Bee Propolis is a mixture collected by honey bees from tree buds, sap flows, or other plants to make resins in order to seal small gaps and unwanted spaces of the hive. Larger spaces are usually filled with beeswax. The use of propolis not only reinforces the structural stability of the hive, it also prevent diseases and growth of parasites and bacteria. When bees are unable to carry a large amount of waste such as a dead mouse out of the hive, propolis can be used to isolate the carcass making it odorless and harmless. At or above room temperature, bee propolis is sticky but becomes hard and brittle at lower temperatures.
The composition of propolis varies by different seasons, locations, and hives. The chemical analysis of the composition shows that the propolis is dependent on the vegetation available in the region where the hives are built. In northern temperate climates for example, popolis resins are made from tress such as poplars and conifers, which are rich in flavonoids.. In addition, propolis contain other bee secretions with substances effective in fighting germs, bacteria and viruses. For instance, propolis from hives found in China contain chrysin, sinapic acid, isoferulic acid and caffeic acid, which demonstrate anti-bacterial properties.
Propolis is recommended mainly by traditional and natural medicine practitioners. It is believed to be able to act as an antimicrobial, an emollient, an immunomodulator, a dental anti-plaque agent, and an anti-tumor growth agent. Generally, propolis promotes the overall heath of the heart, and the immune system and can provide relief for certain conditions including inflammations, viral diseases, ulcers, burns, wound infections and sore throats.
Propolis is manufactured into many forms and products including tablets, capsules, ointment, powder, extract, honey, chewing gum, food and beverages, cream, lotion and other costmetics. When applying topically, caution should be exercised when putting on propolis to the eye area. Some people become more prone to developing allergies after repeated use of propolis.
References: (1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propolis (2) http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsa1/a/Bee_propolis.htm (3) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-propolis.html
