Propolis Powder Profile
Also known as
Also known as- Bee bread, Bee propolis, and Bee resin.
Introduction
Propolis is a chemically complex sticky "glue" collected from beehives. It contains resins collected from the buds and leaves of plants, volatile oils, and wax. The exact composition of propolis varies from hive to hive and from season to season, depending on the plants available to the bees for making their honey, propolis, and royal jelly. In cool and damp northerly climates, poplar trees provide most of the resins appearing in propolis. In tropical forests, however, so many trees are sources of resins that the exact content of propolis is very hard to predict. A rich reservoir of antioxidants, propolis serves as a "chemical weapon" of the hive against rapidly spreading infections. Natural therapists around the world recommend propolis as a food and medicine for relieving the symptoms of an astonishing range of health conditions. As a collection of plant products, propolis is a vegan food.
Constituents
Vary by geographic source. Mostly flavanones, flavones, phenolic acid and their esters in poplar type propolis (European or North American origins); prenylated p-coumaric acids and diterpenes in Baccharis type (Brazilian or green) propolis; prenylated benzophenones in Cuban or red propolis.
Parts Used
Propolis collected from honeybees is more strongly antibacterial than propolis collected from other kinds of bees. Because of its solid as a rock nature once gathered, it needs to be blended with a dispersing agent like carob.
Typical Preparations
Tinctures, capsules, suppositories, mouthwashes, toothpastes.
Summary
Most of the health benefits of propolis derive from its antioxidant properties, so for best results, store in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly closed container.
Precautions
About 6% of the population is mildly allergic to European propolis. Allergies to Brazilian ("green") or Cuban ("red") propolis have not been reported in the medical literature.
Warnings
For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.