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1. There Is No Innovation Without Collaboration

The whole colony of bees is like a superorganism where every organ works in coordination with the rest of the body to produce organic honey. The hive could never grow if foragers, drones, worker bees, and queens did not work in unison.

It is easier to come up with an innovative approach when different interconnected minds are working together towards a single goal. The success of startups and large corporations relies heavily on shared knowledge and collaboration. This is an extremely valuable lesson that one learns when looking at a beehive closely.  

2. Experimentation and Failures Are a Must for Innovation

Bees do not panic or collapse in the face of failure. The swarming bees may fail to find a suitable location, hives may collapse, or queens may prove ineffective. When faced with an unexpected situation, bees learn, adapt, and adjust.

Similarly, beekeepers know that if a hive doesn’t work or if the raw honey yield is low, they need to either change the hive’s type, use different management styles, or experiment with different bees to find a solution that works.

In the same manner, to come up with effective innovations, you need to be willing to experiment and to fail. Just make sure to learn from these experiences to come up with better ideas.

3. Repetition Equals Efficiency and Elegance

Bees have mastered the art of hive making through repetition over the course of thousands of years. A beehive is a true architectural marvel that has a stable geometry, brilliant functionality, and structural integrity. Bees used iteration to create this innovative ecosystem, which is another key part of innovation.

Your innovative strategy or system should be open to revision and optimization. You have to be open to testing different ideas and repeating and refining your approach to come up with an innovative solution that has some real value.

4. Every Innovation Must Be Rooted in a Purpose

Every innovation that doesn’t serve a purpose is nothing but noise that will eventually fade away. Honey Bees use innovative dances for communication, select queens based on a system, and build combs using special processes. Every innovative action of the bee has a purpose, which gives it meaning and real value.

Similarly, you need to make sure the innovation you are suggesting is not simply a novelty for novelty’s sake. You need to ask whether this innovation really fulfils the needs of the people and makes life better for them. Purpose-driven innovations are always more marketable, sustainable, and impactful.

5. Right Timing Matters

Bees have mastered the art of time management. They follow a very strict schedule when it comes to foraging, swarming, honey conserving, etc. They know that snoozing or not capitalizing on the right opportunities will only cost them in the long run.

Successful beekeeping experts are also attuned to these habits of bees as well as external factors like weather patterns, plant cycles, and hive life stages. This is what helps them plan ahead to get the highest yields.

This same approach should be applied in every innovative strategy or system. You need to learn when to act fast and when to take a step back and wait for the right time to make sure your innovation yields the results that you want.

6. Innovation Without Sustainability is Futile

Every innovative strategy must have sustainability at its center. Bees do not overconsume or deplete their surroundings. They recycle resources to sustain their ecosystems and the planet in general.

We also need to take a leaf out of their book when creating solutions. Our innovative strategies should not focus on extraction but regeneration of resources to make sure both the planet and the people can thrive.

7. Resilience and Redundancy Build Lasting Results

In the face of a disaster like a queen’s death or some other external threat, bees do not dwell on mistakes or collapse. They reorganize instantly and take the necessary measures to keep the hive going.

They will rear newer queens by changing the way they feed or nurture the younger generation. They also get rid of members or even queens that no longer serve any purpose in their hives.

This is another important lesson in innovation. Every innovative system that is built to last longer must be resilient and future-ready. It is always a good idea to have a backup and emergency plan in place instead of relying solely on a single strategy.

Conclusion

There is no innovation without cooperation, adaptivity, resilience, and creativity, and when you look closely at a beehive, you notice all of these elements in play. Bees do not resist change; instead, they embrace it with intelligence and adapt to their surroundings, which is what every innovator that has ever existed has done.

No matter what your industry is, you can always look at a beehive and learn fascinating lessons about creativity, innovation, and leadership.

You don’t have to look far to understand the basic principles of innovation, just observe these busy creatures at work or chat with someone who has done beekeeping for years to know all you need on the subject.

You can visit us at Geohoney if you are looking to buy premium quality, raw honey at very reasonable rates, and to learn more about bees and beekeeping.

