text: How many workers does it take to make a vase? To devotees of the Arts and Crafts Movement, it’s one. But in the case of the Honeycomb Vase, it’s 40,000 — because the “workers” who made it were bees toiling in their hive.
  The vase was conceived by Tomás Gabzdil Libertiny, a young Slovakian product designer. Eager to explore the relationship between design and nature, he settled upon beeswax as a suitable material and chose the vase as an appropriate object to make from it…
  Intriguing though the vases are, they’re not likely to revolutionize vase manufacturing. For one thing, they can be made only from April to June, when the bees are at their most productive; for another it takes the bees around a week to make each one. The clincher is that the vases aren’t watertight.
  The solid-beeswax vases are, though, and Libertiny is convinced that flowers last longer in them, because beeswax contains propolis, an antibacterial agent that protects against biological decay. “We found out by accident,” he explains. “We had a bouquet, which was too big for the beeswax vase, so we put half of the flowers in a glass vase. We noticed the difference after a week or so.
  Background. Cutaneous injury causes a depression in antioxidant status, as reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in response to injury.
  Aim. To determine the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, on wound healing in rats…
  Results. Wound tissues showed a significant increase in glutathione and nitric oxide levels, and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels and superoxide dismutase levels in the CAPE group compared with the control group. Histopathology of the wound tissues displayed rapid epithelium development in the CAPE group compared with the control group.
  Conclusion. This study has demonstrated that CAPE partly accelerates full-thickness wound healing by its antioxidant and ROS-scavenging capabilities.
  Most of us keep the bathroom cabinet stocked with remedies for common ailments, but we could just as well look in our kitchen cupboards instead. Many everyday ingredients can double as home cures for a host of complaints, from toothache to sciatica -- and with no worry of side-effects. Here, we round up 25 of the best home remedies ...
  Manuka honey contains a powerful antiseptic to prevent infection and can be applied in small amounts to treat cuts, grazes and blisters, says Dr. Dixon. Use the lowest strength Manuka honey (basic factor 10-15).
  Nutritionist Jane Clarke adds that the honey has also been shown to have strong anti-viral properties, and taking a teaspoon of Manuka honey twice a day may help speed up recovery after a viral infection...
  Abstract: Thyme honey is the most appreciated unifloral Greek honey in Greece as well as around the world. In an effort to investigate the headspace composition of this type of honey, 28 samples were analyzed by means of solid-phase microextraction coupled to a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry system.
  The botanical origin of the samples was ascertained by pollen analysis, and samples displayed relative frequencies of thyme pollen between 18 and 41%. A total of 62 compounds were isolated, and phenylacetaldehyde was the most abundant (32.9% of the total peak area). Possible botanical markers are 1-phenyl-2,3-butanedione (13.4%), 3-hydroxy-4-phenyl-2-butanone, 3-hydroxy-1-phenyl-2-butanone (14.7%), phenylacetonitrile (4.8%), and carvacrol (0.9%), since these compounds are found only in thyme honey…
  PENANG, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- A team of researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) are leaving for Mecca to conduct studies on the use of Tualang bee honey as a remedy for coughs and asthma that often affect haj pilgrims.
  The university's Haj Research Project director Prof Dr Kamarulazizi Ibrahim said the research was being conducted in collaboration with the Umm Al-Qura University in Saudi Arabia.
  Speaking to reporters after sending 10 of 25 USM researchers to Mecca at the Bayan Lepas International Airport today, he said the university also received the cooperation from the Pilgrims Fund Board Malaysia.
  He said that as part of the research, the pilgrims were divided into three groups. The first was given Tualang bee honey, the second received influenza vaccines while the third would serve as a control group.
  "This will enable us to know the effectiveness of Tualang bee honey and influenza vaccines against coughs and asthma," he said…
  Mr. Richard Okoe, Project Officer of Nkoranza-Kwabre Rural Bank, has advised Ghanaians to consume more honey in order to improve their health.
  Mr. Okoe, chairman of Nkoranza-Techiman bee keepers association, was speaking at the inauguration of a 120-member association at Nkoranza.
  He noted that honey contained nutrients that promoted the growth and development of the body and advised parents to encourage their children to consume honey to enhance their physical and mental performance…
  A new study by a Penn State College of Medicine research team found that honey may offer parents an effective and safe alternative than over the counter children's cough medicines.
