Propolis is a bee product. Although it is touted as a miraculous effect for many diseases due to its rich content, and even though it is approved as a medicine by some national authorities, it should be used under the supervision of a specialist and in appropriate doses, considering allergic reactions and possible side effects.

Propolis 

Propolis is a bee product. Although it is touted as a miraculous effect for many diseases due to its rich content, and even though it is approved as a medicine by some national authorities, it should be used under the supervision of a specialist and in appropriate doses, considering allergic reactions and possible side effects. In this article, we will try to discuss propolis in detail in terms of its content, effectiveness, areas of use and possible side effects.


What are bee products? 

  • Honey: It is obtained by honey bees by collecting nectar from plant flowers, transporting it to the hive, placing it in the honeycomb cells and maturing it. Honey contains 80% sugar, 17% water, 3% other substances (minerals, amino acids, colorants, vitamins and enzymes). Properly produced honey can remain intact for many years. The honey bee meets its energy needs from honey.
  • Pollen: It is a very rich substance that contains all the substances (minerals, vitamins, amino acids, etc.) that bees need for their development and fulfillment of their duties. It is collected by pollen traps installed at the entrance of the hive. It is also a powerful source of vitamins and minerals for humans.
  • Beeswax: It is a substance secreted by young worker honey bees and used in making honeycombs. Apart from honeycomb making, it has found use in many fields such as medicine and cosmetics.
  • Royal Jelly: A slightly bitter substance secreted by young worker honey bees. It is used in many areas of medicine due to its nutrient content.
  • Bee venom: A bitter substance produced by worker honey bees. May cause allergic reactions up to anaphylactic shock in susceptible individuals. It is used in many fields such as rheumatic diseases, cancer, heart diseases in the field of medicine.
  • Apilarnil (bee larva): Due to its nutritional content, it has a wide range of uses such as epilepsy, intelligence enhancer, depression, appetite stimulant, strengthening the immune system.
  • Perga (bee bread): A pollen produced by honey bees that has a much richer nutritional content than normal pollen. It strengthens the immune system, increases mental activity.
  • Propolis: Propolis is a natural, sticky substance collected by honey bees from a variety of plants such as pine, conifers, resins, poplar and leaf buds.



How is propolis obtained? 

Honey bees roam hundreds of flowers, buds and pine trees. Trees such as horse chestnut, chestnut, willow, maple, pine, oak, birch, fir, alder, hazelnut, eucalyptus and elm are investigated one by one. Here, it scrapes the resin with its lower jaws, collects it in its mouth, softens it by wetting, mixes it with the enzymes it produces and turns it into a pellet. These pellets are then thrown into the basket on their hind legs. When the basket is full, they carry it to the hive in turn.

Honeybees use propolis to close the holes in the hive, to prevent the entry of foreign matter or living things from the outside, and the passage of hot/cold air. It also protects the hive against microbiological agents that may come from outside. In other words, it is used as a kind of cleaning and insulation material.

Spring cleaning is done when spring comes for propolis, which protects honey bees throughout the winter. The old propolis is cleaned and thrown out of the hive. For newly born puppies, the honeycomb is cleaned and polished with propolis again. This is necessary for the healthy growth of baby honey bees in a sterile environment. In the same way, honey storage areas are cleaned with propolis in order to accumulate honey in a clean area.

Beekeepers place traps in the hives. Bees apply propolis to close these traps, which appear as gaps or cracks in the hive. Since there are very small holes, honey bees cannot pass through here. Traps placed in the hive at the beginning of summer are filled with propolis until autumn. An average of 300-600 grams of propolis accumulates from a hive. When enough propolis accumulates, the trap is taken from the hive and placed in the refrigerator. Here it is hardened to break with a light impact. Propolis, which is preferably collected in autumn and winter, is then presented to the consumer after being subjected to various analyzes and processes.



The quality of propolis is affected by many factors such as the type of bee, the type of plant or flower it collects pollen from, the cleanliness of the hive, whether or not additives are given, whether there is air pollution in the area where the hive is placed, and the use of agricultural pesticides.

How to recognize real propolis? 

Propolis produced in Turkey is usually brown. It is sticky. When dropped into water, it changes the color of the water to yellow. Since it is not sugar, it tastes bitter and has a sharp odor. Various additives are used in the production stages of propolis. For this reason, these additives should be well researched while purchasing. Product selection should be made by carefully examining these additives from the product labels. Certified manufacturers should be preferred. Fake propolis products are difficult to distinguish from the real ones. Propolis produced in countries such as China other than Turkey can be in colors such as yellow and green. This may depend on the source of the pollen or the additives added. Propolis can be black in Australia, orange in Finland, and violet in Cuba.

It is recommended to store propolis in the refrigerator at home in the crisper.

How long has propolis been used? 

Propolis has been used in the treatment of some diseases for thousands of years. It was first used as an antibiotic in ancient Greek medicine. There is information about the use of propolis in areas such as pain treatment and wound treatment before Christ. Hippocrates recommended propolis for digestive system ailments, ulcers and skin diseases. A thousand years ago, propolis was recommended by European health experts for oral and dental health.



Especially in the last 50 years, serious studies have been carried out regarding the chemical structure, nutritional values and usage areas of propolis. It can be understood from which sources honey bees collect it from the examination of the propolis content. In recent years, propolis products produced after special analyzes and processes have found a wide area of use for the purpose of protecting health or supporting the treatment of diseases.

What is the chemical content of propolis? 

