What is Beeswax

Beeswax is a substance produced by female worker bees. Pure beeswax consists of about 300 different compounds, not all which have been identified and analyzed. Forty-eight of these compounds have been found to contribute to the sweet aroma.

Beeswax is produced by  all species of honeybees. For each volume of wax produced, worker bees must eat eight times that amount in honey. The youngest bees produce the most wax. As the worker bees mature and take to the field to forage for nectar and pollen, their wax-making capabilities begin to diminish.

Bees produce wax by secreting it from specialized glands on their abdomens. The wax is colorless when first produced and it hardens into white flakes when exposed to the air. It takes about a million of these wax flakes to create one kilogram of beeswax. As the bees chew the wax and manipulate it for use in the hive they incidentally combine the wax with small amounts of bee pollen and propolis. This causes the wax gradually to become yellow. Over time, with further use, the wax becomes even darker.

How Bees Use Beeswax

Bees use the wax to build the elaborate hexagonal cells that make up their honeycomb. Bees use the comb cells for two main purposes, including:

(1) to store honey and pollen as food sources for the winter.

(2) as the nursery for their young. The queen lays her eggs in the comb cells and the young bees develop in these cells.

The hexagon is an amazingly strong and efficient structure. Mathematicians have demonstrated that it stores the most honey for each volume of wax, compared to other shapes like the square or triangle. By using the hexagonal shape, bees are able to use just 55 grams of wax to store a full kg (1000 grams) of honey.

One interesting side note to consider is that bees only live for a few weeks. This means that the worker bee spends its whole adult life producing wax that will be used to build a hive and preserve food that this particular bee will never live to enjoy. This seems like yet another lesson from the hive that we humans might consider.

Beeswax in History

In earlier times the most common use for beeswax was of course for candle making. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese, among others, all used it for candles. The early Catholic Church required that the candles used in religious ceremonies be 100% beeswax.

In addition to use in candle making, beeswax has also been put to use in other ways. The ancient Egyptians used beeswax for mummification of pharaohs. Persians used the wax to embalm their dead. Ancient Romans modeled death masks and life-size effigies from beeswax.

Beeswax was put to use in many types of art. The Indonesians and Chinese used beeswax in batik paintings.  The Indians, Chinese, Egyptians and Romans all created statutes using the “lost wax” technique. Indeed, many of the world’s most famous statues were produced using this casting process.

Ancient Medical Uses

China’s most famous herbal medicine book, the Shennong Ben Cao Jing, from approximately 200 BC, recognized beeswax as an ingredient with significant medicinal benefits. Beeswax was praised for its beneficial influence on blood and energy systems and the overall balance of the body. Anti-aging properties were also attributed to beeswax. Combined with other ingredients it is applied on the skin for treating wounds and as a health food for dieting.

Beeswax was also used for medicinal purposes by the Egyptians, Iranians,  Greeks, and Romans, among others.

Modern uses of beeswax

Beeswax has many modern uses in commerce and art. In addition to its continued use in candle making, it is used as an ingredient in furniture polish and floor wax, leather protectant, wax paper, modeling wax for various types of figurines, crayons, gum, candy, ink, and wax for skis and surfboards.

The formula for the figures at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum is mostly beeswax.

Modern Uses for Health and Beauty 

Topical Uses

Beeswax is a nutrient-rich substance that kills germs, moisturizes, and protects the skin. It softens skin and creates a long-lasting protective coating against the elements. It is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not clog pores. Beeswax may be applied to minor burns or other skin damage in order to help heal the skin. A 2005 study conducted at the Dubai Specialized Medical Center in the United Arab Emirates concluded that a blend of honey, beeswax, and olive oil (the blend used in most of our Honey Girl products) is useful in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, and diaper rash.

In Cosmetics

Beeswax is a useful foundation for creating emulsified solutions, allowing creams, deodorants, hair conditioners, and lotions to stay blended without separating. Beeswax is the only natural substance with this specific set of characteristics, making it irreplaceable in the in the natural and organic cosmetics industry.

Beeswax also contributes to the luster and color consistency of lipsticks, and is found in rouge, eye shadow, and mascara.

