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Although honey is perhaps the most famous bee product of interest to human beings, bees also make Propolis, another substance that humans have used for ages. Bees coat the hive with Propolis in much the same way we use paint and caulking on our homes. People began using Propolis more than 2,300 years ago for many purposes, the foremost of which was applying it to wounds to fight infection. It is a resinous compound made primarily from tree sap, and contains biologically active compounds called flavinoids, which come from its plant source. Propolis does indeed have antibiotic properties; the flavinoids in Propolis may be responsible for its antimicrobial effects as well as other alleged health benefits.
Requirements/Sources
Propolis is available in a wide assortment of products found in pharmacies and health food stores, including tablets, capsules, powders, extracts, ointments, creams, lotions, and other cosmetics.
Therapeutic Dosages
Topical Propolis ointments, creams, lotions, balms, and extracts are usually applied directly to the area being treated. However, we do not recommend applying bee Propolis directly to the eyes (see Safety Issues below). Propolis intended for oral use comes in a wide variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, and extracts. Products vary so much that your best bet is to follow the directions on the label.
Therapeutic Uses
Test tube studies have found Propolis to be active against a variety of micro organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoans.
1・0 These findings have been the basis for most Propolis research in humans and animals. The results of a small controlled study suggests that Propolis cream might cause attacks of genital herpes to heal faster.
11 A preliminary controlled study found that Propolis mouthwash following oral surgery significantly speeded healing time as compared to placebo.
12 Animal studies also suggest that topical Propolis may be of benefit in healing wounds.
13,14 One group of researchers compared a Propolis extract against the standard antiprotozoal drug tinidazole in 138 people infected with the parasite giardia
.15 The extract appeared to work about as well as the drug therapy. A number of clinical trials have tested the use of Propolis for eye infections
16 and vaginal infections.
17 However, these were poorly designed; better trials are necessary before we can say for sure that Propolis is an effective treatment for any of these conditions. In one interesting study, rats given Propolis in their drinking water got fewer cavities than rats given regular water.
18 However, no human studies have been performed to see if we would also benefit. Finally, test tube studies suggest that Propolis has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.
19・5 Again, without actual human studies, these results suggest the need for future research but do not prove Propolis effective for any particular condition.
Safety Issues
Propolis is an ingredient commonly consumed in small quantities in honey. Safety studies have found it to be essentially non-toxic when taken orally; Propolis also appears to be no irritating when applied to the skin.26 However, allergic reactions to topical Propolis occur relatively frequently, sometimes involving painful redness, swelling, and oozing sores.27・8 Propolis is also a known "sensitizing agent," meaning it can cause people to develop allergies to the Propolis itself when it is used regularly.39・2
References
1. Brumfitt W, Hamilton-Miller JMT, Franklin I. Antibiotic activity of natural products: 1. Propolis. Microbios. 1990;62:19・2.
2. Burdock GA. Review of the biological properties and toxicity of bee Propolis (Propolis). Food Chem Toxicol. 1998;36:347・63.
3. Grange JM, Davey RW. Antibacterial properties of propolis (bee glue). J R Soc Med. 1990;83:159・60.
4. Ikeno K, Ikeno T, Miyazawa C. Effects of propolis on dental caries in rats. Caries Res. 1991;25:347・51.
5. Metzner J, Bekemeier H, Paintz P, et al. On the antimicrobial activity of propolis and propolis constituents [in German; English abstract]. Pharmazie. 1979;34:97・02.
6. Scheller S, Tustanowski J, Kurylo B, et al. Biological properties and clinical application of propolis. III. Investigation of the sensitivity of Staphylococci isolated from pathological cases to ethanol extract of propolis (EEP). Attempts on inducing resistance in laboratory Staphylococcus strain to EEP. Arzneimittelforschung. 1977;27:1395.
7. Takaisi-Kikuni NB, Schilcher H. Electron microscopic and microcalorimetric investigations of the possible mechanism of the antibacterial action of a defined propolis provenance. Planta Med. 1994;60:222・27.
8. Debiaggi M, Tateo F, Pagani L, et al. Effects of propolis flavonoids on virus infectivity and replication. Microbiologica. 1990;13:207・13.
9. Harish Z, Rubinstein A, Golodner M, et al. Suppression of HIV-1 replication by propolis and its immunoregulatory effect. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1997;23:89・6.
10. Higashi KO, de Castro SL. Propolis extracts are effective against Trypanosoma cruzi and have an impact on its interaction with host cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 1994;43:149・55.
11. Vynograd N, Vynograd I, Sosnowski Z. A comparative multi-centre study of the efficacy of propolis, acyclovir and placebo in the treatment of genital herpes. Phytomedicine. 2000;7:1・.
12. Magro Filho O, de Carvalho AC. Topical effect of propolis in the repair of sulcoplasties by the modified Kazanjian technique. Cytological and clinical evaluation. J Nihon Univ Sch Dent. 1994;36:102・11.
