Latest news with #Hanna'sBees
Irish Examiner
01-08-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Catch the buzz: how to be better at ease around the ever-important bees
'Sun is shinin' in the sky / There ain't a cloud in sight…' Electric Light Orchestra's 'Mr Blue Sky' got it right: when the sun shines, we all want to be out to play. We're not the only beings to appreciate the warmer weather however: native Irish honeybees are also out there, making the most of sunshine, flying busily from flower to flower in search of nectar and pollen, and pollinating as they go. Occasionally, however, they may get a little distracted and blunder indoors. But before you panic and start swatting, just take a moment. Bees have far more to lose than you do if it comes to a stinging situation. Allergies aside, a bee sting is rarely fatal to anyone — except the bee itself — and these hard-working insects are already under threat from habitat loss, use of pesticides, and imported non-native honeybees. 'Bees are not attracted to human food,' says award-winning beekeeper Hanna Bäckmo of Cork-based Hanna's Bees. 'If something is interested in your food, it's probably a wasp. A good way to tell them apart is that the wasp has yellow legs, while a bee has brown or black legs.' CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB It might be a little difficult to focus on their legs while you try to protect your sweet treat but these creatures deserve more calmness than combat. 'The bees may have just strayed into your house and got lost,' says Bäckmo. 'There's nothing that would attract them, unless you have honey in the kitchen or are melting beeswax.' Gently shepherding bees towards the nearest window can easily rescue the situation... they have even less interest in being in your space than you have in keeping them there. And we need all those bees on active duty. Despite their diminutive size, they work hard at protecting biodiversity in ecosystems — the variety of plants and animals in a particular region — through pollination. According to the World Wildlife Fund, one in three mouthfuls of food that we eat depends on pollinators such as bees. Those little insects also contribute to the achievement of many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially food security, biodiversity and even helping cities and communities to be sustainable. It makes Bäckmo's fascination with bees very easy to understand. Hanna Bäckmo of Cork-based Hanna's Bees. Picture: Claire Keogh Originally from a small island in Sweden, Bäckmo moved to Ireland in 2001, spending almost 20 years as a self-employed wedding dress designer. 'Beekeeping came about accidentally,' she laughs. She bought a cottage on a half-acre plot in East Cork's Little Island and started gardening. 'I've always been interested in growing my own food and there are so many things that we can grow here that we couldn't grow at home [in Sweden]. Ireland is absolutely fabulous for growing food all year around. I planted lots of normal things — like potatoes and cucumbers — but also peaches and nectarines, then realised that they flower so early in the year that pollinators are hibernating.' For Bäckmo, there was a simple solution: 'The only way for me to get peaches was to get honeybees. The native Irish honeybee is a really reliable bee in our climate — they have evolved to survive here — and they're out pollinating even in the winter.' She did a beginner's beekeeping course in 2014, got her first hive in 2015, added another, and then just kept going. Her passion for bees has continued and Bäckmo now owns 70 hives: 'It became an obsession! For me it started with pollination, it was not about honey — I never really had a sweet tooth — but bees are fascinating creatures.' In 2019, she decided to make the jump from designing dresses for Cork brides into working full-time as a beekeeper. It was a prescient time to leave the wedding world: with the arrival of Covid lockdowns in 2020, that market collapsed overnight. Bäckmo doubled down on her bee business, harvesting raw honey, beeswax and propolis — a natural resin-like mixture made by bees which has been shown to have anti-microbial and anti-viral properties — from her hives to produce a range of products including reusable, eco-friendly beeswax wraps for food storage, raw honeys from different flowers, pure beeswax candles, bee pollen and propolis tincture. '! wanted to develop a range of products that are all coming from the bees and are helping people to stay healthy in a very natural way.' Hanna Bäckmo, Hanna's Bees. Photo by Andres Poveda Raw Irish honey from native Irish honeybees isn't cheap — one of Bäckmo's 340g jars of raw softset Irish honey is €10.50 — but recent publicity about adulterated imports has made people realise that it's worth spending money for the real deal. In a report from The Institute of International & European Affairs (IIEA) last year, researchers revealed that nearly half — 46% — of the honey imported into the EU was adulterated by sugar syrups. Now, Bäckmo says: "People want to be sure that they're getting real Irish honey and they are willing to pay the price for it. That's really uplifting.' When she initially started out, people just didn't understand why her honey cost so much compared to imports. The real question, as she points out, is why imported honey is so cheap. The real thing is priced to reflect the work: 'It takes a lot of effort to produce honey in Ireland,' adds Bäckmo, both from the native Irish bees battling our frequently inclement weather and from the beekeeper. We can help these fuzzy foragers out by planting with them in mind. 'Go for open flowers. With something like fuchsia, or even brambles, the nectar is protected from rain,' says Bäckmo. 'And don't use herbicides, fungicides or pesticides. We need to look at what we're doing, why we're doing it and make it better for all insects so that we can safeguard the means of food production.' Another simple thing you can do is to pick up a jar of honey made by native Irish bees from your local beekeeper so that when you spread honey across your breakfast toast, you can do so in the realisation that you're supporting pollinators in a most delicious way. And, always, think before you swat. Learn more about native Irish bees from Hanna Bäckmo at this year's Cork on a Fork Festival, where Hanna's Bees are taking part in talks and events including a teddy bear's picnic, a producers' bus tour and a beekeeper's picnic. More at
Irish Examiner
27-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Natural Health: What can I do about my stress-related cold sores?
