynamic
and energetic properties that make pollen a living substance
are linked not to its vitamin content but to radioactive phenomena.
In a standard colony the larvae and young bees are fed intensively
on pollen. This is particularly important and has a determining
effect on the physiological condition and life span of the bees.
It is needed for wax secretion. Pollen absorption at the end
of summer leads to physiological changes that allow the bees
to survive winter and start breeding again in spring despite
the absence of pollen.
Collecting
pollen
Thanks to research by Rémy Chauvin' (INRA), pollen's high
nutritive, dietetic and therapeutic value is now renowned. These
days, beekeepers have easy methods for collecting pollen at the
hive entrance.
Pollen traps, usually consisting of plastic screens and a sliding
tray are specially made for this purpose. However, when screens
are first fitted the colony becomes severely disturbed. Therefore,
it is better to allow the colony time to adapt by removing the
screens for part of the day in the beginning. The simplest screens
have 5 mm diameter holes and are usually fitted over the hive
entrance. As the bees go through the holes, a percentage of their
harvest is knocked off (approximately 10%) and falls into a tray
underneath the hive. Gathering pollen slows down the colony's
other activities.
Pollen should be collected from the traps on a regular basis
to prevent it absorbing moisture and spoiling. When using a pollen
trap, an alternative drone exit has to be organized, otherwise
the drones, trapped inside the hive, are likely to block the
screen and put the colony in danger of death from overheating
or suffocation.
The moisture content of newly collected pollen is too high to
keep well and it has to be dehydrated or frozen.
Freezing is only viable for family consumption as it must never
be defrosted and then refrozen. To freeze pollen, place the pellets
on a tray in the snap-freeze compartment of the freezer and then
a few hours later pour them into an airtight bag.
Every day a measure of pollen can be taken from the bag, or a
supply can be put into a smaller container to limit opening and
shutting the bag. Frozen pollen keeps its characteristic smell
and flavor.
The drying process
is mainly used by commercial producers of pollen.
Freshly collected pollen is placed on sliding mesh trays which
are arranged in staggered rows in a specially designed drying
cupboard. Warm air enters the bottom of the cupboard and rises
through the trays drawing the moisture out through an exit in
the top. A thermostat set on 40° makes sure the normal hive
temperature is respected.
Pollen sorting is done by hand for small amounts or with a winnower
for large quantities.
Therapeutic
properties
Pollen is one
of the most important products the hive provides for us. It is
a highly valuable nutritional supplement and tonic.
Nutritional
value
Bee pollen is
an extremely rich and complex substance and is now considered
a valuable nutritional supplement.
It contains an enormous quantity of amino acids essential to
human growth, some of which the human body cannot manufacture,
numerous vitamins, a number of enzymes which act as catalysts
for various organic and chemical processes, a large range of
minerals and trace elements, important for cellular metabolism
and rutin which strengthens capillaries. All these are essential
for our health but unfortunately the human body is unable to
store them and they are often sadly lacking in our modern diet.
Pollen is the perfect supplement to compensate this insufficiency.
Pollen has
a stimulating effect on the digestive system.
Pollen is:
1 - effective in treating
intestinal problems such as constipation, it works fairly rapidly
to improve sluggish intestinal activity.
2 - ideal for treating problems of the prostate, especially
as medical science has not as yet found a satisfactory treatment
for this. Some pretty astonishing results have been recorded
in this domain after only a few months' treatment.
3 - perfect for reducing hair loss and improving brittle
nails.
4 - ideal for overcoming fatigue, stress and minor nervous
breakdowns. It has a positive effect on the psyche.
How
to take pollen
Best results
are obtained by taking a daily dose of one to two soup-spoons
of pollen from a wide variety of plants (different colors). It
is best taken diluted in a glass of water or milk. But, some
people find the taste a barrier and in this case it can be mixed
with a little honey or jam to make it more palatable.
The best time to take pollen is in the morning before breakfast.
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