Uncle Harry's Bee Pollen

Do you think berries are high in anti-oxidants?

         The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test is an emerging standard by which science measures antioxidant activity in foods and natural supplements. Antioxidants are important to protect the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals (reactive oxygen species). Cell membranes are susceptible to free radicals because they are largely composed of fatty acids (lipid bi-layer). Poly­unsaturated fatty acids are particularly susceptible to free-radical-mediated oxidation because of their unique structure. Cell membrane damage due to oxidation of fatty acid membrane components (lipid peroxidation) can lead to the disruption of the function and structure of whole cells. Furthermore, for normal health it is important to maintain normal levels of lipid peroxidation of lipoproteins. Dietary antioxidants, or free radical-scavengers, may play a preventive role in protecting a person’s health. High levels of antioxidant activity, as determined by ORAC, have been found to be present in blueberries and black raspberries. When the ORAC scores of these berries became known, annual consumption of those fruits increased dramatically. Berries became famous as the foods possessing the most antioxidant activity of all the whole foods. The highest ORAC scores for wild blueberries is listed at 61 ORAC units (umole TE/g). Black raspberries scored higher at 164 ORAC units (see attached ORAC Comparison Chart).

          Bee Pollen sold by Uncle Harry's, was tested for ORAC antioxidant activity. The results was 229 ORAC units, the highest score ever recorded for any whole food. Thus, Bee Pollen has been shown to be at the top of the list of foods exhibiting antioxidant activity.

Conditions helped by Bee Pollen

Acne – Dr. Lars-Eric Essen, a Swedish dermatologist, says, “When taken internally or used externally, bee pollen exercises a suppressive effect on facial acne and is an important skin rejuvenator because it contains a high concentration of nucleic acids, RNA and DNA, and a natural antibiotic.

Allergies – Allergy specialists prescribe bee pollen starting three months before the allergy season. They cautiously suggest starting with a few grains of bee pollen a half an hour before each meal and gradually building up over the three month period to one teaspoon before each meal. Very small incremental doses are recommended until one builds up natural immunity. If one experiences a violent reaction even at the minute dosage, stop and consult a physician. There are two types of flower pollen. One is very light and is easily airborne. This light pollen causes allergies. The second pollen is heavier. It is collected by bees and made into bee pollen.

Anemia – Bee pollen is rich in iron, vitamin B-12 and folic acid, all of which are needed to prevent anemia. Raw honey with royal jelly is also effective.

Arthritis – Bee pollen has helped relieve symptoms of some persons who suffer from arthritis. Bee venom treatments, according to numerous studies, appear more effective.

Asthma – The same relief that allergy sufferers experience from taking bee pollen is also experienced by those who have asthma.

Cancer – Substances in bee pollen may prevent cancer. Worldwide attention has been drawn to the fact that cancer is seldom found in beekeepers, all of whom daily use hive products. A survey of 19,026 members of beekeeping societies in Germany found that about 1 in 3,000 reported having cancer, whereas in the U.S. general population, 1 in 4 persons has or will have cancer in their lifetime. Exposure to bee sting venom may have something to do with the resistance beekeepers have to cancer.

Catarrh – Bee pollen and propolis seem to be the best way to take care of catarrhal problems.

Colds - Colds are viral infections that seem to follow symptoms of fatigue and catarrh. Studies of athletes and children using bee pollen report fewer colds.

Colitis – Since bee pollen is effective in relieving constipation and diarrhea, it is not surprising that Russian doctors have found it relieves chronic colitis in people of all ages. Relief is faster when used with propolis.

Constipation – The usual cause of constipation is lack of high fiber, fruit, vegetables and whole grains in the diet. Bee pollen along with high fiber foods will greatly improve intestinal movement.

Depression – Russian researchers report bee pollen has given good results in the treatment of depression.

Diabetes – Dr. Rudolf Frey of Austria gave preparations of royal jelly and pollen to diabetics which provided considerable relief from conditions that accompany diabetes, like difficulty walking, insomnia, poor circulation, forgetfulness and chronic constipation.

Diarrhea - This condition is often relieved by the use of bee pollen.

Digestive Problems – Dr. Remy Chauvin of France reported, “Pollen has the capacity for regulating intestinal functions as well as the ability to destroy harmful microbes in the digestive system.” The plant sugars in pollen are readily absorbed into the bloodstream, and pollen does not disturb the digestion.”

Endocrine Deficiency - Bee pollen has been successfully used to treat prostate conditions, menstrual disorders, problems associated with menopause, and other endocrine-related conditions.

Fatigue - Possibly the best fatigue-fighter known, as many athletes will testify, is pollen. Fatigue and catarrh signal the start of every disease, and we find that pollen takes care of both of them very nicely.

Hay Fever - Some persons report great relief from hay fever symptoms by starting to take raw honey (a teaspoon before each meal), or bee pollen. Follow the same procedure as for allergies.

