propolis

"© [Article Date Posted on: Sunday, April 26th 2015 at 11:00 am Written By: Margie King, Health Coach] GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter."Posted on: Sunday, April 26th 2015 at 11:00 am Written By: Margie King, Health Coach If you have questions or need further information, please contact kate@greenmedinfo.com. This article is copyrighted by GreenMedInfo LLC, 2015 Visit our Re-post guidelines Propolis.jpg Bees make more than honey. They also make gunk called propolis. And this "bee glue" is a powerful health balm. In fact, studies show it has anti-cancer properties. Key Research Topics Substance Bee Propolis Honey Propolis: Bee Bee Products Propolis: Brazillian Disease Cancers: All Pharmacological Actions Chemopreventive Dr. Seema Patel of the Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics Research Center, San Diego State University conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on propolis and cancer. Dr. Patel found laboratory and animal studies supporting propolis efficacy against cancers of the: Brain Pancreas Head and neck Kidney and bladder Skin Prostate Breast Colon Liver Blood Propolis contains as many as 300 active compounds. These components were found to fight cancer in a variety of ways including: Preventing the growth of new blood vessels to feed cancer cells (anti-angiogenesis) Preventing the spread or metastasis of cancer from one organ to another Halting cancer cell division Inducing apoptosis or programmed cell death In addition, propolis was found to mitigate the side effects or toxicity of chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of cancer. Bees make propolis by gathering 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 build panels in the hive. But propolis does more than architectural duty. It also acts as an antiseptic barrier protecting the hive from contamination and from external invaders like mice, snakes, and lizards. In fact, the name propolis comes from the Greek meaning "defense of the city." The antimicrobial properties of propolis protect the hive from viruses and bacteria. Researchers found that bees living in hives coated with propolis have lower bacteria in their body and also 'quieter' immune systems.[i] And propolis doesn't just benefit bees. For thousands of years folk medicine practitioners have used bee glue to treat abscesses, heal wounds, and fight infection. In fact, propolis was listed as an official drug in the London pharmacopoeias of the 17th century. Modern studies confirm a long list of health benefits offered by propolis. A search of PubMed shows over 2,000 studies on bee propolis. Here are just a few of its health benefits. 1. Anti-Microbial Action Propolis has a wide range of antibacterial properties.[ii] It is also has anti-fungal and anti-viral powers. In one animal study, applying a propolis solution to wounds helped speed healing in diabetic rats.[iii] In children, propolis has been found to: Prevent respiratory tract infections Remedy symptoms of the common cold Prevent middle ear infections 2. Heals Burns A 2002 study from the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that propolis may promote the healing of minor burns.[iv] The researchers compared a propolis skin cream with silver sulfadiazine, a drug used to treat burns. Study results showed propolis was just as effective as the drug in treating second-degree burns. 3. Prevents Dental Cavities Greek and Roman physicians used propolis as mouth disinfectant. Modern studies show it may be effective in the treatment of periodontitis and gingivitis. Many studies have also found that extracts from bee glue limit bacterial plaque and reduce tooth caries.[v] Other studies show that propolis may even help regenerate dental pulp,[vi] as well as bone tissue,[vii] and cartilage.[viii] 4. Treats Parasites Preliminary trials show propolis may eliminate parasites. In one study people who took propolis had a 52 to 60% success rate in eliminating the parasite giardiasis.[ix] 5. Wart Removal In a single-blind, randomized, 3-month trial, 135 patients with different types of warts received oral propolis, echinacea, or a placebo. The results were reported in the International Journal of Dermatology. Patients with plane and common warts achieved a cure rate of 75% and 73%, respectively. The results were significantly better than those associated with echinacea or placebo.[x] 6. Beats Drug for Genital Herpes Propolis is more effective than a common drug for treating genital herpes according to a study published in Phytomedicine.[xi] For 10 days, 90 men and women with genital herpes applied either an ointment containing propolis flavonoids, or acyclovir (a drug used to treat herpes sores), or a placebo ointment. The patients applied the ointment four times a day. By the study's end, 24 out of the 30 patients in the propolis group had healed. Only 14 of 30 in the drug group, and 12 of 30 in the placebo group were cured. Like honey, the composition and health benefits of propolis will vary depending on the trees and flowers and the location where it is produced. You can find propolis in its raw form directly from a local beekeeper. It's also in the "cappings" of honey – a crunchy mixture of pollen, propolis, and bees wax. Propolis is also available without the honey. But extracts or tinctures of propolis are more convenient to use. They are popular for boosting the immune system, and for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties. You can also find propolis formulations for colds and flu-like symptoms, wound healing, acne, cold sores, genital herpes, and dermatitis. They are available as creams, ointments, lotions, toothpastes, and mouth washes. Oral propolis formulations can be found as pastes, lozenges, liquid extracts, tablets, and capsules. However, if you have an allergy to honey or bees, you may also have a reaction to products containing propolis. For more information