This weekend I visited Evergreen Brick Work’s Farmers Market with my girlfriend. Since I was getting low on bee pollen (and I use it in my smoothies), I thought it was the perfect opportunity to pick some! I got chatting with the owner John and told him that Walker and I want to give all the guests at our wedding in September a jar of raw honey (to spread the love of course). He jokingly suggested I come and work on his farm for two days, but I actually think I might do this. Then I can share the photos and info I learn with all of you.
Now let’s talk about this superfood bee pollen because you may have noticed I put it in my smoothies and mix it into sheep’s milk yogurt often. Bee pollen is often referred to as nature’s most complete food. It is truly a healing superfood so let me give you the joyous info on this amazing food!
What Is Bee Pollen?
Bee pollen is the male seed of a flower blossom which has been gathered by the bees and mixed with the honeybees own digestive enzymes. It is literally the food of the young bee. It takes one bee, working 8 hours a day for 1 month to gather. Each pellet contains 2,000,000 flower pollen grains and 1 teaspoon contains 2.5 billion grains of flower pollen! One pollen granule contains from 100,000 to 500,000 pollen spores each capable of reproducing its entire species!
Nutrients in Bee Pollen
- Bee pollen is considered one of nature’s most complete foods for a variety of reasons
- High level of phenolic constituents (total phenols, phenylpropanoids, flavonols and anthocyanins) and antioxidants as found in many studies including this study
- Rich source of protein – about half of it’s protein is in the form of free amino acids that are ready to be used by the body. Amino acids are building blocks of your 50 trillion cells!
- Source of energizing vitamin B12 and folic acid among other B-complex vitamins
- Excellent antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties
- Cannot be synthesized in a laboratory. When researchers take away a bee’s pollen-filled comb and feed her manmade pollen, the bee dies even though all the known nutrients are present in the lab-produced synthesized food. Ah-ha! The power of REAL food.
- The percentage of rejuvenating elements in bee pollen remarkably exceeds those present in brewer’s yeast and wheat germ
According to researchers at the Institute of Apiculture, Taranov, Russia, “Honeybee pollen is the richest source of vitamins found in Nature in a single food. Even if bee pollen had none of its other vital ingredients, its content of rutin alone would justify taking at least a teaspoon daily, if for no other reason than strengthening the capillaries. Pollen is extremely rich in rutin and may have the highest content of any source, plus it provides a high content of the nucleics RNA [ribonucleic acid] and DNA [deoxyribonucleic acid].”
Translation? Bee pollen is a superfood that has incredible health benefits.
It has been used in many cultures around the world for hundreds of years including ancient Chinese medicine to heal, restore and repair the body along with a healthy diet.
Health Benefits of Bee Pollen
Immune system booster
Researchers found that bee pollen strengthened the immune systems of mice, improved their resistance to x-rays, and has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Bee pollen prevented the development of cancerous tumors in mice.
Supports Physical and Mental Abilities
Bee Pollen supports concentration and memory ability, activates sluggish metabolic functions, and strengthens the cardiovascular and respiratory systems according to G. Liebold, a holistic physician and psychologist of Karlsruhe, Germany.
Energizing and Revitalizing
Since Bee Pollen is rich in B-complex vitamins and is an excellent source of amino acids, it is especially energizing and revitalizing!
Prevents Seasonal Allergies
In order to benefit from this health benefits, you need to start taking bee pollen 5-6 weeks prior to hay fever season. It actually helps the build your immunity against the very flowers that cause you to have a runny nose and itchy eyes.
CAUTION: If you suspect you have a bee allergy, then do not take it.
How Can You Use Bee Pollen?
As mentioned, I used it in my smoothies, so here’s what I had for breakfast today!
Recipe not found.
What is your favourite way to use bee pollen? Share below!
PS. While I was at Brick works, I also got some very very yummy fresh and flavourful kale salad from vegan chef Doug McNish.
30 thoughts on “The Healing Powers of Bee Pollen”
I love sprinkling bee pollen on my steel cut oats or adding to smoothies BUT my all-time favourite way? Sprinkled on top of open faced PB+J toast!
how long does it last? i’ve had some in my cupboard for a while .. forgot about it!
dipping a banana into it or just eating it straight….
Western Australia’s Raw Bee Pollen tastes like candy….it’s amazing!
According to the Mercola article Joy linked to, Bee pollen should be refrigerated so if It has been left in a cupboard for a while it might be best to buy some new.
thank you!
Joy, the benefits our bee pollen sound amazing..but I have a question. I’m not allergic to bees, but I’m allergic to pollen…so I am assuming that if I’m allergic to inhaling pollen, I should not EAT pollen….no?