Beeswax is yet another item on the list of amazing gifts from the beehive. It has many ancient and modern uses, and continues to be in great demand today. We use it extensively in our products at Honey Girl Organics.

What is Mead?

Mead is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting a mixture of honey, water,and yeast. Honey itself contains yeast naturally, so the earliest forms of mead probably relied on the natural yeast in the honey to trigger fermentation. Mead is neither wine nor beer. Rather, it is its own unique category of alcoholic beverage, generally with an alcohol content between 10%-18%.

In addition to “traditional” mead made from the basic recipe of honey, water, and yeast, a number of additional specific varieties are known by the following names:

• Melomel: mead made with fruit juices.
• Pyment: mead made specifically with grape juice.
• Cyser: mead made  specifically with apple juice.
• Metheglin: mead made with herbs or spices (or both).
• Hippocras: pyment (mead with grape juice) made with herbs and/or spices.
• Braggot: a honey-ale beverage made by fermenting honey and grains
  together.

The History of Mead

Mead is the oldest known alcoholic beverage.  The history of mead goes back at least 8000 years. Mention of mead has been found in the writings of ancient Egypt, Greece, and on the island of Crete.  Mead is mentioned in the Bible, and the Hindu scriptures.

The Roman god Bacchus is known as the God of Wine, but Bacchus was originally known as the God of Mead. The first Queen Elizabeth owned her own recipe for mead, and Chaucer wrote about mead in the Canterbury Tales.  Shakespeare was known to have enjoyed mead.

Mead was a much appreciated drink in many cultures before the widespread consumption of wine. And even as wine became more popular among the wealthy, the peasant classes continued to enjoy mead, as it was easy to make and the ingredients were readily available.

Mead has long been associated with love and romance. For example, many people
believe that the word “honeymoon” is related to mead.  According to legend, when a couple married in ancient Babylonia, the bride’s father would provide mead to the newlyweds for a month after the wedding.  Mead was said to encourage fertility. This “Honey Month” of drinking mead wine eventually became known as the “Honeymoon.”

More Information About Mead

For more information about mead, including a variety of recipes for home brewing, see the excellent article provided by The National Honey Board.

For a list places to buy mead, check out The Joy Of Mead.

For a great video about mead, see this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv_TV7VYa60

And finally, for a website all about mead, see GotMead.com.

The popularity of mead has gone up and down over the centuries. These days it appears to be on the rise again. Try making some mead at home, or purchase one of the many varieties available from around the world. Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Grapetonix.

This is a two part video series about the honeybee. It contains some great photography, and it explains how bees: 

• live together
• create eggs and larvae
• rear their young
• protect their hives
• communicate with each other
• collect pollen and nectar
• pollinate plants
• make honey
• care for the queen
• create swarms to split the hive and expand the colony

Bees are inspiring, hard working creatures. These videos give a brief but intimate look into their lives.

Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7cX2cjFunw&feature=related

Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsCmSWoF8PY&feature=related

Photo courtesy of   Aaron1a12 from Wikimedia Commons

What is Honey and How is it Made?

Honey is a sweet substance made from flower nectar. The bees use it for food during the winter when no flowers are in bloom. Honey bees collect nectar using their long, tube-like tongues to suck the nectar out of the flowers. They store the nectar in their “honey stomachs” as they carry it back to the beehive. Bees actually have two stomachs. The “honey stomach” is for carrying honey back to the hive. When full, the honey stomach carries a volume of nectar nearly equal to the weight of the bee. Honeybees must visit between 100 and 150 flowers in order to fill their honey stomachs.

During the trip back to the hive, the bee mixes enzymes into the nectar to begin the process of breaking down the complex sugars in the nectar and converting it into honey.

When the foraging field bees return to the hive with their loads of nectar they are greeted by home-based worker bees at the hive. These home-based bees immediately begin receiving the transfer of the nectar load. The transfer is accomplished tongue to tongue. Once the transfer is complete the recipient bees continue to process the honey by holding it in their mouths and honey stomachs and adding additional enzymes.

