What is Propolis?

Propolis is collected by bees from leaf buds and bark.

The word propolis was probably coined by Aristotle from the Greek words "pro," meaning "in front of" and "polis," meaning "city." The combined meaning then becomes "in front of the city‚" or "defender of the city (or beehive)‚" and this is how bees use propolis. It is used to construct protective walls at the hive entrances, to keep the hive warm and to keep predators away. It is also used to glue movable parts down, strengthen hive structure and varnish the interior walls, and helps to eliminate contaminating microorganisms from the hive .

Propolis is derived from a variety of resinous, gummy substances harvested by bees from the buds, young shoots or tree bark of birch, poplar, alder, fir and other trees. Propolis is composed of 50-70% resins and balsams (flavonoids and related phenolic acids), 30% wax, 5-10% pollen, 8-10% essential oils and 5% various organic compounds. In the hive the bees transform these residues into a sticky brown/black substance with a pleasant odour and a bitter taste..

Human use of propolis dates back to antiquity when its resinous and glue-like properties were utilised, for example, for mummifying the dead. Propolis was and is still used in varnishes. It protects from rusting and ageing. It is said that Stradivarius used propolis varnish on his exceptional violins.

The medicinal use of propolis, including use in dressings to protect wounds from gangrene, dates back thousands of years. Most of the scientific work on the composition, pharmacological and medicinal uses of propolis has however been done in the last 40 years, and there is now substantial evidence of its antimicrobial properties.

Medical applications of propolis

Propolis is used in a number of products including over-the-counter preparations for cold symptoms (upper respiratory tract infections, flu, common cold) and dermatological preparations to accelerate the healing of wounds, burns, acne, herpes and neurodermatitis.

Propolis extract has antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These properties vary according to its source and the way it is prepared. Vasiliev and coworkers (1979) undertook a study of 40 infants with candidiasis, in which conventional therapy had failed. They applied a preparation of propolis extract, water and honey to the infected areas of the infants. A marked improvement was evident by the second day, with complete recovery by the fourth or fifth day. In another study, a 30% propolis ointment was used to treat chapped skin of infants where conventional therapy had failed, and all recovered. A 70% alcohol tincture of propolis was also found to be very effective against fungi infecting skin and nails.

In the Soviet Union, propolis ointment is utilised during post-operative treatment of deep burn wounds to hasten healing and to prepare the wounds for skin grafting. Propolis ointment has been shown to increase the production of epithelial cells, increase local circulation and decrease scar tissue. Propolis ointment also acts as a topical analgesic and doesn't stick to the wounds, which is very important for the survival of skin grafts. It has also been used in the treatment of leg ulcers, microbial and fungal dermatitis and neurodermatitis.

Propolis has been used in the treatment of advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, especially when traditional therapy has failed or is contraindicated, and as adjuvant therapy in non-specific bronchitis where conventional antibiotic therapy has failed. Aerosolised propolis has successfully been used in cases of nonspecific chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma in both children and adults.

Propolis is sometimes used in mouthwash and toothpaste because of its effectiveness in preventing dental caries and gingivitis.

Propolis has been shown to be a nonspecific immuno-stimulator. Protective properties of immunising agents were shown to improve markedly with the addition of propolis.

Propolis has been used externally in combination with antibiotics to treat otitis media, with all the cases studied showing improvement after five to nine days.

When propolis was used to treat foot and mouth disease, all the cases studied were cured within three to eight days.

Collection of propolis

There are basically four different ways of collecting propolis, and its qualities vary with the method of collection. The oldest method involves scraping propolis from the frames, walls of the hives and cloth when collecting and extracting honey. The second method adjusts the frame spacing so that propolis can be chiseled off when inspecting the hive. The third method involves changing the cloth or polyethylene covers (usually twice a year); this method yields the highest quality propolis. The fourth method utilises a special grate which is placed in the hives, and then periodically removed for harvesting.

Propolis products

There are currently several countries producing propolis-containing products for medical use, including the Soviet Union, Romania, Japan, China, Poland, Canada and the US. Propolis extracts contain flavonoids, ferulic acid and balsam. Such preparations have antiviral and antibacterial properties and are used to treat respiratory tract ailments. Propolis tablets, containing 5% propolis, are used to treat pharyngitis. Suppositories containing propoplis, royal jelly, pollen and honey are used to treat inflammation and erosions. Soft propolis is used in the manufacture of cosmetics.

Honeyview Farm produces a number of products containing propolis.

Summary

Even though propolis has been used for thousands of years, knowledge of its chemical composition dates back only a few decades. During the last 40 years the use of propolis as an adjuvant to medical therapy has progressed in many Western societies. There are still many aspects of propolis that need to be explored in order to utilise its potential to the fullest. Our present information indicates possible usefulness in a preventive role in cases of exposure to bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Propolis has very few side effects. There have been reports of allergic reactions, but they are rare. The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of propolis are still poorly understood and need to be explored further.

References
1. Atiasov, N.I., M.P., Kuprianov, V.A. (1978). The Use of Propolis Ointment in the Treatment of Wounds with Granulations.
2. Brailearu, R., Gheorshu, A., Popescu, A., Velescu, Gh. (1978). Researches on Some Pharmaceutical Forms of Propolis. In: "Propolis," Ed. V. Harnaj, Apimondia, Bucharest.
3. Burdock, G.A. (1998). Review of the Biological Properties and Toxicity of Bee Propolis (Propolis). Food and Chemical Toxicology, 36:347-363.
4. Danilov, L., N. (1978). Treatment of Skin Diseases with Propolis. In "Propolis," Ed. V. Harnaj, Apimondia, Bucharest.
5. Ghisalberti, EX. (1979). Propolis: A Review Bee World. Vol. 60(2) 59-84.
6. Park, Y.K., Koo, M.H., Abreu, J.A.S., Ikegaki, M., Cury, J.A., Rosalen, P.L. (1998) Current Microbiology 36:24–28
7. Murat, F. (1982) - Propolis: The Eternal Natural Healer, Ed. ISBN International Standard Book Number 0-9600356-48.
8. Palos, E., Petre, N., Andrei, C. (1978). The Technology of Obtaining Soft Propolis Extract for Pharmaceutical Use. In: "Propolis," Ed. V. Harnaj, Apimondia, Bucharest.
9. Pietta, P.G., Gardana, C., Pietta, A.M. (2002). Analytical methods for quality control of propolis. Filoterapia 73: Suppl. 1, S7-S20.
10.Rux, V.R. (1978). The Treatment with Propolis of Nonspecific Endobronchitis. in: "Propolis," l.c., pg. 165.
11.Vasiliev, V., Manova-Kanazireva, St., Todorov, V., Drianovski, St. (1978). Treatment with Propolis of Moniliasis and integrigo In Infants. In: "Propolis," Ed. V. Harnaj. Apimondia, Bucharest.