Bee pollen has been used by various cultures and civilizations for many centuries. The bees add digestive enzymes and nectar to the pollen, thus making bee pollen a readily digestible and highly nutritious food for humans. It also acts as a catalyst, or facilitating agent, which greatly aids in the absorption of nutrients that often are otherwise eliminated as waste by the digestive system. Bee pollen is becoming very popular with athletes. The consensus among those who have used bee pollen is that is has helped to improve their performance.
Bees use propolis as a natural sealing agent, building material, and natural antibiotic.
With over 40,000 inhabitants, contamination and disease could spread rapidly if unchecked. The entire interior of the beehive is coated with a fine varnish of propolis and it has been said that the interior of the beehive is one of the most sterile environments found in nature. It is rich in amino acids and is also a source of trace minerals such as copper, iron, manganese, and zinc. Propolis is also high in the B-vitamin complex and contains notable quantities of vitamins C, E, and beta carotene. The medicinal values of propolis were well known in the ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Roman cultures, but only in recent years have scientists begun to rediscover propolis' beneficial properties for mankind.