Bee propolis is a mixture of beeswax and bee resins collected from plants and flowers. It has many practical uses as a home remedy due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties. It benefits humans as a dietary supplement and has been used in the treatment of various ailments.
Bee propolis is a substance that is made up of beeswax and bee resins collected from plants and flowers. Bees obtain the resins by scraping them from leaf and flower buds with their mandibles. They transport the resins to their hives using their hind legs. During the collection and transport of the resins from plants and flowers to the hive, saliva, wax, and other secretions mix with the resins. This mixture is called bee propolis and it has many practical uses as a home remedy.
The western honeybee, Apis mellifera, is the only bee known to collect propolis. Bees have many different uses for bee propolis. Worker bees use the substance to seal brood cells, reduce the size of hive entrances, and seal small cracks in the hive. It is also used to line the interior of the nest, repair combs and line the interior of brood combs.
Since bee propolis has antifungal and antibacterial properties, it helps protect bees by guarding against some diseases and fungi. Dead animals or bees that cannot be removed from the hive are sealed with bee propolis. This process slows the growth of bacteria and reduces the possibility of spreading infections throughout the colony.
Propolis can range in color from yellow to dark brown; It can even be transparent. Variations in color are caused by the different resins that comprise propolis along with beeswax. The smell and medicinal properties of propolis can vary depending on the types of plants where the resins were collected.
There are also numerous ways that propolis benefits humans. Bee propolis contains flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants. Due to its antibacterial properties, propolis has been used topically to help prevent wound infection. It has also been used in the treatment of ailments including acne, itching, asthma, cancer, and tuberculosis. Studies have also shown that propolis may have practical applications in the treatment of genital herpes, diabetes, burns, and inflammatory diseases.
As a dietary supplement, bee propolis is available neat or with royal jelly, honey, and bee pollen. It comes in many forms such as proplis pills and propolis tincture. Raw propolis can be purchased at some health food stores or from beekeepers. Anyone with allergies to bee stings, honey, or pollen can potentially develop a reaction to bee propolis. In general, it is recommended to keep propolis away from the eyes.
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