High Methylglyoxal (MGO) Content: The Discerning Quality of Manuka Honey

Dr. Peter Molan, a biochemist from the University of Waikato, conducted research on the antibacterial properties of Manuka honey in 1980. He was the first to discover the unique nature and superior antibacterial activity of this honey, which he attributed to its high MGO content.

This honey has a much higher MGO concentration than normal honey varieties, which is the main reason behind its superior antibacterial effects. This property of Manuka Honey makes it effective for enhancing immunity, treating wounds, and preventing both chronic and seasonal illnesses.

The Unique Manuka Factor or UMF

Another special thing about this honey is the unique quality grading system that is used to rate this honey in terms of its purity, MGO content, and antibacterial properties.

The UMF or unique Manuka factor was developed by the New Zealand UMF Honey Association (UMFHA) to determine Manuka Honey’s potency and purity. To calculate this value, several key compounds like methylglyoxal (MGO), leptosperin, and dihydroxyacetone (DHA) in this honey are measured. Higher UMF ratings like UMF 15+ or UMF 20+ indicate greater potency and health benefits of the honey.

• UMF 10+ rated honey is suitable for normal daily use.

• UMF 15+ Manuka Honey is ideal for targeted medicinal and health applications.

• UMF 20+ rate Manuka honey gives you maximum potency, and it is used mostly as an ingredient in medicinal and skincare products.

Effective For Wound Treatment

Manuka honey has been used as a wound treatment for centuries. This highly dense and viscous honey creates a protective barrier on the wounds, which prevents microbial infections and facilitates quicker healing.

Treats Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers are a major issue for people who suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Diabetic patients who suffer from this issue can use Manuka honeybased wound dressing in combination with their regular treatment to heal the sores faster. This ensures the wounds are treated before they get worse.

Good for Oral Health

Dental plaque can be a big nuisance, which can lead to tooth decay and several gum diseases. These plaques are also a breeding ground for bacteria. Manuka honey fights the plaque-producing bacteria in your mouth, which enhances your oral health.

The continuous use of this honey prevents the buildup of dental plaque, which ensures your oral health stays in the best shape.

Prevents Gastric Ulcers

People who suffer from this issue can also enjoy the benefits of Manuka Honey. Stomach or peptic ulcers are also a common issue that can lead to indigestion, nausea, and heartburn. These ulcers are caused by helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach, which Manuka Honey can prevent from growing. 

The antibacterial properties of this honey fight harmful gut bacteria and soothe the lining of the stomach, which makes it ideal for treating and preventing gastric ulcers.

Enhances Digestive Health

This honey can also treat IBD or inflammatory bowel disease, which leads to the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of IBD include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.

The use of Manuka honey eliminates the root cause of the IBD, which is the presence of clostridiodes defficile bacteria. This way, by using Manuka honey, you can enjoy better digestive health without having to rely on traditional antibiotic treatments.

Reduces the Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Upper respiratory infection or UTI can lead to symptoms like

• Cough

• Acute nasopharyngitis

• Sinusitis

• Tonsillitis

• Tracheitis

• Rhinitis

• Supraglottitis

The use of Manuka honey has proven effective for the treatment of most of these symptoms. This honey can soothe your throat and treat pulmonary irritation and persistent post-infection coughs.

Conclusion

New Zealand’s Manuka honey has strong historical and cultural roots that date back several centuries. This rare honey made from the nectar of the Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium) possesses several unique properties that make it a perfect ingredient in many culinary and medicinal recipes.

This honey’s unique properties include very high MGO content, greater microbial activity, high antioxidant concentration, and an impressive overall nutritional profile. These components of Manuka Honey are what make it effective for treating a wide range of illnesses and promoting long-lasting health and wellness.

You can visit us at Geohoney to explore our wide range of pure and natural monofloral honey varieties that give you the sweetest flavor without any side effects.

