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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 27 Jan 1999 21:50:01 -0000
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Stefan Stangaciu says
   " * the essential oils are NATURAL substances; in correct amounts they
will never hurt somebody, on the contrary, it will help to get rid of
many diseases, or will give just a better respiration."
 
I am sure you never intended to imply that "natural" substances are, by
definition, harmless. Many of the most toxic substances known are "natural",
having been produced by plants or animals as part of their defence
mechanisms, and you should be careful in choosing wild mushrooms to eat.
 
What about essential oils? Well, there is nothing "essential" about them.
They are more accurately known as volatile oils, which is what makes them of
use in beekeeping. Many are complex mixtures. Several individual components
are known to be quite toxic (eg methyl salicylate lethal dose 10ml for
children, 30 ml for adults). Most components are of unknown toxicity.
 
(read "What's so essential about essential oils?" written by USDA staff in
The Speedy Bee - sorry I don't have the proper reference)
 
Any substance ending up in honey has to be a bad thing. The problem with the
use of "alternative" treatments is the poor regulation of the amounts
applied. The chemical strips used to apply Apistan or Bayvarol do at least
exercise this control, and are backed up by analysis to determine residues
(Undetectable in honey, wax is another story)
 
Any chemical, natural or otherwise, is very undesirable in honey. Surely the
best approach is by management techniques in the season (eg drone brood
uncapping), keeping all chemical treatments to the autumn when the supers
have been removed?
 
John Burgess, editor Gwenynwyr Cymru, The Welsh Beekeeper

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