Propolis, Other Benefits From Bees

Propolis has a name extension of bee propolis. "Bee" is a bee, "Pro" means before, and "Polis" means the city. Bee propolis means "before entering a beehive."

Propolis is derived from the sap of plants and bee saliva. Propolis is a brown adhesive resin that bees use to:

• Patching a leaking nest (nest strengthens), and protect the nest from outside interference.
• Sterilize hives, stop the growth and development of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Propolis contains iron, vitamin B complex, pro-vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, amino acids, minerals, and a variety of bioflavonoids.

Propolis also serves to provide protection for the body. Propolis can activate the thymus gland that functions as the body's immune system, inhibit the infection of viruses, fungi and other parasites into the body. In other words, propolis works to build the body's natural defenses.

Propolis also acts as antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and useful as detoxification. In addition, scientific studies prove propolis effective against bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus sp. (Cause of urinary tract infections), Clostridium sp. (Cause of indigestion), Corynebacterium diphtheriae (the cause of diphtheria), Streptococcus sp. (Cause of throat and sinus infections), Klebsiella pneumoniae (causes pneumonia and bronchitis), and Pseudomonas sp. (Cause of infection in the wound).

With the ability to heal wounds, propolis also may help cure health problems caused by infection with microorganisms on the respiratory system, such as wet lung inflammation, pneumonia, asthma, sinusitis, and tuberculosis.

Propolis can also be used to wash the mouth. Propolis can stop the growth of bacteria in the mouth cause tooth decay and gingivitis. Propolis also contains antioxidants in the form of flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, epigenin, and luteolin. According to research, contents from one drop of propolis flavonoids on flavonoid generated equivalent of 500 oranges.

Propolis has anti-cancer properties, and inhibits viral replication of HIV. Propolis is available in the market in the form of tablets, capsules, or liquids. The use of propolis as a food supplement is one or two tablets / capsules per day. 1 tablet / capsule equal with 250 mg propolis.