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The Healing Powers of Bee Pollen

This weekend I visited Evergreen Brick Work's Farmers Market with my girlfriend. Since I was getting low on bee pollen (and I use it in my smoothies), I tho
May 16, 2013 | Joy McCarthy

This weekend I visited Evergreen Brick Work's Farmers Market with my girlfriend. Since I was getting low on bee pollen (and I use it in my smoothies), I thought it was the perfect opportunity to pick some! I got chatting with the owner John and told him that Walker and I want to give all the guests at our wedding in September a jar of raw honey (to spread the love of course). He jokingly suggested I come and work on his farm for two days, but I actually think I might do this. Then I can share the photos and info I learn with all of you.

Now let's talk about this superfood bee pollen because you may have noticed I put it in my smoothies and mix it into sheep's milk yogurt often. Bee pollen is often referred to as nature's most complete food. It is truly a healing superfood so let me give you the joyous info on this amazing food!

What Is Bee Pollen?

Bee pollen is the male seed of a flower blossom which has been gathered by the bees and mixed with the honeybees own digestive enzymes. It is literally the food of the young bee. It takes one bee, working 8 hours a day for 1 month to gather. Each pellet contains 2,000,000 flower pollen grains and 1 teaspoon contains 2.5 billion grains of flower pollen! One pollen granule contains from 100,000 to 500,000 pollen spores each capable of reproducing its entire species!

Nutrients in Bee Pollen

  • Bee pollen is considered one of nature's most complete foods for a variety of reasons
  • High level of phenolic constituents (total phenols, phenylpropanoids, flavonols and anthocyanins) and antioxidants as found in many studies including this study
  • Rich source of protein – about half of it's protein is in the form of free amino acids that are ready to be used by the body. Amino acids are building blocks of your 50 trillion cells!
  • Source of energizing vitamin B12 and folic acid among other B-complex vitamins
  • Excellent antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties
  • Cannot be synthesized in a laboratory. When researchers take away a bee's pollen-filled comb and feed her manmade pollen, the bee dies even though all the known nutrients are present in the lab-produced synthesized food. Ah-ha! The power of REAL food.
  • The percentage of rejuvenating elements in bee pollen remarkably exceeds those present in brewer's yeast and wheat germ

According to researchers at the Institute of Apiculture, Taranov, Russia, "Honeybee pollen is the richest source of vitamins found in Nature in a single food. Even if bee pollen had none of its other vital ingredients, its content of rutin alone would justify taking at least a teaspoon daily, if for no other reason than strengthening the capillaries. Pollen is extremely rich in rutin and may have the highest content of any source, plus it provides a high content of the nucleics RNA [ribonucleic acid] and DNA [deoxyribonucleic acid]."

Translation? Bee pollen is a superfood that has incredible health benefits.

It has been used in many cultures around the world for hundreds of years including ancient Chinese medicine to heal, restore and repair the body along with a healthy diet.

Health Benefits of Bee Pollen

Immune system booster

Researchers found that bee pollen strengthened the immune systems of mice, improved their resistance to x-rays, and has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Bee pollen prevented the development of cancerous tumors in mice.

Supports Physical and Mental Abilities

Bee Pollen supports concentration and memory ability, activates sluggish metabolic functions, and strengthens the cardiovascular and respiratory systems according to G. Liebold, a holistic physician and psychologist of Karlsruhe, Germany.

Energizing and Revitalizing

Since Bee Pollen is rich in B-complex vitamins and is an excellent source of amino acids, it is especially energizing and revitalizing!

Prevents Seasonal Allergies

In order to benefit from this health benefits, you need to start taking bee pollen 5-6 weeks prior to hay fever season. It actually helps the build your immunity against the very flowers that cause you to have a runny nose and itchy eyes.

CAUTION: If you suspect you have a bee allergy, then do not take it.

How Can You Use Bee Pollen?

As mentioned, I used it in my smoothies, so here's what I had for breakfast today!

Drinks
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Ingredients
  • 4-5 lettuce leaves
  • 1 tsp bee pollen
  • 1 tsp almond butter
  • Half banana
  • 1/2 cup blueberries (I used frozen wild organic)
  • 1 scoop plant based protein powder
  • Filtered water to desired consistency.
  • Raw cacao nibs sprinkled on top
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients into your blender, give it a whirl and when fully blended enJOY!