The tongue to tongue transfer also begins the process of evaporating the water out of the nectar.  The recipient bees hold the nectar on their tongues to let the water evaporate. Nectar is about 80% water. This must be reduced down to about 18% so that it can be converted to honey. The lower moisture level is needed so that the honey can be stored without fermenting. Once some of the water is evaporated on the tongues of the hive bees, the partially dehydrated nectar is placed into open cells where the evaporation process continues by the beating of wings. Once the honey has been properly dehydrated the bees seal the cells. Beekeepers know that the honey is ready for harvesting when they see sealed honeycomb cells.

Use of Honey for Healing Throughout History

The health benefits of honey have been known for thousands of years. Below are a few examples of how honey has played a part in the healing arts of human civilization:

* An ancient Egyptian medical papyrus recommends the use of honey to cure infection and heal wounds.

* Cleopatra bathed in milk and honey. Because honey is very low in moisture it is a natural humectant. This means that it attracts and retains moisture, making it an excellent moisturizer for hair and skin.

* Honey is the only natural food that never spoils if sealed and kept within natural temperatures. Archeologists found a jar of honey in a tomb in Egypt that tasted fine, even though it was two thousand years old.

* The use of honey as an aphrodisiac is mentioned in both The Kama Sutra and its Arabic equivalent, The Perfumed Garden.

* The Greek physician Hippocrates, born in 460 BC, is known as the “father of Western Medicine.” He is the author of the “Hippocratic Oath,” taken by all Western doctors to this day. Hippocrates studied honey and loved its properties. He noted that “[h]oney and pollen cause warmth, clean sores . . . [and] soften hard ulcers . . . .”

* The Muslim Quran, at Chapter XVI, entitled The Bee, states: “There proceedeth from their bellies a liquor of various colour, wherein is medicine for men.”

* Honey is mentioned in the Bible 61 times, including 20 descriptions of Canaan as the “land flowing with milk and honey.”

Modern Use of Honey for Healing

In present times the science behind honey’s health properties is better understood.[1] Some of these include the following:

Honey contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids

In addition to being a humectants and excellent moisturizer, honey contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids that nourish the skin and hair. Honey contains vitamin C, a number of B vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. Honey contains 18 amino acids which are the building blocks of all protein and essential to life. Each of these amino acids has specific unique benefits.

Honey contains antioxidants

Honey contains powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals and defeat the ability of free radicals to promote aging. Free radicals are atoms that have an “unpaired” electron, and are thus unstable. Free radicals cause damage as they seek to balance their unpaired electrons. They interact with DNA and other molecules in the body. This causes molecular chain reactions that can damage and eventually kill cells and promote aging.

A variety of factors cause the creation of free radicals, including exposure to environmental hazards like secondhand smoke and car exhaust. And free radicals also occur in the body naturally.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and thus slow down thi aging process by neutralizing free radicals. Honey is rich with antioxidants. A 2004 study conducted by the University of California concluded that honey has levels of antioxidants that compare well with fruits and vegetables that have high levels of antioxidants like spinach, apples, and strawberries.

It is important to note that antioxidants are destroyed when honey is heated. For that reason store-bought pasteurized honey will not have the same health benefits. At Honey Girl Organics, we use only our own organically raised raw (unheated) honey in all our products.

Honey contains antibacterial and antifungal agents

In addition to its antioxidant effects, honey is also a well known antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agent. It helps disinfect and speed the healing process in wounds, scrapes and burns. Raw honey can be used as a natural antiseptic.

The examples above illustrate just a few of the ways honey has played an important role in the arts of beauty and healing throughout human history. At Honey Girl Organics, we are proud to carry on this unique tradition.

[1] Cautions with Honey: It is important to remember that infants under 18 months should not be given honey. Honey contains bacteria that can become poisonous inside the infant’s digestive tract.  This can lead to serious illness.

Photo courtesy of Enokson

From Shakespeare’s The Tempest:

ARIEL (sings)

Where the bee sucks, there suck I:
In a cowslip’s bell I lie;
There I couch when owls do cry.
On the bat’s back I do fly
After summer merrily.
Merrily, merrily shall I live now
Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.

