Abuzz With Benefits
Four Ways Bees Impact Our Daily Lives
Written by Audrey Marie
May is ending, but before jumping into those sun-kissed summer months, let’s acknowledge the little guy on the planet. That’s right, May 20th is World Bee Day.
Bees are recognized as powerful pollinators, but did you know that’s just the cusp of the comb?
To celebrate this important holiday, we’re sharing four ways bees can impact our daily lives.
Relax with Beeswax
The low-light atmosphere, the rhythmic glimmer and perhaps even our favorite scent: nothing sets the mood like a candle.
However, for some, this idyllic image flickers out when considering a candle’s ingredients. Although the scientific jury is still out on the health impacts of paraffin candles, consumers are concerned about this traditional, petroleum-derived wax.
To stay on the safer side, it’s recommended to use candles made from natural wax.
Our fuzzy friends provide a great, natural option — beeswax candles. This wax comes from part of the bees’ own home, the honeycomb. Talk about homemade candles.
Microbes Beware
You get a cut on your arm. What do you do?
Perhaps you’ll start reaching for a bandage. But then you recall those pesky things called bacteria and the importance of sanitizing wounds.
Instead of applying antiseptic, why not a dab of honey?
Honey’s antimicrobial properties make it a star in this department, especially when fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
As with all natural products, lack of regulation and standardization can be a drawback. While you could use any available jar of honey, it’s recommended to stick with medical-grade honey to harvest maximum benefits.
Soothing Syrup
Sometimes, natural products’ reputations are more exaggerated than the research supporting them. This happens for many reasons: unfavorable studies, practical problems with testing natural substances, or often just lack of research.
Honey’s healing reputation, however, is spot on.
This golden liquid is proven to improve sore throats. It does this by lessening both the pain and swelling.
What about when you start coughing? That’s right, reach for the honey: it can be as effective as pharmaceutical cough medicine.
So the next time someone suggests a cup of honeyed tea to combat your miserable cold, take their advice. For your health, indulge in some syrupy sweetness.
Bee Enhanced
Think about the products you use daily to look and feel your best. Bees play a helpful role in many of them.
Because of the varied chemical compounds found in bee products — not only beeswax and honey, but others such as propolis and pollen — these products are used in shampoos, anti-aging cosmetics, lip balms and toothpastes, just to name a few.
Some of these compounds reduce inflammation or act as antioxidants. Others sport exfoliating and moisturizing powers.
As you prepare for a new day, consider what bee byproducts might be enhancing the items in your cabinet. The answer might amaze you.
Ready for World Bee Day?
Do you have a stronger appreciation for this insect? We sure hope so. After all, we’ve only uncovered a simple hexagon in the hive of bee benefits.
World Bee Day is almost here. But as we’ve seen, bees and their products can be integrated into our lives all year long.
How will you incorporate these benefits into your lifestyle?