Notes

You could also mix 1 tsp into sheep's milk yogurt like I did yesterday.

What is your favourite way to use bee pollen? Share below!

PS. While I was at Brick works, I also got some very very yummy fresh and flavourful kale salad from vegan chef Doug McNish.

28 Comments
Christine   •   May 16, 2013

I love sprinkling bee pollen on my steel cut oats or adding to smoothies BUT my all-time favourite way? Sprinkled on top of open faced PB+J toast!

Reply

amy   •   May 16, 2013

how long does it last? i've had some in my cupboard for a while .. forgot about it!

Reply
Kika   •   May 21, 2013

Rachel   •   May 20, 2013

dipping a banana into it or just eating it straight.... Western Australia's Raw Bee Pollen tastes like candy....it's amazing!

Reply

Heather   •   May 28, 2013

Joy, the benefits our bee pollen sound amazing..but I have a question. I'm not allergic to bees, but I'm allergic to pollen...so I am assuming that if I'm allergic to inhaling pollen, I should not EAT pollen....no?

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   May 29, 2013

Mary Greenwade   •   May 29, 2013

I take 1 TB & put in a small 2 oz tupperware add a dab of fruit plus a little juice from thawed fruit. Let it set a few hours in fridge , it soaks it and tastes like a butter. Or take dry and mix with. Yogurt or healthy ice cream. Yummy crunchy. Also , I read pollen needs to be moistened to get full benefit of nutrients. 10 per cent dry to 90 per cent moist.

Reply

10 Superfoods Every Leader Needs to Indulge In | Engaged Leadership   •   June 4, 2013

[...] pollen Pollen that collects on the body of bees will help you fight back against allergies. The theory goes that local bees [...]

Reply

Jill   •   June 16, 2013

Is bee pollen safe if you are pregnant?

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   June 18, 2013
Debbie   •   February 10, 2018

Ellana   •   July 1, 2015

I've had a jar of bee pollen in my fridge for over a year. Is it still ok to use? I bought it but never really new what to do with it. I took a spoonful & although quite sweet, there was a bitter aftertaste. So, there it sits. I would like to try some of these recipes.

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   July 2, 2015

Anu   •   September 19, 2015

Hi Joy, I came across bee propolis supplement at costco , is this the same as bee pollen? If not , is it safe to take it ?

Reply
Kate McDonald Walker   •   September 20, 2015

Jean   •   June 17, 2016

I make homemade goats milk yogurt. I add my bee pollen 15 minutes before eating it. That gives the bee pollen the chance to ferment, breaking it down to get the best results. And it's delist!!!

Reply
Heather Allen   •   June 17, 2016

Julie   •   February 16, 2017

I discovered bee pollen this year and I love this power food! I sprinkle my teaspoon of been pollen on my organic natural peanut butter gluten free toast and then top it with sliced bananas. Love it! I do have a question, I've had my jar for less then 6 months...should I keep in the fridge at all times? Thank you!

Reply

Julie Lehoux   •   February 16, 2017

I discovered this amazing power food this year and I love it! I sprinkle my teaspoon of bee pollen on my organic natural peanut butter gluten free toast and top it off with sliced bananas! I do have a question: I've had my bee pollen jar for less then 6 months, should I keep it in the fridge? Thank you :-)

Reply
Rachel   •   February 16, 2017

Debbie   •   February 10, 2018

I like to have a quarter teaspoon of bees pollen every morning with a single serve container of rice pudding. I top it with a sprinkle of cinnamon. The pollen takes away my arthritis pain.

Reply
Rachel Molenda   •   February 13, 2018

Verónica   •   March 4, 2018

Thank you Joy for this helpful article. I appreciate the advice about hay fever. But how much bee pollen should I be taking daily? Thank you :-)

Reply
Rachel Molenda   •   March 5, 2018

Gracie   •   May 19, 2019

Is bee pollen okay for teens to take? Thanks !;) Also should I keep it refridgerated? I was also wondering how they collect the bee pollen?

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   May 19, 2019

Elaine Cowling   •   August 31, 2021

Hi Joy, we don't have smoothies very often, how else would you use bee pollen? Thanks!

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   August 31, 2021

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