• They Are the Top Pollinators

• They Facilitate Wildlife Habitats

• Bees Promote Biodiversity

• They Trigger the Growth of Wild Plants

• Bees Are Responsible for Global Food Security

• Economic Importance

• Common Threats That Are Leading to Declining Bee Populations

• Effective Ways You Can Protect the Bees

The following are a few points that clearly show how honeybees support ecosystems around the globe.

1. They Are the Top Pollinators

For a plant to germinate and reproduce, there must be a transfer of pollen from the male part, or anther of the flower, to the female part, or stigma. A very small amount of pollen reaches the stigma by wind and other means.

So, how do we get this huge abundance of wildflowers and edible crops? The answer is, of course, the bees. About one-third of the world’s crop production depends on pollination by bees. Bees jump from flower to flower collecting nectar while also trapping pollen on their bodies and delivering it to the female parts of the flowers.

Bees are responsible for pollinating about 30-35% of the world’s crops and about 90% of all plants that require cross-pollination to thrive. These busy workers pollinate billions of wild plants and agricultural crops, which is exactly what makes this keystone species an indispensable part of our ecosystem.

2. They Facilitate Wildlife Habitats

Millions of insects and animals that live out in the wild have to thank bees for their habitats.

The pollination by the bees is the main reason behind the growth of tropical forests, savannah woodlands, and temperate deciduous forests. Some tree species, like poplar and willows, also need pollination by bees to grow.

All these locations serve as habitats for a wide range of fauna, ranging from small insects to birds to wild cats and elephants.

In a world without bees, countless forest plants and trees will not be able to grow, and that will in turn destroy the food and shelter sources for billions of animals.

This is why supporting wildlife habitat is probably among the most important roles that bees play in our ecosystem.

3. Bees Promote Biodiversity

Bees are the reason behind the creation of complex interconnected ecosystems scattered around the planet, where a diverse range of flora and fauna can thrive.

By pollinating a wide range of wild flowers, bees directly sustain biodiversity, which is essential for every living organism on this planet that depends on other species for their survival and growth.

Since biodiversity is among the main indicators of the health of an ecosystem, and bees play a big role in sustaining biodiversity, we can say that their contribution to our ecosystem is a lot more than we give them credit for.

4. They Trigger the Growth of Wild Plants

About 80% of all wild flowering plants in the world are dependent on pollination by bees. It is with pollination that flowers produce seeds, which lead to the growth of new plants and floral landscapes in the wild. These wild plants are used by other species as food, shelter, and nests, which are essential for their survival.

5. Bees Are Responsible for Global Food Security

As mentioned before, bees create about one-third of the total crops globally, and they support the growth of flora that animals feed on. These animals, in turn, serve as a source of food for other animals and humans. Thus, bees both directly and indirectly ensure global food security.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, about 75% of the edible crops and 35% of the total agricultural land of the world depend on bees.

Bees produce raw honey that humans have been using for thousands of years as food and medicine. Apart from humans, other creatures like birds, raccoons, and bears also raid beehives to get the sweet and nutritious golden liquid.

Bees are themselves a part of the food chain, which is another way they ensure food security in the ecosystem. Many species of birds, spiders, praying mantises, and dragonflies prey on bees.

6. Economic Importance

Apart from the regular ecosystem, the economic ecosystem of the world also heavily relies on honeybees. Estimates suggest that bees and other pollinators contribute more than $217 billion annually to the global economy.

The bees produce honey, honeycomb, royal jelly, beeswax, and bee pollen, which are used in a wide range of industries, including food and beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, to name just a few.

Without bees, all the industries that rely on these raw materials will soon collapse, leading to severe economic consequences for the entire globe.

Conclusion

Bees are more important for our ecosystem and biodiversity than we think. These industrious creatures labor day and night to pollinate our crops and provide us with honey.

Bees create a sustainable ecosystem by allowing diverse flora and fauna to thrive in their natural habitats. Our global food supply and overall planet health rely heavily on bees.

This is why we need to make sure these valuable insects do not decline in population due to our activities like deforestation, high pesticide usage, pollution, and climate change. This is the only way to ensure our ecosystem stays healthy for the years to come.

