Treasures of the hive: The ‘un-bee-lievable’ benefits of bee propolis

By Don Cost

Honey and royal jelly are well known for their amazing health benefits, but do you know about the other bee-derived ingredient that’s known to have incredible health properties? I am referring to bee propolis, also called “bee glue.”

Bee Propolis is defined as a resinous mixture that honeybees produce by combining their own saliva and beeswax with substances that they collect from sap flowers, tree buds and other botanical sources. The color of propolis can vary depending on what the bee collects from nature and the location of the bee. It can be found in various colors including green, red, white, brown and black. Its name comes from the Greek, pro- means “in defense of” and polis means “city.” So, the literal meaning is “in defense of the city,” or beehive.

In the hive, bees create this substance to protect their hive from severe weather, intruders, disease, and to strengthen the internal structure of the hive and seal cracks in the hive. Honeybees cover the entrance of the hive with propolis and they walk across it every time they return to their hive with pollen and nectar. In addition to providing a physical barrier against pesticides and pests, propolis also has health benefits to the honeybees. The propolis extract reduces bacteria in the hive.

Propolis is vital to the honeybees’ survival and it also has some magnificent health benefits for humans too. Like honey, propolis offers a myriad of scientifically researched health benefits for humans. In 1957, propolis was used as an ointment to treat wounds, burns and inflammation.

Recent scientific studies in 2022 indicate that propolis is rich in flavonoids, which boost the immune system and it also contains powerful antioxidant properties. It shields the beehives from environmental threats, and it can do the same type of thing for humans by providing our bodies with ingredients that will strengthen our immune systems and by reducing inflammation which will be beneficial for those with arthritis, eczema, psoriasis and MS.

Propolis contains over 300 natural and beneficial compounds, powerful antioxidants, amino acids and Vitamins: C, E, Bl, B2 and B6.

It also contains several important minerals like magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium and zinc.

Propolis also has antimicrobial, antiulcer, antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial, antitumor and anticancer benefits.

In a propolis research study, published in “The Journal of Agriculture Food Chemistry,” researchers found that propolis induces apoptosis (cellular death) in human breast cancer cells (MCF -7 cells).

The researchers tested several types of propolis in this study, but the Brazilian red propolis was the most effective against the cancer cells.

In another study, called The Honey Study (“Current Drug Targets” November 2012), researchers investigated the ingredient called tributyrin. This ingredient is found in honey and in propolis. Researchers used test tubes and vivo (humans) for this study. This study yielded exciting results, revealing tributyrin acts on (destroys) cancer cells and it does it without affecting non-cancer cells. It kills the cancer cells by interrupting the blood supply to the harmful cells.

Propolis also contains the natural anti-cancer compounds apigenin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). Current studies of propolis indicate positive results for several types of cancer including lung, pancreatic, skin and glioma (inoperable brain cancer).

Within two days of administering CAPE from propolis, 46% of lung cancer cells had been eliminated and cancer tumors had shrunk by 60%. After three days, 67% of the lung cancer cells had been destroyed.

Another study, published in “The Journal of Anticancer Drugs” using CAPE found the same results with colon cancer. CAPE appears to work by acting on the signaling networks that control the growth of cancer cells. Also, the potent antioxidants in propolis appear to be very effective at reducing the risk of developing cancer.

As I was researching propolis products online, I found a product on Amazon called Apiario Silvestre Brazilian Green Bee Propolis. At the bottom of the page of this listing the first review was very exciting. The title of the review is “Miracle, cure for all cancers, even advanced cancers.” She told her husband’s story. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and that cancer had spread to his brain. She found this product online and gave it to her husband as directed on the bottle for one month. He went back to his doctor and had another CT scan. All of his cancers were gone. I am not saying propolis will cure all cancers but it definitely works for some people and the research speaks for itself.

Researchers also believe the antioxidant compound found in propolis can help stabilize blood sugar in diabetics. Propolis has been approved as a medication in Germany, Romania, and Brazil but the FDA in the United States only approved it as a supplement, not an actual medication. Cur- rently, there are 21 commercial manufacturers worldwide.

I think it is also interesting to note that propolis was mentioned in the Bible, in the Old Testament. The prophet Jeremiah refers figuratively to its medicinal properties as an application to wounds and as a sedative. Noah built his ark with Gopher Wood that contained propolis and little baby Moses’ box was covered with propolis. It also appears indirectly as “The Balm of Gilead.” The Balm was actually a bee-collected resinous material (that is propolis) that was used in Biblical times. There is even a church hymn called “Balm of Gilead.”

In conclusion, propolis has many amazing health benefits for humans. However, people who are allergic to honey, royal jelly or poplar trees should not use propolis unless they are tested first by an allergy specialist. Also, people who are taking blood thinning medications should stop taking propolis at least two weeks before surgery. Do not take propolis with ginger, ginseng or warfarin.

Current scientific studies on propolis have shown phenomenal health benefits for many health problems. There are several high-quality natural sources of propolis that can be found online to purchase. It is available in several forms: oils, capsules, throat sprays etc. I would recommend getting propolis from your local beekeepers, farmers’ market or a health food store.

For more information, I would recommend a website called beeculture. com/propolis/. It explains how to harvest propolis and it provides some great recipes. I am sure bee propolis will only continue to amaze us in the years to come.