“A special, rare honey that comes from stingless bees.” This statement caught my attention when Chris, owner of Kura Alkaline Wellness Shop, stated it.
Usually, whenever anyone hears “bzzzzzz,” that infamous sound of a bee in flight, it strikes fear, caution, and the normal self-preservation instinct to protect oneself. And what’s wild is that we instinctively know the difference in tone between a fly’s buzz and a bee’s. A fly gives off that light, annoying hum like static in your ear. But a bee? That drone cuts through the air with more purpose and weight, like nature’s siren warning you to watch your step.
This whole experience started from a simple request from my mother. She asked me to visit Nicholas Brooklyn, that cultural mecca of herbal wisdom and community healing on Fulton Street. For those who don’t know, Nicholas Brooklyn is one of those sacred, Black-owned hubs where you can find everything from African shea butter and sea moss to metaphysics and food sovereignty lectures. The owner is a quiet revolutionary in her own right—holding space for natural healers, old school herbalists and everyday people seeking something beyond what the pharmacy offers.
My mission was to obtain a free in-store sample of honey, which was said to improve eyesight. What I didn’t expect was to walk away with a deeper understanding of the stingless bee and its ancient gift.
Chris from Kura told me, “What’s going on, family? My name is Chris. I’m the founder of Kura Alkaline Wellness Shop, and today I want to talk to you about a special, rare honey that comes from stingless bees—bees without stingers. I source this honey from Colombia. These bees are mostly found in Central and South America.” There’s something in the way he says it—not like a salesman pitching a product, but like a griot recalling ancient truths.
Stingless bee honey, also known as Melipona honey, is thinner and slightly tangy, with medicinal properties that span across continents. Beyond nourishment, it has long been used for healing wounds, improving cognitive function, reducing inflammation and supporting vision.
Let’s talk science. A 2022 study published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology noted that stingless bee honey contains powerful antioxidants, antibacterial compounds, and anti-inflammatory agents. Another study in PubMed Central referenced its efficacy in wound healing, cognitive function improvement, immune modulation, and as a natural antimicrobial. One paper from the Universiti Sains Malaysia specifically highlighted its potential for eye applications, stating that the honey demonstrated promising anti-inflammatory activity in ocular cells and reduced oxidative stress markers, which can contribute to visual clarity and eye tissue repair.
An academic review from the Department of Biochemistry at Universiti Putra Malaysia highlighted its high polyphenol content, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, which contribute to its antioxidant effects. These compounds can modulate inflammation, protect against cellular damage, support brain function, enhance gut health and aid tissue regeneration.
But perhaps most intriguing is its use for eye health. Although limited in Western clinical trials, anecdotal reports and traditional practices suggest that stingless bee honey is used directly in the eyes to improve vision and treat conditions such as cataracts and conjunctivitis.
I found a video by Dr. Joseph Allen, an optometrist, who detailed his personal experiment using stingless bee honey as an eye drop. He explained how the honey helped calm eye irritation and inflammation, noting its natural antimicrobial properties.
When even conventional doctors begin exploring traditional remedies, it’s worth taking note.
Chris explained that because the bees are stingless, they build their hives in hollow logs or clay pots, and the honey is harvested with care rather than force. “You have to respect them,” he said. “It’s not just about taking, it’s about the exchange.”
From a naturopathic lens, this makes sense. Many traditional healers see honey as a living substance—something with spirit. And because of its limited production and high medicinal value, stingless bee honey is often treated more like a tincture or elixir than a kitchen sweetener.
Let me be clear: while promising, always seek advice from a medical professional—ideally one familiar with naturopathic approaches. Sometimes, the best wisdom lies outside the walls of what is widely accepted.
I don’t know what stayed with me more—the taste of that rare honey or the look in Chris’s eyes when he talked about healing. Maybe it was both. Perhaps it was the buzzing of truth I felt inside myself, like that deep thrum of a bee’s wings, vibrating just below the surface, telling me to pay attention.
There are many things in this world that sting. But healing, sometimes, comes from what doesn’t.
Historically, ancient cultures across the Americas, Southeast Asia, and Australia recognized the healing powers of stingless bee honey. From wound treatment to vision support and immune modulation, it has been embraced for its multi-system benefits without fanfare or force. What binds these traditions is an understanding that healing isn’t always loud—it can be subtle, sacred and slow-dripped from the wings of something that never needed to sting to leave its mark.
In an era where ancestral healing is often overshadowed by pharmaceutical promises, it’s worth remembering that the quietest remedies can sometimes have the most remarkable effects on our health.
For those looking to experience this honey first-hand, Chris from Kura Alkaline Wellness Shop will be at Nicholas Brooklyn every day at 3:00 p.m for the next few weeks.