  The study found that a small dose of buckwheat honey given before bedtime provided better relief of nighttime cough and sleep difficulty in children than no treatment or dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cold medications.
  Honey did a better job reducing the severity, frequency and bothersome nature of nighttime cough from upper respiratory infection than DM or no treatment. Honey also showed a positive effect on the sleep quality of both the coughing child and the child's parents. DM was not significantly better at alleviating symptoms than no treatment.
  These findings are especially notable since an FDA advisory board recently recommended that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines not be given to children less than 6 years old because of their lack of effectiveness and potential for side effects…
  An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
  While many people are tempted to take over-the-counter remedies to lessen the symptoms, there is a better way to fight back, certified nutritional therapist Norma Kayte O’Dell said in an e-mail interview.
  She promotes supporting the body to handle these invaders or diminishing exposure through changes in diet.
  "Foods that help manage inflammation and support the immune system can help alleviate allergic reactions," O'Dell said.
  Tom Ogren, horticulturist and author of "Allergy-Free Gardening," said honey works in a way similar to allergy shots -- it builds up a tolerance to local pollens. He said honey made about five to 10 miles from the buyer's home is most useful, and farmer's markets are a good place to buy it. Beekeepers can tell buyers where the honey was produced.
  Ogren pointed out that if a person's allergies are worse during the spring, then it's best to buy honey made from bees working springtime flowers…
  This study was conducted to investigate the effects of propolis and mesalamine on experimental colitis in rats…
  Most propolis-treated rats had normal histology; mesalamine-treated and propolis+mesalamine–treated rats had inflammatory cell infiltration at rates of 50% and 33%, respectively. The investigators concluded that propolis and mesalamine are efficient independently and in combination, but that their combined effect was not observed to be additive in experimental colitis.
  Dr. CI Labo has introduced a dietary supplement containing fresh royal jelly “Royal Jelly 2000.” The product was developed to meet the needs of women wanting to stay young and healthy, and contains 2000 mg of royal jelly.
  Specialising in genuine UMF Manuka Honey , Propolis, Bee Pollen, and other bee-based products from the pristine environment of New Zealand...
  The recalcitrant nature and complexity of chronic wounds continue to challenge health practitioners in the field, with many of the standard treatment options often failing to provide good outcomes. Chronic wounds are often infected with bacteria resistant to antibiotics, compounding the problem. Some alternative biologic forms of treatment have been used and are gaining recognition; they include apitherapy (application of honey), maggots, and leeches. In addition to other wound-promoting actions, they all seem to show efficacy against bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
  Honey -- A Topical Treatment for Wounds In recent years, there has been a resurgent interest in the use of honey in wound care. Honey, a plant nectar that is modified by the honey bee Apis mellifera, has been used as a treatment for wounds since antiquity, with records of its use dating back to the early Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks, and Romans.
  There are several mechanisms through which honey is thought to act on and heal wounds. When it is applied directly on a wound surface or via a dressing, it can act as a sealant, keeping the wound moist and free from contamination. In addition, honey is comprised of glucose (35%), fructose (40%), sucrose (5%), and water (20%). This high sugar content plus vitamins, minerals, and amino acids) provides topical nutrition that is thought to promote healing and tissue growth. Honey is also a hyperosmotic agent that draws fluid from the wound bed and underlying circulation, which kills bacteria that cannot thrive in such an environment. It is bactericidal in other ways as well. During the process of honey production, worker bees add the enzyme glucose oxidase to the nectar. When honey is applied to the wound, this enzyme comes into contact with oxygen in the air, which leads to the production of the bactericide hydrogen peroxide. Macroscopically, honey has also shown debriding action…
  The gut health of elderly people is positively changed by xylooligosaccharides, found in bamboo shoots, fruit, vegetables and honey, and was more efficient than fructooligosaccharides and inulin, Taiwanese researchers report…
  KYNA, a Trp metabolite, shows neuroprotective activity against excitotoxic amino acids by antagonizing the NMDA receptor (glycine, glutamate). Here we report the identification of KYNA by a combination of ESI-MS/MS and 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses in honey varieties of arboreal origin.
