Last year I did a blog on bee pollen, but it was on my old website and I think it is definitely something worth repeating as I think it has been pretty transformational for me.
When I was thirty I ate an apple - nothing special, I had been eating apples all my life... except this one made my face swell up to about 3 times its size!
A long story followed to try to discover what had happened but basically I found out that I had developed an allergy to birch pollen and associated foods - apples, cherries...
It also started me off on the journey which led me to doing what I am doing now - so thank you apple!!
The doctor gave me a prescription for a pen to inject myself if I ate an apple by mistake... a ripped up the prescription and decided to not eat an apple by mistake and see how else I can deal with it.
Twelve years on, I still avoid raw apples and cherries but I have found a way which over the last years have helped me get through my allergy season with the minimum of discomfort and it is bee pollen.
What is Bee Pollen?
Bee Pollen is made by honeybees, and is the food of the young bee. It is considered one of nature's most completely nourishing foods as it contains nearly all nutrients required by humans. Bee-gathered pollens are rich in proteins (approximately 40% protein), vitamins, including B-complex, and folic acid.
Bee pollen is a complete (not refined or processed) food and contains many elements that products of animal origin do not possess. It contains more amino acids than beef, eggs, or cheese of equal weight.
1 teaspoon of bee pollen is equivalent to about 8 hours of work for a bee! However bee pollen can be obtained easily without dispruting the bee's work or living environment and causes no harm to the bees.
What is it good for?
The list is very long...
help with skin problems, fertility issues, good energy, combatting allergies, keeping you feeling young, boosting immunity, helping fight addictions, corrects cholesterol levels, anti-clogging agent that could prevent heart attacks...
My experience
We have tried different ones and now have one that tastes quite sweet and nice (have had some that are very bitter). This is the one we are using now (available from bio shop on Chaussee de Waterloo in Saint Gilles - close to Porte de Hal)
It is advised to eat with a meal (especially with fruit) so we have a spoon in the morning and let it dissolve on the tongue with your saliva... then have some fruit. Some of the grains are sweet but others have a potent sour flavour.
I have started my course now ready for spring.... will let you know how it goes this year