Stingless bee honey – the Mother Medicine BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » thesundaypost - New 2 Borneo |
| Stingless bee honey – the Mother Medicine Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:35 AM PDT by Rintos Mail, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on August 31, 2014, Sunday ALONG the 50-metre stretch of the riverbank at Kampung Senah Rayang, a number of small boxes are attached to a row of wooden poles. Do you know what are inside the boxes? Bees, yes bees. What's really special about these bees is they are stingless – and known as Trigona or Kelulut in Malaysia. They belong to the family apidae. During my visit to the kampung for an official function, a swarm of these stingless bees (meliponines) could be seen buzzing inside the boxes and around a gong, hung at the side of the community hall. It was quite an amazing sight. I wasn't surprised by the bees' black colour as I had seen this species before. What I didn't know is they produce not only edible but also nutritious honey. Stingless bee honey is twice as nutritious as ordinary honey, according to the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi). The other species of honeybees I know seem to like zipping and buzzing around with a great sense of urgency to accomplish their work, including to sting. As the saying goes, as busy as a bee. However, the stingless bees don't whizz around so much, seemingly much more relaxed, and somehow will not make you feel as tense with their lack of sting during an encounter. They are much smaller – about three to five millimetres in size, and have a slimmer body in total variance with the usual yellow and black sting-capable honeybees. Although they do not sting, Trigona can be aggressive too, especially when threatened. My experience with this species is they attack the soft part of your skin like eyelids, lips, face and neck. They also tangle in your hair even although they don't sting. They have stingers but these are highly reduced and cannot be used for defence. Twice as nutritious Until my visit to Kampung Senah Rayang in upper Padawan, about 90km from Kuching, I always regarded these stingless bees as worthless social insects. But according to kampung headman Roslee Abdullah, Trigona honey is known for its medicinal values. He said the villagers had tried rearing these stingless bees on recommendation by Mardi. A two-day course on this venture was held at the village in May with 60 participants. Roslee added that after the course, the village security and development committee (AJKKK) started a pilot project with eight bee boxes along the riverbank. Some families also tried it with several boxes around their houses. Roslee said the boxes were placed near coconut trees since meliponines are good pollinators of coconuts. "In fact, the bees are farmer-friendly because they pollinate fruit trees and vegetables." He revealed the villagers had been collecting stingless bee honey from the wild but did not know its nutritional values. "In the past, the honey was collected for consumption only," he added. A villager Johari Mohd Jeprydin said the stingless bees are not dangerous to children and are fascinating to watch. "Look, there are many of them around the gong and they are not bothered by the kids walking by." It is believed there are about 15 species of stingless bees. They have a queen, drones and many sterile workers – just like colonies of commercial honeybees. Lure of the queens Johari said to attract armies of sterile workers, the queens which live in hollow trees found in the wild or near the village, had to be brought to the boxes. The size of a colony in a hollow tree can range from a few dozens to over 100,000. The bees store pollen and honey in large egg-shaped pots made of beeswax, mixed typically with various types of plant resin (sometimes called propolis). These pots are often arranged around a central set of horizontal brood combs where the larval bees are housed. When emerging from their cells, the young worker bees tend to remain inside the hive, performing different jobs. As the workers age, they become guards or foragers. Unlike honeybee larvae, meliponine larvae are not fed directly. The pollen and nectar are placed in a cell, an egg is laid and the cell sealed until the adult bee emerges after pupation. Johari said they were told a hive of stingless bees reared in a box produced about 700 grammes of honey, adding that these bees produced a delicious tangy honey, sweet and sour. "I have tried it before," he added. He also said a new colony reared in a box normally started producing honey after three months. "But when you rear these bees, make sure there are fruit trees around them because their colonies rely entirely on flower nectar and pollen for food." Researchers have also discovered stingless bees are important pollinators of many forests and native plants, crops and garden flowers