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| 1655 engraving of Childeric I's golden bees (5th c.) |
"We recall that in all treatments the honey which is most effective is that in which there are dead bees. If you happen to use it, it will be worth seeking out."
Plinii Secundi qui feruntur de medicina libri tres (4th century)
There's no better sweetener for your therapeutic cup of tea than honey studded with embalmed bees. Drink up!
True enough, though - the bees, beeswax, larvae, propolis, and pollen were just as important to making mead as was the honey itself. They provided vitamins, protein, and made mead more than just a nice alcoholic beverage! It was a drink that fed as well as being safer to drink than plain water.
ReplyDeleteStill sounds a bit icky, though, to many modern folks' standards.
Amber from Pixie's Pocket