Honey that cures: how to combat sore throats and colds

3Bee is the Nature Tech company that develops technologies for the protection of biodiversity. 3Bee Hive-Tech is 3Bee's first system for analysing the health and 'starvation' status of honeybees, environmental pests par excellence. Over time, we have developed other technologies to study and monitor all the pollinating insects and created more than 200 Oases of Biodiversity with thousands of nectariferous plants to provide them with nourishment. Thus, we want to create a virtuous circle: our beekeepers are transformed by necessity into Oasis growers and promoters of environmental biodiversity. We do not encourage massive production and intensive breeding, which have a negative impact on biodiversity and pollinators. We do, however, recognise the value of honey as a valuable symbol of the biodiversity of an environment and a tool for disseminating the commitment and protection of an area, to be consumed sparingly and with respect for the life cycle of these insects.

Honey is a foodstuff loved above all for its sweetness. Known since antiquity, it is now used in various fields: cooking, medicine, aesthetics. To appreciate it to the fullest, it is necessary to understand what its properties are and what they are derived from. Honey is mainly composed of sugar, in particular glucose and fructose. However, it is also a source of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins B2, B3 and C. Capable of giving a lot of energy, it is therefore an excellent alternative to refined white sugar. We are therefore talking about a food rich in minerals and vitamins, which are essential for humans and, as reported by various studies, can benefit our bodies.

The components just listed attribute various properties to honey: antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative. Of course, as with any type of food, it must be used in the right quantities, without ever exaggerating, and cannot replace a more specific indication given by one's doctor. However, especially its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect helps combat some typical flu symptoms, such as sore throats, whether characterised by an oily or dry cough, and colds. Acacia, millefiori and chestnut are three honeys that are readily available on the market and can alleviate pain and deinflammation. As far as more special varieties are concerned, mention must be made of the honey from lavender, which has a calming effect, and the honey from tiglium, thyme or eucalyptus honey, which are particularly balsamic and thus a real boon for the respiratory tract.

Another bee product with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties is the propolis. Bees not only collect nectar and pollen, but also aresinous material located on the buds and bark of various plants: poplars, pines, spruces, oaks, birches etc. Propolis is created by combining these resins with pollen and enzymes. How is it used once it is introduced into the hive? It has a protective function, like a sort of shield that can restrict the entrance of hives so that they can protect themselves from external agents: disease or possible predators. Just like honey, propolis has different characteristics depending on the plants the bees draw on to produce it. The beneficial properties derive once again from its composition, that is, polyphenols and aromatic components (flavonoids, phenolacids, phenolic compounds and coumarins), terpenes (essential oils), amino acids, mineral salts (iron, copper, calcium and manganese) and vitamins. .

In addition to producing honey, our bee friends play a very important role in the balance of ecosystems. Through pollination, they enable the spread of biodiversity and ensure the reproduction of various plants. In particular, 75% of food species and 90% of wild plants reproduce thanks to bees. In nature, therefore, everything is connected; bees could not assimilate enough nourishment without the nectar of flowers, and vice versa plants, belonging to the angiosperm family, would not be able to reproduce without the work done by pollinating insects. The honey produced reflects the biodiversity of a given territory; Italy is the country with the most honey varieties in the world, more than 50 types.

The last twenty years have been characterised by a strong bee die-off, a phenomenon caused by the consequences of climate change, extreme urbanisation, the use of pesticides and the spread of viruses and parasites. For this reason, we at 3Bee have created the Hive - Tech biomonitoring system, which uses data on temperature, humidity, weight and sound to monitor the health status of the families present in the beekeepers' hives. With the adoption of 3Bee hives, the focus is therefore not simply on receiving the honey produced by the bees you are protecting, but above all on observing, via the app, the natural functioning of your hive and supporting the beekeeper in his daily work.