Many people associate bees with honey, their tastiest product. But honeybees make a host of products which have been used throughout history for health purposes. This practice is known as apitherapy.

Apitherapy, which stems from “apis,” the Latin word for “bee,” is the therapeutic use of products made by honeybees. Apitherapy has been used for generations and across cultures, including ancient Greek, Egyptian and Chinese societies. Even Hippocrates, commonly known as the “Father of Modern Medicine,” recognized the possible usefulness of bee venom for health care. Today, apitherapy is most often used in combination with modern remedies to support a healthy immune system, normal circulation and more.

Apitherapy draws on a variety of bee products, including honey, propolis, royal jelly and beeswax. At Honey Gardens, we carry everything from raw honey to propolis spray, and combine bee products with other nature-based ingredients like elderberry and ginger to complement the power of the hive. Here are the different bee products and how they’re commonly used in apitherapy:

Raw Honey

Honey is most commonly used as a natural sweetener in things like tea or yogurt. Even though pasteurized honey is the easiest to find at most grocery stores, the heating and filtering process can eliminate many of the original nutrients. Raw honey, however, is extracted and cleaned using a filtering tank at room temperature in order to preserve as much of its original content as possible.

Raw honey can have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, leading some users to spread raw honey on minor cuts and sores to soothe them. It’s also sometimes used to soothe the throat. At Honey Gardens, we carry several raw honeys and raw honey syrups, which are blended with other wellness ingredients like elderberry to support a healthy immune system. For our purest raw honey, try Honey Gardens Organic Raw Honey, which retains trace amounts of pollen and propolis for added nutrients.

Propolis

Propolis is a combination of beeswax, honey, tree resin and bee-produced enzymes that bees use as a sealant to close open spaces in the hive. Propolis also has antioxidative properties which make it valuable for apitherapy. In apitherapy, it's used to support a healthy immune system as well as soothe the throat. Honey Gardens Propolis Spray packages this nutritious substance in an easy-to-use spray that’s quick and convenient.

Royal Jelly

Royal jelly is a nutrient-dense food that is fed to the queen bee in the hive. In apitherapy, royal jelly is often taken in capsule or softgel form as a source of naturally-occurring vitamins. It’s thought to support normal immune function and overall health. Honey Gardens offers a full selection of royal jelly in various forms.

Beeswax

Perhaps the most versatile of all bee products, beeswax is the material used by bees to construct their honeycomb structures. People use beeswax for everything from candles to furniture polishes. It’s also a common ingredient in cosmetics like lip balm, lip gloss and even eyeliner.

To tap into the full power of the hive, visit HoneyGardens.com for wide variety of apitherapy products.