Bee Happy, Bee Healthy

I recently was offered a unique opportunity from Jeff Mello, known as “The Bee Man” and founder of Aquidneck Honey, to help participate in transporting a hive from its location in Portsmouth to a couple’s home in Exeter. They were going to utilize the hive to practice Bee Venom Therapy, or BVT, within their home.

Jeff made sure to tightly secure the contained hive while we transported it off the island, closing off any open spaces those little bees could sneak through. Knowing that there was literally thousands of them in that hive, I kept vigilant of growing buzzing noises. Thankfully, I heard none. Jeff is extremely passionate about his honeybees, fondly calling them “his girls”, as all honeybees are female (drone bees are male). Throughout the drive, he let me in on some of the do’s and don’ts of beekeeping, as well as the many (forgive me) bee-autiful things that they do:

1. Naturally, they make honey and honeycomb: Nature’s golden nectar that is both delicious and nutricious has been used for its healing properties dating back to ancient Egyptian times, and, it never expires. Too bad lunchmeat doesn’t share that same quality.
2. They pollinate: They pollinate 80 percent of our flowering crops, which constitutes a third of everything we eat. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, without bees, our diet would consist of little more than water.
3. They sting us: Though it can be slightly painful, and most people are terrified of getting stung by an angry bee (myself included), bee venom has powerful anti-inflammatory and painkilling attributes. In fact, BVT has been known to help conditions such as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Adolapin, a compound found in bee venom, seems to greatly improve vision, coordination, mobility and sensitivity to touch in MS patients, according to an article from Discovery Fit & Health.

Upon meeting Tommy, the homeowner, he informed me that his wife, a prolific carpenter and interior decorator, had suffered from immobilizing pain due to her rheumatoid arthritis. Through BVT she had gained back mobility, and was now able to do the things she loved without the pain. Tommy warmly shared that she was now even capable of lifting heavy furniture with ease.

Next time I get stung by a honeybee, instead of my usual panic stricken chicken dance, I’ll just say, "Hey, thanks, girlfriend."