The chemical content of propolis varies according to the plant where the pollen is collected and the season. It has been determined that there are 180-300 different substances in its content. However, it is thought that there will be substances that have not yet been detected and intensive studies are continuing. Compounds in the chemical content of propolis:

  • flavonoids (contains 38 different kinds of flavanoids such as galangin, quercetin, kaempferol, chrysin, luteolin, apigenin, pinobanksin, pinocembrin, pinostobin),
  • phenolic acids (contains 8 different compounds such as caffeic acid and cinnamic acid),
  • amino acids (aspartate, glutamate, tryptophan, phenylalanine, leucine, cystine, methionine, valine, serine, histidine, arginine, proline, tyrosine)
  • minerals (magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, copper, zinc, manganese, iron)
  • vitamins (B1, B2, B6, C and E vitamins, niacin, pantothenic acid, provitamin A),
  • enzymes (enzymes such as succinic dehydrogenase glucose-6-phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and acid phosphatase, which are necessary for the execution of vital activities in cells)
  • benzaldehyde derivatives,
  • hydroxylavones,
  • acids,
  • alcohols,
  • ketones,
  • heteroaromatic compounds
  • terpene and secuterpene,
  • aliphatic hydrocarbons,
  • hydrocarbons,
  • sterols and steroids,

What are the uses of propolis? 

Propolis has been used for thousands of years, especially in health-related issues. Comprehensive studies, especially in the last 50 years, have further increased its use for the purpose of protecting health and supporting the treatment of diseases. Depending on the content of propolis and the pollen source it originates from, its usage areas vary, but its main activities are as follows:

    • Antibacterial activity: It has been shown in various studies to be effective against many bacteria. It is added to antibiotics due to its effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus and E. Coli bacteria. It is thought that the antibacterial activity shows through some flavinoid compounds, esters and aromatic acids.
    • Antiviral efficacy: Various studies have shown that propolis is effective against influenza virus, reduces polio virus, and can be effective on herpes virus and adenovirus.
    • Herpes: It is thought to be effective against herpes viruses.
    • Genital herpes: It is thought to provide faster recovery than asiviral due to its antiviral activity.
    • Antifungal activity: There are studies that some propolis species (especially propolis species produced from poplar tree) have activity on about forty fungal species, especially candida.
    • Antioxidant activity: Propolis is known as a powerful antioxidant due to the phenol compounds it contains. Antioxidant activity increases when used together with other bee products (honey, pollen, royal jelly, etc.).
    • Oral and dental health: It is used in many areas such as gum diseases, oral wounds, oral aphthae, tooth decay, protection of teeth due to its effectiveness against microbes and components such as vitamins and minerals.
    • Skin injuries, burns: It can be used in burns and injuries due to its antimicrobial activity, supporting collagen synthesis and wound healing properties.
    • Dengue fever: It is claimed to shorten the hospital stay due to the disease.
    • Warts: It is thought that there are improvements in warts with use for a certain period of time.
  • Strengthening the immune system: It supports the strengthening of the immune system with the contribution of minerals, vitamins and other components it contains. Especially in winter or during epidemic periods, it can act as a shield against diseases.
  • Stomach ulcer: It is thought that propolis has activity on helicobacter pylori.
  • Cancers: There are studies showing that propolis slows the growth of cancer cells and increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, especially with the effect of the flavinoids it contains.
  • Diabetes: It is claimed that propolis does not have an effect on insulin levels, but contributes somewhat to blood sugar regulation.
  • Usage in the field of cosmetics : It is used in many cosmetic products such as cream, lotion, shampoo, nasal spray, toothpaste, soap or face mask due to its antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant activity, cell renewal feature, nourishing and cleansing the skin.
  • Use in the food industry: It is used in many food products as a food preservative due to its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity.



How is propolis used? 

Propolis is commercially available in the form of drops, capsules, tablets, creams, sprays, powders or syrups.

  • Drops: Mouth sores, gum diseases, throat infections, etc.
  • Syrup: Cough complaints in upper respiratory tract infections, etc.
  • Spray: In throat infections, etc.,
  • Capsules or tablets: Strengthening the immune system, sleep problems,
  • Cream: It can be used on burns, wounds, etc.

It can also be added to drinks, foods. Propolis should be used in accordance with your following doctor and manufacturer’s instructions and in recommended doses.

What are the points to be considered during the use of propolis? 

  • Propolis is a bee product. There is a risk of allergic reaction to bee products. Therefore, care should be taken in terms of allergic reactions during use.
  • An important side effect of propolis due to its content is that it can prolong bleeding time. People with bleeding disorders or who use blood thinners should use it carefully.
  • It is beneficial to discontinue the use of propolis before the operations because it prolongs the bleeding time.
  • Propolis has the potential to exacerbate diseases such as asthma.
  • Pregnancy: There are no safe data on the use of propolis during pregnancy and lactation. The use should be in accordance with the recommendations of the following doctor.
  • The use of propolis may cause problems in people with some chronic diseases due to the risk of interaction with the drugs they use routinely.

Conclusion:

Although the use of propolis has been on the agenda for thousands of years, there may be some problems in content due to factors such as changes in production techniques, the difference in flowers or buds from which pollen is collected, environmental pollution, air pollution, agricultural products.

Commercial expectations, developing production techniques may lead to the introduction of propolis products that are indistinguishable from the real thing. The perception of propolis as a miraculous product may cause disruptions in the use of other and scientifically proven drugs.

For these reasons, it is necessary to use propolis under the supervision of an expert and as recommended, and to obtain the production certificates and additives of the products used by researching well. It is a product that contains many titles on which many studies have been made but still have not been clarified yet.

 


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