Jeannie Saum
It is important for beekeepers to know what a gold mine of resources we have in our hives, provided by our amazing honey bees. If we know the value of the six resources in the bee hive and communicate this to the public, we can create markets for other hive resources, beyond just honey, plus elevate the status and importance of the honey bee to mankind.
So, Just What is Propolis?
Propolis is that substance we beekeepers love to hate. It makes our hive inspections more difficult and it coats our hive tools, gloves and suits. Typically, we beekeepers throw it away after scraping it out of our way. But in the rest of the world, beekeepers harvest, save and sell propolis and value-added propolis products, for use as a prized natural medicine!
What does the rest of the world know that we don’t know? Propolis, also called bee glue, is tree resin, collected by the bees from the trees. This resin helps protect tree buds from contracting bacterial, viral or fungal infections. The honey bees collect this resin from tree buds and bark, particularly poplars and evergreens. They bring this stiff, sticky, orangey-brown substance back to the hive in their leg baskets and mix it with beeswax. The bees coat the inside of the hive with propolis to seal up cracks, insulate and disinfect the hive.1
In a naturally occurring bee hive (as in a tree hole), the bees coat the entire interior walls with a thick coating of propolis, creating what researchers are now calling the “propolis envelope.” Propolis protects the health of the hive and kills many kinds of bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi.2 In research done by Marla Spivak and her assistants, they have found that the propolis envelope reduces the presence of chalkbrood and American foulbrood in the hive. (Simone-Finstrom and Spivak, 2012; Borba and Spivak, 2017).3 They have also found that the mouth parts of bees in a hive with a propolis envelope have more beneficial microbes than in hives without the propolis envelope.4
Propolis’ color, smell and components differ depending on the environment, plants, weather, soil and continent: but, all propolis has many of the same basic compounds. Several of these compounds have been proven in research done over 70 years to have beneficial medicinal effects for humans as well.6
The History of Propolis for Human Health
Historical literature has shown that propolis has been used for centuries by man, for its medicinal and health benefits. Its use can be traced back to early Egyptian times, where it was used for embalming. Ancient Roman soldiers used it as a tonic before battle, and to treat wounds.4 Propolis has been part of folk medicine practices all over the world for centuries. Propolis’ popularity and the research on its effectiveness grew during the 1900’s, especially after WWII. In Europe it is referred to as “Russian Penicillin” and was used by our GI’s overseas, during World War II.7 Propolis is now used widely throughout the world to treat illness and as a health supplement. You will find propolis products in pharmacies in Mexico, Europe, Russia, China, Japan and countries in South America.
Propolis – the “Gold” in the Hive
According to decades of research found on the National Institute of Health website (nih.gov), propolis is proven to have antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties. It is also antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and is an analgesic (relieves pain).8 Hundreds of research studies on the National Institute of Health website show propolis as a successful treatment for a wide variety of illnesses and health conditions, from mild to serious. In my reading of these research studies over the last ten years, I have found over 85 different illnesses and health conditions that show medical improvement with propolis use.
Propolis studies done with human subjects have shown its effectiveness for adult and child health issues. A study done in Israel in 2004 showed that an herbal extract of echinacea, propolis and vitamin C is beneficial for the prevention of respiratory tract infections in children. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, with four hundred thirty children, aged one to five years old. Results in children taking the herbal extract containing propolis, showed a 50% reduction of upper respiratory infections, a 68% reduction in ear infections, a 66% reduction in pneumonia and a 60% reduction in tonsillitis!9
Another study done in 2010, in Italy, showed the effectiveness of a propolis and zinc solution in preventing acute ear infections in children. Children in the study were one to five years old, with a history of recurrent ear infections. The propolis and zinc solution taken orally, reduced the incidence of ear infections by 32%.10
Propolis was shown to help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in a 2011 study done in France. This study used a combination of propolis and cranberry juice. 340 mg. with 2% propolis tincture taken once daily protected against recurrent UTIs.11
An incredible study on wound healing was carried out in Poland in the 1970’s. This study showed amazing healing of poor and chronic non-healing wounds using 2.5% propolis ointment. 100 different patients from infants to the elderly with six different kinds of wounds were treated. Before and after pictures were shown and 87% of the wounds showed significant improvement or complete healing.12
Another phenomenal study was one showing that women with endometriosis infertility can increase their chances of becoming pregnant from 20% to 60%, if they take 1000 mg of propolis a day.13 Other human research has been carried out using propolis successfully to treat: warts,14 shingles,15 periodontal disease,16 common cold17 and genital herpes.19
Propolis studies on animals have shown its effectiveness for treating staphylococcus, streptococcus19, candida,20 MRSA21 and influenza.22 Animal studies using propolis show promise for treatment of congestive heart failure,23 psoriasis,24 gout,25 pancreatitis,26 colon cancerous tumor growth,27 hair loss,28 liver damage,29 breast cancer30 and many other ailments.
