WHAT IS PROPOLIS?

Propolis is a resinous, balsamic, and elastic substance, of a viscous consistency, presenting colors which vary among brownish green, chestnut brown, light or dark brown, black, and yellowish (depending on its botanical origin), an astringent, sour, sometimes slightly bitter taste, and a pleasant sweetish smell. When burnt, it gives off a fragrance of aromatic resin.

COMPOSITION OF RAW PROPOLIS

In a general aspect, the propolis collected by bees is constituted by:

- 50 to 55% resins and balms;

- 25 to 35% wax;

- 10% ethereal oils;

- 5% pollen;

- 5% organic matter and mineral substances of different kinds.

It is worth mentioning that the composition of propolis is not totally known, due to the changes that happen regarding the environment where the bees collect it. In a general way, we can say it is rich in flavonoids and minerals, such as:

- Aluminum - Chromium

- Barium - Cobalt

- Copper - Calcium

- Manganese - Stain

- Nickel - Iron

- Lead - Silicon

- Strontium - Titanium

- Vanadium - Zinc

Researches are nowadays carried all around the world in order to determine the composition of propolis more accurately, since it presents great differences caused by its botanical origin.

HISTORY

Propolis has been known and used by men since ancient times. It was already used by the ancient Egyptians to embalm bodies. In the first medical text known as "Book for the manufacture of medicines for all the parts of the human body", narrated in the Ebers' papyrus, and written around 1,700 B.C., propolis is mentioned as a medicine product. The word "propolis" comes from the Greek and means: "pro", which means "before, in front", and "polis", which means "city". So, it would mean the defense "before the city", or in this case the beehive. In all ancient literature there are references to Propolis and its use in human medicine.

WHY DO BEES PRODUCE PROPOLIS?

Since the most ancient times, when bees still lived in caves, hollow trees, or other places, bees have had the natural instinct to propolize, as a means of defense against the threats the external environment represents, and also as an essential material besides wax for building combs. Bees find in propolis the guarantee of sanitation inside the hive, where more than sixty thousand individuals live in a small area, together with their brood and food storage. Propolis is used by bees for several different things, such as:

- for filling up cracks and fissures in the place where the swarm is sheltered;

- to reduce access openings, thus avoiding the entrance of cold, predators, and undesirable visitors;

- for coating the cells before the queen lays its eggs inside them, keeping them free from microbic and pathogenic agents;

- for embalming animal remains inside the hive, if they are too big or heavy to be taken out, thus avoiding the contamination by pathological agents, and their putrefaction;

- for coating all the hive internally, what also works as a thermal isolator.

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PROPOLIS AND ITS USAGE

It is known today, by countless researches of the world scientific community, that propolis brings new vital forms to the organism, complementing the lack of substances, especially mineral micronutrients, enzymes, coenzymes, vitamins, amino acids, and countless other components of a high biological value. The most interesting effects of propolis are:

- Antimicrobic action (bacterial, mycotic, and viral);

- Antiparasite action;

- Antiinflamatory, healing, and painkilling actions;

- Antioxidant action;

- Antitumoral and radio-protective actions;

- Vein-protective action;

- Effects on the human immunological system, making it more efficient.

Used with permission by Breyer & Cia, Ltda.