This is National Pollinator Week

Exciting news! This is the fifth annual celebration of National Pollinator Week! This year’s event runs from June 20 through June 26, 2011. Numerous festivities and educational opportunities are sponsored across North America.

In addition to these organized activities, this is also an excellent time to take action to support the pollinators right in your own backyard. You can: (1) plant pollinator-friendly plants in your gardens (check with local beekeepers or nurseries for suggestions on varieties); (2) leave water for pollinators when the weather is dry (particularly welcome are bowls of fresh water that have some clean pebbles or rocks in them to help prevent drowning); (3) buy local honey; (4) try some honey recipes; (5) invite a beekeeper to give a presentation at your school; (6) become a backyard beekeeper!

What is a Pollinator?

Pollinators include a surprisingly large variety of species, including bees, ants, beetles, birds, butterflies, lizards, and bats. The goal of National Pollinator Week is to educate the public and governmental agencies about the importance of all these animals.

What is the History of National Pollinator Week?

National Pollinator Week came into existence in September 2006 after unanimous passage of Senate Resolution 580 along with a proclamation by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

Interestingly, this special event was established before the discovery of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). As most everyone knows, CCD threatens the most important of the pollinators, the bees. National Pollinator Week is unrelated to CCD. It actually came about through the efforts the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC), a group of over 100 organizations and individuals from three countries. They worked together since 1998, advocating for pollinator protection, until they were finally able to establish this special annual event. Through the efforts of the NAPPC, numerous government agencies have now signed agreements establishing pollinator-friendly practices on over one billion acres of land.

Let’s Help Save the Pollinators

Let’s all do our part this week to help make sure that the world Shakespeare imagined in the Tempest can always be found on this Earth. Everyone needs to pitch in to help the pollinators. What better time than National Pollinator Week!

Photo courtesy of Ajith_chatie

If you would like some ideas and suggestions on how you can help the bees, please have a look at the new multi-part blog post at Mahreen George’s blog Veni Vidi Blogi: I Came, I Saw, I Blogged. The post is titled To Bee or Not To Bee, and it is part of Mahreen’s Do Something Good Giveaway Series.

In these posts Mahreen interviews me (Mark Tanney). In Part I I briefly describe the history of Honey Girl Organics, and then I discuss the problems bees are facing in the world today. In Part II I discuss several types of actions that can be taken to help the bees. Some of these actions are very simple, and some are a little more complex, but they are all projects that any of us can do.

In addition to hearing our suggestions on how to help the bees, you can also enter the Do Something Good Giveaway for a chance to win Honey Girl Organics products.  Be sure to visit Veni Vidi Blogi on Wednesday, June 21st to find out about how you can enter the giveaway by taking actions to help the bees!

Over the last several years there have been a lot of articles containing bad news about the bees. We’ve heard about Colony Collapse Disorder and how it is causing the worldwide decline of bee populations. We’ve heard about how most of the world’s food supply is dependent on pollination, and how the die-off of the bees could threaten the very existence of human life on earth.  And besides all that, scientists have not yet been able to determine exactly what causes CCD.

This is scary stuff. And many people across the country and around the world are paying attention and asking, “What can I do to help?”  For some concrete ideas, and links to a lot of bee videos, articles and other resources, please check out Mahreen’s blog posts.

Thank You!!

Bee drawing courtesy of James Fee.

Bee pollen has long been recognized for its many health benefits. In particular, it is known for its ability to improve skin health and to rejuvenate the skin.

What is Bee Pollen?

“Bee pollen” is the substance that is created when bees mix together: (1) nectar or honey; (2) bee saliva; and (3) the plant pollen that the bees collect from flowers. Bee pollen is a large part of the bee’s diet. Young bees in particular eat a lot of the protein-rich bee pollen.

The plant pollen that bees collect from flowers is the male seed of the flower. It is a powdery substance found in the stamen, the male reproductive part of the flower.

