Hanna's Bees, Clash Road, Little Island, Cork (2026)

28/10/2026

HEALTH FOCUS: How does propolis affect the human gut microbiome?

Propolis is well known for its antimicrobial properties, and many of us ingest it on a daily basis. But what exactly happens when it reaches the gut? Does it suppress the beneficial bacteria living there along with potentially harmful microorganisms, or is the relationship more complex?

A 2022 study investigated this using human-derived gut microbiota. Researchers exposed microbiota from healthy adults and several groups of children to a standardised mixture of polyphenols extracted from poplar-type propolis following simulated digestion. What they found was not a general reduction in bacteria, but different responses among different bacterial populations.

In the healthy-adult microbiota, Oscillospira, Blautia and Lachnospira increased, while Bacteroides and Parabacteroides decreased. The response was different again in microbiota from children with obesity, where increases included Dialister, Subdoligranulum and Anaerostipes, and in microbiota from children with coeliac disease, where Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium and Fusicatenibacter increased.

These differing responses suggest that the effects of propolis polyphenols may depend, at least partly, on which microorganisms are already present in the gut microbial community. In other words, the introduction of propolis may produce different microbial changes in different microbiomes. This raises an interesting question for future research: could those different responses produce different, potentially beneficial effects?

The researchers also found that propolis affected what the microorganisms were producing. In the healthy-adult microbiota, fermentation with propolis polyphenols increased acetic acid by 119%, propionic acid by 832% and butyric acid by 142% compared with the blank fermentation. These are short-chain fatty acids produced by gut microorganisms, with established roles in intestinal physiology. They are involved in regulation of the intestinal barrier and immune responses, while butyrate provides an important source of energy for the cells lining the colon.

Research into propolis and the human gut microbiome is still at an early stage, and there is an important limitation here: this was an experimental study using human-derived gut microbiota, not a study in which people consumed propolis. We therefore cannot say that taking propolis will produce these same changes inside the human gut. What the research does show is that propolis polyphenols can influence both the composition and metabolic activity of human-derived gut microbial communities, providing good reason to investigate what those effects could mean for human gut health.

You can read more about the research and the fascinating relationship between propolis and both the honeybee and human gut microbiome at Hanna's Bees.

27/10/2026

My Spike Island Poppy seeds are finally available!

After receiving so many messages about these beautiful purple poppies growing in my cottage garden, I've harvested and packed a limited number of seed packets so that you can grow them in your own garden too.

But these are no ordinary poppies. They have a rather unusual history...

I came across this poppy over 15 years ago, when I went exploring the then deserted prison island of Spike in the middle of Cork Harbour. Also known as Ireland's Alcatraz, Spike Island was where thousands of Irish prisoners were held before being transported to Australia during the Great Famine. It later housed a small fishing village before it became home to a high-security prison.

When I visited, some years after the prison closed, it felt like stepping onto a ghost island. Weathered by wind and salty sea air, prisoners and islanders all gone, the deserted island was slowly being reclaimed by nature.

This is where I found my poppy. So delicate and beautiful against the island's turbulent history and quiet dereliction.

That day, while we were fishing just off Spike, we met a fisherman who had grown up in one of the island's cottages before the villagers had to leave to make room for the high security prison in the 1980s. He told us about island life, the vegetable gardens, orchards and flower-filled cottage gardens that once surrounded the homes, and how hard it had been for his mother to leave it all behind.

I've often wondered whether this poppy could be a survivor from one of those old gardens, quietly reseeding itself long after its owners had gone to live on the mainland.

I brought a couple of seed heads home and scattered them in my own cottage garden. They have returned to flower every summer since and have become one of my bees' favourite flowers. On warm summer mornings, the honeybees are often hovering above the flowers at first light, waiting for them to open so they can collect the abundant pollen.

Every summer, when these poppies flower, I'm reminded of that day on Spike Island. Whether they are descendants of an old cottage garden or a chance survivor, I'm very glad I found them all those years ago...

And now, for the first time, you can grow these poppies in your own garden!

I've harvested the seeds from my cottage garden and have just packed the first 100 packets, with a little over 250 packets available in total.

These are a limited edition, with a maximum of three packets per customer to give as many people as possible the opportunity to grow them.