Lab research in vitro (outside the body, as in a petri dish), is currently showing promise for the use of propolis to treat cancer cells,31 myco-bacterial lung infections including TB,32 radiation treatment protection,33 gastrointestinal issues,34 diabetes,35 tissue inflammation,36 boosting the immune system37 and acting as an antioxidant.38 In 2020, several studies came out showing that propolis kills coronavirus!39,40
Propolis Power for Health and Wellness
Bee propolis can be used in many forms, both orally and topically, to enhance health and wellness. It can be made or purchased for use: raw, powdered, in tinctures or infusions, in toothpaste and mouthwash and as an ingredient in topical creams and balms. Propolis can be used as a daily supplement and preventative to support good health and prevent illness. It can also be used orally during times of illness, as a natural remedy. Topically, it is effective for many skin conditions from bug bites, rashes and poison ivy to infected incisions and wounds.
Uses for Propolis
My family and friends have used propolis oils and alcohol tinctures for over ten years with success for just about every common family illness. We have used propolis successfully for: colds, viruses, bronchitis, pneumonia, IBS, acid reflux, sore throats, laryngitis, canker sores, gum infections, toothaches and prevention. A daily dose is used by some of my family members with chronic conditions that make them more susceptible to illness. One family member who is a smoker and asthmatic, used to have bronchitis or pneumonia six to seven times every Winter, for about 15 years. Since taking propolis daily for the last eight years, he has only had bronchitis twice! We have used a propolis/saline solution sprayed in the nose for sinus congestion and infection and propolis oil drops in the ear for earaches and infection (it numbs the pain almost immediately, too).
We have applied Propolis oil, tincture or salve topically with success for: cuts, bug bites, rashes, poison ivy, diaper rash, pain and inflammation, acne, eczema, warts, age spots, shingles rash, psoriasis, yeast infections and wounds. Improvement is seen within 24 hours, typically. One example: a person who used to require 20 days of steroids to get rid of poison ivy, can now treat it topically with propolis oil or tincture and it is gone in five days. It lightens age spots over a month or so, and gives pain relief to shingles rash. Some people get arthritis pain relief by rubbing the oil into the skin at the pain site. Propolis oil or tincture will reduce the swelling and pain from a bee sting if applied immediately.
We keep a bottle of it in our hive inspection kit! We have also used propolis successfully on pets and farm animals and there is even research to prove it! Propolis can be used with animals, both orally and topically for things like: urinary tract infections, ear infections, ear mites, hot spots and skin issues, sore joints, pecking sores and frost-bit combs and feet (chickens) and upper respiratory infections.
Make Your Own
Beekeepers! You can make tinctures, oils, creams and other homemade products for yourselves and your families, to capitalize on the amazing properties of propolis. Doing so is perfectly legal for personal use. Go to fao.org, (the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization website) and search “Value Added Products from Beekeeping.” You will find an online booklet full of information about all the hive resources, including how to harvest, clean and make products from bee resources. The How-To for cleaning propolis and for making propolis infusions in oils or alcohol is in this publication. For topical use and for killing bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds and yeast, the dosages used in these research studies have been 2%-4% propolis. We make a 10% solution just to be sure it is enough. Research for treating pain and more serious and systemic illnesses shows dosages of 900 – 1200 mg a day. To get 1000 mg a day, one would need to take .8 of a teaspoon or 4 ml.
A word of warning! Making it to sell is much more complicated. Legally, oral propolis must be marketed as a dietary supplement, under FDA food regulations and MADE IN AN FDA / ODA CERTIFIED PRODUCTION SPACE – NOT YOUR HOME OR HONEY HOUSE! It is recommended that one does much research before embarking on this path. All food laws, from using a certified manufacturing place, specific procedures, arduous documentation, detailed labeling, careful wording, on label and advertising, etc., must be followed.
Save Your Propolis
The final message – Save Your Propolis! Don’t throw it away! If you are not interested in making batches of propolis oil or tincture for your family’s health, know that there is a growing market for raw propolis. Finding a buyer for propolis can bring you another income stream from your beekeeping. Since beekeepers usually spend the Winter scraping and cleaning up spare equipment, one might as well make some money for the effort! (You can contact me at beepothecary@gmail.com for more information.) And save some of it to make propolis products for your family’s wellness! Your honey bees can help you stay well!
Footnotes
1 Carlson Wade, et al., Propolis Power… Plus
2 Wade, 13.
3 Spivak, et al. Spivak Lab Research – Propolis, https://beelab.umn.edu/spivak-lab/research
4 Hollie Dalenberg , et al, Propolis Envelope Promotes Beneficial Bacteria in the Honey Bee (Apis) Mouthpart Microbiome
5 C. Leigh Broadhurst, Ph.D, User’s guide to Propolis, Royal Jelly, Honey and Bee Pollen
6 P. J. Houghton. Propolis as a medicine. Are there scientific reasons for its reputation?
7 Silva-Carvalho, et al. Propolis: A Complex Natural Product with a Plethora of Biological Activities That Can Be Explored for Drug Development.
