Propolis is a resin gathered by honeybees from tree bark and leaves. The bees use this substance to seal their hives, protecting it from outside contaminants. Propolis has been shown to kill the bee’s most ardent bacterial foe, Bacillus larvae. Bees use propolis to sterilize themselves at the entrance to the hive.
Propolis is an excellent natural antibiotic. One of the most widely known and extensively tested properties of propolis is its antibacterial activity. Not only bees take advantage of the antibacterial and antifungal effects of propolis in protecting against diseases, these effects are also beneficial to human health. Many scientific tests in human studies have also shown positive control of the organisms (a variety of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms) by various extracts and concentrations of propolis. These studies have shown broad spectrum antimicrobial activity of various propolis extracts, although activity was highest in gram-positive bacteria and yeasts. Synergism with certain antibiotics has been demonstrated.
Propolis has been used for thousands of years, as an anti-inflammatory drug and wound-healing agent for wound infection, inflammation, fever and other illnesses. The special wound healing properties of propolis were already known to the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans and in ancient times. Ancient Hippocrates used propolis to heal sores, internal and external ulcers. The Assyrians used it to heal wounds and tumors.
Today, propolis is used for treatment of respiratory apparatus, dental care, dermatology, wounds and ulcers, including various infections, eczema, mycosis, mucous membrane infections and lesions, ulcers and infections of digestive tracts, tissue regeneration, and many other diseases.
