BEE POLLEN

Bee Pollen contains the male gametes of plants found as small dust pellets in the stamen of flowers. It is gathered from pollen laden bees with a special device placed at the entrance of the hive designed to brush the material from their hind legs.

Bee Pollen has been called nature’s perfect food. It is very rich in vitamins and contains almost all known minerals, trace elements, enzymes and amino acids. It contains the essence of every plant from which bees collect pollen, in combination with digestive enzymes from the bees.

Bee pollen is a popular nutritional supplement that builds the immune system and provides energy for the entire body. It contains 35% protein, 55% carbohydrate, 2% fatty acids and 3% minerals and vitamins. It is high in B-complex and vitamins A, C, D, and E. It also contains lecithin, beta-carotene, selenium.

This combination of elements make bee pollen an excellent source of anti-oxidants. Research studies and clinical tests have demonstrated that bee pollen has an immunizing effect, enhances vitality, and can counteract the effects of radiation and chemical toxins.

Used as an immune system builder, Bee Pollen is thought to have the ability to correct body chemistry and eliminate unhealthy conditions. It is considered to have the ability to throw off poisons and toxic materials from the body. Radiation and chemical pollutants are known as the most severe stressors to your immune system. Side effects of radiation treatment decreases the body’s production of blood cells and nutrients in the blood.

Bee pollen is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream and stimulates immunological responses. It has proved beneficial for nausea, sleep disorders, and urinary and rectal disorders following radiation treatment.

Athletes often use this supplement to help increase their strength, endurance, energy and speed. Bee pollen aids the body in recovering from exercise, returning breathing and heart rate to normal, and improves endurance for repeat exertion. It provides energy, stamina and strength as well as improving mental and physical reactions.

Those who do taxing mental work also can see benefits from this natural energy food. Bee pollen can relieve brain fatigue and improve alertness. This can increase your capacity for intense concentration and enable longer periods of work without becoming tired. Stress can use up vitamins quickly and bee pollen can relieve stress and anxiety by replacing essential nutrient reserves in the body.

Many people with allergies have found relief by ingesting bee pollen. It reduces the production of histamine which can cause allergic responses such as hay fever. It can strengthen the respiratory system and provide protein that can help the body build a natural defense shield against allergic responses.

Bee pollen has an effect on blood pressure and sexual function. People who suffer from low blood pressure can be subject to deficiencies in the sex glands. Pollen increases blood pressure especially when taken with kelp and may increase hormone levels and sexual strength.

Weight loss also may occur as lecithin, an ingredient in bee pollen, increases the speed calories are burned and stabilizes poor metabolism. It aids in the digestive process and the assimilation of nutrients. Bee pollen may also relieve anemia, cerebral hemorrhage, colitis and constipation.

How Used: Gelatin caps, tablets and granules

Common Use: This natural tonic food is a popular energy booster, strengthens the immune system and enhances vitality.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L.)

Ericaceae Heath family

Common name: Bearberry

Part used and where grown: The uva ursi plant is found in colder, northern climates. It has red berries, which bears are said to be fond of. The flowers are also red. The leaf is used.

In what conditions might uva ursi be supportive?

Â¥ urinary tract infection

Uses: A bitter herb used for kidney and bladder infections, kidney stones, nephritis, diabetes, and hemorrhoids. Strengthens the heart muscle, used as a tonic, and helps disorders of the spleen, liver, pancreas, and small intestines. Used as a diuretic. Good for female disorders.

Also used in bronchitis, gonorrhea, diarrhea, and to stop bleeding.

It is not necessary to drink the tea for long periods, because acute symptoms generally will disappear within a few days with treatment of bearberry leaf tea.

Historical or traditional use: The leaves and berries were used by numerous indigenous people from northern latitudes. Native Americans sometimes combined uva ursi with tobacco and smoked it. It was also used as a beverage tea in some places in Russia. The berries were considered beneficial as a weight-loss aid. It was found in wide use for infections of all parts of the body because of its astringent, or “drying”, action.

Biochemical Information: Arbutin, chorine, ellagic acid, ericolin, gallic acid, hydroquinolone, malic acid, methyl-arbutin, myricetin, volatile oils, quercetin, tannins, ursolic acid, ursone, and a substance similar to quercetin. Tannin is present up to 6% or 7%.

Active constituents: The glycoside arbutin is the active ingredient in uva ursi. Arbutin is present in fairly high amounts (up to 10%) in uva ursi. It has been shown to kill bacteria in the urine.1 Before it can act, however, the sugar portion of arbutin and its attached small molecule (known as hydroquinone) must be broken apart. The urine must be alkaline for this to happen. Hydroquinone is a very powerful antimicrobial agent and is responsible for uva ursi’s ability to treat urinary tract infections. Arbutin has also been shown to increase the anti-inflammatory effect of synthetic cortisone.2

Medicinal Properties: Diuretic, strongly astringent, tonic

How much should I take? For alcohol-based tinctures, many people take 5 ml three times per day. Herbal extracts in capsules or tablets (containing 20% arbutin) in an amount of 250-500 mg three times per day can also be taken. Use of uva ursi should be limited to no more than fourteen days. To ensure alkaline urine, 6-8 grams of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) mixed in a glass of water can be drunk. Baking soda should not be taken for more than fourteen days; as well, individuals with high blood pressure should not take baking soda. People should not use uva ursi to treat an infection without first consulting a nutritionally oriented doctor.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Some people may experience mild nausea after taking uva ursi. Long-term use of uva ursi is not recommended, due to possible side effects from excessive levels of hydroquinone. People should avoid taking acidic agents, such as fruit juice or vitamin C, while using uva ursi. Uva ursi is contraindicated in pregnant or lactating women and should be used in young children only with the guidance of a health care professional.

