I think we are now well aware of how important bees are for our planet.

I have known some of the benefits that bees can have to help our health and often they help to create some fantastic ingredients for our beauty products.  

Whoever would have thought the tiny, beautiful creature the bee could have such a big impact on our planet?  
The hard-working bees provide so much, there is a reason for the saying busy as a bee!

My first experience of bee products was in my early twenties when I was advised to use Propolis, in the form of tablets and cream for my eczema, I did find that it really helped. Since then the importance of bees and the great uses of bee produce has become more widely known and researched.

Bee products decoded

There are different types and uses of bee products, which are promoted for health or beauty benefits.

Bee Pollen is reported to be rich in vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, and is a mix of flower pollen, bee secretions, nectar, honey, wax and enzymes.  

In an article written by Frankie Rozwadowska titled The Buzz On Bee Pollen, it talks about bee pollen being one of natures most nourishing and nutritious foods as it is extremely high in protein. It also talks about how bee pollen can help to support our immune system, boost our energy levels and soothe our skin due to its high levels of amino acids and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Bee pollen is sold as natural granules. You can take bee pollen in by sprinkling it over cereal or salads and blending it in smoothies, you can also mix it in yoghurt.

Royal Jelly is a bee secretion that is said to be rich in proteins and has antibacterial properties and is anti-fungal.  It is often used as an anti-ageing ingredient in cosmetics.  It also is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties for the skin. 

You can buy different forms of royal jelly to take orally in the form of tablets and in skin preparations to apply to skin.  

Honey is a product that many of us have enjoyed for many years, and not only is it a natural sweetener, but you can also use it as an ingredient in your home-made face mask. It is known for being healing, anti-inflammatory antiviral and a good antioxidant. Manuka honey has significant antibacterial effects and is said to be good for our oral and gut health and could help to support the immune system.  

This wonderful honey is made in New Zealand and Australia by bees that pollinate the native Manuka bush. 

It has been reported that honey has been used in hospitals as a wound dressing, and you see honey in many beauty products, including soaps.

Beeswax can be found in many beauty products and cosmetics and is a natural wax produced honey bees. If you are a candle lover then a hundred per cent beeswax candle is the way to go. 

I have just purchased some as they are said to neutralise pollutants in the air, they do not require chemical processing.  
They also burn brighter and burn slower. Beeswax is also supposed to purify the air so great for many allergy sufferers.  
Beeswax is found in skin care, to heal, soften and protect the skin.  It can be found in lip balms, eyeliners, moisturisers, hand creams and many other products.

Propolis is produced by honeybees who create this resinous mixture to seal unwanted open spaces in the hive. It is said that due to its antibacterial properties it is used to keep the hive sterile; because of this it is thought that it helps to fight infections and heal wounds and act as an anti-inflammatory. 
Propolis is now included n some beauty products, and you can also buy it in tablet form to take orally. You can also get it in ointments, creams and lotions.

Bee venom therapy has been used in traditional medicine practice for years. There has been a surge in the use of bee venom in recent years, being used in supplements and beauty products particularly anti-ageing products. There is said to be may benefits of using bee venom, but I do not like the way bees can be distressed or even killed by this method of extraction, so I would not purposely buy a product with bee venom in, particularly with the decline in bee numbers.

Great bee beauty products

  • Laura Mercier Crème Brulee Honey Bath: a luxurious gift for Mother’s Day.
  • Burts Bees Beeswax lip balm: The lovely lip balm will condition the skin.
  • Ultra Bee Exeskin: To help dry skin and scalp prone to eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
  • Bee-Spoke Candles: This company is based in Wollaton, Nottingham. Fantastic 100 per cent pure beeswax candles, excellent service and come beautifully packaged, the box tea lights would make a lovely gift.

Top tips

  • Never use any bee products if you know that you are allergic to them or bees!
  • If you don’t knowingly have an allergy to bee products, then still patch test prior to using any new product.
  • Buy honey that has been ethically extracted by a beekeeper that has been spun and bottled without the use of heat in order to avoid killing off some of the good nutrients.
  • Research the best quality product for you, be careful if you are buying oral supplements that you buy from a reputable provider. 
  • When choosing beauty product with bee formulas, look out for ones free of parabens, with natural ingredients.
  • If you suffer with allergies try the pure beeswax candles, follow the instructions of good candle care to make the most out of your candles.
  • If we want to have the benefit of bee products, then lets give back and support them.  Save the bees and put away the pesticides, research and then grow plants that bees love.  You could even help the kids create a bee hotel.
  • There is so much more to learn about the amazing properties of bee products and the amazing job of our bees. I hope that you can enjoy researching and finding some amazing products.