Propolis - a natural antibiotic from the bees

What is Propolis

Propolis is a sticky resinous substance that honeybees gather from tree leaves and bark. The bees carry the propolis back to their hives. Its colours range from golden brown to brownish green to reddish brown to blackish brown.

Constituents of Propolis

* Raw propolisw is composed of 50-70% resins and balsna, 30-50% beeswax, 5-10% pollen and 10% essential oils.

* It is rich in trace minerals such as copper, iron, manganese, clacium, aluminium, silicon, zinc, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium and a good source of amino acids.

* Raw propolis contain Beta carotene, Vitamins B1, B2, C and E and has 500 times more bioflavonoids than oranges. Bioflavonoids are essential in the assimilation of Vitamin C and have been found to be important to the normal functioning of the circulatory and respiratory system.

* It has 16 amino acids

The role of Propolis

The name propolis is derived from Greek "pro" (before) and "polis" (city). Propolis is also call "bee glue". Bees cover everything in the hive with a thin coat of propolis. The beehive is a miniature city teeming with life. The average beehive houses up to 60,000 inhabitants. The temperature inside the hive is kept at approximately 95F - a perfect breeding ground for all kinds of molds, mildews and bacteria. The hive remains the most sterile environment found in nature and bee is the only insect to have been found to be free of bacteria. Bees use propolis as an antiseptic lining in breeder cells to protect young larva before Queen lays her eggs.

Anti-viral

Reaserch done in Poland on the effect of propolis on common cold showed the duration of cold was lessened, the symptons began to subside for all patients during the first day of treatment and complete recovery follwed on the second day.

Antioxidant

Propolis is a superior source of bioflavonoids, as anti-oxidant which neutralizes free radicals and prevent cell damage, stimulate the white blood cells to destroy bacteria.

Caffeic acid found in propolis functions as anti-oxidant and protects against viruses. Caffeic acis also known to have anti-carcinogenic, anti-mitogenic, immuno-modulatory and anti-fungal and also known to be somewhat effective against such bacteria as Staph, Aureus, C. dipteriae, tuberculosis and Streptomyces scabies.

Anti-bacterial

Propolis has been used in dental treatment as it contains potent anti-cavity ingredients. Root canals were shown to heal better when propolis was added to the filling. Propolis was said to give the filler as anesthetizing effect, promote the regeneration of the bone structures, and did not stain the thooth crown. Propolis inhibit the buildup of plaque on teeth.

Anti-fungal, Anti-inflamatory

Before the advent of modern antobiotics such as penicilin, propolis was used as a wound dressing during the Boer war in South Africa. Hippocrates, the father of medicine used it in his treatment of stomach ulcers.

It is often called Russian Penicilin due to the extensive research by the Russian. Propolis is still given to patients in Russia before and after surgery to aid in healing and prevent infection, to boost energy levels during the recovery process. It has also been used in the Soviet Union in treatment of mouth disease because of its anesthetic properties

Immune System, Antibiotic

It boosts the immune system while fighting invading pathogen, something prescription antibiotic cannot. It also has demostrate a remarkable ability to disable viruses. When prescription antibiotics must be used, propolis has proven to boost the effectiveness of the prescription, while helping to drastically reduce recovery times in human medicine. It has been proven effective against strains od\f bacteria that resist chemical antibiotics.

Modern scientific studies indicate that those who take propolis regularly escape winter colds and sore throats and seem to develop a natural immunity to common viruses.

Anti-viral, Anti-bacterial

It is often mixed with garlic to amke a powerful infection fighter, killing virusesw and bacterial invaders without harming the beneficial bacteria needed by the body to function properly.

Other benefits of propolis are:

Precautions:
Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid using propolis supplements. If taken in excess, it may also cause nausea.