13. Magro Filho O, de Carvalho AC. Application of propolis to dental sockets and skin wounds. J Nihon Univ Sch Dent. 1990;32:4・3.
14. Burdock GA. Review of the biological properties and toxicity of bee propolis (propolis). Food Chem Toxicol. 1998;36:347・63.
15. Miyares AC Hollands I, Castaneda C, et al. Clinical trial with a preparation based on propolis "propolisina" in human giardiasis [in Spanish; English abstract]. Acta Gastroenterol Latinoam. 1988;18:195・01.
16. Popescu MP, Palos E, Popescu F. Efficacy of combined biological therapy with bee products in localized palpebral and conjunctival eye lesions with reference to the clinico-functional changes [in Romanian; English abstract]. Rev Chir Oncol Radiol O R L Oftalmol Stomatol Otorinolaringol. 1985;29:53・1.
17. Zawadzki J, Suchy H, Scheller S. Use of propolis for treatment of vaginitis and cervicitis [in Polish; English abstract]. Przegl Lek. 1973;30:620・23.
18. Ikeno K, Ikeno T, Miyazawa C. Effects of propolis on dental caries in rats. Caries Res. 1991;25:347・51.
19. Pascual C, Gonzalez R, Torricella RG. Scavenging action of propolis extract against oxygen radicals. J Ethnopharmacol. 1994;41:9・3.
20. Volpert R, Elstner EF. Interactions of different extracts of propolis with leukocytes and leukocytic enzymes. Arzneimittelforschung. 1996;46:47・1.
21. Khayyal MT, el-Ghazaly MA, el-Khatib AS. Mechanisms involved in the antiinflammatory effect of propolis extract. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1993;19:197・03.
22. Strehl E, Volpert R, Elstner EF. Biochemical activities of propolis-extracts. III. Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase. Z Naturforsch [C]. 1994;49:39・3.
23. Frenkel K, Wei H, Bhimani R, et al. Inhibition of tumor promoter-mediated processes in mouse skin and bovine lens by caffeic acid phenethyl ester. Cancer Res. 1993;53:1255・261.
24. Hladon B, Bylka W, Ellnain-Wojtaszek M, et al. In vivo studies on the cytostatic activity of propolis extracts. Arzneimittelforschung. 1980;30:1847・848.
25. Scheller S, Krol W, Swiacik J, et al. Antitumoral property of ethanolic extract of propolis in mice-bearing Ehrlich carcinoma, as compared to bleomycin. Z Naturforsch [C]. 1989;44:1063・065.
26. Burdock GA. Review of the biological properties and toxicity of bee propolis (propolis). Food Chem Toxicol. 1998;36:347・63.
27. Blanken R, Koedijk FHJ, Young E. Propolis allergy [in Dutch; English abstract]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 1987;131:1121・123.
28. Bousquet J, Menardo J-L, Michel F-B. Allergy in beekeepers. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 1982;10:395・98.
29. Camarasa G. Occupational dermatitis from beeswax. Contact Dermatitis. 1975;1:124.
30. Garcia M, Del Pozo MD, Diez J, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis from a beeswax nipple-protective. Contact Dermatitis. 1995;33:440・41.
31. Hausen BM, Wollenweber E, Senff H, et al. Propolis allergy. (II). The sensitizing properties of 1,1-dimethylallyl caffeic acid ester. Contact Dermatitis. 1987;17:171・77.
32. Hay KD, Greig DE. Propolis allergy: a cause of oral mucositis with ulceration. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1990;70:584・86.
33. Melli MC, Giorgini S, Sertoli A. Occupational dermatitis in a bee-keeper. Contact Dermatitis. 1983;9:427・28.
34. Petersen HO. Hypersensitivity to propolis. Contact Dermatitis. 1977;3:278・79.
35. Pincelli C, Motolese A, Pincelli L. Contact dermatitis from propolis. Contact Dermatitis. 1984;11:49.
36. Schuler TM, Frosch PJ. Propolis-induced contact allergy [in German; English abstract]. Hautarzt. 1988;39:139・42.
37. Trevelyan J. Spirit of the beehive. Nurs Times. 1997;93:72・4.
38. Wanscher B. Contact dermatitis from propolis. Br J Dermatol. 1976;94:451・55.
39. Hausen BM, Wollenweber E, Senff H, et al. Propolis allergy. (II). The sensitizing properties of 1,1-dimethylallyl caffeic acid ester. Contact Dermatitis. 1987;17:171・77.
40. Hay KD, Greig DE. Propolis allergy: a cause of oral mucositis with ulceration. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1990;70:584・86.
41. Petersen HO. Hypersensitivity to propolis. Contact Dermatitis. 1977;3:278・79.
42. Trevelyan J. Spirit of the beehive. Nurs Times. 1997;93:72・4.
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