On their foraging trips bees pack the pollen it into the “pollen baskets” on the outside of their rear legs. Bees must visit between 50 and 100 flowers to fill their pollen baskets. When the baskets are full the bees return to the hive and transfer the pollen to the younger bees who store it for food.

At least 50 foraging trips are needed to bring 1 gram of pollen back to the hive. The full colony of bees is capable of carrying as many as 20,000 – 50,000 loads of pollen each day.

As part of the pollen foraging process bees get the powdery substance caught on the hairs that cover their bodies. As they travel between flowers they incidentally pollinate the next flowers they visit. In this way the bees help reproduce the plant species. As recently explained in the new documentary film Queen of the Sun, What Are the Bees Telling Us: “Bees are the legs of plants.”

Why is Bee Pollen so Nutritious?

Bee pollen is widely regarded as the most nutritious substance known to science. Why is this true? Because plants need bees. In order to reproduce, plants must compete for the attention of bees. To succeed in this competition, plants must offer bees the most nutritious substance possible. Over tens of millions of years, successful plants have done just that, creating a highly complex and dense substance that is astoundingly nutritious. Numerous scientists have concluded that bee pollen is a complete source of nutrition, containing all the enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, hormones, and trace elements needed by the body for cell growth. No one food contains all of these nutritional components – except bee pollen. Noted nutritionist Dr. Betty Lee Morales explained, “Bee pollen is the only food which contains every essential nutrient needed by mankind for perfect health.”

How People Use Pollen

People have been using bee pollen for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. The benefits of pollen have been discussed in the Bible, the Talmud, the Torah, the Koran and other religious texts. Pollen was written about by the ancient Chinese and Egyptians. It has long been prescribed for its healing properties by the ancient traditional health practitioners – including Hippocrates, the “Father of modern medicine,”  Pliny the Elder, and Pythagoras.

In modern medical texts and studies bee pollen has been recognized as beneficial in treating a wide variety of ailments. Dr. Carlson Wade, in his book About Pollen states, “The healing, rejuvenating and disease-fighting effects of this total nutrient are hard to believe, yet are fully documented. Aging, digestive upsets, prostate disease, sore throats, acne, fatigue, sexual problems, allergies, and a host of other problems, have been successfully treated by the use of pollen.”

In addition to these internal health benefits, bee pollen has also been shown to be a potent treatment for skin health. The following are just a few examples of such scientific findings:

• Dr. M. Esperrois, of the French Institute of Chemistry, concluded from his experiments that bee pollen contains potent antibiotics and also reverses the aging of the skin, correcting darkening, wrinkles, and blemishes.

• Dr. Henri Luzuy, in his work “Pollen – The Biological Principle in Cosmetology” says, “Pollen extracts can be considered as factors of particular importance in the regeneration and rejuvenation of the skin. The first visible effect of the cosmetic preparations with a pollen extract base is the clearing of the complexion.”

• Dr. Lars-Erik Essen says, “Through [nutrition administered through the skin], bee pollen exerts a profound biological effect. It seems to prevent premature aging of the cells and stimulates growth of new skin tissue. It offers effective protection against dehydration and injects new life into dry cells. It smoothes away wrinkles and stimulates a life-giving blood supply to all skin cells. The skin becomes younger looking, less vulnerable to wrinkles, smoother, and healthier with the use of honeybee pollen.”

• Professors N. Mankovsky and D. G. Chebotarev, found that bee pollen renews skin cells. They explain: “The rejuvenation of skin and body cells can be encouraged by the administration of the poly-vitamins, microelements, enzymes, hormones, and amino acids present in bee pollen.”

At Honey Girl Organics, we use bee pollen in most of our products for the benefits it brings to skin health. The antioxidants in bee pollen fight skin damage caused by free radicals. The many nutrients nourish and rejuvenate the skin.

Simply stated, bee pollen is yet another amazing gift from the most generous, valuable, and extraordinary insect on earth.

Have you had any experiences with bee pollen? We welcome your comments below.

But honey and pollination are not the only gifts offered by these ancient, magical insects. Propolis is yet another beehive product that provides many unique benefits.

Below I describe bee propolis and then take a brief look at its health benefits.

What is Propolis?

