In spite of the dips and spikes in our local temperatures, for a few moments this past weekend I thought it was spring.  The sun felt great on my skin, the Bradford pear trees popped open, and the grass looked a little bit greener.  I am without a doubt a warm weather lover, and the first sight of it helps me forget the cold dreary months that have just passed.  Any lost motivation falls away and I am suddenly filled with energy and excitement about the upcoming outdoor months.  I am ecstatic when the warmth returns.  Then out of the blue my head feels like it will soon explode.  My eyes get scratchy and red, and I could swear they are full of boulders.  My throat hurts, I struggle to speak without choking, and the reality of my body’s inability to breathe in the height of pollen season hits me like a ton of bricks.  It never fails.  I have in the past five years discovered the amazing ability of bee pollen to relieve my allergy symptoms.  I wrote about the properties of bee pollen a while back and I tell people who come in to see me with allergy trouble about how it can help them. This past Friday I went to see John Pluta for my first batch of local pollen for this season, and was reminded to pass this information along again for everyone to use in an effort to help squelch some sneezing around town.

Bees collect pollen from the flowers and trees that are blooming in the area as they are obtaining nectar.  The pollen sticks to special pollen sacs on their legs and they take it back to their hives.  Beekeepers who trap pollen install special devices on the entrance of the hives to force the pollen sacs to release the pollen as the bees enter the hive and it then falls into a trap in the hive.  The pollen, in the form of large granules, is dried and packaged for personal use or for sale.

Many uses have been touted for bee pollen.  Some people use it to increase energy levels, enhance athletic performance, encourage weight loss, and improve memory.  It has been used by some as an immune system builder.  Many people also use it to treat allergies.  The composition of bee pollen breaks down as 55% complex carbohydrates, 35% protein, 3% vitamins and minerals, and 2% fatty acids.  It is very high in B-complex and vitamins A, C, D, and E, so it is an excellent source of antioxidants.  Bee pollen also contains lecithin, beta-carotene, and selenium.  Some sources say that it is used as an immune system builder after radiation treatments because it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and stimulates the body’s immunological responses.  This property can also make it dangerous to some people in rare cases, especially if they are prone to anaphylaxis.

The method by which this natural allergy treatment works is similar to that of allergy shots or a homeopathic medication.  The principle behind this is that if you are exposed to small amounts of the substance that your body is allergic to over a period of time your body will begin to produce antibodies, or natural defenses, to that particular substance.  Bee pollen can help to decrease the production of histamine, which causes allergic responses, so it acts as natural anti-histamine.  The best part about this anti-histamine, however, is that it comes with positive side-effects and not the usual drowsy, groggy feeling that accompanies many others.  If you are going to use bee pollen for anti-histamine purposes, it is always best to obtain it from a local source so that you are assured exposure to the local irritants.   It does not do as much good, for instance, to order bee pollen from a state that is out of our region as it does to go across the river to see our local beekeeper, John Pluta, and get the freshest pollen available at the change of every season.  Mr. Pluta has a variety of local honeys and other bee products available.  He is also always willing to answer any questions you might have about what he does.  It is worth a trip out to his place just for the interesting experience.  If you can’t get by there, visit John on the web at www.georgiabees.com.  His telephone number is 478-452-2337.

While I have allergic reactions to pollen and other irritants, I have never had an anaphylactic response to anything.  I feel perfectly safe ingesting bee pollen and it works miracles for me personally during pollen season.  Many people who come to my office use bee pollen and report amazing results from it.  As always, however, make sure that you won’t have a problem with the bee products before you take a handful of bee pollen.  If you have ever been allergic to bee stings or honey, avoid it.  Otherwise, use it in good health and treat your body well.