You can visit us at Geohoney to check out our wide range of pure, raw honey products and learn more about honey bees and beekeeping from our blog here.

Nutritional Value of Himalayan Honey

Himalayan Honey has so many benefits for your physical and mental well-being. These benefits are the direct result of the impressive nutritional profile of this honey.

This honey is rich in natural sugars, antioxidants, and minerals like iron, potassium, and calcium. This honey also contains beneficial enzymes and gut bacteria that facilitate digestion and lead to a healthier gastrointestinal system.

This honey contains Grayanotoxins that help relieve stress and improve your mood. This honey also contains trace amounts of protein and vitamins B and C.

Himalayan Honey Harvesting: Climbing for Liquid Gold

Himalayan honey is mainly harvested in late fall and late spring by the Gurung community that resides in the Himalayan regions of Nepal and India. The natives use traditional honey hunting tools that ensure the honey is collected safely without causing any damage to the bees or the ecosystem.

The honey harvesters, armed with ropes, handmade ladders, and protective gear, journey to the vertigo-inducing cliffs in search of the hives twice every year. These skilled personnel use smoke or other natural bee repellents to ward off the attacks from these giant bees.

Hunters then climb hundreds of feet high, steep slopes and narrow ledges to get to the hives. These honey harvesters have to overcome rocky formations and face thick fog and unpredictable weather to get their hands on this valuable commodity.

They use long poles to dislodge hives and baskets to catch and collect honeycomb, which they extract by further processing by floating or pressing.

Health Benefits of Himalayan Honey

Himalayan honey is a nutrient-rich natural substance that is growing in popularity with every passing day. The honey’s health-boosting and calming effects are the main reasons behind its rapidly increasing demand.

Following are some of the main health benefits of Himalayan honey that make it a great addition to your daily diet.

• This honey contains antioxidants like phenols and flavonoids that boost your immunity.

• The antibacterial properties of this honey inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, which leads to faster wound and burn healing.

• Himalayan honey is an effective cough suppressant, and it can also treat sore throat and other major common cold symptoms.

• This honey contains beneficial enzymes that create a healthy gut microbiome.

• Himalayan honey is an energy-dense superfood that can keep you replenished throughout the day.

• This honey is a versatile sweetener that can improve the flavors of a wide range of desserts, beverages, and savory dishes from all over the world.

• Himalayan honey can help you fight seasonal allergies.

• This honey regulates your blood sugar levels. Its low glycemic index prevents blood sugar spikes, which ensures you stay healthy and fit every single day.

Conclusion

Himalayan honey is among the rarest and most sought-after honey varieties that have a long history and cultural significance. Natives in the Himalayan regions have been using this honey for centuries in their religious rituals and traditional festivals.

This honey possesses a superior nutritional profile, and its flavor is equally impressive. The eco-friendly harvesting, minimum processing, and the absence of pollution and pesticides in high-altitude regions where the floral sources of this honey exist contribute to its unique aroma, flavor, and nutritional profile.

You can visit us at Geohoney if you are looking to buy 100% pure, raw, and minimally processed Himalayan and other monofloral honey varieties to add to your daily diet and healthy lifestyle.        

Benefits of Monofloral Honey for Wrinkle Repairs and Skin Care in General

The following are just a few benefits of monofloral honey that make it extremely effective for treating wrinkles and ensuring better overall skin care.

1. It Has Anti-Aging Components

A major sign of aging skin is the presence of wrinkles or fine lines. Though it is a natural phenomenon but it is possible to slow it down, especially when it occurs prematurely.

Honey is a natural emollient and humectant. It regulates your skin’s pH, which makes it softer and smoother. These properties of honey retard wrinkle formation which makes you look and feel young.

Honey has all the healthy elements and more that you may find in an anti-wrinkle cream. It has vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C, and skin-friendly antioxidants like Chrysin, pinobanksin, catalase, etc.

It also includes about 18-20 amino acids and gluconic acid, which give exceptional barrier support to your skin and possess exfoliation properties.

