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What is Propolis?

Propolis is a reddish brown wax-like resinous substance collected by bees from tree and used as cement and to seal cracks or open spaces in the hive. Honeybees will use propolis to attempt to seal any gap inside the hive that is smaller than the bee space, approximately 6.3 mm.

Traditionally, beekeepers assumed that bees sealed the cracks and joints of the beehive with propolis to prevent drafts during the wintertime. More recent research suggests that bees not only survive, but thrive with increased ventilation during the winter in most temperate regions of the world. Propolis is now thought to:

1. reinforce the structural stability of the hive
2. reduce vibration
3. make the hive more defensible by sealing alternate entrances

Propolis is derived from a variety of resinous, gummy substances brought by bees into the hive from buds, young shoots or barks of trees and in the hive transformed into a sticky substance of a brown to black colour, an agreeable odour, and a bitter taste. Bees use propolis to strengthen their residence, to glue all the moveable parts, to varnish the interior walls of the hive, to protect the hive from temperature variations and intruders. The trees used by bees to collect the ingredients of propolis are: birch, poplar, alder, fir and others.

The word "propolis" was coined by Aristotle in his work about the generation of animals. "Pro" means in the front of, and "polis" means city, here; the bees' city. Bees use propolis to construct protective walls at the hive entrances, to keep the hive warm and predators away.

The use of propolis dates back to antiquity when the resinous and glue-like properties of propolis were utilized, for example, in mummifying the dead. Propolis was and is used in varnishes. It protects from rusting and aging. Stradivarius has been said to have used propolis varnish in his exceptional violins.

The medicinal use of propolis dates back thousands of years also. Propolis was used in dressings to protect wounds from gangrene, however, most of the scientific work on the composition, pharmacological and medicinal uses of propolis have been done in the last forty years. Propolis is composed of 50-70% resins and balsams, 30% wax, 5-10% pollen, and 8-10% essential oils (Murat, 1982).

Biological Characteristics of Propolis.

Many human cultures use propolis for health preservation. Recently contemporary medicine attempts to investigate specific pharmacological properties of propolis.

Propolis has been shown to have bactericidal, antiviral, and antifungal properties. The antibiotic value of propolis extract varies according to the source of propolis and according to the preparation of the propolis extract.

Alcohol extract of propolis has various strengths found in antibacterial activity against certain bacteria such as Bacillius subtilis (Caron strain).

Propolis extracts have also shown to have antifungal properties. They have been used to treat cases of candidiasis. Vasiliev et al. (1979) performed a study where he treated 40 infants with moniliasis in which conventional therapy had failed, with a preparation composed of 30% extract of propolis in 95% alcohol, water and honey. This preparation lasted 3-5 days. A marked improvement was evident already on the second day, with complete recovery by either the fourth or fifth day.

30% propolis ointment was used also in cases of chapping of skin of infants where a conventional therapy failed. The ointment was applied on infected areas and all patients were cured. 70% alcohol tincture of propolis has been found very effective against Microsporum ferrugeneum , a member of the dermatophyte fungi several Trjchopyta and Epidermophyton floccosum, a dermophyte infecting skin and nails but not hair. The antifungal activity varies with the source of propolis (Braileanu et al). The advantages of the propolis therapy is that it can be applied at home.

Medical Applications of Propolis

Wounds, burns and acute infections have successfully been treated with propolis. Propolis is known to have wound healing and tissue regeneration properties. In the Soviet Union, propolis ointment is utilized during post-operative treatment of the deep burn wounds at the granulation stage to hasten the healing and to prepare the wounds for dermoplasty (Atiasov et al., 1975). Propolis ointment has been shown to increase the production of epithelial cells, increase the circulation, and decrease scar-tissue. In addition, propolis ointment acts as topical analgesic and doesn't stick to the wounds, which is very important for the survival of skin grafts (Atiasov).

Propolis has long been used in dermatology in the treatment of leg ulcers, neurodermatitis and microbial and fungal dermatitis and dermatosis. For the treatment of leg ulcers, for instance, either 30% ointment or an alcohol solution can be utilized (Ghisalberti, 1.c.).

Propolis has been used in the treatment of advanced stages of pulmonary tuberculosis, especially when the traditional therapy has failed or is contraindicated. Propolis has also been used as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of cases of a non-specific bronchitis where a conventional antibiotic has failed (Rux, 1978).

Certain conditions of the gastrointestinal tract also lend themselves to the treatment with propolis. Propolis was found to intensify intestinal contractions and muscle tone.

Propolis has been shown to be a nonspecific immunostimulator. When added in the form of alcohol solution to an immunizing agent, propolis improved the immune response. Protective properties of immunizing agents were markedly improved by the administration of propolis.

Propolis has its uses also in otorhinolaryngology, 5% alcohol solution of propolis was used externally in otitis media simultaneously with antibiotics. All cased studied showed improvement in 5-9 days after the initiation of the therapy. Propolis was found to be especially useful in the foot and mouth disease. All the cases were cured within 3-8 days after the initiation of the therapy. There was one case of allergy which was relieved by an oral antiallergen (Matel, 1975).

Propolis in form of aerosols has been successfully used in pediatrics in cases of nonspecific chronic pneumonia and bronchial asthma. All the children with bronchitis improved. Michailescu (1978) treated bronchial asthma of adults with propolis orally. The results were positive.

Technology of Propolis

There are basically four different ways of collecting propolis; the quality of propolis varies with the method of collection. The oldest method involves scraping propolis from the fames, walls of the hives, and cloth when extracting honey twice during the season. Second method used is adjusting the frame spaces, then propolis spaces, then propolis can be chiseled when inspecting the nest. Third method is changing the cloth (usually twice a year) or polyethylene covers. This method yields the highest quality propolis. The fourth method utilizes a special grate. Two or three of the special Leikart hardwood or plastic grates are introduced into each hive and periodically removed, and propolis collected on the grates is then harvested. At the present time there are several countries in the world, the Soviet Union, Romania, Japan, China, Poland, Canada, and the U.S., that produce propolis containing products for medical use.

In the U.S. there are nutritional and cosmetic products containing propolis. Syrup with propolis contains among other components, flavanoids, ferculic acid, and balsam. This preparation has antiviral and antibacterial properties and is used to treat pharyngitis. Propolis containing suppositories with royal jelly, pollen and honey are used in inflammation and erosions. Soft propolis is used also in the manufacture of cosmetics (Palos et.al).

Summary

Even though propolis has been known for thousands of years, the knowledge of propolis chemical composition dates back only a few decades. During the last forty years the progress in the use of propolis in medicine has been observed in many Western societies. In medicine, however, propolis is used as an adjuvant, not as a primary therapy. Propolis cannot take the place of conventional therapy. There are still many aspects of propolis that need to be explored in order to be able to utilize its potential to the fullest. Present status of our information indicates a possible preventive role of propolis in cases of the exposure to bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Propolis has very few side effects. There have been reports of allergic reactions, but are rarely encountered. The high therapeutic effect of propolis is poorly understood and needs to be explored. It has been assumed that it is linked with the chemical composition of propolis and possibly with the fact that propolis appears to stimulate the immune response. This needs to be explored further to be able to understand all the aspects of propolis preventive and therapeutic uses.