If you'd like to grow a little piece of Irish heritage in your garden, you can order your Spike Island Poppy seeds in our online shop.

22/10/2026

BEE-SPLAINING: Bees’ Amazing Ability to Make Their Own Supermedicine

Did you know bees are part of a special group of animals that self-medicate?

This fascinating behaviour sees honeybees collect resin from trees and other plants and mix it with beeswax to create a highly anti-microbial substance called propolis. Some scientists are even suggesting that bees deliberately wound certain plants with specific resin properties to help fight and prevent disease.

Honeybees use propolis to create a colony-wide immune system. By coating the inside of the hive with this substance, they ensure that the nest environment is reasonably stable, or homeostatic. Consequently, the bees have designed a health care system where the first line of defense against pathogens is a social immune system.

This social immune system puts a lot less pressure on bees and their individual immune responses, so that they can focus their energies on other things, such as building wax, feeding larvae and collecting nectar and pollen. Scientists have found that Honey Bees increase their resin collection when exposed to certain pathogens as a way to fight disease. Interestingly, bees also use propolis to corral or entomb hive intruders that are too large for them to remove from the hive, such as mice and other animals.

Natural honey contains propolis, as well as pollen and beneficial enzymes and propolis has been used in human medicine and to support human health for thousands of years. Isn't nature amazingly clever!

Want to learn more about bees? Follow us for more Bee-Splaining.

22/10/2026

PRACTICAL TIP: How to Choose the Right Wick for Your Beeswax Candles

When making pure beeswax candles, getting the wick right is everything. The wick determines how cleanly and evenly your candle burns — and the difference between a steady golden flame and a tunnelling candle often comes down to wick size and type.

In beeswax candle making, not all wicks are created equal. Because beeswax is denser and has a higher melting point than soy or paraffin, it needs a wick designed specifically for it. Natural braided cotton wicks — especially square braided — are widely recognised as the best option. They promote a clean, even burn, resist carbon build-up, and give that bright, steady flame we love in beeswax candles.

If your wick is too small, the flame won’t reach the edges of the candle, creating a narrow melt pool and causing the candle to tunnel. If it’s too large, you’ll see a big, smoky flame and faster burn time. Finding the perfect wick size for your candle diameter and type — poured, rolled, or dipped — is key to clean, consistent performance.

That’s why test burning is so important. A simple burn log helps you record melt pool size, flame height, tunnelling, and soot — so you can fine-tune your wick choice for perfect results every time. When you take time to test and observe, your beeswax candles will reward you with a longer, cleaner burn and a calm, golden light that feels truly natural.

Want to learn more about wick types, sizing, and test burning? Read the full guide on our blog. There you can also download our free Candle Burn Log Sheet to record your own results.

22/10/2026

Does Honey Go Off?

No — pure honey doesn’t spoil. Its low moisture and natural acidity protect it from bacteria, so when stored correctly it can last for years. Over time, honey may granulate, darken, or change flavour — all natural signs of ageing. Enzyme activity slowly decreases, but it retains much of its antimicrobial power long after harvesting. Keep it sealed, dry, and away from heat to preserve its quality.

Did you find this post useful? Share it with someone who loves honey too.

21/10/2026

Reader’s Question: What is Mad Honey — and do Bees make it in Ireland?

Mad honey is a rare and potent type of honey made when bees collect nectar from certain species of rhododendron. These plants contain natural compounds known as grayanotoxins, which affect the nervous and cardiovascular systems. In small amounts, this honey can cause dizziness, nausea, or a drop in blood pressure; in larger doses, it can lead to serious poisoning — and in rare cases, has been fatal.

Bees don’t deliberately seek out rhododendron, but in some regions — particularly certain mountainous parts of Turkey and Nepal — these plants dominate the landscape. With few other flowers available, bees forage heavily on them, and the toxins from the nectar pass into the honey. This is where most of the world’s mad honey comes from.

Laboratory tests have confirmed that grayanotoxins can harm bees, though they appear to have some natural resistance. In normal field conditions, bees generally avoid rhododendron nectar or dilute it with nectar from other flowers, so poisoning within the hive is rare.

