Have you noticed that the bees are back beginning their months of tireless work gathering nectar for their honeycombs? In doing research for my first book, it was fascinating to learn that evidence of the domestication of bees is depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphics as early as 2422 BCE. These same cave drawings show honey used for purposes both pleasurable and medicinal.
Honey was the nectar of the Hindu gods and is referenced in the writings of both early Sumerians and Babylonians. The honeybee was also the symbol of royalty for the ancient Romans. Beginning in the mid-1770’s the Europeans began to domesticate bees using sustainable hives made first of straw and then later structures of cedar, pine and cypress.
In my book, The Lavender House in Meuse, the sisters at the convent placed sustainable hives in Marie’s flowing fields of lavender from which they too made lavender infused medicinal salves and ointments as well as beeswax candles and lavender scented soaps.
We all know the importance of bees in sustaining the development of healthy crops as they pollinate the foods we consume. One way in which we can support the health of bees is to plant flowers and plants in our yards and gardens where they can collect nectar and help sustain their own hive ecosystems. There are many such planets and lavender is an excellent choice. Easy to grow and care for and beautiful to behold. And never more so than when the beautiful honey and bumblebees are weaving in and out of the lavender blossoms.