visit Green Med Info's page on bee propolis. "© [Article Date Posted on: Sunday, April 26th 2015 at 11:00 am Written By: Margie King, Health Coach If you have questions or need further information, please contact kate@greenmedinfo.com.] GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter." 11 Comments GreenMedInfo Login 1 Recommend 5 Share Sort by Best Avatar Join the discussion… Avatar Gynko • 2 years ago Propolis disperses readily in oil. I have added chunks of it to castor oil and stirred it for a while. The oil turns a golden color after a while and the propolis dissolves completely. I've used this oil to rub on my back or on my abdominal area and then applied a heating pad. Since propolis is also a very effective topical anesthetic, it completely relieved any pain. Plus, it also relaxes the whole body as it is absorbed. The 65% tincture (I bought it from Beehive Botanicals) is also very effective for any tooth pain, or any kind of cut or scratch, since it not only relieves the pain completely, it also seals the wound. Ancient Romans used it in war to seal the wounds of those who were injured by spears. It also has a powerful "drawing" action. I first discovered this remarkable natural medicine when I worked in a health food store over 40 years ago. They carried a product from England that was a cough suppressant. It was the most effective one I had ever used. It completely calmed a terrible cough I had, and sped up the healing time as well. It was an ointment that you rubbed on your chest. It's main ingredient was "propolis". Unfortunately, I have never been able to find it again and believe me, I have thoroughly searched. One day in an herbal shop, I found an old beat up looking booklet. It was the last one of that title. It was a summary of the life's work of some gentleman from England who studied Propolis all his life. I quickly grabbed it up and the store owner even gave me a discount because it was so ragged looking. :) It was filled with interesting information. Apparently, propolis killed every single bad bacteria that it was tested on. FYI: You can also freeze it and then pulverize it, as it does shatter when it's frozen and then smashed. I've done this by putting it in a baggie and smashing it with a hammer. I have also used it internally to speed up the healing of colds and flu etc. 3 • Reply•Share › Avatar Someone Someone Gynko • 2 years ago Please give complete title of book I will try to find it online thanks • Reply•Share › Avatar Gynko Someone Someone • 2 years ago Here's the info: Title: Propolis, by: Doctor Yves Donadieu (2nd Revised Edition) Copyright 1983 by Maloine S.A. editeur (Paris) ISBN 2-224-00910-0 • Reply•Share › Avatar MrGreenTea • a year ago I'd be curious given it's potent broad spectrum anti-bacterial qualities, it's effect on our Microbiome. It becomes counterproductive once you're eradicating your own symbiotic flora with Bee Propolis on a regular basis, similar to antibiotics. It's hard to find information on the matter. 2 • Reply•Share › Avatar montezaro • 2 years ago Propolis is NOT water-soluble. European beekeepers with very long tradition use 70% alcohol as a solvent. Bees make it from organic sap and resin (+ wax and some other substances). You can powder propolis if you freeze it, so it becomes solid enough to grind. Propolis is anti-bacterial and anti-viral. Almost every mit-European household keeps it at home for sore throats, gum infections, wounds... 2 • Reply•Share › Avatar Anisa Muhammad montezaro • 2 years ago Not water soluble but you can absolutely chew the propolis chunks, and the saliva will break it down so that it's able to be swallowed. When I have a sore throat or a tooth ache I chew a piece of my raw propolis. And for this of us who don't consume alcohol, you can also make an extract/tincture using vegetables glycerin. It takes longer, but it's a non alcohol alternative. I've also purchased the freeze - dried powder from reputable companies here in the US. Beekeepers and websites who sell bee products usually have this stuff in abundance. Just make sure it's been picked clean or you may find you're chewing a piece of wooden beehive frame :( I speak from personal experience. Lol. 2 • Reply•Share › Avatar montezaro Anisa Muhammad • 2 years ago My dad was a bee-keeper, so he passed some knowledge to me. I hope when retire to have some bees myself. 1 • Reply•Share › Avatar Mtnmom5 • a year ago Thank you for a great article - I will be linking to it. =) 1 • Reply•Share › Avatar Jim • 2 years ago Is this the same thing as bees wax? 1 • Reply•Share › Avatar Latoya Collins Jim • 2 years ago No Jim propolis is not beeswax It"s the sticky "gunk" bees use to disinfect and protect the hive and it's more of a chewy consistency than beeswax. It's full of antibacterial and curative properties, as stated in this article, and beekeepers usually have loads of it on hand after extracting their honey, so that's the best place to buy it. The raw good stuff is sold as chunks, and with this you can chew it until it softens in your mouth and consume it that way, but make sure it's free of any pieces of wood or unsavory bits that may have gotten mixed in the propolis mistakenly, during the honey extraction process. It will be like a piece of gum in your mouth. You can also make your own propolis extracts from the chunks, or buy them or the powdered propolis. It's great for skin and has been proven to treat warts too! We know all beehive byproducts super beneficial. Propollis in its purest form, directly from the hive has like a thick caramelly characteristic, but it's also sold as extract and powder as well. P.S. There are also companies who sell propolis infused raw honey. 3 • Reply•Share › Avatar Harsimran Kaur • 2 months ago Hi Would you recommend using propolis as a preservative in a soap nut and water only homemade hand wash? Harsimran • Reply•Share › http://www.greenmedinfo.com/substance/bee-propolis