In traditional medicine, mad honey has been used in small doses for centuries, mainly for blood pressure, circulation, and joint pain. However, these uses are not supported by scientific evidence, and modern medicine considers it risky rather than therapeutic.

In Ireland, rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) is an invasive species found mostly in woodlands and mountain areas. It contains the same toxins, but bees here seldom forage on it because other nectar sources are abundant and more appealing. The concentration of rhododendron needed to produce toxic honey simply doesn’t occur here, and mad honey has never been known to be produced in Ireland.

So while “mad honey” continues to intrigue, it’s more a story of unique geography than everyday beekeeping — a reminder that even nature’s sweetest gifts come with surprises.

Did you enjoy this post? Give us a follow for more curious insights into the fascinating world of bees — and don’t forget to share it with someone who might find it interesting too.

20/10/2026

Are you a curious soul who enjoys learning new things?
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20/10/2026

Candle-making season is finally here! I spent most of last week in the wax shed making beeswax candles. It's a pretty time-consuming job as we first have to melt and clean the beeswax, and then make the candles, but it's nice and warm in the wax shed and it smells absolutely amazing!

In October, we try to stock up ahead of the busy Christmas gifting season. I know this is not the time of year for coming up with new stuff. I should be rolling up my sleeves and getting on with production, but I just can't help myself...

So, I've also been working on two new candles, which are not yet available through our stockists, only in our online shop. A long-burning beeswax candle in response to customer requests, and a seasonal pine cone candle that's particularly personal to me.

I've never been particularly drawn to highly decorative candles. I've always preferred simple, functional shapes that allow the natural colour and beauty of beeswax to speak for themselves. But the pine cone candle is an exception. That’s because they remind me so much of my mother, Ulla.

In addition to being a keen gardener with a grá for fishing, my mother is a writer and academic. Throughout my childhood, whenever she was facing a writing deadline, she would go out into the garden and collect pine cones. As children, we always knew a deadline was approaching when she started picking pine cones! I think we thought she was escaping the inevitable, but since I started writing myself, I now understand she was merely collecting her thoughts and getting prepared for the task ahead…

It's a rather quirky habit I've picked up myself. Whenever I feel stressed or need a little time to think, I often take a basket and head out into the woods behind our house to collect pine cones. It's a wonderful way to get outdoors, organise my thoughts and reconnect with both myself and nature.

Every time I make one of these candles, I think of my mother, and in many ways, this beautiful candle is dedicated to her, and the gifts she has given me: a love of writing and a love of nature. I won't be spending Christmas with my parents this year, but it makes me really happy to know that they'll have these pine cone candles on their Christmas table. So, in a way, I feel I'll be there anyway.

Another thing that happened last week is that we have some great news about shipping costs!

I'm delighted to share that we've renegotiated our shipping rates with An Post. We've been able to reduce our tracked shipping charge across the island of Ireland from €8 to €5.50 - 6.50 depending on the size of the parcel.

I know that shipping costs have been a concern for some of our customers in the past, especially those placing smaller orders under the €70 threshold for free shipping, so I'm particularly pleased that we can now offer a lower rate. At a time when the cost of almost everything seems to be increasing, it's lovely to be able to bring a price down, especially as we head towards Christmas.

Thank you for reading and have a lovely evening wherever you are!

Hanna

20/10/2026

Health Focus - Can Propolis Help Athlete’s Foot Fungal Infections?

Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is a superficial fungal infection of the feet caused primarily by Trichophyton species. The fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, particularly inside tight or non-breathable footwear and synthetic sports socks. The condition affects an estimated 3% of the global population at any given time and is more common in adults, especially men, due to increased perspiration and prolonged use of enclosed footwear. While often mild, it can lead to cracked skin and, in more severe cases, secondary bacterial infections—particularly in individuals with diabetes or poor circulation.

Scientists are now investigating propolis as a potential treatment and preventive measure for fungal infections such as athlete’s foot. Here is what current research indicates, and where it may be heading.

Propolis is a highly antimicrobial substance made by honeybees from plant resins, and forms the bees’ communal immune system as their first line of defence against harmful microbes. One of the first medicines known to humans, propolis has supported health for thousands of years and is now gaining recognition in medical research as a possible treatment for many common ailments.