I get a cold sore almost every time I get stressed — it can be related to work or a relationship. I meditate daily and take good care of my health, which makes it even more frustrating. Stress is a well-known trigger for cold sores. Other triggers include fatigue, sun exposure, food sensitivities and allergies, medication interactions, and menstruation or hormonal changes. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). HSV-1 is typically contracted in early childhood, with an estimated 90% of all adults being exposed to this virus at some point in their lives. Studies suggest that the herpes simplex virus may require the amino acid arginine for replication, while lysine can help counteract this effect. Arginine-rich foods include chocolate, nuts, oats, carob, coconut, and soybeans, which can trigger outbreaks in some. Lysine is present in vegetables, legumes, fish, sprouts, and dairy products. For some individuals, lysine supplements may help reduce the frequency or severity of outbreaks. Vitamin C and zinc can be taken internally and applied topically to manage cold sores. You will need to take approximately 50mg of zinc daily and up to 5,000mg of vitamin C in 1,000mg increments throughout the day for three days, then reduce this to 3,000mg for maintenance. Zinc has been shown to be effective in inhibiting HSV replication in research studies. It is also well-documented for immune support, and specifically in the management of viral infections. Vitamin C is known as an immune-supportive nutrient, and it also specifically works against the herpes virus (this applies to other herpes-related conditions such as shingles, genital herpes, and the Epstein-Barr virus). Vitamin D is another crucial nutrient for immune support, and individuals dealing with recurrent cold sores may have lower levels of it in their blood. One of the most effective topical treatments is a concentrated extract of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) applied to the affected area. Lemon balm contains several constituents that work synergistically to prevent the virus from taking hold, and is most effective when used as a cream or balm. The recommended extract strength is 70:1 to arrest the outbreak and promote rapid healing of the blisters. If you are unable to track down this concentrated lemon balm extract, consider the more widely available option, propolis extract. Topically, propolis, which bees collect from resins, gums, and sticky plant buds, can help heal lesions quickly and reduce the likelihood of additional infection. Check out the Cork business Hanna's Bees ( for a wide range of bee products, including propolis tincture at only €14.50 for 20ml (which is an excellent size for travel and will last an age). We're taking the ferry to travel to France for our summer holidays. I've three children under 10, and all of them get travel sickness. What remedy would you recommend? Two excellent herbal remedies for motion or travel sickness are chamomile and ginger. You can combine these herbs and add honey to sweeten if needed. Use a teaspoon of dried herbs per cup of boiling water and steep for four to six minutes. This infusion doesn't have to be taken hot — you can strain it off and let it cool, then store it in a water bottle. Additionally, consider packing Sea Bands, which are designed to be worn over the acupressure points in the wrist, allowing you to manage any symptoms as soon as nausea arises. It is a good idea to practise using the bands in advance of the holidays. Ask your children to wear the bands on both wrists for around 10-15 minutes before they hop in the car. These are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most pharmacies. NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.
Irish Examiner
30-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Natural Health: What can I do about getting a cold sore every summer?
I get a cold sore nearly every year when I go on a sun holiday. The intense heat seems to trigger it. I'm also a nervous traveller, which probably doesn't help. Is there anything I can do to head it off at the pass? Sunlight and stress are the top two triggers for cold sores. Being a nervous traveller will undoubtedly raise your stress levels, and when combined with sunshine, it's more likely the virus will reactivate. Other common triggers for the reactivation of cold sores include fatigue, fever, and menstruation. The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) is responsible for cold sores and is thought to be carried by 80-90% of the population. Fortunately, only 20% will go on to develop sores. The amino acid lysine generally works well in preventing the herpes virus from flaring up. However, it is worth noting that while it may be effective for some individuals, it may not be effective for others. It's even more important to avoid another amino acid, arginine, which is required by the herpes virus for replication. Arginine-rich foods include chocolate, nuts, oats, carob, coconut and soybeans. Topically, propolis — made by bees from the collection of resins, gums, and sticky plant buds — will heal lesions significantly faster than antiviral medication Acyclovir, and also reduce the likelihood of additional infection. Check out Cork business Hanna's Bees for an extensive range of bee products, including propolis tincture at €14.50 for 20ml (and ideal size for travel). When there is potential for a viral outbreak or flare-up, it is crucial to supplement with vitamin C. Camu-camu is a rainforest fruit with an impressive 8-10% vitamin C content by weight, approximately 30 times that found in oranges, and powerful antiviral properties. Camu camu is also effective in treating other forms of herpes, such as shingles, genital herpes, and the Epstein-Barr virus. Camu-camu has been shown to alleviate cold sore outbreaks more quickly than a leading pharmaceutical drug and is an excellent option for those who don't respond to lysine supplementation. Expect to pay around €20-25 for a bottle of 60 capsules (500mg). You will need to take one capsule daily as a preventative measure or one capsule three times daily with food for three days to treat an existing outbreak. Camu camu is typically available from health stores and pharmacies. I'm in my 70s and have been diagnosed with a twisted colon. Is there anything I can do to ease the symptoms? I'm also coeliac and have IBS. You are probably already quite vigilant with all you eat and drink due to the restrictions of living with coeliac disease and IBS. A twisted colon often requires surgical intervention, so it is worth getting a follow-up appointment or a second opinion regarding your treatment options. Pure aloe vera juice has been successfully used in medical trials to treat IBS, as it helps soothe and heal the mucous membranes in the gut. It may help alleviate your symptoms. Please consult your doctor before taking it or any other natural remedy. If you are currently using psyllium husks or other fibre support to treat your IBS, then it is a good idea to take a break, as excessive fibre can be problematic with a twisted bowel. Juicing fresh organic fruits and vegetables may be worth considering, as this is an excellent way to get nutrients in when your digestive system is compromised. The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.
