Stayia Farm Honeycomb

Stayia Farm Honeycomb 

is a true delicacy of nature. The hexagonal cells that create the comb are made by bees from beeswax. 550 bees have to visit 2 million flower blossoms to create 1 pound of honey, and then must consume 6 pounds of honey to generate 1 pound of beeswax. Beeswax is an amazing substance that is entirely edible and contains a variety of healing and allergy-soothing properties. Into each beeswax cell, bees deposit the flower nectar they have gathered from thousands of flowers. The bees then stand over the cell and fan their wings to evaporate the water from the nectar, leaving behind a rich, syrupy, golden substance that we know as honey. The cell is capped with a thin layer of beeswax and reserved as food supply for the colony. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EATING HONEYCOMB

Honeycombs are hexagonal wax cells built by honey bees within their nests to contain their larvae and stores of honey and pollen. Typically, beekeepers remove the entire honeycomb to harvest the raw honey and then replace it because it takes time and energy for bees to construct them. Fresh, new honeycomb is sometimes sold intact to eat. The benefits from eating honeycomb are related to the honey and bee pollen, much more so than the bees wax. If you are allergic to bee stings or bee products, then you should be very cautious with honeycomb and consult with your doctor.

Benefits of Honey

Honey acts as an antimicrobial agent because it contains an enzyme that produces small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which is deadly to mainly pathogenic microorganism, according to “Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition." As such, honey can relieve some forms of gastritis and may be able to combat stomach ulcers caused by the bacteria H. pylori. Raw honey also acts a strong antioxidant, which scavenge harmful free-radicals linked to tissue damage, aging and even cancer. According to “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” darker colored honeys are usually stronger antioxidants than lighter types. Honey is also a good, readily absorbed source of glucose and a spoonful or two can be useful for diabetics who are hypoglycemic.

Benefits of Bee Pollen

Bee pollen consists of pollen from a variety of plant species mixed with plant nectar and saliva from worker bees. Pollen, nectar and saliva collect on the legs of bees as they pollinated flowers, which is then collected by devices near the opening of bee hives. Despite not sounding too appetizing, bee pollen is packed full of nutrition and many consider it a “super-food.” According to “Biochemistry of Human Nutrition,” bee pollen contains about 35 percent complete protein, numerous fatty acids, soluble fiber, high concentrations of B-complex vitamins and many digestive enzymes. Bee pollen is consumed to boost energy, aid digestion and to help reduce the symptoms of hay-fever caused by air-born allergens, although very little scientific research has examined its affect on people. Bee pollen also contains propolis, a resin from plants that retards the growth of fungi, bacteria and viruses.

Bee Larvae

Bee larvae are developing bees and sometimes they do not live to become part of the hive. Consequently, honeycomb may contain undeveloped larvae or parts of bees, such as legs or wings, mixed with the honey and pollen, according to “Contemporary Nutrition." Parts of bees certainly add to the protein content of eating honeycomb or raw honey, although it may not be pleasant to think about. Most beekeepers who sell honeycomb are careful to remove any obvious remnants of bee larvae. If you are allergic to bee stings, consuming honeycomb may cause a negative reaction in you, although bee pollen naturally reduces histamine production and may provide some protection.

Bees Wax

The major component of honeycomb is bees wax, which is used as structural support. Bees wax has no nutritional content and widely believed to be inert, but some nutritional experts contend that it may display mild anti-inflammatory properties, as cited in “Nutritional Sciences." Regardless, eating large amounts of waxy material may slow digestion and lead to constipation, so its best to start with small amounts and notice how your body responds to it.



WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ORGANIC HONEY?

Winnie the Pooh may have been trying to teach a lesson when he wanted honey every time he got a "rumbly in his tumbly." From weight loss to skin clearing to pain relief, the benefits of honey are vast. When harvested organically, it becomes a healthy, medicinal treat that surpasses in taste any doctor-ordered prescription.

ORGANIC VS. NON-ORGANIC

Organic honey production involves stringent guidelines to protect the honey from contamination by pesticides and antibiotics. Not only do these antibiotics and pesticides alter the taste of pure honey, but they also are believed to cause cancer and aplastic anemia when consumed n large doses by humans. Other than these facts, organic and non-organic honey are equal in beneficial properties.

WORKOUT SUPPLEMENT

Chocked full of carbohydrates--17g per tablespoon--honey can provide a sustaining energy source for your workout. According to the National Honey Board, if you consume pure honey prior to a workout, it will get absorbed in your system and provide you with energy throughout the exercise. Adding it to the water bottle that you use during the activity will delay fatigue. Combine it with protein within 30 minutes after your workout and you will maintain comfortable blood sugar levels, decrease delayed onset muscle soreness, and replenish glycogen stores that were depleted during exercise.

SKIN AID

Honey is found in many store-bought beauty products and it can be added to the ones you have at home. As a humectant, it moisturizes the skin to keep it soft and smooth. Mixing honey with milk enhances products' antimicrobial and cleansing benefits. It leaves the skin glowing and may even improve acne when mixed with cinnamon to form a paste. It may be topically applied on a regular basis.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

According to Organic Facts, mixing honey with ginger may reduce respiratory problems, asthma and indigestion. Alone and with other mixtures, honey has been credited with relieving cough and sore throat, aiding sleep, boosting the immune system and treating stomach ulcers, bladder infections and arthritis. Applied topically it can decrease burns, heal infections, relieve toothaches and improve eczema. It is also a safe sweetener choice for diabetics.

WEIGHT LOSS

The Global Healing Center website reports that mixing honey with lemon can help melt away fat. Because it is cholesterol-free, you do not have to worry about it elevating your cholesterol levels. Mixing it with milk for a morning drink will boost your stamina to give you the energy you need to get more work accomplished, thereby burning more calories.