  KYNA are absent in single-flower honeys from herbal flowers. These different distribution patterns might possibly involve an indirect plant defence mechanism against fungal pathogens and herbivorous parasites, ever-present on wild trees.
  The presence of KYNA in honey may explain its pain-relieving effects reported in the literature. The substance, acting in concert with honey flavonoids (COX-2 inhibitors), by antagonizing the NMDA receptor may contribute to the antinociceptive effect of honey.
  Moreover, kynureninates, owing to their antimicrobial properties, can favour the successful outcome of wounds and burns.
  Effects of Ingesting Protein with Various Forms of Carbohydrate Following Resistance-Exercise on Substrate Availability and Markers of Anabolism, Catabolism, and Immunity
  Background: Ingestion of carbohydrate (CHO) and protein (PRO) following intense exercise has been reported to increase insulin levels, optimize glycogen resynthesis, enhance PRO synthesis, and lessen the immuno-suppressive effects of intense exercise. Since different forms of CHO have varying glycemic effects, the purpose of this study was to determine whether the type of CHO ingested with PRO following resistance-exercise affects blood glucose availability and insulin levels, markers of anabolism and catabolism, and/or general immune markers…
  Methods: 40 resistance-trained subjects performed a standardized resistance training workout and then ingested in a double blind and randomized manner 40 g of whey PRO with 120 g of sucrose (S), honey powder (H), or maltodextrin (M). A non-supplemented control group (C) was also evaluated…
  Conclusion: CHO and PRO ingestion following exercise significantly influences glucose and insulin concentrations. Although some trends were observed suggesting that H maintained blood glucose levels to a better degree, no significant differences were observed among types of CHO ingested on insulin levels. These findings suggest that each of these forms of CHO can serve as effective sources of CHO to ingest with PRO in and attempt to promote post-exercise anabolic responses.
  Comparison of UPLC and HPLC for Determination of Trans -10-Hydroxy-2-Decenoic Acid Content in Royal Jelly by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction with Internal Standard
  Abstract: The ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and compared to detect the trans-10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) content in royal jelly cream and lyophilized powder…
  The concentration of 10-HDA ranges from 1.26 to 2.25% for pure royal jelly cream samples and 3.01–6.26% for royal jelly lyophilized powder samples. For 30 royal jelly products, the 10-HDA content varied from no detectable to 1.005%.
  Pusat Kecantikan Mutiara Manja, located on the first floor of Pekan Rabu, is one place where you can be sure of a good facial without digging deep into your pocket…
  "Ear-candling, or coning, is a method of cleaning the ears. A hollow candle is stuck into the ear and lit, sucking out earwax. It traps dust and dirt, helps fight infections and reduce migraines...
  An Austrian spa offers treatment with “bee air” as a cure for respiratory problems. Spa owners say the treatment usually takes 10 to 14 days and is only offered from May to August.
  Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of hive products in treating asthma and respiratory tract infections.
  Objective: This case report describes the effects of bee stings on painful postherpetic neuralgia in a 51-year-old man.
  Case Report: The patient was stung by 3 bees in the distribution in which he had been experiencing postherpetic neuralgia. One day after the bee stings, the patient’s painful postherpetic neuralgia was completely relieved, and the relief lasted for 1 and a half months. Subsequently, the patient’s pain returned, but at significantly less intensity and frequency than what he had experienced prior to the bee stings.
  Conclusions: Bee venom and bee sting therapy have been shown to have both antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties, which may explain why the bee stings relieved the patient’s postherpetic neuralgia. Bee sting or bee venom therapy should be further investigated as a potential treatment modality for postherpetic neuralgia.
  Donald Downs, a long-time apitherapist in Wellington, Ohio, and member of the AAS board, has, at several AAS conferences, presented a brief case history on his work with T.J.
  Born with a virtually unknown genetic abnormality, T.J. was given a brief life expectancy. Beebread was introduced into formula via his feeding tube at age two by his maternal grandmother, Angie Gebhart Bittner. A distinct turning point for the better was noted almost immediately in his overall health.
