Bees make more than honey. They also make vitamin called propolis. And this “bee glue” is a powerful health balm. In truth, research studies show it has anti-cancer properties. Many people are familiar with the beautiful yellow and amber colors common of honeycomb and beeswax.
Propolis is a resinous material that bees use to seal small cracks and gaps in the hive (beeswax seals the bigger gaps). It’s made when bees gather resin from trees and other sources and blend it with a little bit of honey. Like its cousin, beeswax, propolis has actually been found to provide numerous health advantages, and many researchers are looking into its role for different healing uses.
Bee Propolis
Dr. Seema Patel of the Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics Research Center, San Diego State University carried out a comprehensive evaluation of the literature on propolis and cancer. Dr. Patel discovered laboratory and animal studies supporting propolis efficacy versus cancers of the: brain, pancreas, head and neck, kidney and bladder, skin, prostate, breast, colon, liver, blood.
Propolis includes as numerous as 300 active compounds. These parts were discovered to eliminate cancer in a variety of methods consisting of:
- Preventing the growth of new members vessels to feed cancer cells (anti-angiogenesis).
- Preventing the spread or metastasis of cancer from one organ to another.
Halting cancer cellular division. - Inducing apoptosis or configured cell death.
In addition, propolis was discovered to mitigate the side effects or toxicity of chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of cancer.
Bees make propolis by collecting resin from pine and other cone-producing evergreen trees. They blend the resin with wax flakes and pollen, and take it back to the hive. There they use the sticky mess to patch holes, seal cracks and construct panels in the hive.
However propolis does more than architectural responsibility. It also serves as an antibacterial barrier securing the hive from contamination and from external intruders like mice, snakes, and lizards. In fact, the name propolis comes from the Greek meaning “defense of the city.”
The antimicrobial properties of propolis safeguard the hive from infections and bacteria. Researchers found that bees living in hives covered with propolis have lower bacteria in their body and also ‘quieter’ immune systems.
And propolis does not simply benefit bees. For countless years herbal remedies practitioners have used bee glue to treat abscesses, heal injuries, and fight infection. In fact, propolis was noted as a main drug in the London pharmacopoeias.
Modern studies verify a long list of health advantages used by propolis. A search of PubMed reveals over 2,000 studies on bee propolis. Here are just a few of its health advantages.
Health Benefits of Bee Propolis
In ancient cultures, propolis (or bee resin) was frequently used for abscesses and minor wounds. Bees, in an effort to close spaces in hives, use propolis as a preventive procedure to stay out harmful microorganisms and fungi. Recent findings have confirmed its powerful action against numerous damaging pathogens and more research has developed its huge healing advantages. Here are some of the investigated uses and health benefits of propolis.
Discourage Infection
Scientists have tested propolis against numerous hazardous microbes, and the results suggest that propolis is powerful versus aggressive bacteria. Although the strength of propolis can differ based on location, its protective advantages stay constantly present. Part of the reason for the action may be because of it consisting of a wide spectrum of flavonoids.
Natural Antibiotic
Antibiotic resistance is a growing issue in medicine, often due to the overuse of antibiotic medication. Individuals who are taking antibiotics are frequently encouraged to take probiotics to aid in the conservation of great bacteria in the intestinal tracts. Researchers have figured out that propolis provides powerful antibiotic properties. The isolated acids from propolis have been shown to be a reliable agent versus many bacteria, including staph.
Anti-Microbial Action
Propolis has a wide range of anti-bacterial properties. It is likewise has anti-fungal and anti-viral powers. In one animal study, applying a propolis option to wounds assisted speed recovery in diabetic rats. In children, propolis has been found to:
- Prevent respiratory tract infections.
- Remedy symptoms of the acute rhinitis.
- Avoid middle ear infections.
Heals Burns
A 2002 research study from the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine discovered that propolis may promote the recovery of minor burns. The researchers compared a propolis skin cream with silver sulfadiazine, a substance abuse to treat burns. Research study results revealed propolis was simply as effective as the drug in treating second-degree burns.