Propolis is composed of a diverse range of bioactive plant compounds, notably flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are responsible for its broad antimicrobial profile. These substances interfere with fungal cell membranes, limit microbial growth, and help moderate inflammation in the surrounding tissue. Laboratory studies have shown that ethanolic extracts of propolis inhibit the growth of Trichophyton species, and newer formulations—such as gels containing approximately 16% propolis—demonstrate enhanced antifungal activity and better skin adherence. Clinical research remains limited but promising: a randomised controlled trial conducted in Turkey in 2025 reported greater physician-rated improvement in participants using a topical propolis preparation compared with those receiving a placebo. Smaller studies using Brazilian green propolis have reported similar benefits, including reduced symptoms and faster recovery.

Anecdotal use of propolis preparations is widespread, with many individuals applying propolis creams or tinctures to affected areas and reporting improvement in itching and scaling. While such accounts are subjective and cannot substitute for controlled evidence, they align with emerging clinical observations suggesting that propolis may help reduce inflammation and inhibit fungal growth.

Conventional antifungal agents such as terbinafine and clotrimazole remain the recommended first-line treatments for athlete’s foot. Although propolis is not yet included in clinical guidelines, ongoing research continues to strengthen the evidence for its antifungal and skin-repairing properties. As standardised extracts and well-designed topical formulations become more widely available, propolis may emerge as a recognised adjunct therapy for athlete’s foot—offering a natural, well-tolerated option alongside conventional treatments.

Patch testing is advisable before use, as propolis can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Do not use bee products if you are allergic to them. Consult a healthcare professional for persistent or serious conditions.

19/10/2026

HEALTH FOCUS: What’s the best way for children to take propolis?

Propolis is gaining recognition for its role in supporting immune health and helping with common childhood ailments such as colds and sore throats.

Propolis is a resinous, highly antimicrobial substance made by honeybees from plant resins to protect their colonies from harmful microbes. It forms the bees’ communal immune system — their first line of defence against infection — and has been used by humans for thousands of years. Rich in bioactive compounds with antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, propolis is traditionally used to support immunity and soothe the upper respiratory tract. In recent years, scientists have studied its potential use in children for conditions such as recurrent ear infections, sore throats, mouth ulcers and gum inflammation, and it is now gaining recognition in medical research as a possible aid for many common ailments.

Propolis is available in tinctures, powders, capsules and tablets. For general immune support or during colds, the tincture is most common. These are usually alcohol-based extracts, but the daily dose is very small so should not be cause for concern.

For reference, the typical adult dose of propolis is about 500 mg daily. Children need only a fraction of this. For general immune support or during colds, start with 1–3 drops once daily for children aged 2–5 years, and 3–5 drops once daily for those aged 6–12 years. Drops should always be diluted in a warm drink, yoghurt, porridge or honey. The warmth helps evaporate most of the alcohol and softens the strong taste. Alcohol-free glycerine or water-based extracts can be used in the same way.

Propolis powder can be mixed into yoghurt, porridge or honey. A guide amount is about ¼ teaspoon (150–250 mg) daily for children aged 6–12 years and a pinch (80–150 mg) for those aged 2–5. It is not the quantity that makes the difference but regular, consistent use — small daily amounts help to support the immune system and recovery over time.

Several clinical studies have included children taking propolis, showing good short-term tolerability. A randomised trial in children aged 1–5 years found that a syrup containing propolis and zinc reduced new ear infections over three months. Another study of children with recurrent respiratory infections reported fewer illness episodes when given a supplement containing propolis, echinacea and vitamin C. Short trials in school-aged children using propolis mouthwash or chewing gum for oral health showed reduced plaque and gum inflammation. While many of these preparations combined propolis with other ingredients, they demonstrate that propolis has been safely tested in paediatric settings, though it is not included in formal paediatric treatment guidelines.

Contact allergy is the main potential side effect. To perform a patch test, apply a small drop of diluted tincture or a pinch of powder mixed with water to the inside of your child’s wrist or elbow crease. Leave it for 24 hours and check for redness or irritation. If this occurs, do not use propolis. Children generally tolerate propolis well, but it should not be given to infants under 12 months, as it may contain traces of honey.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Do not use bee products if you are allergic to them. Consult a healthcare professional for persistent or serious conditions.