in their search for nectar and pollen. Enemy of diseases For centuries honey is known to be the enemy of diseases. Stingless bee honey is called Mother Medicine and there are an increasing number of traditional practitioners and researchers suggesting its use. Many known health benefits of eating stingless bee honey regularly include anti-ageing, enhanced libido and immune system, fighting bacteria and treating bronchial catarrh, sore throat, coughs and colds. Honey is also restorative after an illness and said to sooth pain, act as antiseptic, hasten healing, relieve cough and be effective in curing burns, carbuncle, boils and diabetic wounds. An extensive study on honey by Mohammed Moniruzzaman et. al., published in BioMed Research International Volume 2014, reported that among the various honey varietals taken from the different regions of Malaysia, dark colour honey produced by Trigona from starfruit or carambola trees contains exceptionally high levels of potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Stingless bee honey certainly has a lot of nutrients because meliponine is smaller than the normal bee and can suck nectar from flowers to the deepest space. As a result, the honey collected contains many vitamins and minerals, among which is propolis, produced from the bee's saliva mixed with its food such as pollen, bark, tree shoots and flowers. Propolis is considered beneficial to heatlh because it contains all 16 amino acids, glucose, vitamins A, B, C, D and E, bioflavonoids and minerals. Bioflavanid repairs and improves the systems of the human body and livestock. Rear the real thing Nowadays, many people are fond of honey and some have even bought fake honey. This is because technology today is so advanced that it can help formulate honey identical to the original product. So rearing your own honey bees is an option to obtain real honey. If you are afraid of being stung, then rear the stingless bees. The Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Development Unit (Bedu) in the Chief Minister's Department and Mardi are taking steps to promote and commercialise stingless bee honey. Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department (Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Naroden Majais said in May Malaysia spent RM26.7 million on imported honey in 2008 and this increased to RM40.8 million in 2011 and RM50 million last year. He added that based on last year's statistics, only 730 entrepreneurs nationwide had ventured into honey production. Naroden noted that stingless bees rearing could become an important cottage industry for the people to earn extra income. With a starting capital of between RM40,000 and RM50,000, he said apiarists (honey farmers) could earn between RM5,000 and RM30,000 a month with between 50 and 1,000 bee colonies. Each colony could produce up to 2kg of honey a month, he said, adding that the honey could fetch RM120 per kg in peninsular Malaysia. Based on Mardi's research, there are 35 species of stingless bees in the peninsula while more can be found in Sarawak. Mardi is popularising the breeding of stingless bees. Meliponine honey in the form of medicinal honey contains natural antibiotic elements and functions as an anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-toxic agent. It also dilates blood vessels, strengthens the immune system and activates cells.   |
| Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:32 AM PDT by Ghaz Ghazali, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on August 31, 2014, Sunday BY sight alone, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is no different than any urban centres across the fast-developing Greater Mekong region. The thriving city – formerly called Saigon and used to be the capital of South Vietnam before the Reunification with the North in the mid-70's – is home to 10 million people and a manufacturing hub for many multi-nationals. Still not many find the city the ideal vacation spot. Upon my return to Kuching, a friend asked: "What event were you're going for there?" "I was on holiday," I said. "Why?" he retorted with a perplexed look. Scooters, scooters everywhere His reaction, however, did make me question: What makes HCMC different? With rapid development and massive population come that downside anyone could see in metropolises across Asean – unbearable traffic jams. In this respect, though, HCMC has its own uniqueness. Go to any junctions in the city and one can witness a sea of motorcycles, covering the lanes whenever the traffic light turns red. Not exactly a surprising sight, considering the number of the two-wheel vehicles in the city alone has reached five million – about 14 per cent of the total 37 million in Vietnam, according to statistics from its Transportation Ministry. "It's really easy to get a motorbike, especially a scooter, here," said a local tourist guide who introduced himself as Ken. "With only