Bee products

Bee products are well known in traditional medicine and has a long history of use. The honeybee (Apis mellifera) maes various bee products from plants, flower nectar and pollen. The bee products known to have medicinal value are pollen, propolis and royal jelly. 

Bee pollen:

Bee pollen is collected by the bees as a nutrient harvest for the hive. Bee pollen is a nutrient rich complete food and a source of protein, vitamins, minerals, saccharides and fatty acid. It is also a good source of Rutin a bioflavonoid that helps strengthens capillaries and treat glaucoma. 

Effective for: 

• Benign enlargement of the prostrate 
• Disorders of glands 
• Prostatitis 

Bee propolis:

Propolis is a plant substance modified by the bees. It is a sticky substance that the bees manufacture by mixing their own waxes with resinous sap obtained from tree bark and leaf buds and used as a sealant and sterilant for the bee nests. Propolis is recognized to have a wide range of biological activities such as anti-bacterial anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, hepato-protective and tumoricidal activities. 

Effective for: 

• Herpes 
• Periodontal disease, 
• Suppression of tumor growth 
• Ulcers 
• Upper respiratory infections 
• Wound healing on the gums 

Royal jelly:

Royal jelly is a viscous substance secreted by the glands of worker bees as an essential food for the queen bee larva and the queen herself. Royal jelly is a concentrated source of nutrient including proteins, free amino acids, lipids, vitamins, and a large number of bioactive substances. 

Effective for: 

• Anti tumor activities 
• Boost energy 
• Increase nutrient absorption 
• Strengthens immune system 
• Strengthens the adrenal glands 
• Vasodilator/hypotensive 

Supplements: 

Bee pollen is available as granules. Best possible way to use bee propolis is alcohol tinctures. For royal jelly do not buy free-dried or mixtures laden with honey or sweetners. 

Recommended Dose:

• Bee pollen 1 teaspoon of granules every morning 
• Bee propolis ½ dropperful of tincture in water or tea, 2 dropperful for respiratory infections. 
• Royal jelly ¼ teaspoon per day taken on an empty stomach 

Side effects and precautions: 

People allergic to pollen should not use Bee pollen.

Co-enzyme Q10: the energy producer

Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10), the most vital nutrient of all perhaps does not get as much publicity as the vitamins but without which the body will cease to function. CoQ10 is universally present in our body so much so that in scientific terminology it is called “ubiquinone” meaning present everywhere! CoQ10 is neither a vitamin, nor a mineral nor an amino acid (protein building block), yet it is absolutely essential for the production of energy in every cell of our body. 95% of the body’s energy is generated using CoQ10. CoQ10 is a fat-soluble antioxidant. Far beyond its energy producing abilities CoQ10 slows down aging process, enhances immune function, protects the body from destructive free radicals, extremely important to preventing and treating heart disease, diabetes, periodontal gum disease, high blood pressure, obesity and cancer. 

Heart is an organ with high-energy demand, as a result it contains twice as much of CoQ10 as any other organ in the body. CoQ10 is thus very important for the proper functioning of the heart. People with heart disease have about 25% less CoQ10 compared to a healthy individual. If the deficiency reaches a 75%, it is postulated that the heart can stop beating altogether. Many cardiovascular aliments benefit with CoQ10 supplementation. When administered following a coronary bypass surgery, CoQ10 reduces recovery time. CoQ10 given to people suffering from heart failure improves pulmonary function, edema, and heart palpitations. Cardiomyopathy is the most life threatening of all heart conditions and one of the reasons people undergo heart transplant. A generous dose of CoQ10 is extremely helpful in treating cardiomyopathies. 

