Honey Bee Propolis and its amazing benefits
Propolis (bee glue) has been known for centuries.
The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians were aware of the healing properties of propolis and made extensive use of it as a medicine.
Propolis, or bee glue, is a natural wax-like resinous substance found in bee hives where it is used by honeybees as cement and to seal cracks or open spaces.
It is now generally accepted that propolis is collected by honeybees from tree buds or other botanical sources. The best sources of propolis are species of poplar, willow, birch, elm, alder, beech, conifer, and horse-chestnut trees.
Propolis is a…
- Natural Anti-Viral
- Natural Anti Fungal
- Natural Anti-Biotic
- Natural Anti-Septic
- Natural Anti-Bacterial
- Natural Anti-Parasitic
- Natural Anti-Oxidant
- Natural Anti-Cancer
- Natural Anti-Inflammatory
- Natural Anesthetic
- Natural Spasmolytic
Early History of Propolis
Propolis is as old as honey, and it has been used by man for ages. There are records suggesting the use of it by ancient Egyptians, Persians and Romans.
Hippocrates is said to have used propolis to cure wounds and ulcers, both external and internal.
The Romans also revered the bee and propolis extensively. Pliny the Elder in his famous Natural History writes that “propolis has the property of extracting stings and all foreign bodies from the flesh, dispersing tumors, ripening indurations, allaying pains of the sinews, and cicatrizing ulcers of the most obstinate nature.”
Arabs may have known propolis as well. And in the Persian manuscripts propolis is described as a drug against eczemas, myalgia, and rheumatism.
Early Research on Propolis
The development of research on propolis was strictly connected with the development of chemistry. Examples include studies of the chemistry of flavonoids, common compounds contained in propolis. Flavonoids are a diverse group of phytochemicals that are produced by various plants in high quantities.
Another example is glycans. Glycans – also known as carbohydrates, saccharides, or simply sugars – are molecules made up of combinations of different sugar units, such as glucose. Every molecule, cell or organism that interacts with a cell must do so through these cell-surface sugar structures.
“Dr Propolis”
In the years 1967—1973 a series of studies were performed in Denmark, the results of which turned to be sensational. The effectiveness of propolis in treatment was proved as well as the fact that it produces almost no side effects. Dr Karl Lund Aagaard, a Danish biologist, earned the name “Dr Propolis” for his exploits of over 20 years of
propolis collecting and research. After observing the effects of propolis on more than 50,000 patients he drew the following conclusions: The field of influence of Propolis is extremely broad. It includes cancer, infection of the urinary tract, swelling of the throat, gout, open wounds, sinus congestion, colds, influenza, bronchitis, gastritis, diseases of the ears, periodontal disease, intestinal infections, ulcers, eczema eruptions, pneumonia, arthritis, lung disease, stomach virus, headaches, Parkinson’s disease, bile infections, sclerosis, circulation deficiencies, bursitis, warts, conjunctivitis (eyes) and hoarseness.
He also discovered that it is not necessary to extract the individual antibiotics from the propolis but that the substance in its natural form has a powerful curative effect on various diseases such as chronic colitis, pharyngitis, rheumatism, and conjunctivitis.
Antibacterial Properties of Propolis In the 1940s propolis was shown to have bacteriostatic activity against Streptococcus aureus, the typhoid bacillus, and some other bacteria as well.
Application of Propolis
Propolis is reputed to have antiseptic, antibacterial, antimycotic, astringent, spasmolytic, anti- inflammatory, anesthetic, antioxidant, antitumoural, antifungal, antiulcer, anticancer, and immunomodulatory effects. It has been used in a variety of applications, which include ointments and creams used in wound healing, treatment of burns, skin problems, and ulcers. Various propolis preparations have been applied in treatment of laryngological problems, gynecological diseases, asthma, and diabetes. Propolis has been used in toothpaste and mouthwash preparations to treat gingivitis (gums, mouth & teeth) and stomatitis.
Antiviral properties of propolis have been known for many years. In studies on Herpes simplex virus infection and studies on propolis application in genital herpes infection prove its effectiveness. It has been known for a long time that propolis and its extracts have a positive effect on tissue regeneration and promotes the healing processes in damaged cartilage.
In orthopedics propolis preparations were applied to bones in the cases of purulent inflammation thanks to which inflammatory process was inhibited and osseous tissue was restored.
Propolis was proven to be useful in dental pulp regeneration.
Propolis has been marketed as a treatment for rheumatism and sprains. In result – pain, edema, and fever disappeared and during long-term treatment pathological process retreated. Propolis also proved to be effective in the treatment of common cold and chronic tonsillitis.
The flavonoids and antioxidant phenols concentrated in propolis are powerful antioxidants and have been shown to be capable of scavenging free radicals which can extensively interfere with normal cell metabolism. They thereby protect lipids and other compounds such as vitamin C from being oxidized or destroyed. Active free radicals, together with other factors, are considered to be responsible for cellular ageing and degradation in such conditions as cardiovascular diseases (leading to heart attacks and strokes), arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease.
Conclusion
However, despite numerous studies conducted all over the world so far, the constitution of propolis remains largely unknown. It requires further research that may lead to new discoveries of its composition and possible applications.
Acknowledgment
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3985046/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3758027/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31146392/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28814983/
The work was supported by a research Grant KNW- 1-063/P/2/0 from the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland.
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