Pollen is a live food that acts on humans in two large contexts: growth and organic balance. It is used in natural medicine since time immemorial, especially as a nutritional supplement. Let's find out better.

What is pollen

Flower pollen is one of the richest substances that nature offers us. It is found in every part of the world but it is not an elaborate with apis such as honey, it is simply picked from them on flowers and constitutes the raw material for the production of royal jelly.

It is also widely used in mixture with honey and royal jelly for feeding the larvae and young bees (from 1 to 15 days of age).

Bee pollen harvesting is very complex. In practice, the pollen (yellowish powder, very fine and sticky made up of microscopic granules) remains trapped in the very fine hairs on the bee-body of the bee when it rests on the corolla of a flower to collect its nectar.

The bee, therefore, "cleans" itself of the pollen from the head and from the body by gathering and mixing the pollen with nectar, until the formation of bullets of almost spherical shape transferred in appropriate "baskets" (similar to small bags) located on the legs posterior (each pellet weighs on average 7 mg). For this reason, pollen is commonly known as "the bread of bees".

Back to the hive, the pellets are placed inside a cell and repeatedly compressed and moistened with honey and saliva for the protein feeding of the larvae (each hive collects about 3 kg).

Properties and benefits of pollen

Pollen is one of the richest substances in nature . Considered by many to be the most perfect food on earth in terms of a complete range of nutrients, it is presented as a food rich in elements essential to the organism and therefore to life because it brings what may temporarily be lacking.

Furthermore constituting the raw material of royal jelly is not surprising that it is a highly energetic food (about 285 Kcal per 100g) .

Each grain of pollen is a biological unit that contains all that is necessary for life:

• water in percentages ranging from 12 to 20%;

• a large quantity of proteins (on average 20%), most in the form of amino acids (21 of the 23 known amino acids) among which many of them fall into the category of essential amino acids;
• sugars in quantities of 15% (glucose and fructose);
• lipids (about 5%, variable content), most of which are essential fatty acids, 70% alpha-linoleic (omega 3), 3-4% linoleic (omega 6), 16-17% monounsaturated and saturated;
• mineral salts such as potassium, silicon, iron, magnesium, sulfur, chlorine, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, copper;
• a large number of vitamins especially of group B (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B9, B12) vitamins A, C, D, E, K, PP;
• enzymes, coenzymes, growth hormones (estrogens, androgens, acetylcholine and other substances with antibiotic activity), pigments such as carotinoids, anthocyanins, etc.

Pollen has always been used as a restorative with countless properties. Here because

Pollen, ally of

Pollen is a live food that acts on humans in two large contexts: growth and organic balance. It is used in natural medicine since time immemorial, especially as a nutritional supplement since almost all the substances necessary for the development and growth of an organism are contained in pollen.

The most obvious effect on humans, following regular administration, is the increase in appetite and metabolism in general. In particular it can be considered a general tonic especially in cases of excessive thinness and organic decay.

Several indications are reported in the literature for moderate illnesses: constipation, constipation, colitis and intestinal infections, as well as having a tonic and stimulating effect, guaranteeing a sense of well-being and euphoria .

It has an effective antianemic action, causing a rapid increase in the number of red blood cells and the rate of hemoglobin and is therefore particularly useful for vegetarians who could face a deficiency not so much of iron as vitamin B12 (which is found almost exclusively in meat ).

The two monosaccharide sugars (glucose and fructose) have a strong energy and protective capacity of the heart and liver.

How to consume pollen

On the market it is presented in the form of balls with a grainy, rigid and impermeable shell, with a sweet and aromatic scent, very similar to that of flowers, a soft and malleable consistency and a color that varies according to the origin of the plant species from which it was collected.

The consumption of pollen balls is chewed slowly and accurately. To avoid gastric acidity (not all organisms accept pollen willingly) it is recommended to chew it for a long time or dilute it, possibly using a warm drink (water, milk or herbal tea). In this way it is also obvious that the pollen taste is not particularly inviting!

Pollen can also be consumed mixed with honey, jam or yogurt .

The recommended amount is about 15/20 g per day for an adult (one tablespoon shaved) and 5/10 g for a child for a duration of 1-3 months. The best time to eat it is in the morning on an empty stomach, before breakfast.

It is recommended in convalescences, anemics (also due to the high copper content), children, the elderly, inappetents, pregnant and nursing mothers and in physical and mental surmenage.