What Are The Benefits Of Honey Bee Pollen?

Rich in nutrients, bee pollen contains flower nectar and pollen collected by honeybees mixed with digestive juices that the bees secrete. For centuries, herbalists and folk medicine practitioners have used bee pollen to treat a variety of illnesses and health conditions. More than 40 research studies have confirmed the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of bee pollen, according to David Wolfe, author of "Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future."

Boosts Energy, Strength

Elson M. Haas, M.D., and Buck Levin, Ph.D., authors of "Staying Healthy with Nutrition," point out that bee pollen is widely used by athletes and others to whom peak physical performance is of critical importance. The authors report that this group of users values bee pollen for its ability to increase levels of energy and strength and boost endurance and stamina. Haas and Levin caution, however, that bee pollen is not a quick fix but rather seems to work best in those who take the pollen over the long term, beginning with small amounts and gradually increasing their intake. The effects of bee pollen range from fairly subtle to quite dramatic. However, Haas and Levin write, "most people claim that when they eat bee pollen, which has a slightly sweet and unique taste, they tend to buzz around (pun intended) with more life."

Author David Wolfe strongly endorses bee pollen as a source of energy and strength, adding that the pollen boosts muscle growth and definition. Wolfe reports that the British Sports Council recorded increases in strength of 40 to 50 percent among a group of athletes who used bee pollen on a regular basis.

Nature's "Most Complete Food"

Ruthann Russo, author of "The Raw Food Lifestyle," writes that bee pollen is widely regarded as "the most complete food found in nature." She also observes that its benefits have long been recognized, adding that it is mentioned multiple times in the Bible, as well as the Talmud and Koran. Its immune-stimulating properties can be traced to its rich content of nutrients, including vitamins A, B, C and E, amino acids, enzymes, hormones, minerals and protein, according to Russo. Of particular note, she writes, is bee pollen's protein content, which is easily assimilated into the digestive system because it comes in predigested form, courtesy of the bees. Russo explains, "Gram for gram, pollen contains an estimated five to seven times more protein than meat, eggs or cheese."

Fights Seasonal Allergies

Holistic nutritionist Gillian McKeith, author of "Dr. Gillian McKeith's Living Food for Health," has used bee pollen to successfully treat patients with environmental allergies, most notably seasonal allergies such as hay fever. To prepare for the onslaught of airborne allergens, McKeith recommends that seasonal allergy sufferers begin by taking a crumb of bee pollen of local origin and gradually increase their dosage to a maximum of 1 tsp. daily. Once the allergy season begins, the daily dosage can be increased to 2 tsp. McKeith reports that she has also experienced success in treating chronic infections, prostate enlargement, toxicosis and atherosclerosis with bee pollen.