Hi Everyone,
Just a comment on this thread.  The fireweed mentioned by Dr Ramadan is not, repeat not the same plant we call fireweed here in MN or in the western US or Alaska and Canada.  This is the usual source of fireweed honey.  One of the confusing things about common names.  Dr Ramadan did include the scientific name of the plant he was refering to in his orginal post and noted that it occured in tropical or subtropical areas in the pacific basin.  The fireweed that produces that very light honey from North America occurs in cool temperate or cooler climates.

blane


>>> [log in to unmask] 08/10/01 12:31AM >>>
Maurice,

The PA's are naturally present in the pollen. The fireweed plant
"creates" it. Just as these alkaloids are in plants such as comfrey
(mostly in the roots) and cause the same type of damage if ingested.
This is not a foreign "agent" that is sticking to the pollen. Fireweedi
is present in large numbers in other areas and the honey is sold - a
recent post on another group said it was very light in color and flavor.

-----Original Message-----
From: Maurice Cobo
--> Dr. Mohsen M. Ramadan wrote:
-> Pollen collected from hives close to these sites should not be offered
for human consumption because of high levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids
present in the pollen and every part of the plant (even dried parts).