Propolis is a sticky resin that seeps from the wounds and buds of trees. When collecting propolis, bees prefer resins from poplar and conifer trees. After collecting the propolis, sometimes called “bee glue,” bees carry it back to the hive in their pollen baskets. Once  back at the hive they are met by other worker bees who help them unload it. These workers then mix the propolis with salivary secretions and flakes of beeswax.

The final blend of bee propolis is usually a reddish-brown, amber-like substance that is very sticky in hot weather and very brittle in cold weather. It is made up of approximately 55 percent resin, about 30 percent beeswax, 10 percent oils, and 5 percent pollen. It is rich in a variety vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

When analyzed down to its trace ingredients, bee propolis contains more than 300 compounds, the exact makeup of which varies greatly depending on the plant source, the time of collection, and the geographic location of the hive.

How Bees Use Propolis

Propolis is used by bees in several ways. First, it is used as a sort of caulking to fill in holes and cracks in the hive to protect against draughts.

Second, propolis, with its strong anti-bacterial qualities, is used to disinfect the interior of the hive. The entire interior of the beehive is coated with propolis, and the interior of the brood cells is also coated in prepration for the laying of eggs. This disinfecting of the cells ensures an antiseptic environment for the rearing of the brood.

Bees also use the antiseptic qualities of propolis in other ways. For example, if a mouse gets into the hive and is killed by the bees, the mouse would normally decay, causing serious bacterial problems. However, the bees “mummify” the mouse entirely with propolis. The mouse then remains embalmed and the bees are totally protected from harmful bacteria and decay.

How People Use Propolis

The word propolis is said to have been coined by Aristotle, from the Greek words “pro” (defend) and “polis” (city). This term “Defender of the City” is appropriate because bees use propolis to seal their hives, narrow the entrances to protect against intruders, and sterilize the inside of the hive.

Propolis has long been used by humans for medicinal purposes. The ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, often called the “father of modern medicine,” prescribed propolis for the healing of sores and ulcers. Egyptians used propolis for a variety of diseases and to embalm bodies. The Roman scholar Pliny wrote extensively on propolis, describing its abilities to reduce swelling, soothe pain and heal sores.

Today, as Dr. Andrew Weil explains, propolis is used in the manufacture of chewing gum, cosmetics, creams, lozenges and ointments and is being investigated as a dental sealant and tooth enamel hardener. He further explains that a number of preliminary studies have tested its effectiveness in humans and animals as a treatment for burns, wounds, infections, and dental pain. The results of these studies have been positive, but not yet extensive enough to be conclusive.

The use of propolis in toothpaste helps fight bacteria and tooth decay and helps heal bleeding gums.

At Honey Girl Organics we use propolis in almost all of our products. The combination of intense nutritional content and strong anti-bacterial qualities make it a sure thing for natural skin care.

If you have any questions or comments about propolis please post them below.

I attended a screening in Honolulu of the new documentary film Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? I believe everyone should see this film.

The film is exceptional for three reasons:

First, the photography is stunning. The high definition views of these lovely creatures, both inside and outside the hive, are breathtaking.

Second, the film explains the realities of Colony Collapse Disorder. This information is hard to hear, but it is important that we know it. The film contains interviews with colorful and knowledgeable beekeepers, scientists, farmers, and philosophers. These experts show us how single-crop agricultural techniques, uncontrolled use of pesticides, and the lack of genetic diversity work together to challenge the survival of the bees. And of course, the survival of the bees is of great interest to us because the well-being of humans on earth is highly intertwined with the health of the bees.

To show this close relationship between humans and bees, one beekeeper in the film explained that, because the bees are in trouble, the term “Colony Collapse Disorder” could apply just as accurately to humans as it does to bees.  And the director of the film, Taggart Siegel, noted that he was inspired by a statement attributed to Albert Einstein who reportedly stated: “If bees disappear from the Earth, then man will have only four years to live.” Queen of the Sun provides us all with the hard truth about Colony Collapse Disorder.

