Description
Nectar Balm is developed to support sports people and those in active occupations that are demanding on muscles, joints and ligaments. Nectar Balm contains a soothing combination of essential oils, cold-pressed olive oil, beeswax and our famous Nectar Ease (Manuka Honey and Bee Venom).
The soothing oils and beeswax quickly penetrate the skin to provide relief where it is needed most. Your skin will be moisturised and the combination of ingredients acts like a deep heat to support healthy muscles, joints and ligaments.
No bees are harmed in the bee venom collection process, to find out more click here.
Warning
Stop using if allergic reaction occurs.
Directions for use
Rub onto painful joints as required and repeat when necessary.
Natural ingredients
We pride ourselves on using natural ingredients where possible so your body can soak up all the natural goodness. Nectar Balm ingredients are Water, Manuka honey, Emulsifier, Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Beeswax, Preservative, Rosemary Oil, Clove Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Bee Venom.
Product size: 60g tube and 100g jar
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Introduction
The science behind Bee Venom is still developing and researchers continue to find new uses for it. We add small quantities of Bee Venom to Manuka Honey to create our hugely successful ‘Aches and Pains’ honey Nectar Ease and this also forms the basis for our Royal Nectar skincare range.
Bee venom composition
Bee Venom composition and strength varies between Honeybee species and small variances are identifiable between bee breeds and locations.
Bee Venom contains a variety of peptides, including melittin, apamin, adolapin, the mast-cell-degranulating (MCD) peptide, enzymes (i.e., phospholipase A(2)), biologically active amines (i.e., histamine and epinephrine), and nonpeptide components which have a variety of pharmaceutical properties.
Bee Venom’s unique composition has multiple effects on the body. The natural components of Bee Venom have been isolated and studied scientifically and one of the most important components has been identified as Melittin. Making up about 50% of the Bee Venom, Melittin is recognised as being a powerful anti-inflammatory.
Bee venom uses
Bee venom has been used as a traditional medicine to treat arthritis, rheumatism, back pain, cancerous tumors, and skin diseases. Studies have proven the effectiveness of bee venom in treating pathological conditions such as arthritis, pain and cancerous tumours.
Bee Venom has been reported to have anti-arthritis effects in several arthritis models. Melittin, a major peptide component of BV, has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis properties.
Bee venom as a cosmetic ingredient may be useful as a topical agent for promoting skin regeneration or a treatment of certain epidermal conditions, according to research published in South Korea in 2015. This showed that bee venom serum treatment clinically improved facial wrinkles by decreasing total wrinkle area, total wrinkle count and average wrinkle dept.
The mechanism by which bee-venom serum exerts its anti-wrinkle effects is yet unknown, however, the therapeutic action of bee venom has been studied mostly for skin-related symptoms. When skin bacteria were incubated with bee venom, a bacteriostatic action of bee venom was demonstrated, which was further supported by its anti-inflammatory activity against skin bacteria through suppression of the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This same research showed that people suffering from acne benefited from treatment with bee venom.
Bee venom extraction
The Bee Venom used in Nectar Ease is extracted exclusively from the Apis Melifera species of Honeybee. Bee Venom is extracted from Honeybees using low voltage electrical stimulation. Bee keepers use a so-called collection frame which has wire electrodes installed that have a low electrical current running through them on a glass base, just like in the picture above. These frames are installed in honey hives and bees that come into contact with the wire electrodes will receive a small electrical shock. This causes bees to sting the glass, releasing the venom without losing their barbed sting (which usually results in bee deaths).
Once the collection process has finished, the Bee Venom dries on the glass, then the whole frame is transported to a laboratory to collect the venom.
Further reading
The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) offers a great source of published research about Bee Venom. Below are links to several interesting articles.
The beneficial effects of honeybee-venom serum on facial wrinkles in humans. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26491274
Therapeutic application of anti-arthritis, pain-releasing, and anti-cancer effects of bee venom and its constituent compounds. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17555825
Anti-cancer effect of bee venom on colon cancer cell growth by activation of death receptors and inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26561202
The Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations has also published research on value-added products from beekeeping including Bee Venom. http://www.fao.org/docrep/w0076e/w0076e18.htm
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Science of Honey
The composition of a honey batch depends on the floral source(s) available to the bees that produced the honey. The carbohydrates comprise mainly Fructose (about 38%) and Glucose (about 31%). Water is the next highest category, varying around 17%. Other carbohydrates include Maltose (7%), and Sucrose and other complex carbohydrates (7%). Trace amounts of Vitamins, Minerals, Chrysin, Pinobanksin, catalase and Pinocembrin are also present. Research published in 2011 shows the most abundant minerals found in New Zealand mono-floral honeys (Clover, Honeydew, Kamahi, Manuka, Nodding Thistle, Rata, Rewarewa, Tawari, Thyme and Viper’s Bugloss honey) are potassium, phosphorus and calcium. Heavy metal contents (Cd, Pb and Zn) were very low.
Healing properties
The healing properties of honey are due to the fact it offers antibacterial activity, maintains a moist wound condition and its high viscosity helps to provide a protective barrier to prevent infections. The antimicrobial activity in most honeys is due to hydrogen peroxide, however, Manuka Honey displays significant antibacterial effects even when hydrogen peroxide is blocked, which is why we used to refer to the non-peroxide activity of Manuka Honey before research demonstrated this was the result of the presence of Methylglyoxal. Read more about honey, medicinal property and antibacterial care here.
Manuka Honey
Manuka Honey is unique to New Zealand and its healing properties have been a traditional part of folklore throughout New Zealand’s settled history. Ongoing laboratory and medical evidence using Manuka Honey supports the worth of this valuable resource.
