Womens Thoughts

“What’s the bee say?” I ask my baby grand-daughter.  “Buzz, buzz” she replies. But how long will we be aware of the “buzz, buzz” in our gardens?

The British Beekeepers Association warns of the plight of the Honey bee, which could be extinct in the UK by 2018!! They report of a decline of 30% between 2007 and 2008. Bees are dying in their millions, (I am saving several a day in my conservatory!), and the two consecutive wet summers have left British hives severely depleted. Bees are crucial for pollinating garden flowers and fruit, and UK’s food crops which are vital to the health of the economy. Experts blame the combination of pesticides, weather extremes and the Varo mite, which attacks and weakens bees’ immune system.

Most Honey bees in Britain come from domestic hive colonies. An average colony depends upon the efforts of nearly 60,000 workers (sterile females) for its food and care. Since workers as well as the queen live through the winter months, honey bees need to store large quantities of honey. Workers in a hive can store as much as 300kgs, using only a third for their own consumption.

The demand for honey and other bee products has never been greater, not only is it used as a natural sweetener in our food, but it is also used as a medicinal aid for many health complaints.

Manuka honey is renowned for treating ulcers, burns, psoriasis, gum disease and cold sores. This honey is produced in New Zealand by the bees gathering nectar from the Manuka bush.

There is evidence that loc al honey can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of summer hay fever. A dietician, Dr. Carrine Ruxton says “Local honey contains small particles of pollen that can help to desensitise the sufferer.” http://www.iminseason.com/  She states her own hay fever symptoms disappeared when she started taking a spoonful of honey a day. A honey produced within 10 miles of where you live or work is needed to give you the immunity from the type of pollen you breathe in. Apitherapy.biz

Other bee products are - Propolis which has anti-biotic properties and is created by bees collecting a resinous sap from trees, mixing it with wax, which they then use to seal up small holes in their hives  

Royal jelly is a substance produced by worker bees inside the hive and is thought to stimulate our immune systems

Bee pollen believed to fight salmonella and other bacteria

Bee venom is the poison released in a bee sting, which evidence suggests, can help to alleviate arthritis.

Charlie Dimmock of Ground Force fame (Amateur Gardening, January 2009) is doing her bit to highlight the decline of the Honey bee. Charlie says “Bees are looking for nectar – which is full of sugar and the bees’ main source of energy – and pollen which provides them with proteins and fats.

Charlie’s top 10 shrubs are Broom; Pyracanthus; Sage; Candytuft; Escallonia; Hebe; Lavender; Thyme; Heathers and Ceanonthus.

Everyone can do their bit for the environment by planting shrubs which attract bees”

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