Heart Disease - An article in the German magazine Naturheilpraxis concludes that taking bee pollen regularly is followed by a reduction of cholesterol, triglycerides and S lipoproteins. Improved circulation has been found in people who cannot exercise who are given bee pollen.

Hemorrhoids - Dr. Lars-Erik Essen of Sweden prescribes a pollen preparation for his patients with hemorrhoids and claims to get results in cases where the usual chemical suppositories fail. Pollen-based suppositories are available in Swedish drugstores.

High Blood Pressure - Soviet Dr. Naum Joirisch reports that bee pollen lowers high blood pressure.

Immune System - A study by Dr. Peter Hemuss, an Austrian physician, found an increase of gamma globulins among women receiving bee pollen to alleviate the undesirable side effects of radiation therapy. Other studies show that the white blood cell count is increased in those taking pollen. Gamma globulins are the “stuff” antibodies are made of, and antibodies are our only internal defense against viruses. White blood cells of various types consume harmful bacteria and other foreign matter that enters the blood or lymph stream. In short, pollen appears to boost our immune system protection.

Impotence - Dr. Izet Osmanagic of the University of Saravejo in Yugoslavia found bee pollen effective in countering impotence in men between 20 and 52 years of age with a history of impotence. After one month of using pollen, the majority showed improvement in their sex lives. Another study showed that a high percentage of post-menopausal women and women with hysterectomies reported renewed enjoyment of sex with their husbands after taking bee pollen.

Infections - Honey applied to external infections and pollen taken for internal infections is often sufficient assistance for the body to complete the healing. Pollen is sometimes described in studies as having a natural antibiotic effect.

Influenza - Bee pollen raises the immune system’s capability of producing antibodies for the destruction of the various influenza viruses that come and go.

Longevity - Bee pollen is perhaps best known for its use by some of the longest-lived people in the world. Dr. G. Liebold of Germany wrote, “Bee pollen causes an increase in physical and mental abilities ... activates sluggish metabolic functions, and strengthens the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.” It also provides all the foundational nutrients known to be needed by man and stimulates the immune system, the endocrine system and the circulatory system. Dr. Nicolai Tsitsin attributed the longevity of most of the oldest Russians (in the Caucasus region) to their use of bee pollen and honey all their lives.

Menopause - Undesirable symptoms of both natural menopause and unnaturally induced (surgery or radiation) menopause were greatly relieved and the quality of life generally improved for women given a bee pollen/royal jelly compound at the Clinic for Women, University of Sarajevo in Yugoslavia.

Menstrual Problems - Menstrual discomfort and irregularity of 60 young women between the ages of 15 and 20 were greatly relieved in all but 5 of those who took a pollen and royal jelly compound as part of an experiment performed at a Yugoslavian gynecology clinic. Drs. L. Pokrajcic and I. Osmanagic conducted the experiment.

Overweight - A study published in Aerospace Medicine and Life Sciences showed that the average daily consumption of food dropped 15 to 20% among people who regularly took bee pollen before meals. Producers of bee pollen products report receiving many testimonials from people who have lost weight after regular use of bee pollen.

Prostate Trouble - Prostatitis and enlarged prostate have both been treated with pollen. Dr. Naum Joirisch’s research lists prostatitis among the conditions that Russian doctors treated successfully with bee pollen, while Swedish and German doctors used a pure pollen product (Cerniltron from Sweden) together with conventional therapy to treat prostate problems non-surgically. Some researchers credit the zinc content of pollen as the primary agent of effectiveness.

Radiation Effects - Dr. Peter Hernuss of Austria studied the effects of radiation on 25 women at the Vienna Women’s Clinic, 15 of whom were given bee pollen while 10 were not. Those who used the pollen showed a higher level of immune system activity (higher gamma globulin and higher white blood cell count), less nausea, better sleep at night and less hair loss than those who did not take bee pollen. Yugoslavian studies support the findings of Dr. Hernuss.

Rheumatism - Rheumatism is a generic name that includes all the various conditions of the joints and muscles often characterized by inflammation, stiffness and pain, for example, neuritis, bursitis and rheumatoid arthritis. To the extent that dietary supplements can help balance the chemistry of the over-acidic rheumatoid body, some alleviation of symptoms may occur. However, bee venom treatments may work better for some persons and some conditions. It is best to ask your doctor about the bee venom approach.

Sexual Problems - See the information after “Impotence, Menopause and Menstrual Problems.”

Stress - Russian doctors claim effective stress system reduction with bee pollen. Dr. N. M. Artemov found that bee venom chemicals affect the pituitary and adrenal glands, stimulating natural cortisone release. Since cortisone counteracts inflammation in the body, one of the side effects of stress, bee pollen may exert some similar activity.

Strokes - Strokes are called “cerebral accidents” and may involve the bursting of a blood vessel in the brain, which can cause death. Rutin, which is plentiful in bee pollen, is known to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, especially the small capillaries. If the body receives sufficient rutin throughout life, the danger of strokes would be minimized.