The bee is the gardener’s friend because it goes from flower to flower, pollenating the flowers so that they can reproduce and multiply. They produce delicious honey, a healthy alternative to sugars, with antibacterial properties - the reason why it can sit indefinitely and mold will not grow on it.
But the Bee is a gardener’s friend, in fact anyone’s friend for more reasons than helping in the perpetuation of plants; look closely at the bee, and you will see a little ball of pollen on the hind leg. Many describe bee pollen as a perfect food because it is said to contain all of the nutrients that are essential to sustain life. Bee pollen has been used nutritionally since over 2000 years B.C.
A common way to collect bee pollen is to have the bees enter their hive through a mesh that will allow them to enter the hive, but through an opening just small enough to knock the little pollen balls off the the hind legs into a collection container.
Bee pollen contains 100 different vitamins, minerals, enzymes, co-enzymes and amino-acids. There is approximately 30% protein, 50+% carbohydrates, up to 2 percent fat, and 3 percent minerals. This can vary a bit depending upon the location of the bees.
I take Bee Pollen on a daily basis.
Warning: Approximately .05% of the population are extremely allergic to bee pollen. It is suggested that if you take bee pollen, you start out with very small amounts. I have heard, but cannot verify from personal experience, that people can take tiny amounts of bee pollen and increase gradually to reduce allergy symptons. I would do this with guidance from someone knowledgeable about these things.
Warning: Honey should not be taken by children under the age of one.