What Is Bee Propolis?
Bees gather balsam from the buds of birch and poplar trees and resins from conifer trees and mix them with their own exudates such as saliva, pollen, wax and digestive enzymes to form propolis; a dark, resinous gum with a strong antiseptic smell. It is not soluble in water and only dissolves in pure alcohol. In cold weather it is very hard but it becomes sticky when heated. Bees use propolis to waterproof as well as keep the insides of their hives sterile and keep themselves free from diseases. Propolis is rich in vitamins, bioflavonoids, enzymes and trace elements.
The main chemical classes found in propolis are flavonoids, phenolics and terpenes. The flavonoids include quercetin, apegenin, galangin, kaempferol, luteolin, pinocembrin, pinostrobin and pinobanksin. Galangin is one of the most effective antibiotics we have, and it is a natural substance! The phenolic ester (caffeic acid phenethyl ester or CAPE) present in propolis is receiving much attention by medical researchers because of its potential for the treatment of a number of disorders, including spinal cord injury as well as immunomodulatory, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities. Laboratory testing has confirmed that propolis is: antiviral, (including anti HIV-1 activity), antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant, antimycoplasmic, antiparasitic, anticarcinogenic and antithrombotic.
Propolis also has anaesthetizing properties and instantly stops the pain from a bee sting. It has a powerful anti-inflammatory action and may be helpful for arthritic conditions. This is due to caffeic acid phenethyl ester ( CAPE) that inhibits the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid, that causes inflammation. Ladies with endometriosis who take propolis have a 60% more chance of falling pregnant and have less pain and inflammation with this disorder. (see; www.leiner.com Your Life: information on endometriosis and search ENDOMETRIOSIS in the left hand navigation.
What can bee propolis be used for?
Topical treatment: Medical studies have shown that topical application of propolis in tinctures or ointments helps against genital herpes, cold sores, dental caries, periodontal disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, eczemas, scars, psoriasis and fungal infections like ringworm and athlete’s foot. The tincture applied to bee stings gives instant pain relief and reduction of swelling. Propolis remedies are also good for earache or infections of the outer ear. Propolis preparations can be applied to cuts, scratches and surgical wounds. Propolis tincture made from alcohol can be used directly for bee stings, or diluted with a little water or hand lotion for other applications. A propolis, beeswax and honey ointment such as Nature Fresh Bee Balm is ideal for external use, especially on dry, scaly skin conditions and scars.
Taking propolis for health and vitality: Several studies suggest that propolis taken as a tincture or in tablet form is useful in treating the common cold, influenza, microbes, parasites, stomach ulcers and respiratory problems.
Respiratory complaints: Very effective if taken as a tincture for: colds, influenza, catarrh, rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis and sore throats. Doctors can support therapy for: asthma, chronic pneumonia and tuberculosis with propolis.
Stomach and digestive disorders: Stomach ulcers from helicobacter pylori infections. Effective in large, frequent doses for gastritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, and leaky gut syndrome caused by parasites, worm and fluke infestations.
What is the best way to take Nature Fresh bee propolis tincture?
Dosage guidelines: 2 – 5 drops in 50ml warm water, or ½ teaspoon of honey twice a day is the average serving for adults as a health supplement. For babies and small children, 2 drops, once or twice a day is sufficient.
For more effective treatment: take 5 – 10 drops of propolis tincture 3x a day. Evidently there is no limit to the daily intake and no toxic or adverse side effects have been reported. (Providing you are not allergic to the substance.)
How to make your own propolis honey:
This is very convenient and you soon learn to love it! Place 100ml of honey in a jar and stir in the tincture you need:
5ml(1 teaspoon) of tincture = 100 drops: this will mean 1 drop in each 1ml of honey. Thus a teaspoon of honey will contain 5 drops of tincture. Take the honey as is, or add it to rooibos tea or warm water, so that the alcohol is removed.
For 10 drops a day, add 10ml (2 teaspoons) tincture to the 100ml honey and have 1 teaspoon a day. (Or 2 x ½ teaspoon). For very intensive treatment, eg: getting rid of parasites or a stomach ulcer, take 10 drops 3x a day, before meals. Do this for a week and then reduce to 5 drops 3x a day for the second week. Afterwards, take 5 drops a day.
Side Effects and special precautions
Few side effects, other than allergic reactions, have been reported with propolis. Do not use propolis if you are allergic to bee products, balsam or pine resin. Allergic reactions may cause swelling, redness, eczema or fever and it may irritate the skin, causing burning, peeling lips, irritation, lesions, itching, swelling, psoriasis or eczema. Dilute the propolis and test a small area first.When used in the mouth, propolis may irritate the mucous membranes.
Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding
There is not enough scientific information in this area, but many pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and small babies have been successfully treated with propolis products as an alternative to antibiotics and other potentially dangerous pharmaceutical drugs. Find a practitioner or health shop who is more experienced in this field so you can take propolis under professional guidance should you be in doubt.
References
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