2. It is an Effective Exfoliator

Monofloral honey, such as manuka honey, is known for being a powerful natural exfoliator. The gluconic acid in honey plays an important role in accelerating the shedding of dead skin cells from your face.

Unlike regular scrubs that require vigorous rubbing, honey-based scrubs smoothly detach dead cells from your body, which prevents dull patches and wrinkles.

3. It Hydrates Your Skin

Dry skin is more prone to wrinkles, fine lines, or rough patches. Honey is rich in ingredients that moisturize or soften your skin. The humectant properties of honey attract moisture from the surroundings and keep it trapped in your skin longer, which helps treat dry skin and prevents wrinkles.

With better skin hydration, your skin barrier also becomes stronger. This barrier shields your skin from environmental toxins, which makes it appear fresh and firm at all times.

4. Treats Fungal Infections

Honey’s antiseptic and antifungal properties also protect your skin from wrinkles and premature aging. It can prove very effective for treating common fungal infections like ringworm. 

You can treat ringworms by using antifungal lotions that contain high-quality quality unprocessed honey like Acacia honey as a key ingredient. You can either apply it topically by itself or mix it with your antiseptic cream to get the best results.

5. Helps Reduce and Treat Acne

Acne is the result of your skin pores clogging due to the accumulation of excessive oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. The condition is made worse by Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) bacteria, which lead to soreness, redness, and even swelling of the skin.

This is where honey’s antibacterial properties prove quite effective. Honey can remove pimples and return your skin to its normal color and texture.

A simple remedy involves mixing raw honey with turmeric and applying it directly to your acne-infected skin areas. You can leave this mixture on your skin for about 15 minutes and then wash to see quick results.

6. It Can Treat Various Skin Conditions

Honey’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects can reduce the symptoms of a wide range of skin conditions. Most dermatologists recommend using honey or honey-based creams or ointments if you suffer from any one of the following conditions.

Rosacea: Leads to visible bumps and blood vessels, along with severe redness of the skin. 

Dandruff or Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dry Scalp: Itchy skin with yellow or white flakes on the scalp. 

Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis: Dryness, thickness, cracking, or scaling on the skin.

Psoriasis:  Formation of thick, itchy, and painful rashes on your skin.

Tips for Using Honey for Better Skin Care According to Dermatologists

According to expert dermatologists, there are many ways one can incorporate honey into their daily skin care routine. The following are some of the most effective ways to do that.

• When buying skincare products like anti-aging serums, lotions, etc, make sure to pick the ones that contain raw or unprocessed organic honey.

• Choose scalp and haircare products that contain a mix of honey, citrus, and peppermint, as they can treat an itchy or dry scalp.

• You can also mix a few drops of honey into your moisturizing cream that you use at night. You can use it on the entire skin or just on areas affected by wrinkles.

• You can also mix about 1 tbsp of honey with the same amount of brown sugar and apply it to your skin just like a scrub. This mixture can be used to exfoliate your face, lips, and every other part of your skin.

• You can also apply honey directly to your skin after cleansing it with a regular skin care product. You can leave it on your skin for at least 15 minutes, which can prevent inflammation and dehydration, making you feel fresh and young the entire day.

Conclusion

Honey’s nutritional profile is pretty impressive, especially when you look at it in terms of skincare. It contains essential vitamins, antiseptics, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants that work together to make your skin wrinkle-free and fair.

Honey is among the most effective natural moisturizers that keep your skin firm and fresh. Its regular use can thus ensure your skin stays wrinkle and fine line-free for years to come.

Just make sure to buy honey from a source that guarantees unadulterated products and use it regularly, as we have mentioned above, to get a skin that feels soft, smooth, and fresh every single day.

Visit us at Geohoney to explore our premium quality raw monofloral honey products to add to your daily skin care routine to get the best results.

2. Honey Bees Communicate by Dancing

Honey bees perform different types of dances to communicate with their hives and other bees. They do a waggle dance to indicate the direction of a nectar source that is far away. Bees also dance around in circles which shows a floral source is nearby.