I take 1 TB & put in a small 2 oz tupperware add a dab of fruit plus a little juice from thawed fruit. Let it set a few hours in fridge , it soaks it and tastes like a butter. Or take dry and mix with. Yogurt or healthy ice cream. Yummy crunchy. Also , I read pollen needs to be moistened to get full benefit of nutrients. 10 per cent dry to 90 per cent moist.
Many people who have seasonal allergies to things like pollen find that eating honey products helps to strengthen their immunity against the very flower the bees pollinate — the ones that might make you sneeze! That being said, everyone is different. So I would be cautious with it. Maybe try one granule and see how it affects you and build from there 🙂
[…] pollen Pollen that collects on the body of bees will help you fight back against allergies. The theory goes that local bees […]
Is bee pollen safe if you are pregnant?
Have you been using it consistently prior to getting pregnant? There are currently no studies to prove that it is safe or unsafe for pregnant women — this is why many products automatically get deemed as “unsafe” because there’s no literature to support it either way. So I would be cautious with it as you’ve probably noticed from your own research there is no one consistent answer on this. So I don’t have an answer for you either because I don’t personally have experience using it while pregnant.
Thanks, Joy! I have not been using it since being pregnant, but this post was so informative I ran out and bought some. I look forward to incorporating bee pollen into everything once I’m not pregnant anymore. 🙂
I’ve had a jar of bee pollen in my fridge for over a year. Is it still ok to use? I bought it but never really new what to do with it. I took a spoonful & although quite sweet, there was a bitter aftertaste. So, there it sits. I would like to try some of these recipes.
If it hasn’t been opened before, it should be fine. However, bee pollen doesn’t taste bitter. I don’t usually keep mine more than 6 months after it’s been opened. If you’re not sure I would suggest asking the bee farmer you purchased it from.
Hi Joy,
I came across bee propolis supplement at costco , is this the same as bee pollen? If not , is it safe to take it ?
Hi Anu,
Propolis is different from bee pollen. It’s a resin-like substance that bees use to seal off unused cells in their hive. Propolis is also sometimes called bee glue or beeswax acid. We can’t make recommendations on specific supplements for individuals without knowing their medical history, so I recommend checking with your healthcare practitioner to see if it’s the right supplement for your needs.
Kate – Joyous Health Team
I make homemade goats milk yogurt. I add my bee pollen 15 minutes before eating it. That gives the bee pollen the chance to ferment, breaking it down to get the best results. And it’s delist!!!
Yum! Sounds delicious, Jean! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Heather- Joyous Health Team
I discovered bee pollen this year and I love this power food! I sprinkle my teaspoon of been pollen on my organic natural peanut butter gluten free toast and then top it with sliced bananas. Love it! I do have a question, I’ve had my jar for less then 6 months…should I keep in the fridge at all times?
Thank you!
I discovered this amazing power food this year and I love it! I sprinkle my teaspoon of bee pollen on my organic natural peanut butter gluten free toast and top it off with sliced bananas! I do have a question: I’ve had my bee pollen jar for less then 6 months, should I keep it in the fridge?
Thank you 🙂
Hey Julie!
Mmm, that sounds like an awesome combination! It’s best to keep bee pollen in the fridge to maintain freshness and to prolong the shelf life as well. If it’s not refrigerated, the shelf life is typically 6 months to 1 year, so maybe just use that as a guide for future reference 🙂
Rachel – Joyous Health Team
I like to have a quarter teaspoon of bees pollen every morning with a single serve container of rice pudding. I top it with a sprinkle of cinnamon. The pollen takes away my arthritis pain.
I am pregnant and have been taking it daily for about a month. My doctor is allowing it because it is helping my rheumatoid arthritis. I started getting a painful flare up when second trimester began and stumbles on the pollen at a store where they had me try it. Arthritis is now in control so i can keep working and go to prenatal yoga.
Hey Debbie, That sounds delicious! Have you tried Joy’s Sweet Potato Brown Rice Pudding? I think you would love that if you’re a rice pudding fan! https://www.joyoushealth.com/27171-blog-sweet-potato-brown-rice-pudding Rachel – Joyous Health Team
Thank you Joy for this helpful article. I appreciate the advice about hay fever. But how much bee pollen should I be taking daily? Thank you 🙂
Hey Veronica, You can take anywhere around 1-2 tsp of bee pollen daily 🙂 Rachel – Joyous Health Team
Is bee pollen okay for teens to take? Thanks !;) Also should I keep it refridgerated? I was also wondering how they collect the bee pollen?
Yes, it’s safe as long as there is no bee allergy. Yes, I keep it in the fridge for freshness. It really depends on the beekeeper re. collection. The brand I like is Bee Keepers Naturals: https://beekeepersnaturals.ca/collections/all/products/bee-pollen?
Hi Joy, we don’t have smoothies very often, how else would you use bee pollen? Thanks!
Sprinkle on anything – applesauce, yogurt, salad, porridge! Enjoy!