Maximum Yield Cannabis Canada 2017 July/August | Page 46

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start a bee colony
Beekeeping is all the buzz.
However, if you aren’t convinced
to give it a go yet, here are five
reasons you should consider
starting a bee colony.
C
onsumers, gardeners, and politicians
understand the importance of bees
and what it would mean to our world if
we lost them. As a result, it is becoming
more common to see wooden boxes on
rooftops and tucked into the corners of
backyards. Beekeeping has become a hot
trend. City zoning regulations around the
country have changed to allow beehives,
and grants are being offered to bee
farmers. If you haven’t jumped on the
bandwagon yet, there are many reasons
you too should consider starting your
own bee colony.
5 BEE
REASONS
COLONY
46
grow cycle
TO START A
THE HONEY
Honey is liquid gold. Not only does it
sweeten your tea, taste delicious on
toast, and add flavour to a baked ham,
but it also provides plenty of health
benefits and can be used as a natural
remedy for countless ailments.
Honey contains vitamins, enzymes,
trace minerals, antioxidants, and
amino acids. It is well-known for
its antimicrobial and antifungal
properties. A spoonful of honey per
day has been said to alleviate coughs
and sore throats, fight off cancer, boost
your immune system, keep seasonal
allergies at bay, reduce cholesterol, and
help you get a good night’s sleep. When
applied topically, it helps wounds and
burns heal faster, treats eczema, softens
skin, and reduces the appearance
of wrinkles. Ayurveda, the Indian
medical system that has been around
for centuries, routinely uses honey as
a carrier for medicinal herbs, claiming
that honey carries the medicine deeper
into your tissues.
Many store-bought brands of honey
have been pasteurized or have additives,
such as high fructose corn syrup, that
eliminate honey’s positive qualities. So,
it is important to use raw, local honey if
you want the benefits. You can usually
find the good stuff at your local farmers’
market, but it is simple and rewarding to
start a bee colony and produce your own.