All you need to know about benefits of Propolis! Honey is the most well-known product of bees that is famous for its health benefits. However, honey is not the only beneficial product that bees are  charge of. These little insects take the sap from evergreens and trees with needle-shaped leaves and combine it with their beeswax and other discharges. The result is a greenish and sticky material that bees use for building their hives and storing honey. The sticky material which is vital for creating hives is called Propolis. Propolis is usually green or brown, and its shape is comparable with resins. Several benefits of Propolis were known throughout history to humankind, and our ancestors have taken advantage of this precious yet rare material to cure different diseases.

Propolis: a rare but beneficial bee product

Ancient civilizations with rather advanced medical knowledge, such as Assyrians and Greeks, often referred to Propolis as a precious medicine. Historical evidence in Greec and Egypt indicate the prescription of Propolis for curing tumors, wounds, and infections. Interestingly enough, ancient Egyptians used this rare bee product for embalming their mummies.

The Propolis composition depends on several different factors, including the type of trees and flowers bees have been used, the location of bees, and the season during which Propolis has been produced.

What are the benefits of propolis?

There are several ongoing studies that are focused on the health benefits of Propolis. Thanks to its varying composition, it is difficult for scientists and researchers to agree on a general basis about this bee product's health benefits. Until now, more than 300 health compounds have been identified in Propolis. Antioxidants consist of a significant fraction of these identified compounds. Antioxidants are usually found in green tea, vegetables, and fruits and are essential for the immuning body against cell damages and serious diseases, such as cancer. Along with antioxidants, Propolis is known for its other vital properties, including:

• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antiviral

What are the most well-known benefits of Propolis?

• Healing wounds: Propolis is helpful for the process of wound healing. Ancient civilizations have noticed this property of Propolis, but only recently have researchers noticed the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of this substance. Researchers have assigned these two healing properties of Propolis to the presence of a flavonoid called pinocembrin. Other studies have also reported the positive impact of Propolis in accelerating healthy cells' growth, particularly in traumatic burns. Thanks to the anti-inflammation property of Propolis, this substance is also
•  
• beneficial for reducing mast cells. The latter is particularly important for reducing swelling and pain in wounds that may occur during oral s
• Curing cancer: damaged cells can trigger serious diseases such as different types of cancers. As mentioned earlier, Propolis can be beneficial in preventing and treating damaged cells. Although studies are limited in this regard, studies have revealed that Propolis can prevent damaged cells from signalling each other, thus multiplying or becoming cancerous. One should notice that, similar to other natural treatments, Propolis should not
• be regarded as the primary cancer treatment but as a complementary solution.
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• Genital herpes: The second type of herpes simplex virus, known as HSV-2, can cause recurrent genital lesions. 5% acyclovir ointment is the common
• and the most conventional treatment for this disease. However, recent studies have revealed that ColdSore-FX or Hestat with 3 percent propolis within might be a better replacement treatment for recurrent genital lesions. Studies in this regard are limited, and research needs to be further
• completed.
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• Healing Cold: In addition to genital herpes, treating ointments with 3 percent of Propolis can be beneficial in healing cold sores. Studies have
• revealed that Propolis can be beneficial in fastening the healing process from cold sores. In addition to that, using Propolis based treatments can protect the immune body against further cold sore breakouts.

Can Propolis invoke allergic reactions?

In general, Propolis based treatments and products are considered as low-risk. However, research on different possible side effects of this substance is still going on, and due to the varying composition of this bee product, a confirmed general ground could not be reported yet. Propolis can be dangerous for those people with known allergies to bee products and honey. This does not exclude the possibility of allergic reactions to Propolis itself. Studies have declared that long term usage of Propolis may invoke allergies, even in people without any allergic background to honey or bees.

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Propolis allergic reactions usually showcase themselves with skin rashes and itches. This substance can also be dangerous in people with asthma conditions. Thus, it is better to take doses of Propolis under the supervision of doctors.

Who should avoid Propolis?

Although Propolis is a very beneficial substance, it can be dangerous in people with particular health conditions or chronic diseases. Those who should avoid usage of Propolis include:

• People who are suffering from asthma: certain chemicals in Propolis can trigger asthmatic conditions, thus affecting normal breathing in patients.
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• People who have undergone surgeries: certain compounds of Propolis can affect blood clotting, thus taking this substance before or after surgeries may raise complications. Doctors usually recommend patients not to take any doses of Propolis 2 weeks prior to or after their surgeries. The main risk applies to those people with severe bleeding disorders. People with chronic bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, need to avoid Propolis.
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• People with allergic reactions: people with allergies to bee products, such as poplars, salicylates, honey, conifers, and Peru balsam, should avoid Propolis. Moreover, those without any known allergic reactions to bee products might still be allergic to Propolis. Usage of this substance should be taken with caution.
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• Pregnant women: To date, no severe complications have been reported from pregnant women who have used Propolis. However, our knowledge in this regard is very limited. Thus, pregnant women and those in the breastfeeding process better avoid Propolis to prevent unknown risks.

Propolis is a bee by-product and is known for its several health benefits in curing wounds, damaged cells, and inflammation. Propolis is a beneficial substance, yet people with allergic backgrounds, asthma, and other blood disorders should only take it with doctors’ approval.

https://burnstrauma.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41038-015-0010-z

https://www.healthline.com/health/propolis-an-ancient-healer