Natural Raw Honey- Honey is a by product of nectar. It is taken into the honeybees stomach (aero-digestive tract) and enzymes (invertes) convert the nectar sugars (sucrose) to levulose and dextrose sugars. It is then deposited into honeycomb cells and dehydrated to a certain consistency. The honeybee then caps it with beeswax. Honey is a complex composition which varies from plant sources. It is considered a food and a medicine. In studies, honey has shown inhibitory effects of bacteria, fungi, along with viruses of some 60 species. Its capacity of antioxidant of many diseases is due to its wide range of compounds; organic acids, peptide enzymes and maillard reactions. Most origins of people worldwide have prized and used honey for food and medicinally, applying to wounds and disease of the gut. Stone age paintings dating back over 8000 years ago show compositions of people along with honeybees. Our honey comes right from the hive. Screened to separate the beeswax from the honey and bottled. It takes about 12 bee lives to produce 1 teaspoon of honey. Honey is relatively free of adverse effects.
Beeswax- Produced by the honeybees. Wax is secreted form 8 wax producing glands from the abdomen of the foraging bees. Its than passed to the hive worker bees where they use it to build honeycomb cells for storage of honey/pollen along with the production of larval. Beeswax chemically consist of fatty acids and long chain alcohols. Many uses come from beeswax include candles, skin care to waterproofing and lubricates. Our wax comes directly from the hives. Heated to liquid and left to cool in containers. This is done to refine the wax. We use it in our skincare products and also to make new wax foundation for the hives.
Propolis- A resinous mixture of bee saliva, beeswax and exudate. Gathered from tree buds, sap flowers and used for hive sealing and hygenetics. In northern regions of America, propolis comes from trees like poplar, confirs, cottonwoods. (Biological role of resins in trees is to seal wounds, defend against bacteria, fungal growth and insects.) Properties of propolis include flavonoids, antioxidants and organic acids. For beekeepers a hive that produces a good amount of propolis can benefit hive health. Propolis can also benefit the health of people with its antibacterial, antifungal properties.
Calendula- Calendula Officinalis l. Annual flower herbaceous plant. It is believed that the flowers’ chemicals promote new cell growth and reduce swelling. From ancient medical writings to the civil war, cultures applied calendula to cuts, and wounds. It also known for its anti-hemorrhage and antiseptic qualities. Plant properties include: antibacterial, anti inflammatory, antigenotoxic. The chemistry of calendula consist of flavonoid glycosides, triterpenoids, oleanane, saponins.
Goldenseal- Hydrastis Canadensis l. A perennial herbaceous plant that is known for its antimicrobial, antibiotic, anti inflammatory qualities. Native Americans have extensively used the root medicinally and as coloring agent. Herbalist believe that the yellow roots efficacy comes from its high concentration of the alkaloids-berberine and hydrastine.
Comfrey- Symphytum officinale l. A perennial root that is known for its dynamic ability to accumulate soil nutrients. Along with soil nutrients the plant contains phytochemicals- allantoin, mucilage, saponius, tannins, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, inulin and proteins. Allantoin content in comfrey appears to affect the rate of cell multiplication. Mucilage promotes healthy skin with its soothing and moisturizing abilities.
Yellow Dock Rumex crispus l. Dock leaves high in vitamin A and C along with oxalic acid. Yellow dock root is also has a high concentration of iron. Along with stinging nettle the compounds are powdered and treats anemia. Yellow dock is also high in anthraquinones which restricts the growth of fungi and ringworm. Yellow dock is also known to remedy skin problems such as weeping eczema, nettle rashes, abscesses, boils and burns.
Olive oil- Oil is pressed out of olives. Oil contains fatty acids including oleic, linoleic and palmitic. Oils are used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, soaps and fuel for lamps. Olive oil has long history of skin care dating back to the Greeks and Egyptians. They used is for its moisturizer and antibacterial agent.
Almond oil- Prunus dulcis l. Almond oil is rich with monounsaturated oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and vitamin E. Almond oil is used in skin care and known for its smoothness characteristics.
Coconut oil- coco nucifera l. Coconut oil is high in saturated fatty acids. This slows oxidation and makes it resistant to rancidification. Coconut oil also contains lauric, myristic, palmitic and caprylic acids.
Lanolin- Lanolin is the oil extracted from sheep’s wool. Known for is water resistance qualities.
References: Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs, U.S. National Library of Medicine and Institute of Health, Alternative Field Crops Manual University of Wisconsin, Wikipedia
Products that contain ingredients above: Lip Balm, Honeybee Soap, Honeybee Salve, Leather Balm, Candles