There is another dance called the Tremble Dance that bees do to communicate the fact that the foragers need to stop bringing in more nectar as there are not enough bees inside the hives to process it.

This dance urges them to recruit more bees for processing incoming nectar which optimizes organic honey processing inside the hive.

3. Honey Bees Posses Five Eyes

Honey bees possess a total of five eyes. This fascinating honey bee biology makes them extremely productive pollinators.

Two of these eyes are larger compound eyes while the remaining three are smaller or simpler eyes in the center of their heads. The two compound eyes feature numerous lenses which allow them to look in multiple directions.

These eyes are more receptive to blue and ultraviolet light. This allows them to detect floral sources that reflect ultraviolet light as they appear very bright to their senses.

The smaller eyes give them the ability to differentiate colors and their intensities which improves navigation. These eyes also allow bees to maintain stability in their flight.

4. Different Honey Bees Have Different Roles Inside a Hive

Every honey bee has a very special role to play in a bee colony. At the top of the chain are the Queen Bees who run the hive using their “Queen’s Substance” pheromone. These bees mate with drones, lay eggs, and control the behaviors of other members of the hive.

Workers are female bees that forage pollen, build the hive, feed the brood, prepare raw honey, attend to the queen, and raise newer queens.

The job of male drone bees is to mate with the queen. Hundreds of drone bees live in the hive during summer and spring. However, these bees are kicked out of the hive as soon as the winter comes.

5. Honey Bees Sleep 5 to 8 Hours a Day

Bees sleep for 5 to 8 hours at night when they are done with collecting nectar. During this time, a bee will start to flex its legs and bring its head to the floor of the hive. The wings and the antennae of the bee stop moving and, in some cases, they fall over sideways while in the sleeping state. Bees can also sleep in the center of flowers if they find the conditions safe.

6. Honey Bees Can Fly Very Far and Very Fast

Honey bees can travel long distances and return back to the hive safely. These creatures can fly as far as 5 miles for food. Bees can fly at a speed of 15 to 20 miles per hour when moving towards the source of nectar.

After collecting nectar or pollen, bees return to the hive at an astonishing speed of 12 miles per hour on average. Another remarkable fact is that a bee can flap its wings about 200 times every second which is what gives them this high speed.

7. Honey Bees Can See Ultraviolet Light

Unlike humans who can only see 7 colors found in the visible spectrum, honeybees can also see ultraviolet light. This ability of the bee allows them to find suitable nectar and pollen sources to make the highest quality monofloral honey and to keep the whole hive well-fed.

8. Queen Bee can Live for Up to 5 Years

Next up on our list of amazing facts about honey bees is the fact that a queen honey bee can live up to 5 years under normal conditions. During this time the queen lays about 2000 to 2500 eggs.

In comparison, drone bees can only live for about two months and the workers can last anywhere from six weeks to six months.

9. Honey Bees Possess 170 Odorant Receptors

Another amazing feature of honey bees is their large number of odorant receptors. This means the bees have an incredible sense of smell which is sensitive to even the lightest odors.

These receptors help honey bees find nearby floral sources and determine whether they are good enough or not.

10. Honey Bees Can Recognize Human Faces

Honeybees can also recognize and differentiate between human faces. The compound eyes of the bees detect a person’s facial features like the shape of their eyes, ears, and nose.

Bees can not only recognize faces but also keep this information stored even after several days of the interaction.

Conclusion

Honey bees are really complex, interesting, and smart creatures that have baffled researchers for years. These incredible insects possess discipline, intelligence, and a community-based lifestyle where every member is given a specific role to play.

However, honey bees are facing many dangers like habitat loss and a decline in population which are mainly caused by climate change, the use of pesticides, and some harmful human activities.

However, these resilient creatures are still trying their best to survive, provide us with food, and prepare the golden elixir called honey that we all adore so much.

As scientists look more closely into the lifestyle and habits of honey bees, newer and more interesting information is coming to light which shows there is still so much we do not know about bees.

You can visit us at Geohoney to learn more about bees and to order our top-quality pure monofloral honey that offers the best taste and numerous health benefits.