Sure, one of the hottest movies out right now is The Secret Life of Bees, based on Sue Monk Kidd’s bestselling novel. But what we’re concerned with is not the main character; instead, we’ve taken a liking to the bees that give the movie its moniker.

That’s right we’re talking about the healing powers of bees and that tasty stuff they produce – honey.

Here’s how becoming a member of the hive might improve your health:

Bee Pollen

Unless you are allergic to bee stings, bee pollen’s high B12 and protein properties can boost immunity. Pop a few spoonfuls of wildflower bee pollen in your next smoothie or yogurt, and you’ll be buzzing with energy in no time.

Honey

Grandma always said a dab of honey in your tea was good for soothing a sore throat, and she was right. But honey is more than just a cure for scratchy tonsils. Pick up some raw, organic honey through Local Harvest or check out your local health food store for a jar of the sweet stuff. Use it in a mask to shed dead skin cells and renew that healthy glow, on wounds for its natural antibacterial properties and slip it in that tea – it will relieve that sore throat and enhance immunity.

You might also want to invest in a few bee-enhanced products, like Honey Gardens’ Propolis Salve or Burt’s Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion. Both can help solve dry skin or chapped-lips woes.

Any creative uses of honey that we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments.

Recommended and Related

Jerry Seinfeld’s Bee Movie

[Editor's note: OK, this one's not directly about the healing properties of pollen and honey, but it is a great way to explain to your kids why bees (and honey) are so important to our ecosystem...]

Photo by teddy llovet.