Stogner 1

Alexis Stogner

Mrs. DeBock

English IV Honors

6 April, 2017

Buzzing with Importance

Bees seem like innocent little yellow, and black creatures, but they do a ton more than

just buzz around. Bees play an essential role in the world we live in. Bees are responsible for

pollinating food crops which make up a third of our diets (Hoyt 2). Pollinating insects, like bees,

are also in charge of the production of seeds in most flowering plants (Hoyt 2). Bees produce

honey. Honey is not only a sweet treat, but it has many useful benefits to humans. The bee

population can even help cure certain diseases. In recent studies, bees have been helping out

farmers in South Africa keep the elephants in safe zones. Bees are in fact busy, and they have

many beneficial jobs to fulfill like pollinating crops, producing honey, treating diseases, and

deterring elephants in South Africa.

Pollination is the process where fertilization takes place. It occurs when pollen is

transferred to the female reproductive organs of a plant. Bees help out tremendously when spring

is around the corner. Most plants rely on honeybees to help with the process of pollination

(Tucker). Tucker puts things into perspective when she explains, Bees are responsible for

pollinating about one-sixth of the flowering plant species worldwide, and approximately four

hundred different agricultural types of plants. When bees pollinate flowers, they enhance the

world with vibrant colors (Tucker). Essentially, bees transform the world in a beautiful way. Bees

promote the growth of plants and flowers (Tucker). Bees contribute to providing habitats to

millions of living organisms (Tucker). Every bee species is vital to the pollination process.
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Without pollination, the world would have no plants and humans would not have oxygen to

breath. Bees make nature conceivable.

Honey, in its natural state, contains antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids, yeasts, vitamins,

minerals, and essential oils that are plant-based (Adams 3). Not only is honey used as a cooking

ingredient, but it has also been known to help the human body in a multitude of ways. A study in

2012 found that honey significantly decreased cough symptoms in children (Lane 2). A minor

wound or burn can easily be treated with honey (Lane 2). Females with menopause, who

ingested bee pollen or honey, had a lessening of symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats

(Lane 3). Unpasteurized honey can additionally prevent and manage numerous diseases,

including cancer, diabetes, and leukemia (Lane 3). When it comes to cancer, honey can make

miracles happen. The immune enhancing, anti-inflammatory supplement can reduce the risk of

cancer, and help ease the effects of the disease (Lane 3). Cancer patients that had recently

received radiation to the neck, found that honey helped ease the soreness in their throat. It also

healed the patients mouth sores (Lane 3). In addition to healing properties, honey can do

wonders on the skin. The sticky yellow colored substance is considered one of the oldest beauty

care ingredient known to women across the world (Lane 3). The effects of utilizing honey as a

beauty product include; softening of the skin, a natural moisturizer, hair conditioner, a pH

regulator, wrinkle prevention, and maintaining the look of youthful skin (Lane 3). Honey is a

natural substance that can be used in countless ways. We have the bees to thank for this useful

product.

Scientist have concluded, through multiple trials, that bee venom can be used to treat

chronic and autoimmune conditions (Apitherapy: Homeopathic Bee Venom Therapy). These

conditions include; arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuralgias, Bells palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome,
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herpes zoster, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis and many more (Apitherapy: Homeopathic Bee

Venom Therapy). Venom that is produced from homeopathic honeybees contains natural anti-

inflammatory and pain reducing agents (Apitherapy: Homeopathic Bee Venom Therapy). The

venom therapy is safe and effective, yet most physicians are not familiar with the substance

(Apitherapy: Homeopathic Bee Venom Therapy). The venom treatment was found to be more

safe and effective than traditional medications and procedures (Apitherapy: Homeopathic Bee

Venom Therapy). Bee venom therapy is a commonly used in Europe and other eastern countries

(Apitherapy: Homeopathic Bee Venom Therapy). The web article Apitherapy: Homeopathic Bee

Venom Therapy states that, Bee venom has multiple effects on the body: it improves blood

circulation, increases physical strength and well being, stimulates the pituitary-cortical system,

reduces pain and inflammation, has antioxidant effects, activates immune system, and helps

convert chronic conditions to acute thus facilitating the healing of chronic inflammatory

conditions. Mankind has so much to gain from the hard work that bees perform.

African honey bees have become the answer that many Africans have been in desperate

need of. In South Africa, numerous elephants have been killed and punished for leaving their

safe zones (Shouse). The wild African elephants have been wandering out from the boundaries

to explore the land. But the problem is, that the roaming elephants pose as a threat to the native

people that inhabit the area. The elephants are capable of trampling humans and damage the

crops they come across (Platt). In attempts to save the diminishing elephant population, the

organization Save the Elephants have been building boundaries out of bee fences (wire fencing)

and stringing them with heaps of beehives (Platt). Scientist made a discovery one day when they

stumbled upon an African honey bee attacking an elephant for getting too close for comfort

(Shouse). The elephant resulted in a bee phobia (Shouse). After experiments were tested, it was
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concluded that the African bees could aid in the protection of the African elephant population

(Shouse). Platt states, According to an upcoming paper in Conservation Biology, the buzzing

fences have kept out eighty percent of the elephants that have approved them. The bees have

made it possible for people to live with less fear. Furthermore, the bees continue to protect the

elephants from potential conflict.

Bees are in fact busy, and they have many beneficial jobs to fulfill like pollinating crops,

producing honey, treating diseases, and deterring elephants in South Africa. Bees are

extraordinary creatures. Most people overlook these individuals. But honeybees, as well as other

bees, give us many useful resources. The bees deserve more recognition and compassion from

the beings that share the earth with them. They are too valuable to lose.
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Work Cited

Adams, Alexis. "The Sweetest Cure." Rodale's Organic Life, vol. 2, no. 2, Mar/Apr. 2016, pp.

37-39.

"Apitherapy: Homeopathic Bee Venom Therapy." Holistic MD. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2017.

Hoyt, Jeannette. "Exploring The Plight Of The Diminishing Worldwide Bee Population."

Oriental Medicine Journal 23.2 (2015): 10-19. Alt HealthWatch. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.

Lane, Carim. "Honey." Alive: Canada's Natural Health & Wellness Magazine, no. 408, Oct.

2016, pp. 45-50.

Platt, John R. "How to Get Elephants to Buzz off." Scientific American, vol. 316, no. 3, Mar.

2017, p. 23.

Shouse, Ben. "Can Bees Save the Elephants?." Science Now, 11 Nov. 2002, p. 4.

Tucker, Jessica. "Why Bees Are Important to Our Planet." One Green Planet. N.p., 17 June

2014.Web. 05 Apr. 2017.