Medicinal herbs for bees

Abstract

Bees and mostflowering plants have developed a complex interdependence duringmillions of years.An estimated 80 percentof flowering plants areentomophiles i.e. depending more or less on insectpollination to be able to reproduceand it is estimatedthat half of the pollinators ofplants are honey bees. The following over 120 plants have multiple uses: as food and medicinal sources for bees (nectar, pollen, resins and balsams), as food sources and natural drugs potentially for every living being, including us. Bees use nectar to make honey (food stores for the colony). Nectar contains vitamins, minerals and essential oils as well as water and sugars. Many beekeepers frequently try to increase nectar availability in an area. It can improve and expand the honey flow in this area.The pollen is gathered as a source of protein and fats, particularly for the larval stage of the bees’ development in the Spring. The families that showed the major richness of pollen types were: Asteraceae, Myrtaceae and Solanaceae. Most herbs will grow anywhere, and most will bloom profusely, but not all will attract honey bees. Bee balm, Mints, Sage, Thymes, Yarrow, Oregano, Borage, Melissa, Angelica, Artichoke, Chicory, Hops, Lavender, Dandelion, Epilobium, Melilot, Motherwort, Radish et ct. are common herbs for our health and bees collecting nectar. These medicinal plants have been used for many years in the treatment and prevention of various diseases.Studies indicated, that many plant extracts have antimicrobial, antioxidant, antimutagenic, antitumor, antiinflammatory activity, can be used as immune inducer or in cases with digestion and wounds healing properties.