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. Clinical studies have shown that CoQ10 can significantly lower blood pressure. Thus people with low blood pressure should exercise caution while taking CoQ10. Further, CoQ10 is an antioxidant that helps prevent the oxidation of LDL. Oxidation of LDL is responsible for clogging arteries leading to atherosclerosis. Moreover, hardening of the arteries due to diabetes complication is also prevented with CoQ10. One of the major side effects of cholesterol lowering drugs and beta blockers (blood pressure lowering drugs) is that it inhibits the body’s natural ability to make CoQ10. CoQ10 is also an excellent fatigue fighter. It is valuable for athletes such as marathon runners and triathlon participants. Because CoQ10 strengthens the immune system, it help fights the chronic fatigue syndrome. CoQ10 is one of the complementary medicinal approaches for cancer therapy. CoQ10 does not work by directly attacking a tumor but rather by revitalizing the immune system. 

Our body does have the ability to manufacture CoQ10 but as we age it may not be produced in adequate quantities for treating variety of aliments mentioned. The body’s peak production of CoQ10 peaks at age twenty and starts to decline by 60% by the time one is eighty years old. The body produces very little quantity of CoQ10 especially after the age of forty. Further, a diet low in fat hinders the absorption of CoQ10. Consuming a diet in good fats (omega 3) improves the body’s absorption of CoQ10 while the body own production depends on the presence of optimal amounts of vitamin B complex. Thus deficiencies of CoQ10 are quite common. One of the best sources of natural CoQ10 are organ meats such as heart, kidney and other red meats, nuts and unprocessed vegetable oils. An optimal amount can be given to the body as it ages by taking CoQ10 as a nutritional supplement on a daily basis. Finally, very few side effects have been reported on taking oral CoQ10 and when they occur they are usually mild and last for a short time. Possible side effects include headaches, nausea, upset stomach, decreased appetite and rashes.

Barley and wheat grass juice

Fresh grass of grains such as wheat, barley and kamut are extraordinarily high in vitamins, minerals, cholorophyll, amino acids and other nutrients. As the grains grow their carbohydrate counts increase and the nutrient concentration declines. When these grains are harvested, milled, processed and packaged they hold little nutritional value. Wheatgrass is prepared from the cotyledon of the common wheat plant and contains no gluten. Even people who are sensitive to wheat can consume these products because the proteins that might trigger allergic reactions have not yet formed in the young grasses. Barley on the other hand is a member of the grass family and is a major cereal grain. 

Effective for: 

Cancer fighting 

Strengthens immune system 

Supplements: 

Barley and wheat grass are available in health stores as fresh produce, tablets, frozen juice and powder. 

Recommended Dose: 

Once a day.

Side effects and precautions: 

Barley and wheatgrass are safe to use.

Spirulina

Spirulina is a blue-green algae that grow in warm fresh water bodies. This nutrient rich algae has been used as a food source in the ancient Aztec civilization and 9th century Chad in central Africa. Dried Spirulna contains about 60% protein. It is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids. 

Effective for: 

• Allergic rhinitis 
• Cancer management 
• Candida overgrowth 
• Detoxification of body: Arsenic poisoning 
• Enhances immune function 

Supplements: 

Spirulina is available as a dietary supplement in the form of a tablet, dried powder or flakes. It is also available as whole food in form of dried cakes to be used in broths and soups. 

Recommended Dose: 

• 3-5 gm per day 
• 6-9 tablets per day 

Side effects and precautions: 

• Toxicological studies of the effects of Spirulina consumption show no toxic effects. 
• Quality control is essential while buying Spirulina as it could be contaminated with other species of blue green algae that are toxic.

Chlorella

Chlorella is a single cell alga that is loaded with nutrients including vitamin B, magnesium, organic iron and other trace elements. Many strict vegetarians rely on Chlorella and other seaweed and algae for protein and vitamin B. Chlorella contains more pantothenic acid than any other natural source. Chlorella also has high concentration of chlorophyll which has remarkable cleansing properties for body detoxification. 

Effective for: 

• Colitis 
• Crohn’s disease 
• Detoxification of heavy metals 
• Diverticulosis 
• Facial cleanser 
• Reducing high cholesterol 
• Ulcers 

Supplements: 

Chlorella supplement is available in health food stores either as powder or tablets. 

