Bee Propolis
Bee propolis is a natural sealant collected by bees from botanical sources. It is utilized by honeybees to seal small gaps in the hive whereas beeswax is used to close wide openings. It is often derived from tree buds, unlike other bee products obtained from nectars of flowers such as honey and royal jelly. It is resinous in nature, but becomes hard at lower temperatures. It has been linked to many health benefits due to its unique nutritional profile and medicinal potential.
Antioxidant Properties
Depending on its botanical sources, bee propolis contains varying amounts of flavonoids, which are organic compounds that are antioxidant in nature. Among all polyphenolic compounds that occur naturally in nature, flavonoids are the most researched, having been associated to numerous studies; most of them concerned the chemopreventative effects of polyphenols.
Bee propolis is no doubt an effective free radical quencher, being an excellent source of natural polyphenolic antioxidants. These organic compounds are rich in tree buds, where bee propolis is generally obtained from. The antioxidant capacity of bee propolis has been considered to be far superior to that of citrus fruits, making it one of the most potent scavengers of free radicals.
Bee Propolis And Your Health
Antimicrobial Activities
It has long been observed that bee propolis displays antibacterial and antifungal properties, but only recently has it become the subject of antimicrobial research. Bee hives are very clean places, the reason why honey has become reliable sources of human nutrition. Bees take good care of the sanitation of their hive, but the microbe-free place is ascribed to the presence of bee propolis.
Bee propolis exhibits very visible antimicrobial activities. When large insects find their way into the hive and die in the process, bees coat the carcass with bee propolis. By so doing, it prevents the decomposition of the carcass and inhibits the proliferation of putrefying bacteria. Topical applications that contain bee propolis have in fact been used in the treatment of wounds throughout the centuries.
Antiplaque Sealant
Bee propolis has a special place in dental hygiene. Its antibacterial properties have caught the attention of researchers devoted to the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the oral cavity. Bee propolis makes a good substitute for plastic resins used as dental sealants to prevent the formation of dental caries, or tooth decay.
In addition, the application of bee propolis in dental medicine has grown in popularity in the past few years. It provides soothing relief when topically applied to canker sores, which consequently improves fast. Furthermore, its use in endodontic therapy has reported very positive results.
Fight Inflammation With Bee Propolis
Anti-inflammatory Effects
Bee propolis is an all natural remedy for inflammation-induced skin conditions. Apart from its antibacterial benefits, it is also believed to produce anti-inflammatory effects when applied to open wounds, rashes, ulcerations, and other skin lesions. Its antimicrobial properties limit the progression of skin infections and suppress the releases of pain chemicals during inflammation. It has even shown promise in the management of cold sores and herpes outbreaks.