La première preuve de l’utilisation du miel remonte il y a environ 40 000 ans avec la découverte de peintures dans une grotte sud-africaine. Ensuite, ce fut en Égypte que la relation avec les abeilles s’approfondit. De simples cueilleurs dans les ruches sauvages, les égyptiens devinrent apiculteurs et commencèrent à élever les abeilles dans le but de récolter leur miel.
Les types de miel
There are two categories of honey in total.
Les miels monofloraux : ce sont les miels réalisés à base d’une seule variété de fleurs. Miel d’acacia, de tilleulrosemary honey, lavender honey... there is something for every taste. Depending on the flower used, the flavor of the honey created changes slightly.
The polyfloral honeys: they have more diverse origins because in these cases, the gleaned flowers are more numerous. Thus, one can find a mountain honey or a meadow honey. But also spring or summer honey because the flowers are not the same to bloom according to the seasons.
Les propriétés du miel
It is a source of energy.
It relieves coughs and soothes throat irritations.
It is full of antioxidants.
Applied as a poultice, it is an excellent healing agent.
It promotes the release of serotonin, the happiness hormone.
La propolis, l’anti-infectieux de la ruche
The Propolis is a complex plant material that bees find on the buds of certain trees, mainly conifers. In spring and fall, bees land on trees to collect this substance drop by drop and bring it back to the hive. After the harvest, the propolis is mixed with saliva and wax and is used to fill any holes and to clean the walls of the hive.
La composition de la propolis
Au total, la Propolis renferme de plus de trois cents composants. On y retrouve entre autres :
In all these components, it also contains vitamin B3, flavonoids, minerals and trace elements and nutrients with antioxidant properties.
Les bienfaits de la propolis
Propolis soothes irritations by lining the walls of the throat and nasal cavity.
With mint hydrolate, it forms a good mouthwash.
Propolis is used in skin care for its repairing and protective properties.
Propolis has anti-infectious and antimicrobial properties.
Le pollen, à la base du miel
Pollen is found in the male organ of a flower (stamen). It is in charge of fertilizing the pistil of another flower in the spring. And as surprising as it may seem, it is also an element of the hive that can be used.
Pollen is composed of
several mineral materials and trace elements (potassium, manganese, magnesium, calcium),
enzymes
carbohydrates,
lipids,
proteins,
vitamins.
Les avantages du pollen
We consume pollen because it is full of the nutrients mentioned above and it has an antioxidant action thanks to the vitamins A, B and E that compose it.
La gelée royale, le trésor de la ruche
La gelée royale, également appelée « lait des abeilles » est une substance sécrétée par les abeilles nourricières pour alimenter les jeunes larves après l’éclosion. Seule la reine en consomme durant toute sa vie et c’est pour cela qu’elle a l’appellation « gelée royale ». La gelée royale est moins connue que le miel car celle-ci est assez rare, même au sein de la ruche. Seule la quantité nécessaire de gelée est produite et aucune réserve n’est constituée.
Royal jelly has revitalizing properties that have been used in China for several centuries already. In Europe, it is generally consumed as a food supplement and sometimes as honey with royal jelly .
La cire, élément clé de la ruche
Beeswax is made by bees via the wax glands. It is used in the construction of the cells of the hive for the storage of honey and the manufacture of nests.
Les utilisations de la cire
In the past, wax was only used in the creation of candles and to take care of furniture. Since then, the fields in which it is used have expanded and it is now also found in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.