Archive for the ‘Propolis’ Category

Importance of Bee Propolis

Bee propolis means sealing of the bee hive. It was earlier believed that bee hives were sealed with bee wax but later it came to be known that small gaps are sealed with bee propolis and larger gaps by bees wax. It also protects the bee hive from outside elements like rain water, storm and cold winter etc.

Normally bee propolis is dark brown in color, but it varies from hive to hive and season to season. It can be seen in green, red, black and white color as well, depending upon the source of resin found in the hive. Resins have natural germicide properties.

Honey bees gather what they need from available sources and reports says that the composition of propolis varies from hive to hive and region to region.

Uses for Bee Propolis

Propolis helps in:

• Decomposition of organic matter in the bee hive. Say for example, if any small animal or lizard finds its way to the bee hive and dies there, instead of taking the dead body out they seal the area with propolis.
• It safeguards the hive from any sort of bacterial growth.
• Makes the hive protective by sealing alternate gates.
• It maintains the structural strength of the hive
• It helps in reducing vibration

Bee Propolis is marketed as health food and is also a very old traditional medicine. Ailments like inflammation, ulcers, superficial burns, inflammation are treated by propolis by naturopathy doctors.

It also helps in heart health; it strengthens immune system and reduces the chances of cataracts, acne, osteoporosis, itching, and tuberculosis. A piece of bee propolis if kept in your mouth will help in healing a sore throat.

If a person is allergic to bee honey, pollen, nectar can also be allergic to bee propolis. Medical advice should be taken before taking bee propolis. It should not be applied to the area near the eye. Frequent use might develop allergic symptoms.

Bee propolis is also used for commercial purposes as well. Like for musical instruments, it is used to enhance the appearance of the wood grain. It forms a component of the varnish.

It is also used in the manufacture of cosmetics, creams, propolis ointment, chewing gums and lozenges and also as tooth enamel hardener.

Bee propolis also has proven antibiotics and antiseptic properties and it is considered safe and useful for home remedies.
Chemically, bee propolis is very rich in variety of benzoic and terpenes, caffeic, cinnamic, and phenolic acids, which attributes to the benefits of bee propolis.