How to Buy Bee Pollen
While there is little scientific evidence to date regarding any quantifiable health benefits from eating bee pollen, many people believe it makes them healthier or they simply enjoy its flavor. Proponents say that pollen contains all nutrients necessary to sustain life, a host of vitamins and minerals and perhaps chemical properties that science has yet to understand. One fact is clear: bee pollen has been eaten for medicinal purposes for more than 5,000 years, starting at least with the ancient Phoenicians. It is available in a variety of forms at almost any health food store and over the Internet.
Instructions
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Decide in what form you would like to buy your bee pollen: granules, which are small pellets as collected directly from the bees, or in capsules. Bee pollen granules can be added to cereal, mixed in yogurt, whipped into health drinks or eaten directly, like tiny peanuts.
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Decide how you would like your bee pollen processed. Local bee keepers offer pollen that is 100 percent natural, but it must be refrigerated and may not keep well. Commercial bee pollen is freeze dried or heat dried to make it last longer. There is disagreement about whether only 100 percent natural bee pollen provides all the health benefits or if the freeze-dried form does as well. Some purists believe that using heat to dry, and therefore preserve, pollen kills many of its beneficial enzymes. Little definitive research exists, so purchasers must come to their own conclusions.
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Most health food stores sell commercial bee pollen in granule or capsule form. You can call ahead to check.
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Buy bee pollen online through such sites as herbs-wholesale.com or bee-pollen- buzz.com (see Resources) or any number of other health-oriented Web sites. Compare prices of bee pollen of granules and capsules for the type of pollen you are interested in: raw, freeze dried or heat dried.
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Contact your local Chamber of Commerce to find out if there are bee keepers in your area. Most sell only natural granular bee pollen that must be refrigerated or frozen once you get it home.
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Tips & Warnings
Always keep natural bee pollen refrigerated or frozen in an air-tight container.
Do not eat bee pollen if you are allergic to bees. If you have never eaten bee pollen before, start with a small dose as it is possible to have an allergic reaction even if you are not allergic to bees.
