Propolis - the Natural Antibiotic
Several years ago, my brother had an accident - he was mowing the lawn and something get stuck in the lawnmower. He decided quite foolishly to clear it with his hands and that is when couple of his fingers got caught in the machine. After several days in the hospital, doctors told him they have to amputate one of his fingers. He refused and at that moment, I thought he did his second foolish mistake. Little I knew that he took a very smart decision. He left the hospital and started treating his wounds topically with propolis. After a month, the only sign of the accident was the missing tip of one of his fingers. You see, my brother is a beekeeper and knew something that is known to man for centuries - a bee product that in ancient times Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used to heal skin lesions and slow healing wounds. We all know about benefits that honey and bee pollen provide us but little is known about the bee glue or propolis.
What is Propolis?
Propolis is a resinous mixture that honey bees collect from tree buds, leafy stalks and young twigs of certain trees. Propolis comes from the sap or juice secreted by trees to fight their own infection and disease and heal cuts. The bees gathered this resin and improve it by adding enzymes, pollen and wax. Bee propolis is composed from 50% resins and balsams, 30% waxes, 10% essential oils, 5% pollen, minerals. It is rich in amino acids and vitamins. The key compounds of propolis are the bioflavonoids.
Propolis is usually dark brown, but really vary in color (red, green, black) from hive to hive and depending on the tree source from which is collected. It has a pleasant aroma of poplar buds and honey.The name propolis is coming from Greek and means "defender of the city".
What bees are using it for?
For many centuries people believed that propolis is used in the hive to seal small holes to protect it from wind and cold. But after years of research, today its believed that propolis is used not only to protect the hive from rain and winter drafts, but more importantly to prevent diseases and parasites from entering the hive and inhibit bacterial growth - making the interior of the hive one of the most sterile environments found in nature. If however an insect finds its way in the hive, the bees will coat it with propolis - this has mummifying effect and this way preventing bacterial growth in the hive.
What are the benefits?
"What's in it for me?" you will ask. Well, you have just discovered the most powerful all natural antibiotic that can overcome disorders ranging from common cold to arthritis. If taken regularly, propolis will strengthen your immune system by increasing leukocytes activity and antibody formation, build up your resistance to colds, flu and infections. And unlike synthetic antibiotics, the beneficial bacteria essential for human health is not killed from propolis. Below are some of the most important properties of propolis:
If you are interested in the science behind all these benefits, check out our blog.
What does propolis cure?
Propolis is a resinous mixture that honey bees collect from tree buds, leafy stalks and young twigs of certain trees. Propolis comes from the sap or juice secreted by trees to fight their own infection and disease and heal cuts. The bees gathered this resin and improve it by adding enzymes, pollen and wax. Bee propolis is composed from 50% resins and balsams, 30% waxes, 10% essential oils, 5% pollen, minerals. It is rich in amino acids and vitamins. The key compounds of propolis are the bioflavonoids.
Propolis is usually dark brown, but really vary in color (red, green, black) from hive to hive and depending on the tree source from which is collected. It has a pleasant aroma of poplar buds and honey.The name propolis is coming from Greek and means "defender of the city".
What bees are using it for?
For many centuries people believed that propolis is used in the hive to seal small holes to protect it from wind and cold. But after years of research, today its believed that propolis is used not only to protect the hive from rain and winter drafts, but more importantly to prevent diseases and parasites from entering the hive and inhibit bacterial growth - making the interior of the hive one of the most sterile environments found in nature. If however an insect finds its way in the hive, the bees will coat it with propolis - this has mummifying effect and this way preventing bacterial growth in the hive.
What are the benefits?
"What's in it for me?" you will ask. Well, you have just discovered the most powerful all natural antibiotic that can overcome disorders ranging from common cold to arthritis. If taken regularly, propolis will strengthen your immune system by increasing leukocytes activity and antibody formation, build up your resistance to colds, flu and infections. And unlike synthetic antibiotics, the beneficial bacteria essential for human health is not killed from propolis. Below are some of the most important properties of propolis:
- Anti-cancer - Research showed that ethanol extracts of propolis transform human hepatic and uterine carcinoma cells in vitro, and inhibit their growth (Matsuno, 1992). Propolis also inhibited the growth of cultures of human and animal tumour cells, including breast carcinoma, melanoma, colon, and renal carcinoma cell lines (Grunberger et al, 1988) and ovary cancer cells in hamsters and mice (Ross,1990) Substances isolated in propolis which produce this cytotoxic effect are quercetin, caffeic acid, and clerodane diterpendoid. A substance called Artepillin C has been isolated from propolis, and has been shown to have a cytotoxic effect on human gastric carcinoma cells, human lung cancer cells and mouse colon carcinoma cells in vitro (Kimoto, et al, 1995). Green Brazilian propolis is found to be the richest in Artepillin C.
- Antimicrobial - propolis shows very powerful antibiotic and anti-fungal properties.
- Antioxidant - The flavonoids concentrated in propolis are powerful antioxidants, and have been shown to be capable of scavenging free radicals and thereby protecting lipids and other compounds such as Vitamin C from being oxidized or destroyed.
- anti-tumor growth agent
- immunomodulator - Propolis activates immune cells which produce cytokines. The results help to explain the anti-tumour effect produced by propolis.
- Anesthetic - The ethanolic extract of propolis (40g in 100 ml of ethanol 70%), was reported to be 3-5 times stronger than the cocaine used as an anesthetic, which was introduced in dental practice, in the old Soviet Union, in 1953.
- Antiviral - Research has been showing a positive effect of the propolis on the virulence and the duplication of some virus lineages, such as herpes and adeno virus.
- Anti-inflammatory
If you are interested in the science behind all these benefits, check out our blog.
What does propolis cure?
- sore throats
- flu
- colds
- respiratory infections
- coughs
- acne
- burns
- cancer
- herpes zoster
- fatigue
- bruises
- nasal congestion
- respiratory ailments
- skin disorders
- sunburn
- shingles
- ulcers
- wounds
- allergies
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