Propolis dedicated to your health

The idea of using propolis for modern therapeutic purpose is quite recent (about thirty years) and has come to extend the Apitherapy context. The long-associated term exclusively to the treatment of certain diseases (mainly rheumatoid) with bee venom saw his scope definition expanded considerably under the influence and leadership of many scientists worldwide, whose work has demonstrated the interest significant of products of the hive which man could benefit it for their health.

However, all products that bees develop are remedies with a great therapeutic interest. Honey, propolis, royal jelly, pollen, beeswax and venom, are already known since ancient times and are part of what we call apipharmacopoeia.

Even if this web site tends to support preventive and therapeutic properties of propolis, it is very difficult to separate the various products of the hive because they are able to act in full synergy with each other. To design the impact of therapeutic products from apitherapy it is necessary to study them separately, but we often remark that their maximum efficiency occurs when they are used together.

Over-all, apitherapy is everywhere in the world:

• In Asia: the bee products have always been headlights elements therapeutic, an integral part of treatment advocated by traditional Chinese medicine and Japanese.
• In Europe: the growing resistance against conventional allopathic treatment from the chemical industry and the desire to find natural alternatives to these methods blew up research and development of pharmaceuticals products from the apipharmacopoeia.
• In the United States: a lot of research orbit around the bees, in collaboration with Latin American countries that are in line to become major importers of bee products, coming directly compete with the countries of Eastern Europe.

Most of bee products are essentially therapeutic field which occupy an important place in the prevention of disease. Regarding propolis, its broad spectrum of action and its atoxity can prevent and treat many problems encountered in everyday life and for the whole family. We can consider 3 different spheres of action:

• Well-being of the mouth and throat
• Internal sphere (stomach, intestinal tract, circulation, cardiovascular system...)
• Skin care and skin hygiene

For some diseases, apitherapy remains the only potentially therapy that give back beneficial results towards other treatments.

• Honey for example observed excellent results in surgery, allowing optimal healing.
• Royal Jelly is used in the treatment of temporary depression and anorexia.
• Pollen prevent from anemia due to its high content of iron and enzymes that allow assimilation.
• Propolis has so many roles that would be impossible to make an exhaustive list: able to calm the itching due to psoriasis, can effectively fight against herpes, mouth ulcers, sore throat, irritation of mucous, cellular degeneration, intestinal laziness, vascular weakness, etc...

In the future apitherapy should emancipate as a therapy in itself, as well as homeopathy or phytotherapy.

In general, propolis helps to strengthen the natural defenses of the body and to fight against external aggression. But it also has a wide spectrum of use in sick human (it does not replace conventional and appropriated medical treatment). therefore it can be used to relieve:

• Respiratory sphere: ENT disease and broncho-pulmonary
• digestive and dental sphere: dental hygiene, bad breath, canker sores...
• Genito-urinary sphere: infections and inflammations in general
• Skin: lesions, chilblain, crevasses, burns, warts, pimples...
• Pain: local anesthesia
• Metabolic and endocrine system: thyroid...
• Bones and joints: some rheumatic syndromes, inflammation of a joint
• Nerves: stress, overwork...

Some of these entries are based exclusively on empirical results and are not all supported by scientific studies. However, the traditional use of this product from the hive for several generations suggests that propolis may prove to be the key to many diseases which currently remain unresolved.

Antiseptic and antibacterial properties

Propolis is a substance with predominant antiseptic properties, extended until many stump of bacterial microorganisms, molds and yeasts.

Propolis acts by inhibiting cell division that is responsible for the halt of growth of germs and disorganization of the cytoplasm, cytoplasm membrane and cellular as well as inhibition of protein synthesis. Its activity also involves the germs that cause tooth decay.

Anti-fungal action

Inhibition of development of various Candida, Candida albicans, Torulopsis, Saccharomyces, Cryptococcus...

Anti-viral action

La propolis has an anti-herpes and virucidal activity on some influenza viruses, particularly A2.

Main active molecules

• Flavonoids
• Chrysin
• Pinocembrin
• Galangin

Regenerative action

Use of propolis extract on the injured tissues causes stimulation of the regeneration process.

