Beekeeping products have beneficial properties. The most famous product is propolis.
Propolis (from ancient Greek πρόπολις, literally “suburb”, from προ- – “before” and πόλις – “city”), also bee glue or uza – a resinous substance from brown to dark green, used by bees to cover cracks, regulation of the permeability of the taphole, disinfection of honeycomb cells before sowing eggs with the uterus, as well as isolation.
It is a sticky substance that bees collect from buds, leaves and needles of trees, then ferment it with the secret of their salivary glands, add pollen and wax. According to another version, it is a bee waste product obtained after processing pollen grains. Propolis is a greenish-brown sticky substance with a characteristic bitter taste and aroma, in which wax, pine needles and, of course, honey are guessed at once.
Usage
Propolis is mainly used today as a medicine, either as a drug or as an ingredient in other drugs. Propolis can be found in liquid form – in the form of a spray or tincture, as well as in solid form – in lozenges. In addition, honey with propolis is on sale.
Raw solid propolis can be purchased in capsules, tablets, and effervescent tablets. There are ointments or creams containing propolis that are used to treat ulcers, acne, herpes, etc.
There are 3 types of propolis: brown or European, green, found in Brazil, and red, found mainly in Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico.
Action
Its biological activity has been confirmed, which ranges from antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diabetic, dermatoprotective, antiallergic, laxative and immunomodulatory to antineoplastic.
Propolis enhances the body’s defenses against viruses and bacterial infections. It is used for sore throat, pharyngitis, and sinusitis, either as a single ingredient or in combination with other substances. Propolis preparations also help improve oral hygiene.
Propolis has antiviral activity, as it contains flavonoids and is effective against herpes viruses and adenoviruses. It also has antifungal properties and is indicated against the attacks of pathogenic fungi on the skin.
Propolis helps to heal damaged tissues, mainly due to the essential oils it contains, and also has a stronger antioxidant effect than vitamin E.
The main difference between propolis and other beekeeping products: it retains all its healing qualities even after prolonged boiling, so that it can be safely used in decoctions and infusions, added to hot water or tea.
However, you need to be extremely careful if you are allergic to bee products and honey.
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