Propolis: properties, benefits and uses

Immunostimulant : the phenethyl ester of caffeic acid promotes the stimulation of the body's defenses by increasing the production of antibodies and lymphocytes to defend against external attacks such as bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Antimicrobial : flavonoids, galangin, pinocembrin, benzoic acid, caffeic acid and their esters are the molecules which give Propolis its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Gram-positive and acid-fast bacilli and gram-positive cocci are the most sensitive to Propolis. It is thus effective against pharyngitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, colds but also asthma. It is an antibiotic active against multi-resistant staphylococci, streptococci, Helicobacter pylori (responsible for stomach ulcer), Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease bacteria), and Propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria responsible for acne). It is an antifungal active on Candida albicans and Aspergillus trichophyton. Propolis helps fight skin infections such as warts and fungus.

Antiviral : flavonoids also help fight viruses because they inhibit the enzyme allowing viruses to release pathogenic viral material into the body, preventing their spread. They then stay nicely in their capsule and do not attack the cells. Caffeic acid and its derivatives are found to be powerful antivirals and help against herpes type 1 or 2 and Varicella Zoster virus. It is an antiviral active against the herpes virus (cold sore, chicken pox, shingles, infectious mononucleosis, etc.), hepatitis viruses, influenza, gastroenteritis, respiratory infections, and finally viruses that cause warts.

Anti-inflammatory, antitussive : Propolis helps reduce inflammation caused by infections of the respiratory system and the ENT sphere thanks to flavonoids, caffeic acids, ferulic acid and salicylic acid. It also helps calm coughs. Salicylic acid, also called “aspirin”, helps fight fever.

Antiseptic, disinfectant : used on the skin, Propolis helps disinfect wounds and wounds. It is the flavonoids and benzoic acid which confer these properties, promoting the body's defenses.

Antispasmodic : quercetin and kaempferide have a powerful antispasmodic action, superior to papaverine.

Powerful anesthetic : Propolis is a powerful anesthetic, superior to cocaine. This property is conferred by caffeic acid and pinocembrine, hence the tingling sensation in the mouth when taking chewable Propolis.

Regenerative, healing : Propolis, more specifically ferulic acid, has the ability to stimulate the regeneration and growth of skin cells for better healing. It helps with the regeneration of cells and delays their aging by activating the synthesis of collagen and elastin. Alcoholic extract and Propolis ointments accelerate the healing of burns.

Detoxifying, hepatoprotective : Propolis protects the liver against chemotherapy, alcohol and medications. Additionally, artepillin C protects against methylmethane sulfonate genotoxicity.

Anticancer : according to tests carried out in vitro and on animals, Propolis could be an interesting adjuvant to current treatments against certain forms of cancer. Propolis is said to have anti-carcinogenic properties that help slow the growth of cancer cells. In addition, it would make it easier to tolerate chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. Further research is needed to validate these hypotheses in humans.

Thanks to its richness in nutritional compounds, propolis is ideal in the following cases:

• Respiratory disorders (angina, cold, sinusitis, flu, etc.)

• Strengthening immunity
• Oral and dental conditions (canker sore, gingivitis, stomatitis, caries, etc.)
• Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, acne, wounds, burns, herpes, warts, etc.)
• Support for heavy chemo and/or radiotherapy treatments
• Hair loss, baldness

Propolis can be found in different forms and therefore used differently:

• in hydroalcoholic extract or mother tincture (around 5 to 20% pure propolis extract), particularly for viral or bacterial infections affecting the ENT sphere, to strengthen immunity, for skin conditions but also as a mouthwash;

• bully, in chewing gum, in particular to cleanse and soothe the respiratory sphere, mouth, throat, but also to support the digestive system;
• in capsulee, particularly in support of the immune system;
• in syrup, more specifically for the ENT sphere and sore throats, in candy, in spray oral or nasal, in creams for skin conditions, etc.

In all cases, it is important to ensure the quality of the Propolis used, 100% natural, raw, and harvested in France if possible.

