Worker bees collect plant pollens and plant nectar to make bee pollen. Once coveted only by bee drones as a food source, bee pollen is in high demand today as an ingredient which proponents believe can treat a variety of wide-ranging ailments including constipation, prostate conditions and hay fever, and also work as an antioxidant. If you are pregnant, however, it is wise to become educated on the topic and consult with your doctor before using bee pollen.
Oral Use
While there appears to be no definitive proof, dietitian and Pregnancy.org contributor Kimberly A. Tessmer writes that bee pollen may be unsafe when taken orally. She also cites the website Naturaldatabase.com, which claims bee pollen may have uterine stimulant effects when ingested orally. For this reason, Tessmer does not recommend pregnant women take bee pollen by mouth.
Topical Use
Many topical creams and ointments include bee ointment as an ingredient, and are safe for use during pregnancy. One of these solutions, marketed as WishGarden's belly oil, contains bee pollen along with several other herbs. It is safe for use as a stretch mark remedy during pregnancy, according to Dr. Linda B. White of ChildbirthSolutions.com.
Honey
While it is not safe to give honey, whose chief ingredient is bee pollen, to a child under the age of 1 because of the risk of botulism, BabyCenter.com says it is safe for pregnant women. Many obstetricians warn against the dangers of eating unpasteurized honey, however, because these foods can carry disease-causing organisms which pose a risk to both mother and fetus.
Definitive Information Lacking
Despite the side effects of taking bee pollen, particularly in those who use it to hypo-sensitize patients with pollen allergies, the jury is still hung on whether the ingredient is truly safe for pregnant women. Ingestion produces allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. This is primarily because, as Drugs.com aptly explains, the "information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking."
Member Comments