US$1,000 (RM3,170), you can get five bikes. Obtaining a licence is also quite easy. Many tourists buy scooters during their stay here and later sell them before leaving. "Done right, it can be a very viable venture." Jokingly, Ken also said owning a scooter could score a single guy some points with the ladies. "One motorbike means one pillion – preferably a beautiful Vietnamese girl. I have three scooters," he grinned. Possible danger aside, I found crossing the scooter-swarmed streets of HCMC quite an adventure. I learned – rather frustratingly – that waiting for the traffic to subside would definitely get you nowhere. In this case, the saying do what the locals do certainly applies. Be as careful as you must but do not appear hesitant when weaving your way through the insane flow of motorcycles. Fortunately for tourists, most bikers would give way to pedestrians, honking to announce their presence beforehand. Shop till you drop Still, conquering the streets in HCMC is not exactly a solid selling point that Vietnam can put on its promotional tourism brochures. Shopping, on the other hand, is definitely a yes. In this respect, the city has Ben Thanh Market to be proud of. Located in the very middle of District 1, this tourist magnet was built in 1870 by the French and initially – and appropriately – called Les Halles Centrales (Central Halls in French) before being renamed in 1912. With a humble beginning as a wet market, the place has now become the oldest and the largest of its kind in Vietnam, having survived many ups and downs throughout its almost 200-year history. Here, shoppers are spoilt for choice. The variety of trades in the complex ranges from the usual grocery items like meats and vegetables, food and beverage, to garments and accessories, souvenir items, as well as household and hardware products. I must say the place feels right at home for Malaysians. Everywhere I went, the vendors would greet: "Mari abang, masuk tengok barang. Saiz abang ada (Come in sir, have a look. We have the size for you)." At first, it was amusing but over time, it became a bit annoying, especially when some of them were very insistent. Nonetheless, the Vietnamese are generally gentle people and there are many courteous traders who welcome tourists with that renowned Asian hospitality. Make no mistake, though. They are still businesspeople and as buyers, you must polish up your bargaining skills. While the pricing is considerably less than those in Bangkok's Chatuchak and Patpong, Jakarta's Tanah Abang, Bandung's Kedei Babe, Manila's Quaipo or even Kuala Lumpur's Petaling Street and Chow Kit, having the finesse in getting the best deal in Ben Thanh Market would warrant a second – possibly a third – packed luggage on your flight home. Gastronomic pleasures The energy needed to hunt for the best bargains while shopping at Ben Thanh Market or Saigon Square certainly requires some "refuelling." In this regard, the city does not disappoint. Ranging from gourmet offerings in posh restaurants, snacks at homegrown bistros or local fares along the streets, you can take your pick according to your preference and, of course, your wallet. My choice would be the street food – cheap, readily available day or night and most importantly, tasty. However, one could not be more wrong in assuming these simple dishes belong in the low-class bracket. Take baguettes, for example. The wonderfully crusty and chewy loaves usually conjure up the image of patrons sipping café lattes and accompanying their slices with raspberry confít or marmalade at fashionable cafés in Paris. In HCMC as well as other cities across Vietnam, the scene is more exotic. Hawkers fill their homemade baguettes with sautéed onions and the meat of customer's choice, then layer them up with sliced cucumbers, basil leaves, bean sprouts and tomatoes before finishing the orders with generous splashes of soy sauce, fish sauce and – depending on how fiery diners want them – hot chilli sauce. No butter, no mayonnaise, no lettuce! For Muslim travellers, there is no issue as there are many halal restaurants, mostly operated by Malaysians or Indonesians, dotting District 1 and 3. Underground legacy Having spent the first two days of my weekend stay in HCMC on food and shopping – all while skilfully navigating through the busy traffic – I decided to find out more about Vietnam. Coincidentally, the receptionist at the hotel recommended a half-day tour to the Chu Chi Tunnels – at just 300,000 Vietnamese dong (around RM45). The vestige of the Vietnamese resistance against the French and Americans between the late 40's and early 70's, the elaborate underground network spans some 250km underneath the villages of Tan-Phu-Trung and Phuoc-Vinh-An in the northwest of HCMC. Simply put, it was a subterranean community with shelters, storage areas, including for weapons, medical quarters, cooking sections and even schools for children of the