Legends, Myths and Stories: Native Americans used bearberry, or kinnikinnick as they called it, in their ceremonial pipe in place of tobacco. The Arikaras cultivated sacred tobacco and mixed it with bearberry dried leaves and the dried inner bark of red dogwood. Some Native American tribes mixed tobacco with bearberry to make a milder smoke.

The pipe-stem of the Plains Indians was made of golden sumac, a sumac which used to grow close by the pipestone quarry. This stem was about 24 inches long and an inch wide, but quite thick, flat like a carpenter’s pencil. This is the way the hole through the stem was made. Gathering the sumac in Spring when the sap was up in the large pith, some meat or fish was put out where blowflies could work on it. When large maggots were on the meat, the piece of sumac which had previously been put in a can of oil or bear grease, was brought in. As the large pith had taken up the oil, it was soft, and quite a bit was dug out. The maggots were then sealed up in the stem, to either eat their way through, or die. Sometimes they did both, but there was plenty of time to do it all over again, patiently, till a long perfect hole was drilled through.

The use of bearberry as a folk remedy for urinary tract infections has been validated by modern research showing that this herb is an effective treatment for bladder and kidney ailments.

Bibliography

The Herb Book, by John Lust, pgs., 93, 110, 456, 480, 491, 551, 569.
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke, Plate 10, pgs., 26, 232.
Herb Gardening, compiled by The Robison York State Herb Garden, pgs., 40, 42, 78, 79.
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, pgs., 109, 158-159, 180.
Old Ways Rediscovered, by Clarence Meyer, pg., 104.
Prairie Smoke, by Melvin R. Gilmore, pg., 106.
Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, pgs., 29-30.
Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, pgs., 163-164.
Indian Uses of Native Plants, by EdithVan Allen Murphey, pg., 61.
Secrets of the Chinese Herbalists, by Richard Lucas, pg., 100.
Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., pgs., 118, 224, 225, 316, 388.
American Folk Medicine, by Clarence Meyer, pgs., 284, 295.
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., pgs., 58.
Webster’s New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, pg., 121.
How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts, by Frances Densmore, pg., 295.
An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants, by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, pg., 73.
The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, pgs., 34, 61, 156, 217.
The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, pgs., 68, 96-97.
Healing Plants, by Mannfried Pahlow, pgs., 143-145.

References:

1. Jahodar L, Jilek P, Pakova M, Dvorakova V. Antimicrobial effect of arbutin and an extract of the leaves of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi in vitro. Ceskoslov Farm 1985; 34:174-8.
2. Matsuda H, Nakamura S, Tanaka T, Kubo M. Pharmacological studies on leaf of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L) Spreng. V. Effect of water extract from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L) Spreng (bearberry leaf) on the antiallergic and antiinflammatory activities of dexamethasone ointment. J Pharm Soc Japan 1992; 112:673-7.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

BAYBERRY

Myrica cerifera

Liquid extract of dried root bark (no adhering wood).

Actions: Stimulating, warming astringent.

Uses: Atonic, sluggish mucous membranes and excessive mucous discharge; atonic leucorrhea; chronic catarrh of sinuses, stomach and intestines, and the urinary tract; stomach and intestinal ulcers; gargle or rinse for sore throat, mouth sores and bleeding, spongy gums.

Cautions: Avoid or moderate use in acute inflammatory conditions and fever.

Bayberry contains Vitamin C. Bayberry is a blood tonic. Bayberry will help to rejuvenate the adrenal gland, and help to clear the sinus on both sides of the nose. Bayberry will aid digestion and circulation. Bayberry can ward off cold-like symptoms if taken at the first sign of the symptoms.

Bayberry when combined with Ginger has successfully combatted Cholera. A douch made with Bayberry tea can be used to treat excessive menstrual bleeding, vaginal infections, and prolapsed uterus. Bayberry tea gargle can soothe a sore and infected throat. A bayberry tea mouthwash can arrest bleeding gums.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

BAY Leaf

Laurus nobilis

Actions: insulin regulating, antimicrobial

Indications: Besides flavoring food, bay leaf has been found to assist the body in processing insulin at doses as low as 1/2 teaspoon. Therefore, diabetics can easily include bay leaves in their cooking to help them control blood sugar levels.

Preparation and dosage: In cooking, place 2-5 leaves (to taste) in soups or beans and allow to cook 1 hour or more.

Tea: blend 1 teaspoonsful of the crushed leaf into 1 cup boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Drink 3 x daily before meals.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.