Anti-inflammatory action

Stimulation of anti inflammatory process

• Stimulation of macrophages
• Inhibition of platelet aggregation
• Eicosanoid synthesis inhibition

Main active molecules

• Amino phenols
• caffeic acid
• ferulic acid

Anesthetic action

Topical action of propolis based preparation causes a decrease of skin sensitivity.

Anti-oxydante action

Antioxidant action in propolis is particularly interesting for all the preparations for the skin. Its anti-free radicals have been demonstrated towards different types of oxygen radicals generated by specific chemical reactions, such as superoxide and superoxide dismutase. Its antioxidant activity is greater than that of vitamins C and E.

Propolis should not be used in cases of known allergy to bee products.

In general, propolis is not toxic, nor in human disease or in animal pathology.

It might exist a risk of allergy crossed in case of reaction to tiger balm or balsam poplar. No other interaction was found.

There is currently no consensus on the standardization of the dosage of therapeutic propolis based products. However, it is important to remember that Propolis is a nontoxic substance with a high safety even at high doses.

Today, numerous scientific studies have been conducted on propolis in order to highlight many physicochemical and pharmaceutical properties that have been assigned empirically. The various works published during the past 30 years have demonstrated the benefits of therapeutic use of propolis both preventive than curative level.

The first pharmacological action that has been highlighted refers to its bactericidal power. In presence of a fluid or solid extract, many bacterial strains halt their proliferation and die. The broad bactericidal spectrum and highly effective on bacteria like Bacillus and Staphylococcus, gives to the propolis a substance of choice for disinfecting wounds and external burns and to stop any form of internal bacterial infections such as tonsillitis, urinary infections or other bacteremia...

In parallel, studies on the fungicidal and virucidal activity were performed and show a capacity to act on some pathogenic fungi and eliminate many viral strains including those responsible for labial and genital herpes. As applied topically, propolis can treat on stringent affections and it is often morally ill-accepted. It can also be used preventively to avoid the possible contamination of contact.

In the context of local properties we can also emphasize the healing and anaesthetic action that shown propolis sur les plaies on minor wounds and more serious wounds such as severe burns and bedsores. It acts directly by increasing the kinetics of platelet aggregation and thus allows a more rapid closure of wounds by promoting tissue regeneration. This healing action is accompanied by a powerful local insensitivity to limit the pain. some studies agree that propolis is a local anesthetic at least as potent as cocaine.

We can also note the systemic anti-inflammatory action induced by propolis. Several studies showed that treatment with an aqueous suspension on various types of inflammation such as gingivitis or some oedema, allows a significant reduction of inflammation up to 70% for therapeutic doses of 10ML/KG. Thus, many experiments are still underway to determine the mechanisms of action involved in these fight phenomena against inflammation.

We should also note that a large number of studies observe very promising results especially in the context of skin protection and the fight against certain cancers. We come back to you later on the status of research in these areas.

Scientific curiosity which revolves around the propolis is huge, with the advent of science and technological advances, researchers, engineers and beekeepers have not ceased to carry out work in order to better understand the substance. Studies were initially focused on the product description and determination of its physicochemical properties. Qualitative and quantitative studies (how is composed propolis and in which quantities?), studies on the origin and methods of harvesting by bees, on the chemical variability regarding origin of area, toxicity studies, studies of preservative properties, therapeutic, antibacterial...

Currently, activity research concentrated around the propolis is very high. Its composition is constantly dissected IN SEARCH OF BENEFICIAL SUBSTANCES TO THE HEALTH. For example, Japanese researchers were able to demonstrate in vitro the anti-tumor power of propolis on cancer cells in animals and humans. This molecular screening allows to even better understand how propolis can contains a highly number of chemical properties (bactericidal, virucidal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory...). However all the mechanisms of action of this product are not yet proven. We also note that a number of studies point the activity of propolis in a systemic level (internal) is reduced than on local external application or on mucous membranes.

So this is where reside research way in the near future: why propolis acts and works on this way on the body and improve the bioavailability of compounds useful to human health. It will be necessary at one time or another, to find hybrid ways from natural therapeutics and innovative biomedical technologies. Do not forget that the bee products can be linked to herbal products and act in synergy with medicinal plants.