Abstract:

Nowadays, aromatic plants and oils have significant contributions in growth performance, regulation of the digestive system and struggle with disease factors in farm animals. In beekeeping, many synthetic drugs are used against bee diseases and pests. Medicinal aromatic plants and oils, whose beneficial effects are known, are used in beekeeping in order to overcome the mentioned problems by natural means. In multiple researches it has been reported that herbs and essential oils of thyme, clove, mint, lemongrass, cinnamon, grapefruit, rosemary, marigold, laurel, eucalyptus and tea tree have lethal effects against mites, bacteria and fungi. When used appropriate doses, aromatic oils do not cause any toxic effects on the bee colony and have no negative effects on colony development. In addition, the use of medicinal aromatic herbs and oils in beekeeping supports organic production, as well as preventing residue problems in bee products (honey, beeswax and others).

Keywords: