Bee Pollen / Eleuthero Root

Bee Pollen is the pollen collected by bees as they gather nectar from flowers for making honey. Like honey, Bee Pollen is used as a food by the hive. The pollen granules are stored in pollen sacs on the bees' hind legs, and beekeepers, who wish to collect Bee Pollen, place a screen over the hive with openings just large enough for the bees to pass through. As the bees enter the hive, the screen compresses their pollen sacs, squeezing the pollen from them. The beekeepers can then collect the pollen from the screen. Commercially available Bee Pollen is either collected from bees returning to their hives (bee pollen), or it may be directly harvested from non-cultivated flowers with machines (flower pollen). Bee Pollen contains carbohydrates, fat, protein and some vitamins and minerals. Bee Pollen has been used to build up the immune system to fight colds and to counteract depression. Bee Pollen has also been used internally to increase anti-allergenic properties to enhance the immune system against allergies to pollen. Not only is it an excellent nutritional supplement for enhancing immunity, but it also has strong nutritional compounds for providing increased energy. Bee Pollen contains up to 35% complete protein, as well as 22 amino acids, an especially rich storehouse of B-vitamins, 27 mineral salts, trace elements and several enzymes. Many performance and endurance athletes use it before workouts and competition.

Eleuthero Root has been used to promote an overall sense of well-being. Herbalists call this herb an "adaptogen," which means that it helps the body adapt to any situation which normally would alter its healthy function. The eleutheroside content in the herb have been shown to be responsible for the adaptogenic properties of the plant. The eleutherosides are a range of glycosides with aromatic alcohol aglycones. The glycosides appear to act on the adrenal glands, helping to prevent adrenal hypertrophy and excess corticosteroid production in response to stress. The eleutherosides additionally help reduce the exhaustion phase of the stress response and return the adrenals to normal function faster. As a result, Eleuthero Root has a beneficial effect on the heart and circulation. It has been shown to increase energy and stamina and to help the body resist viral infections, environmental toxins, as well as tolerate radiation and chemotherapy. In Chinese Medicine, it has been used to prevent bronchial and other respiratory infections, as well as viral infections. The Chinese used the root to provide energy and vitality, to increase resistance and to treat rheumatic diseases and heart ailments. Eleuthero Root has also been used in cardiovascular and neuro-vascular conditions to help restore memory, concentration and cognitive abilities, which may be impaired from poor blood supply to the brain. Additionally, Eleuthero Root is a popular herbal remedy for debility, fatigue, depression and nervous breakdowns.