Monday, September 7, 2009

so many apples

today we decided to take a walk to our back field and front field to check the apples. I decided to document them to maybe find out what varieties we had. They look exceptionally lovely this year...lots of them and very little diseased. Maybe the honeybees helped out with this!













































































































































































































































































































































































































































Saturday, September 5, 2009

new hive products






Healing Honey & Beeswax Balm
This balm will heal and rehydrate. Honey is antibacterial and works as a humectant, meaning that it pulls moisture to the skin. It may be used on nicks, bruises and minor burns to encourage healing. The three varieties that we have prepared in ¼ oz. quantities are described below. We also have a honey, beeswax, and vanilla lip balm!

Lavender:
Olive oil, beeswax, honey, lavender essential oil
The health benefits of lavender essential oil include its ability to remove nervous tension, relieve pain, disinfect scalp and skin, and enhance blood circulation. Lavender has been long valued as a headache remedy. It can be taken in a mild infusion, or can be rubbed on the temples, or sniffed like smelling salts to provide relief from headaches caused by stress. Lavender oil is antiseptic, and has been used as a topical disinfectant for wounds.

Propolis:
Olive oil, beeswax, honey, propolis, cloves, lemongrass essential oil
Bees make propolis, which they use to glue the materials of their hives together, by mixing beeswax and other secretions with resins from the buds of conifer and poplar trees. Those resins have natural germicidal properties. Propolis has proven antibiotic and antiseptic properties and may also have antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.
Due to its antiseptic properties, clove oil is useful for wound, cuts, athlete’s foot, fungal infections, bruises, prickly heat, etc. It can also be used insect bites and stings.
Lemongrass oil works well to relieve stress and can alleviate muscular aches and pains.
Comfrey:
Comfrey infused olive oil, beeswax, honey, lavender essential oil
Comfrey is used to treat wounds and reduce the inflammation associated with sprains and broken bones. The roots and leaves contain allantoin, a substance that helps new skin cells grow, along with other substances that reduce inflammation and keep skin healthy. Comfrey ointments were often applied to the surface of the skin to heal bruises as well as pulled muscles and ligaments, fractures, sprains, strains, and osteoarthritis.
The health benefits of lavender essential oil include its ability to remove nervous tension, relieve pain, disinfect scalp and skin, enhance blood circulation and treat respiratory problems.