Recommended Dose: 

• For general health ½ teaspoon of chlorella per day 
• For high cholesterol 5 gm daily for three months 
• For other conditions mentioned above 1-2 teaspoons daily 

Side effects and precautions: 

Chlorella is mostly safe to use. The most common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, gas, green discoloration of the stool and stomach cramping especially in the first week of use.

Blood sugar buster: Gymnema sylvestre

Herbal medicine may seem strange to many who are grounded in western medical practices but the interesting fact is that 30% of modern drugs are derived from a plant source! Further herbal medicine is free of many side effects compared to synthetic drugs. Not so strange after all. One such herb long known to Ayurvedic medicine is Gymnema sylvestre, a woody climbing shrub native to the tropical forests of southern India and Sri Lanka. Other names of this plant are in Sanskrit: Meshashringi, madhunashini, Hindi: Gur-mar, mersingi, Marathi: Kavali, kalikardori, vakundi, Gujrathi: Dhuleti, mardashingi, Telugu: Padapatri, Tamil: Adigam, cherukurinja, Kannada: Sannagerasehambu. Gymnema sylvestre has been used as an Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes for nearly two millennia. The leaves of this plant are used for medicinal purposes. Today Gymnema sylvestre has become increasingly popular in the United States as a supportive treatment for diabetes and obesity. The U.S National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that use of Gymnema sylvestre is backed by scientific evidence showing that it helps control blood sugar levels in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes (when used in conjunction with insulin and other medications as prescribed by a doctor). An interesting report in particular proves this out. Twenty-two type-2 diabetics taking conventional oral diabetes medication were also given 400 mg of Gymnema a day for 18 to 20 months. At the end of the study period, 16 of the 22 participants were able to reduce their medications, while five stopped using them altogether. This means that the herb not only reduced the amount of medication needed, but in nearly 25 percent of the people, completed negated the need for the drug at all. 

The major active constituent of Gymnema slyvestre is a group of compounds called gymnemic acids. Gymnema sylvestre works by suppressing cravings and balancing blood sugar levels. The active component gymnemic acid is molecularly similar to glucose therefore theorized to compete with glucose molecules to bind glucose receptors in the intestine. Just chewing the leaves of plants inhibits the sweet taste sensation. After taking Gymnema sylvestre, putting a pinch of sugar granules on the tongue feels like putting sand in your mouth; and chocolate tastes like putty! So for someone who feels they are 'addicted' to sugar carrying a bottle of Gymnema drops around would certainly strengthen resolve not to eat sweet - or, to some extent, fatty - foods, as they the pleasure of the sweetness will have just vanished. This fact is highlighted in a research study published in the Journal Physiology & Behavior tested the effects of Gymnema sylvestre on fasting patients who were of normal weight. It was observed that those who were given Gymnema sylvestre one hour before being offered snack foods ate less food and fewer sweet foods than patients who had not consumed Gymnema sylvestre. Thus the bottom line is that Gymnema sylvestre helps to curb your desire for sweets, blocks the absorption of sugar, and helps balance blood glucose levels. The other benefits of Gymnema sylvestre include a weight loss aid, anti inflammatory, diuretic, laxative and circulatory system stimulant. 

Gymnema Sylvestre is used in many ayurvedic formulations such as in Diabecon or Meshashringi manufactured by the Himalayan drug company for diabetes. When buying Gymnema Sylvestre supplement be sure the product contains 25% gymnemic acid for reaping its maximum therapeutic potential. If you choose to give it a try, the recommended dosage of Gymnema sylvestre is one 100 mg capsule taken three to four times daily. Finally, Gymnema Sylvestre is safe for most people but precautions must be taken by pregnant or lactating mothers, people with milkweed allergies, people taking anti diabetic medications and prescription antidepressant. And, as always, consult with your doctor before experimenting with any new herbs or supplements.