PhytoScience - Article

Bee pollen

 

Honey bees are one of the oldest forms of animal life still in existence from the Neolithic Age. Primeval humans gathered and ate the honey and honeycombs of wild bees, the only available sweet, as far back as 7000 B.C. Bronze Age societies celebrated preindustrial triumphs by drinking mead, probably the first intoxicating beverage, fermented from honey.

Honey, beeswax, and propolis (a mixture primarily of plant resins and beeswax that bees use in nest contruction) have been used extensively in pharmacopoeia since 2700 B.C.

The principal medicinal value of honey arises from its antibacterial properties when used as a wound dressing. Honey bees originated in southern Asia, probably in the region of Afghanistan.

The earliest record of humans gathering honey from wild colonies is from 7000 B.C. Man first kept bees about 3000 to 4000 B.C., perhaps as early as 5000 B.C.

Apis mellifem, the most widely distributed of the species of Apis, is not native to the Americas. The first record of the introduction of honey bees to the western hemisphere was in 1530 in South America. It was introduced to North America by colonists from Holland in 1638. Since bees visit a broad range of host plants and are able to conserve heat by clustering, they have become widely dispersed and are now found throughout the world.

Honey bees are limited in their distribution mainly by an absence of suitable forage and/or less than 19.8 cm (7.8 inches) of rainfall annually. The scientific name, Apis mellifera, was given the honey bee by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758. It literally means "the honey-carrying bee".

One of the world's estimated 20,000 to 30,000 living species of bees, the honey bee has become indispensable, humanity's greatest and most versatile insect benefactor. More than 90 fruit, vegetable, nut, and seed crops are partially or entirely dependent on bees for pollination, as are numerous ornamental plants and wild flowers.

When foraging, the bee climbs over the stamen to reach the nectar deep in the flower and brushes against the pollen. It may also emit a high pitched buzz to loosen the pollen to make it easier to collect. The pollen covers the body of the bee. The bee brushes off the pollen and pushes it into sacs, pollen baskets, on its hind legs and packs it down hard in these pollen baskets.
As the bee travels from flower to flower, it collects a variety of pollen which it takes back to the hive.

The value of bee-pollinated crops in the United States is estimated to be $100 million; 100 times the value of the honey produced. These crops represent up to one-third of the human diet in many countries.

Bee pollen provides a wide spectrum of essential nutrients. These include all vitamins of the B-complex and vitamin C. Bee pollen also contains vitamins D, E, K, and Beta Carotene (vitamin A). It is a rich source of numerous minerals, (with calcium and phosphorus in an almost perfect 1:1 ratio), enzymes and co-enzymes, plant-source fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins and 22 amino acids; including all eight ‘essential’ amino acids which the body cannot manufacture for itself.

Bee pollen contains more nutrients per calories than any other nutritional supplement and so it is little wonder that it is cited as one of the most complete foods available.

Proported Uses

  • Alcoholism
  • Allergies
  • Appetite
  • Asthma
  • Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
  • Cancer prevention
  • Diabetes
  • GI disorders
  • Health maintenance
  • Strength and stamina

Mechanism of Action

Unknown

Adverse Reactions

Reported: Hypersensitivity reaction causing pruritus, headache, swelling, sneezing, anaphylaxis, hypereosinophilia, and eosinophilic gastroenteritis consisting of nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Case Report: A 32-year-old woman suffered phototoxic reaction after taking a dietary supplement containing ginseng, goldenseal and bee pollen.

Contraindications

Patients with an allergy to bee stings (bee venom), intolerance to honey, or allergy to ragweed / chrysanthemums should avoid bee pollen products.

Interactions

None known at this time.

Clinical Summary

Produced by bees from a combination of flower pollen and nectar. The use of bee pollen is relatively benign. Aside from its nutritional value, clinical data show that benefits from its use are limited. Patients who are allergic to bee venom (i.e., bee stings), honey, ragweed, or chrysanthemum should not take this product. Adverse effects consist of possible hypersensitivity reactions.

Product Warnings

Reported: None

References

  1. Mirkin G. Can bee pollen benefit health? JAMA 1989;262:1854.
  2. DerMarderosian A, editor. The Review of Natural Products. St. Louis: Facts and Comparisons; 1999.
  3. Maughan RJ, Evans SP. Effects of pollen extract upon adolescent swimmers. Br J Sports Med. 1982 Sep;16(3):142-5.
  4. Steben RE, Boudreaux P. The effects of pollen and protein extracts on selected blood factors and performance of athletes. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1978;18:221-6.
  5. Palanisamy A, Haller C, Olson KR. Photosensitivity reaction in a woman using an herbal supplement containing ginseng, goldenseal, and bee pollen. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2003;41(6):865-7.

Disclaimer:
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Any product mentioned is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.