Ask a Beekeeper: Part 1

This month, we posted on our Facebook and Instagram pages giving YOU guys a chance to ask us any and all questions relating to bees, honey, beekeeping, pollen, and more! We then got Danny and Ginette – our resident beekeeping experts! – to sit down and answer these questions in their own words. Here is the first round of questions and answers:
1. How do you collect pollen?

One of our pollen drawers
Here the drawer has collected numerous pollen granules
2. Does bee pollen interact with other medications?

Yummy, healthy batch of bee pollen
3. Can bee pollen be taken when you already have seasonal allergies?
Bee pollen can be taken strategically to build immunity and increase desensitization to natural allergens. An allergy happens when your body develops an immune response to an allergen, creating antibodies. These antibodies then activate certain receptors on your cells to release histamine, resulting in an allergic reaction (puffy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, etc.) Bee pollen is actually known to reduce histamine, which is the same goal of over-the-counter allergy medications. Carefully exposing yourself to pollen through measured consumption can lead to a desensitization to natural allergens. Depending on the severity of your seasonal allergies, it is wise to take very small doses of pollen (1-2 granules) at a time and increase your dosage to the recommended 2 tsp/day when your body safely allows for it. Consistency is key!
Look at all that excess pollen