  Since then, his only sustenance has been formula with the addition of beebread or honey, and his vitality and capabilities have steadily improved. Today, as T.J. approaches his sixth birthday, his grandmother notes the unimaginable strides her grandson has made, especially considering that no hope was given at birth, and she credits the hive products 100 percent. The following is a transcript of an interview with Angie in July 2007. Supplementing the interview are an excerpt from the child’s medical diagnosis, an afterword, and a description of beebread…
  Propolis has been reported to display a broad spectrum of biological activities such as anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antifungal properties, among others.
  There is great interest not only in the determination of the chemical composition of propolis but also in the understanding of the mechanisms related to its therapeutic actions.
  In this respect, the aim of the present investigation was to study the influence of both simultaneous (6, 12 and 24 mg/kg b. w.) and subacute (12 mg/kg b. w.) treatment with a crude hydroalcoholic extract of propolis on the frequency of chromosome aberrations induced by the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DXR) in Wistar rat bone marrow cells…
  The results showed that the dose of 12 mg propolis/kg b. w., administered either as a single dose or as subacute treatment, caused a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of chromosome damage induced by DXR compared to the group treated only with DXR. This reduction might be, in part, due to the presence of phenolic compounds in the studied propolis, which are able to capture free radicals produced by chemotherapeutic agents such as DXR.
  The 1st International Symposium on Honey and Human Health features scientists, researchers and physicians from around the world presenting studies that underscore the role of honey as a functional food providing healthful benefits when consumed regularly.
  Featured speakers include Dr. David Baer of the USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland. The symposium was initiated by the non-profit Committee for the Promotion of Honey and Health, Inc.
  The Effect of Honey Compared to Sucrose, Mixed Sugars, and a Sugar-Free Diet on Weight Gain in Young Rats
  ABSTRACT: To determine whether honey, sucrose, and mixed sugars as in honey have different effects on weight gain, 40 6-wk-old Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a powdered diet that was either sugar free or contained 8% sucrose, 8% mixed sugars as in honey, or 10% honey freely for 6 wk…
  Overall percentage weight gain was significantly lower in honey-fed rats than those fed sucrose or mixed sugars, despite a similar food intake. Weight gains were comparable for rats fed honey and a sugar free diet although food intake was significantly higher in honey-fed rats.
  Silver is known to reduce bacteria in wounds and this aids healing in intractable wounds. However, the silver element within the dressing increases the cost of treatment and many Trusts are taking silver dressings off of their formularies. This has an implication for patients with wounds as the potential for infection could rise if prevention is not a consideration.
  Honey has had a valued place in traditional medicine for centuries and has been used for reducing potential for clinical infection and for accelerating wound healing. Although honey has been used since ancient times some practitioners still hesitate to apply honey for treatment of wounds and some clinicians are under the impression that there is little or no evidence to support the use of honey as a wound dressing although positive findings on honey in wound care are widely reported.
  Honey has been shown to give good results on a very wide range of types of wounds and it is therefore mystifying that there appears to be a lack of universal acceptance of honey as a wound dressing…
  The antibacterial property of honey was first recognised in 1892 by van Ketel. Honey is a supersaturated sugar solution with a low water activity and high osmolarity which means that there is little water available to support the growth of bacteria and yeast. The high osmolarity is also considered to be a valuable tool in the treatment of established infections, because it prevents the growth of bacteria and encourages healing…
  The action of some honey is linked to the production of hydrogen peroxide on dilution of the honey with wound exudate. Hydrogen peroxide is a well-known antimicrobial agent, initially hailed for its antibacterial and cleansing properties when it was first introduced into clinical practice. In more recent times it has lost favour because of inflammation and damage to tissue. However, the hydrogen peroxide concentration produced in honey activated by dilution is typically around 1 mmol/l, about 1000 times less than in the 3 per cent solution commonly used as an antiseptic. The harmful effects of hydrogen peroxide are further reduced because honey sequesters and inactivates the free iron which catalyses the formation of oxygen free radicals produced by hydrogen peroxide and its antioxidant components help to mop up oxygen free radicals…
  Clinical observations suggest that honey holds significant promise particularly in the management of non-healing wounds and when applied topically on wounds will accelerate the healing processes. It is also known for enhancing wound contraction in fresh wounds which is one of the key features of wound healing. Research has also indicated that honey may possess antiinflammatory activity which stimulates immune responses within a wound and the ability to modulate production and quenching of free radicals may contribute to the ability of some honeys to help in resolving the state of inflammation typifying chronic wounds…
  Honey certainly has an effect on healing and has the potential to reduce clinical infection in wounds. It is useful in debridement of wounds and in reducing the malodour that can occur when bacteria is present. Therefore, there is an argument for replacing silver dressings with the more cost effective treatment with honey.