And third, the film provides inspiration. Queen of the Sun explains the miraculous properties of honey and the wonders of pollination (“the bees are the legs of plants”). And the film also sets forth a list of steps that can be taken to help the bees. Some of these steps, like becoming a backyard beekeeper, require a lot of effort and commitment. But others, like the creation of bee-friendly gardens, can be done by almost anyone.

This film tells an important story, and it does so with beauty, warmth, and humor. As challenging as this material is to hear and absorb, the film leaves us feeling hopeful and exhilarated. I highly recommend it.

Queen of the Sun is in progress with a series of short runs over spring and summer in various theaters throughout the United States. Here is a link to the schedule: http://www.queenofthesun.com/screenings/us/

Here is a link to the trailer: http://www.queenofthesun.com/

Film Synopsis: Bees are a barometer of the health of the world, and with the current Colony Collapse Disorder, we are in a state of emergency. Once a sacred partnership, the bond between humans and bees has become a profit-driven exploitation. Here, the unsung heroes dedicated to the survival of bees are highlighted: from poets and philosophers to scientists and shamans, from political activists to biodynamic beekeepers. In 1923, [Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolph Steiner] predicted that the continued practice of artificial queen bee-breeding would bring about the demise of the honeybee. Now, pesticides, herbicides, and genetically engineered plants exacerbate the problem, and the current bee crisis confirms Steiner’s dire predictions.

Masks deeply clean pores, removing dirt and oil that can cause acne.

Masks rid the face of surface layers of dead skin. This exposes a smoother, more youthful complexion, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

Masks contain compounds that draw the blood to the surface.  This improves the skin’s tone and encourages regeneration of new skin cells.

Apart from providing tangible physical benefits, facial masks also relax the body and reduce stress.

Masks have been used for thousands of years Masks have been used as cosmetic treatments since ancient times to help nourish and rejuvenate the skin. The ancient Egyptians were the first to use clay cosmetically to improve the health of the skin by applying facial masks and taking clay baths. The Greeks, Essenes (writers of the Dead Sea Scrolls), and many indigeonous cultures of North and South America recognzined the therapeutic benefits of clay. Indeed, even animals instinctively roll in mud or clay to remove toxins and heal wounds.

Honey Girl Organics Rejuvenating Mask At Honey Girl Organics, we offer a soothing and effective facial mask that we call the Rejuvenating Mask. Unlike our moisturizers, where a little goes a long way, a fairly generous application of the Mask is recommended. Our formula renews and regenerates the skin like a traditional clay mask. But in addition, the beehive products included in the formula leave the skin refreshed and moisturized. The beehive products in our Mask are discussed elsewhere, and the other key ingredients of the Mask are briefly discussed below.

French Green Clay This famous clay, also known as Illite or Sea Clay, is a bio-mineral, made up of both decomposed plant material and minerals. It is very absorbent, easily soaking up oils, toxins, and impurities. French green clay is highly prized for its ability to remove dead skin cells, encourage blood circulation, and tone and strengthen connective tissues. It is a common ingredient in many of today’s therapeutic masks.

Diatomaceous Earth Diatomaceous earth is a mineral consisting mainly of the fossilized remains of various species of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. In its natural state it is a fine-grained white sediment that is easily crumbled into powder. In cosmetics it is used for its abrasive and absorbent qualities. It is found in many bath products, soaps and detergents, cleansing products, face powders, foundations and skin care preparations. It is also commonly used as an oil-absorbing ingredient in masks.

Hawaiian Blue-Green Algae Blue-green algae contains beta carotene and fatty acids that are essential for skin elasticity. It assists in healing skin irritations associated with acne, and it is rich in antioxidants that can help reduce signs of aging. Algae also has proven immune-stimulating and anti-bacterial effects. According to Stephanie L. Tourles in her book Herbal Remedies for a Lifetime of Healthy Skin, p.5, blue-green algae is a very good source of Zinc. She explains that Zinc is beneficial for skin because it aids in wound healing, promotes cell growth, boosts immunity, and helps treat acne.

At Honey Girl Organics, we strongly believe in the health benefits of facial masks. If you have experiences to share concerning facial masks, please leave a comment below.

Photo courtesy of africa.