GAF
Of hives, bees and a lot of passion
The land bee (Melipona beecheii) is the only species without a sting and there is news of the cultivation of its honey since the pre-Columbian period. The medicinal properties of its honey were known to the Cuban aborigines, it is even believed that the Mayans built their pyramids based on the shape of their hive.
Currently in danger of extinction due to the deforestation of its natural habitat, as well as the indiscriminate management of its hives, its rescue is very necessary. That is the impulse that moves Alexander Quesada Orta, at his La Burgambilia farm in Caimito. With the creation of a wooden hive, which allows the extraction of his honey, without destroying the rest of the honeycomb, he shows a very positive result with an experience of more than five years. Save bees; create a dream “The hives have three main parts: the nest, the supernid and the honeycomb; in the latter it is where their honey is harvested, although honey can also be harvested in the nest and it is where the reproduction of a new hive mostly happens ”, explains Quesada. “We always leave the nest there, since the wooden structure is built on three independent levels; the other two upper levels can be removed and they go back up in the construction of their honeycomb ”. “The pots, as we call them, are unsealed for the cultivation of honey, they are generally filled with honey or pollen. These bees are very calm, they do not sting and do not hurt, due to the absence of the stinger. Precisely this caused the destruction of their hives. “In their habitat they use the trunks of the trees. A few years ago to carry out the harvest, part of the tree was cut down and little by little they disappeared ”. "Luckily in Cuba there are many lovers of these interesting and useful insects, there is even an association Meliponicultores, where they rescue them, in addition to the motivation for the increase in the price of honey, another attraction also for farmers." Alexander is dedicated to meliponiculture and has 67 beehives on his farm, of which 32 are true works of art; They are decorated with emblematic buildings of Havana, and he dreams of having a representation of all of Cuba. “This is a specific and very clean breeding if we compare it with others, as it does not generate contamination. In addition, it leaves us an amazing benefit with its pollination, here we have been able to verify the obtaining of better fruits, more quality, quantity and seeds with superior genetic variability ”. “For example, the pumpkin achieves a 50% greater vigor, with larger species and a very high production. Bees naturally create hybrids obtained in laboratories ”. Magic honey, liquid gold COVID-19 has also impacted on the La Burgambilia farm. Children no longer come to fill these Cayimite lares with their bustle, which this sensitive and industrious human being regrets. Since the introduction of the bees, Alexander linked the little ones to his project, with tours of the farm, in which, “there was always time to appreciate the little buzzards, and teach the children to love and care for them. As well as showing you the characteristics and properties of honey ”, he said. It is then, when from this little piece of Artemiseño geography the sensitivity grows, for a product, to which Cuban scientists have dedicated hours of study, for its medicinal properties, being considered a true treasure, like liquid gold. “The honey of the melipona beecheii - known as honey of the earth - differs from the other created by the common bee by its taste, consistency and use. It is more acidic, fluid and traditionally has greater healing and nutritional properties ”, asserts this guajiro. Meanwhile, I recently read that according to Leydi Fonte, a Cuban researcher who analyzes the propolis of melipona beecheii, “its antimicrobial and antioxidant effects help reduce the damage induced by oxidative stress, which occurs physiologically in organisms. “The essential oil of this substance contains, for the most part, a compound that is used as an active ingredient in creams and ointments to treat skin conditions, including cancer. This product is natural and is available to everyone, because bees on earth collect and produce a lot of propolis, with good healing properties ", adds the scientist. The positive effect in the treatment of cataracts, in its early stages, conjunctivitis, inflammatory processes of glaucoma, bronchial asthma and postpartum pain has also been demonstrated. Other bibliographies assure improvements when using it to treat ulcers and skin sores, as it stimulates the production of red blood cells, it is a natural antiviral, and also in jelly it works on metabolism and helps circulation. The colonies are made up of 800 to 1 200 adult individuals on average, and in our country, according to on average, and in our country, according to Quesada, even the yield of a hive is between four and six liters of honey per year, per hive. In this Caymanian farm, those who have needed honey for any pathology always have their doors open. It has also managed to get other cooperative members to also introduce beehives on their land. He continues to teach everyone the wonders of the meliponas and hopes that the children can return, so that they learn about hives, bees, and above all about a lot of passion, because Alexander's work, beyond that useful insect, takes so much of that ingredient as of will and work.