  Royal Jelly and Its Unique Fatty Acid, 10-Hydroxy-Trans-2-Decenoic Acid, Promote Neurogenesis by Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells In Vitro
  Abstract: Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) proliferate vigorously as neurospheres in medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), but start differentiating into neurons, astrocytes or oligodendrocytes in FGF-2-free medium.
  An extract of royal jelly (RJ) significantly increased the percentage in the total cell population of not only neurons immunoreactive for class III beta-tubulin (Tuj1) but also astrocytes immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and oligodendrocytes immunoreactive for 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) generated from NSCs, but decreased that of nestin-positive NSCs.
  These results highlight a novel and outstanding property of the RJ, i.e., that it facilitates the differentiation of all types of brain cells (neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes). On the other hand, 10-hydroxy-trans-2-decenoic acid (HDEA), an unsaturated fatty acid characteristic of RJ, increased the generation of neurons and decreased that of astrocytes from NSCs.
  These observations suggest that RJ contains plural components that differently influence neuronal and/or glial lineages and that HDEA is one of such components of RJ that facilitates neurogenesis by NSCs.
  Los Angeles, CA, November 19, 2007 — Los Angeles-based Jarrow Formulas’ has introduced Immune Soothers™, immune boosting lozenges with Pink Rock Rose, Bee Propolis and Elderberry.
  Jarrow Formulas Immune Soothers™ combines vitamin C with other immune boosting botanicals, in a sugar-free lozenge. Immune Soothers™ harnesses the power of Pink Rock Rose extract, an ancient Mediterranean preparation rich in health-promoting antioxidants that has been used for centuries to strengthen immune function.
  According to Mark Becker, Director, Advertising/Communications for Jarrow Formulas, immunity is a very important factor in staying healthy. “The immune system is perhaps the most important body system for living well and maintaining good health,” says Becker. “Immune Soothers™ not only offers Pink Rock Rose extract, but also Bee Propolis and Elderberry, all of which help to support a challenged immune system.”…
  …While we’re on the subject of alternate treatments, one for wounds can be found in your cupboard: Honey, says Medscape. Apply the sweet nectar to a wound and it acts in a number of ways, say researchers.
  Honey acts as a sealant; provides nutrition believed to promote healing and tissue growth; kills bacteria and, when an enzyme called glucose oxidase added to the nectar by worker bees comes into contact with oxygen in the air, it turns into hydrogen peroxide. Honey has also shown to have a debriding action, which means that it removes non-living tissue from wounds.
  In June and July 2007, Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared Manuka (Medihoney), described as “a medicinal honey with enhanced antibacterial properties” as the first medicinal honey product for use in wounds and burns. Manuka comes from floral sources in Australia and New Zealand. In fact, researchers say, manuka may even be active against MRSA.
  However, you don’t even have to use manuka honey on wounds: A microbiologist at the University of Sidney, Australia, “has tested various strains of honeys against bacterial strains obtained from hospitals and found that even the strains most resistant to antibiotics failed to grow in the presence of honey.”…
  The Apitherapy Association of Argentina invites you to the 3rd International Apitherapy Conference November 27, 2007, in Cordoba.
  "Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibiotic resistance has led to the search of natural compounds, which would competitively block its fucose > fructose/mannose-binding lectin ( PA-IIL) that mediates its biofilm formation and adhesion to animal cells," researchers in Ramat Gan, Israel report.
  "Such compounds were found in human milk ( HM) and avian egg whites (see also Life Sciences). The present research has revealed that honey and royal jelly ( RJ), which are assigned to protect beehive progeny and are applied for human infection therapy, match HM in PA-IIL blocking," wrote B. Lerrer and colleagues, Bar-Ilan University.
  The researchers concluded: "The function of their fructose (higher in honey) and mannosylated glycoproteins (higher in RJ) as powerful decoys in PA-IIL neutralization is of ecological/biological importance and implementability for the antibacterial adhesion therapeutic strategy."…