resistance. The 'three-scooter guy' Ken was our guide, taking us through the remnants of the war-torn era. Having watched so many Hollywood Nam movies, I must say I find most of the silver screen versions a bit romanticised. This is especially so when Ken brought us to the traps section of the memorial park. "In the movies, you mostly see deaths of American soldiers by shooting. (This is) not entirely true. See these traps? They're meant as means of torture that didn't necessarily result in death," he said, pointing at a contraption installed on a vertically rotating door that had spikes on each end of both sides. The positioning of the spikes simply made me cringe. Ever the comedian, Ken quipped: "Bust on one of these doors, and you'll bust something you'll never get back. Fate worse than death, huh?" Chilling! As a tourist, it was an insightful experience but one must not forget this site also serves as a reminder of the dark times that once befell the country – at least 45,000 Vietnamese men, women and children are said to have died defending the tunnels over the course of the war. Pockets of fun So there you go, I managed to get adventure, retail therapy, culinary experience and hands-on history lesson all rolled into three very fulfilling days. It may seem like a shortcoming (pardon the pun) but HCMC is really one of those cities you would appreciate more during short visits rather than the long stays. Again, funny guy Ken gave a rather apt, albeit a bit sexist, view on this: "Look at this city as a woman. Stay with her long enough and it'll be like a boring marriage. But see her as a mistress and you'll enjoy the pleasures in every visit." Not exactly poetic, but I'll take it anyway. |
| Posted: 30 Aug 2014 10:30 AM PDT by Jannie Tan. Posted on August 31, 2014, Sunday WITH a descending "ka-ka-ka-ka" call, the green bird sat on its perch, waiting for its mate. "Ka-ka-ka-ka," came the reply from above. The birds were taking turns to feed their young. The male swooped down into its nest in the ground and within a few seconds out it came. It perched on the same branch. Then came the female's turn. She entered the nest and came out again. With a final "ka-ka-ka-ka" the pair flew off. Click! Click! Click! Click! Click! The cameras fired away. For a moment there was silence then chatter was heard as the birders relaxed and started chit-chatting while they waited for the return of the green bird. Bee-eaters are members of the Meropidae family, of which there are 26 species worldwide. Of these only three are found in Borneo — one of which is the Red-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis amictus), which is a locally common resident of primary and old secondary forests in Borneo's lowland forests. It ranges from Borneo to Sumatra through the Malay peninsula and into Myanmar. Red-bearded Bee-eaters are called this because of their vermilion throat feathers, which look like a beard when they are puffed out. Unlike the elegant looking Blue-throated Bee-eaters, the Red-bearded are more robust in appearance. They grow to a size of 27 to 31 centimetres. The male has a pinkish lilac forehead and crown with a narrow fringe of blue feathers at the base of the bill and around the eyes. Their lores (spot between the eye and start of the beak), chin and throat are red. The female's forehead is vermilion and forecrown lilac. The bill is dark and curves downwards at the tip. As it calls, the bird stretches forward, puffs its long throat feathers out, and bobs its head up and down with each note. It may also jump a few steps sideways along the perch, then turn around to face the other way. When making the rattling call, it wags its tail backwards and forwards. Red-bearded Bee-eaters hunt for food alone or with mates, chasing after insects from a perch. They eat a variety of invertebrates in flight, preying not just on bees but also beetles, wasps and ants. They rest quietly hidden on a chosen branch, waiting for their prey to come within range, and then fly fast with great agility to capture it. Unlike most bee-eaters, the Red-bearded are not colonial breeders and nest either solitarily or in pairs. They build their nests on perpendicular earth banks or road cuttings. The nest burrow is about 1.2 metres long and while many may be excavated, only one is actually used. Both the male and female guard the nest. I have seen the Red-bearded Bee-eater chasing off a shrew that invaded the nesting area and the fight went on for a couple of minutes with the shrew running off into the forest. It was amazing! No matter how many times you see these birds, they can still make a day special and cause excitement. For more information about Red-bearded Bee-eaters or other birds of Sarawak read 'Phillipps' Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo' by Quentin Phillipps and Karan Phillipps. The Malaysian Nature Society |
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