Propolis is a mysterious substance produced by mysterious creatures. Honey bees
produce propolis by collecting resins from trees such as coniferous and poplar
species (amongst others), and combine that with beeswax, pollen and their own
amazing enzymes Propolis is extremely variable depending on bioregion and
season.
Since the beginning, beekeepers have observed that honey bees coat the interior
of the hive with this resinous substance. The bees plug holes, waterproof,
polish wax cells and hold the hive together with this glue. The healthy hive
resists bacterial, fungal, and mold attacks. Honey bees are extremely clean
insects.
I have personally seen a mouse skeleton (probably stung to death by the hive)
completely encased in propolis, effectively preserving it from bacterial
invasion.
I have applied propolis tincture to fresh bleeding cuts (on myself and others)
and seen the results. The bleeding immediately stops, the pain abates, and
healing begins. The propolis forms a resinous bandage over the wound protecting
it from further infection. I have used propolis on warts with results within
days. Propolis reduces inflammations of the mucous membranes, cures canker
sores, also with amazing and immediate results. Propolis is by no means a cure
all for every malady but when it comes to cuts from my experience there is no
finer first aid.
Years ago in Russia and European countries where beekeeping has a long history,
modern scientists began testing propolis in the laboratory in controlled
experiments to prove or disprove the thousands of years of anecdotal evidence.
Scientists and doctors decided to test propolis on infectious bacteria and
viruses. First they cultured various pathogens which included, Corynebacterium
diptheriae (causes diphtheria), Salmonella typhus B (paratyphus), Listeria
monocytogenes(brain membrane inflammation), Staphyloccoci species(cause of
infections and inflammation of lungs, kidney, brain, middle ear, eyes,
meningitis, and was present in the Asian flu epidemic in the late 1950's), and a
proteus, or Pseudomonas auruginosa (responsible for digestive system
disturbances, which on the whole, antibiotics are no longer effective against).
Then each culture was inoculated with various dilutions of propolis solution.
In each case propolis effectively defeated or inhibited the growth of each of
these pathogens. This experiment was also conducted using a "blind".
The scientists performing the experiment did not know that the chemists had
mixed a synthetic propolis, combining resins, balsams, wax and pollen, which was
tested alongside the bee's propolis. It was noted that the "synthetic"
propolis produced little to no effect on the same pathogens. Propolis would have
had less validity if the artificial propolis had produced the same effects. Thus
the key to this synergy is in the beautiful body of the bee itself; without the
bee there could bee no propolis.
After the tests on bacteria, the Microbiological Institute at the University of
Ljubljana, tested propolis on the influenza virus A. This time propolis was in
combination with honey, pollen, and royal jelly. Scientists inoculated two
chicken embryos, one with just the propolis combination, and the other with the
influenza virus A/ propolis combination. The embryo inoculated with the propolis/honey
continued to grow showing that this combination was not toxic to the organism.
The second inoculation showed strong inhibition of the influenza virus. The scientists continued the experiment by diluting the propolis preparation, and showed positive results in dilutions as low as 1:4 million! Bee products had proven themselves to the scientific world to be effective against viruses. Other tests have also been done on the herpes virus with equally positive results.
Doctors at the Oncology institute in Ljubljana performed studies with a
propolis/honey mixture. Patients who were receiving radiation treatment for
malignant tumors of the oral cavity, tongue and throat were chosen to take the
propolis/honey mixture. The radiation treatment the patients received was
usually followed by a secondary infection of the mucous membranes, radium
mucositis. This infection leaves the patients with extremely painful swallowing
and many would choose to not eat, thus further weakening the body. Radiation
treatment also disrupts red blood cell counts. The patients given the propolis
mixture either had complete relief from this infection or had only mild
symptoms. The pain and swelling were alleviated to the point where the patients
could eat. Red blood cell counts also stabilized
As beekeepers we can not say that propolis is a medicine. Thousands of years of
results speak for themselves. Validation by the scientific community is just
icing on the cake. Propolis has incredible potential for human kind. The bees
and all that they produce are good for us. How can we ever re-pay them?
Timothy McFarline
This article is used by permission from www.honeygardens.com .
Please Note: None of this information is intended to treat, diagnose or cure. It is for educational purposes only and may contain errors. We are not responsible for how you choose to use this information. Always consult a health care professional in the event of sickness. None of this info takes the place of a doctor.