The method of using Propolis depends on the form of the product used, as well as its Propolis content. In the case of the hydro-alcoholic extract, the intake is generally carried out 3 week treatment, by diluting 15 drops 2 times a day in a glass of water, away from meals. For children over 6 years old, reduce the dose by half. It can also be taken in gargle for a mouthwash or for the throat.

The hydro-alcoholic extract of propolis is not recommended for children under 6 years old, pregnant women, and in cases of allergy to bee products.

Do not use for more than 3 consecutive weeks, at risk of developing an allergic reaction.

Harvesting and manufacturing of Propolis by bees

Propolis is a resinous, gummy, balsamic substance than bees, more precisely foragers (older and experienced) harvest from the trees. This substance is then very viscous and sticky. When returning to the hive, the workers will take over. They take useful quantities and incorporate wax to the mixture in order to obtain a rigid, malleable and non-sticky texture. It is once this transformation process is completed that Propolis is obtained. Depending on the species of bees and the size of the colony, a hive can produce between 0.1 and 1 kg of Propolis per year.

Role of Propolis for bees

In the hive, Propolis is used for several things. It is essential to the life of the hive. First of all, it allows fill the holes to ensure the sealing of the hive, this also allows for better thermal sealing. The bees will also use it to reduce the entrance to the hive depending on climatic conditions and to protect yourself from enemies. Inside the hive, Propolis helps consolidate everything that the bees consider necessary to reinforce for better performance of the hive. Propolis prevents microbial growth, the bees coat the inside of the hive with it tosanitize, creating a healthy and disease-free environment. This also applies to the corpses of bees or other animals that have had the unfortunate idea of ​​intruding into the hive. As the bodies decompose, they could bring disease. They are then covered with Propolis by the bees, thus blocking putrefaction. Propolis is also found in the cells containing the eggs, creating a sterile environment for the proper development of future bees. For all these roles, the beekeeper must not collect all the Propolis at the risk of weakening the colony.

Harvesting and preparation of Propolis by the beekeeper

The beekeeper collects the Propolis grids and/or the supers and the hive frames. The Propolis present on the “soft” Propolis grids are put in the freezer. It then becomes brittle, which makes it easier to extract. The frames and frames are scraped. At this stage, Propolis is bully and contains lots of impurities : corpses, plant residues, wood debris, sand, etc. It is then analyzed to ensure its quality, before being purified. There are many Propolis purification methods. The quickest method is to immerse the Propolis in water heated to around 65°C, although it would be preferable not to heat it above 40°C to avoid its deterioration. With heat, the wax will melt and separate from the Propolis, along with other impurities. We then obtain the wax on the surface of the water and the Propolis at the bottom of the water. Another method consists of making a mother tincture by macerating the Propolis in ethanol titrated to 70 or 80°, away from light, for two weeks and stirring regularly. The mixture is then filtered to keep only the liquid part but some of the wax may be partly dissolved. Other more sophisticated methods such as centrifugation, ultrasound or microwaves are used by laboratories.

Propolis has always been used by humans

Propolis was already used by Egyptians for ointments and mummification rituals. It prevented the rotting of corpses, which is why the mummies are intact today. During theAntiquity, she was specifically appreciated for its antiseptic and healing properties, it was entirely part of the emergency pharmacy of the time, even in the Middle Ages where it was used to heal wounds. Over the past two centuries, Propolis has been replaced by medication despite all the benefits it can have. It was used against oral inflammation and dental caries in Georgia (former USSR). In Russia, it was used in the form of an ointment to treat certain diseases. In France it was used to heal wounds. THE Germans manufactured remedies based on Propolis for probably treat cancers, ulcers, eczema and even rashes. During the Boer War (war between South African settlers from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, owner of South Africa) it was the reference for treating wounds. The Soviets used it in hospitals to treat the wounded and sick. Propolis was even used in veterinary medicine.

Brown Propolis is produced mainly in Europe and comes mainly from poplars but it is also harvested from other species such as: birch, ash, willow, elm, spruce, fir, pine, etc. It is Propolis that we find most often because it is produced in larger quantities and especially because it is local.

Its main properties correspond to those mentioned above, anti-infectious, immune stimulating, healing and skin regenerating but also anti-inflammatory, among others.