Avoids Dental Cavities
Greek and Roman doctors used propolis as mouth disinfectant. Modern studies show it might be effective in the treatment of periodontitis and gingivitis.
Numerous research studies have likewise discovered that extracts from bee glue limit bacterial plaque and reduce tooth caries. Other studies show that propolis may even help restore dental pulp, along with bone tissue, and cartilage.
Ear Infections
Middle-ear infections impact countless children each year, and even adults. In some cases it can result in temporary hearing loss, a terrifying prospect for the majority of people. A substance in propolis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, has actually shown efficiency at alleviating inner ear inflammation. Although initial, this new research is triggering a buzz of hopeful outlook for the use of propolis.
Supports the Immune System
Candida fungus albicans, a fungus defined by yeast overgrowth, normally impacts the genital and oral areas. In the ever-continuing quest for discovering an ideal and reliable remedy, scientists evaluated propolis. Results suggested that propolis may hinder Candida from growing, and it has the potential for stimulating a healthy immune reaction to Candida problem.
Treats Parasites
Preliminary trials show propolis may get rid of parasites. In one study individuals who took propolis had a 52 to 60% success rate in getting rid of the parasite giardiasis.
Wart Removal
In a single-blind, randomized, 3-month trial, 135 patients with different types of warts got oral propolis, echinacea, or a placebo. The results were reported in the International Journal of Dermatology. Patients with plane and common warts achieved a remedy rate of 75% and 73%, respectively. The results were considerably better than those connected with echinacea or placebo.
Blood Sugar
Diabetes is a concern that impacts countless adults and children. It is often approached with life-long treatment measures, such as insulin injections and pharmaceutical medications. Studies have revealed that propolis may inhibit enzymes that increase blood sugar. It is thought that the antioxidant substances in propolis are responsible for its blood sugar-stabilizing benefits.
Carcinogen Fighter
Take this with a grain of salt, however ancient peoples would typically use propolis to prevent tumor growth, and recent research suggests some reasoning behind this. The CAPE compounds discovered in propolis have been revealed to hamper cell growth in cervical and prostate cancer. Specific types of propolis, like the red Brazilian and brown Cuban, have likewise been shown to fight substances that add to cancer cell growth.
Nail Infections
Lab tests taking a look at using propolis against fungal nail infections discovered that propolis used a greater variety of security compared to a popularly-prescribed pharmaceutical. The pharmaceutical product was resistant to 7 of the fungis, a problem not shown by propolis.
Beats Drug for Genital Herpes
By some accounts, propolis has actually been discovered to be more effective than some pharmaceutical applications against vaginal herpes. Tests also suggest that propolis might significantly reduce the possibility of an advanced herpes infection. In addition, as recommended above, propolis may provide defense versus genital Candida infections.
Propolis is more reliable than a typical drug for treating genital herpes according to a research study released in Phytomedicine.
For 10 days, 90 men and women with genital herpes applied either a lotion consisting of propolis flavonoids, or acyclovir (a substance abuse to treat herpes sores), or a placebo lotion. The patients applied the ointment 4 times a day.
By the research study’s end, 24 out of the 30 patients in the propolis group had actually recovered. Just 14 of 30 in the drug group, and 12 of 30 in the placebo group were cured.
Health Tips
Like honey, the structure and health benefits of propolis will differ depending upon the trees and flowers and the location where it is produced. You can discover propolis in its raw kind straight from a local beekeeper. It’s also in the “cappings” of honey– a crispy mix of pollen, propolis, and bees wax.
Propolis is also offered without the honey. However extracts or casts of propolis are easier to use. They are popular for enhancing the immune system, and for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties.
You can also discover propolis formulas for colds and flu-like symptoms, wound recovery, acne, cold sores, genital herpes, and dermatitis. They are offered as creams, ointments, creams, toothpastes, and mouth washes.
Oral propolis solutions can be discovered as pastes, lozenges, liquid extracts, tablets, and pills.
While many individuals can safely use propolis as a complementary technique towards health, some might experience allergic reactions. It is always best to test a small amount of the mix in conjunction with cautious doctor monitoring before supplementing, especially if you have allergic reactions.