8 M. Marcucci. Propolis: chemical composition, biological properties and therapeutic activity. doi: 10.1051/apido:19950202
9 HA Cohen, et al. Effectiveness of an Herbal Preparation Containing Echinacea, Propolis, and Vitamin C in Preventing Respiratory Tract Infections
10 Marchisio,p., et al. Effectiveness of a propolis and zinc solution in preventing acute otitis media in children with a history of recurrent acute otitis media.
11 Lavigne, J. P., et al. Propolis can potentialise the anti-adhesion activity of proanthocyanidins on uropathogenic Escherichia coli in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-522
12 Kucharzewski, M., et al. Stan Scheller: The Forerunner of Clinical Studies on Using Propolis for Poor and Chronic Nonhealing Wounds.
13 Ali, F. and Awadallah, A. Bee propolis versus placebo in the treatment of infertility associated with minimal or mild endometriosis: a pilot randomized controlled trial. A modern trend.
14 Zedan H, Hofny ER, Ismail SA. Propolis as an alternative treatment for cutaneous warts. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04184.
15 Tomanova, Denisa, et al. Clinical Study: Lotion Containing Propolis Special Extract GH 2002 0.5% vs. Placebo as On-Top Treatment of Herpes Zoster.
16 Martínez Silveira G, et al. Estudio preliminar sobre los efectos del propolán en el tratamiento de la gingivitis crónica y de las úlceras bucales [Preliminary study of the effects of propolis in the treatment of chronic gingivitis and oral ulceration].
17 Wagh, Vijay D. Propolis: a wonder bees product and its pharmacological potentials. doi:10.1155/2013/308249
18 Jautová J, et al. Lip creams with propolis special extract GH 2002 0.5% versus aciclovir 5.0% for herpes labialis (vesicular stage) : Randomized, controlled double-blind study. Doi:10.1007/s10354-018-0667-6
19 Cardoso, Rosemari, et al. Antimicrobial activity of propolis extract against Staphylococcus coagulase positive and Malassezia pachydermatis of canine otitis.
20 Santos VR, et al. Oral candidiasis treatment with Brazilian ethanol propolis extract. doi:10.1002/ptr.1715
21 Dimov, V., et al. Immunomodulatory action of propolis: IV. Prophylactic activity against gram-negative infections and adjuvant effect of the water-soluble derivative.
22 Shimizu, Tomomi et al. Anti-influenza virus activity of propolis in vitro and its efficacy against influenza infection in mice. doi:10.1177/095632020801900102
23 Silva H, et al. The Cardiovascular Therapeutic Potential of Propolis—A Comprehensive Review https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10010027
24 Rivera-Yañez, et al. Flavonoids Present in Propolis in the Battle against Photoaging and Psoriasis. doi:10.3390/antiox10122014
25 Yoshizumi, Kazuma et al. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan doi:10.1248/yakushi.125.315
26 Al-Hariri MT, et al. Propolis Modulates Inflammatory Mediators and Improves Histopathology in Male Rats with L-arginine-induced Acute Pancreatitis. doi:10.18295/squmj.2019.19.02.004
27 Bazo A P, et al. Protective action of propolis on the rat colon carcinogenesis. doi:10.1002/tcm.10011
28 Miyata, Shota et al. Stimulatory effect of Brazilian propolis on hair growth through proliferation of keratinocytes in mice. doi:10.1021/jf503184s
29 Badr G, et al. The Therapeutic Mechanisms of Propolis Against CCl4 -Mediated Liver Injury by Mediating Apoptosis of Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells and Improving the Hepatic Architecture through PI3K/AKT/mTOR, TGF-β/Smad2, Bcl2/BAX/P53 and iNOS Signaling Pathways. doi:10.33594/000000140
30 Masadah, Rina et al. Effects of propolis and its bioactive components on breast cancer cell pathways and the molecular mechanisms involved. doi:10.3233/BD-219003
31 Patel S. Emerging Adjuvant Therapy for Cancer: Propolis and its Constituents. doi:10.3109/19390211.2015.1008614
32 Scheller, S., et al. Synergism between ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and anti-tuberculosis drugs on growth of mycobacteria.
33 Montoro A, et al. Concentration-Dependent Protection by Ethanol Extract of Propolis against X-Ray-Induced Chromosome Damage in Human Blood Lymphocytes.
34 Sabuncuoglu, M. Z., et al. Propolis reduces bacterial translocation and intestinal villus atrophy in experimental obstructive jaundice doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i39.5226
35 Afsharpour F, et al. Propolis supplementation improves glycemic and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.001
36 Almeida, E. C. D., et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of propolis extracts: a review2104.
37 Popeskovic, D., et al. The antioxidative properties of propolis and some of its components.
38 Zhao L, et al. Brazilian Green Propolis Improves Antioxidant Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. doi:10.3390/ijerph13050498
39 UI researchers develop alternative propolis for the treatment of COVID-19. https://aceh.antaranews.com/nasional/berita/1335914/.
40 Could Propolis Hold the Key to an Effective COVID-19 Treatment? https://hikian.com/post/could-propolis-hold-the-key-to-an-effective-covid-19-treatment
