Did you know that honey is not the only thing produced by bees? Bees produce a substance called propolis, which comes from collecting resinous secretions from the bark of plants and enriching them with wax, pollen, enzymes, and other substances. Propolis is mainly used by bees as a coating to build their hives and as a disinfectant for the interior of the hives where bee eggs are laid and pollen and honey are stored.
Propolis has a long history of medicinal use, and some ancient civilizations used propolis for its medicinal properties. Specifically, in Ancient Greece, its use dates back to the time of Aristotle, where it was used for treating abscesses. The Assyrians used it to combat infections as well as to treat wounds and tumors, while the Egyptians used it in the embalming process of their dead.
Composition of Propolis
The composition of propolis can vary significantly depending on the geographical location of the bees, which trees and flowers they have access to, and the duration the propolis remains in the hive. Its color can also vary from yellow-green, orange-green to brown and dark brown. Laboratory analyses have shown that propolis contains more than 300 different chemical compounds. The majority of these chemical compounds consist of resins (50%) and wax (30%), while in smaller amounts vitamins, essential oils, trace elements, sugars, pollen, and other substances have been detected.
Properties and Uses of Propolis
Although the medicinal properties of propolis have been known since ancient times, it is only in recent years that research teams worldwide have begun studying its properties. General conclusions from research findings have shown that propolis has antimicrobial properties, antioxidant action, and positive effects on various skin conditions. Below we present some of the properties of propolis based on scientific research results.
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Antioxidant action. Propolis can protect us from oxidative stress as it can prevent the formation of free radicals and can also increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Its antioxidant effect is especially important for various organs but mainly for the brain, which is quite susceptible to oxidative stress due to its high oxygen consumption. This is one of the reasons propolis is included in many dietary supplements.
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Antimicrobial action. Recently, a research team discovered that propolis can inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. This is due to the fact that propolis contains phenols which prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridium spp, Staphylococcus aureus, and bacteriosides spp. Additionally, beyond bacteria, propolis is active against viruses (including flu, swine flu H1N1, and the common cold), fungi, and unicellular organisms called protozoa. The strong antimicrobial action of propolis has not gone unnoticed, and thus many soaps and hand sanitizers contain propolis.
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Wound healing. Historically, propolis has been used as a skin disinfectant and has been tested directly on wounds to speed up healing. It has been observed that propolis stimulates the growth and regeneration of skin tissue and also regulates collagen production. Moreover, wounds from burns treated with propolis were found to have lower concentrations of free radicals. Several gels and creams contain propolis as part of their ingredients.
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Oral hygiene. Our mouths contain a vast number of bacteria that are part of our natural microflora. However, some of these bacteria, if they multiply excessively, cause conditions such as plaque and periodontitis. Various studies have demonstrated that propolis can inhibit the growth of dental plaque and it is now used as an ingredient in some toothpastes.
The above properties have made propolis a very popular ingredient, and it is now widely used in syrups, sprays, dietary supplements, shampoos, and even in cosmetics. Propolis preparations are available at pharmacies and specialized stores. Click here to find the largest and best variety of propolis products!
Sources:
https://www.mednutrition.gr/portal/efarmoges/leksiko-diatrofis/16138-propoli
http://ijrr.com/article-1-1584-en.pdf
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26593609/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3679764/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5549483/