Manuka Honey testing and labelling
We support the release of the Interim Labelling Guidelines for Manuka Honey released by the New Zealand Government in 2014 as it provides greater assurance for consumers looking for genuine New Zealand Manuka Honey.
The Ministry of Primary Industries has identified Methylglyoxal (MG) as an ingredient that can be identified in labelling and marketing Manuka honey, expressed as a minimum number of mg/kg. Scientific evidence has confirmed Methylglyoxal as being a key compound that occurs naturally in Manuka honey. We test all our Manuka Honey according to these standards. Visit our Batch Track page to obtain a copy of test results for your jar of Manuka Honey.
For more information download a copy of the new guidelines click here.
Honeydew Honey
While Manuka Honey is extremely well-known for its healing properties, our Honeydew Honey may also offer some excellent health benefits. It contains much higher levels of complex sugars called Oligosaccharides than nectar (or floral) honey.
Research shows that the human digestive system has a hard time breaking down Oligosaccharides. Almost 90% escapes digestion in the small intestine and reaches the colon where it performs a different function; that of a prebiotic. Prebiotics support the growth of certain kinds of bacteria in the colon. These bacteria produce many beneficial substances including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and certain B-vitamins. There is also evidence they may promote further absorption of minerals that have escaped the small intestine like calcium and magnesium. Research into SCFAs is quite new but shows possible benefits include protecting colon tissue from damage including colon cancer and ulcerative colitis, lower cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and improved immune system function.
Honeydew Honey also contains higher levels of antioxidants and minerals compared to other floral honeys.
A study published in 2014 shows that people with chronic leg ulcers who were treated with Honeydew honey experience a significant decrease of the average wound area and nearly three quarters of patients reported a decrease in pain levels. Based on the findings of this research, honeydew honey has the potential to be one of the medical-grade honeys.
Further reading
The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) offers a great source of published research about honey. Below are links to several interesting articles.
Identification and Quantitation of 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline in Manuka Honey (Leptospermum scoparium). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26365614
Studies on the formation of methylglyoxal from dihydroxyacetone in Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) Honey. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22960208
The origin of methylglyoxal in New Zealand Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) Honey. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19368902
Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24305429
The Medicine of the Manuka: an investigation of the usages and methods for utilization of honey derived from the pollen of Leptospermum scoparium in holistic nursing practice. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23535120
Treatment of non-healing leg ulcers with Honeydew Honey. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25187187
Mineral analysis of mono-floral New Zealand honey. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25214355
|
Average Nutritional Value per 100 g
|
| Energy |
1,340 kJ (320 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates |
79.6 g |
| Fats |
0 g |
| Protein |
0.4 g |
| Water |
17.10 g |
| Riboflavin (vit. B2) |
0.038 mg |
| Niacin (vit. B3) |
0.121 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) |
0.068 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
0.024 mg |
| Folate (Vit. B9) |
2 μg |
| Vitamin C |
0.5 mg |
| Calcium |
6 mg |
| Iron |
0.42 mg |
| Magnesium |
2 mg |
| Phosphorus |
4 mg |
| Potassium |
52 mg |
| Sodium |
12 mg |
| Zinc |
0.22 mg |
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Margaret Jeune (verified owner) –
I have been using nectar balm for a sore shoulder.My shoulder is feeling much better and I am able to use my arm more freely as a result.
Clemence Latour (verified owner) –
Great product that solved my brother in law’s psoriasis! It’s just awesome! Thank you for making some awesome product like that. 🙂
Robyn Cliff (verified owner) –
I love this product and use it regularly on my arthritic thumb joints to ease away the pain. After a couple of applications I usually don’t have to use it again for several days or more. My husband also has Rheumatoid and Osteo arthritis and finds the Nectar Balm very helpful.
Sue Boland-Vernon –
This product is a life-saver. I have massive pain in my ankles (result of multiple sprains) and my knees (severe patello-femoral osteoarthritis). The pain used to keep me awake at night, or wake me up during the night. Nectar Balm has put a stop to that, and I can get quality sleep again. I rub Nectar Balm on my knees and ankles before I go to sleep, and again in the morning after showering. A really important help to keep me energised and happy about life!
Ann Sinclair –
I have arthritis and get quite a lot of pain in my joints particularly my big toe. Immediately I apply Nectar balm I get relief and it almost seems impossible that it could give relief so quickly. I always keep a jar handy and wouldn’t like to be without it.
Christi Grundling –
Can’t go without my Nectar Balm Bee Venom Cream and a pity I didn’t know about it since my knee cap replacement nearly five years ago. Since the first time I have used it there is no other substance to replace it. No paracetamol or codeine work as fast as Nectar Balm Bee Venom Cream and it is so easy to use. Rub it on – pain is gone. Thanks bees!!
Christi Grundling
Gary Matusavige – USA –
The day I picked up my order I woke up with a new pain on my inner hip that made it difficult to walk. I put nectar balm on twice it was gone the next day. I am usually in pain all the time for spinal issues, just last week had an epidural that helped a lot but still have symptoms of the pinched nerves or what ever it is that’s causing the pain.
The dr said fibromyalgia but the medication didn’t do anything. When I feel pain I put Nectar Balm that moment the pain goes away so fast it amazes me how fast and well that it eliminates the pain and tingly nerve feeling.
It works so well I almost think I wasn’t in that much pain but I keep getting the same results; I get pain then I apply it the pains gone. It’s hard to describe but my wife says I said the same thing last time I ordered it.
Gary Matusavige
USA