Propolis is one of the secrets that honeybees can survive for hundreds of millions of years on earth (others still contain honey, royal jelly, and bee pollen). As early as 300 BC, humans have begun to use propolis. Records show that propolis is used as a medicine in many parts of the world, including internal and external use.
The word propolis comes from Greek, where Pro means “in front of” and polis means “community” or “city”, which together means defensive substances
Do you know propolis benefits and side effects?
Table of Contents
- What is propolis?
- What are the benefits of propolis?
- 1. Propolis is good for menstrual pain
- 2. Propolis benefits diabetic foot ulcers
- 3. Propolis is good for common colds
- 4. Propolis is beneficial for diabetic blood sugar control
- 5. Propolis improves oral mucositis (caused by chemoradiation)
- 6. Propolis benefits wound healing
- 7. Propolis benefits cardiovascular disease
- 8. Propolis benefits otitis media
- 9. Propolis benefits genital herpes
- 10. Propolis benefits gingivitis
- Are there any side effects of propolis?
- Where to buy propolis capsules recommended by most people?
What is propolis?
Propolis is a natural non-toxic substance formed by worker bees collected from plant secretions, such as mucus, gum, resin, and then mixed with its own secretions and beeswax. The texture is waxy. Depending on the type of plant being collected, the color may be Green, brown, or reddish.
In addition to being used to build and repair honeycombs, propolis can also prevent moisture from entering the hive, maintain a constant humidity and temperature, and also control the airflow to the hive.
In addition, propolis can also be used as an antibacterial agent to prevent larvae, honey, and honeycomb from being attacked by external microorganisms. It can be said to be the best chemical weapon.
Propolis is a mixture of plant compounds and bee secretions. Generally speaking, raw propolis is mainly composed of 50% resin, 5% pollen, 30% wax, 10% essential oil, 5% various organic compounds (such as flavonoids, phenolic acid), Esters, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, lignans, aromatic aldehydes, alcohols, and amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, etc. The composition will be slightly different depending on the location and time of collection.
What are the benefits of propolis?
1. Propolis is good for menstrual pain
Dysmenorrhea is defined as uterine-induced painful spasms during menstruation, which is one of the causes of pelvic pain and menstrual disorders. About 45% to 93% of women of childbearing age suffer from menstrual pain, which is caused by adolescents. The highest rate.
Menstrual pain is divided into primary menstrual pain (without organic lesions) and secondary menstrual pain (with sub pelvic lesions). The cause is currently unclear. However, the excessive secretion of uterine prostaglandins, especially the excessive secretion of PGF 2a and PGF 2, is the main cause of uterine contractions (peaks during the first two days of menstrual cramps).
A randomized, double-blind controlled trial (2 months, 86 college students with primary menstrual pain) pointed out that oral propolis capsules (daily dose of 500 mg) helped to reduce the pain index (as compared to placebo Visual analog scale/visual analog scale).
*Conclusion: For primary menstrual pain, oral propolis is helpful for relieving symptoms, but it is limited to a small number of samples, and more large studies are still needed to corroborate it.
2. Propolis benefits diabetic foot ulcers
Diabetic foot ulcers are a common complication of diabetes, and their morbidity, mortality, and medical costs are very high.
It is estimated that 19% to 34% of diabetic patients may be affected by diabetic foot ulcers during their lifetime, and the risk of death is 2.5 times higher than that of diabetic patients without foot trauma.
Related adjuvant treatments include the following, such as non-surgical debridement agents, dressings and topical medications, oxygen therapy, negative pressure wound therapy, cell biological products, human growth factors, energy therapy, and systemic therapy.
A randomized placebo-controlled study (for 8 weeks, with 31 patients with diabetic foot ulcers) pointed out that the local use of propolis can reduce the wound area compared to untreated subjects.
In addition, propolis increases glutathione disulfide ratio reduces tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and increases interleukin 10 (interleukin-10) levels.
*Conclusion: Topical topical propolis has a positive effect on the care of diabetic foot ulcers, but it is limited to a small number of samples and more research is needed to support it.
3. Propolis is good for common colds
Common colds are the most common human diseases and are the terms traditionally used for mild upper respiratory illnesses, including a group of heterogeneous self-limiting diseases caused by many viruses (the relevant viruses are More than 200, still constantly changing, coronaviruses usually cause more severe symptoms than rhinoviruses).
In addition to affecting the quality of life, the common cold will also bring a huge economic burden to society due to work absence (70 million working days in the United States are caused by non-influenza-related viral respiratory infections, equivalent to 8 billion US dollars Indirect costs, which account for 40% of all work lost)
A prospective multi-center epidemiological study pointed out (7 days, 40 children with acute rhinitis and common cold symptoms) pointed out that the use of propolis nasal spray (3 times a day) can improve cold symptoms and overall quality of life.
*Conclusion: The use of propolis spray has a positive effect on the relief of colds, but it is limited to a small number of samples, and more research is still needed to further verify
4. Propolis is beneficial for diabetic blood sugar control
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic and progressive disease characterized by insulin resistance, islet cell dysfunction, and excessive glucose production by the liver.
There are currently more than 284 million people worldwide with diabetes, and this number is expected to reach 439 million by 2030. If not handled properly, it can lead to many health complications and disabilities.
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (including 6 randomized controlled trials, a total of 373 adults with type 2 diabetes) pointed out that propolis supplementation (daily doses between 226 and 1500 mg, the minimum and maximum duration of intervention 56 and 180 days) can significantly reduce the concentration of fasting plasma glucose (-13.51 mg/dl) and glycated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1C, -0.52%) (but there is no significant improvement in fasting insulin level or insulin resistance status).
*Conclusion: Oral propolis may have a positive effect on blood sugar control, but it is limited by too few studies, too short a dry expectation, and possible methodological errors. More studies are needed to corroborate.
5. Propolis improves oral mucositis (caused by chemoradiation)
Oral Mucositis refers to the inflammatory state of the oral cavity and oropharyngeal mucosa of cancer patients after receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Oral mucositis initially manifests as erythema of the oral mucosa, and then often develops into erosions and ulcers (usually covered by white fibrous pseudomembranes).
Stomatitis caused by chemotherapy is usually less severe, usually lasting 3-12 days, and stomatitis caused by radiation therapy can last 3-12 weeks, which can significantly affect nutrition intake, oral care, and quality of life.
A literature meta-analysis (including 5 randomized controlled trials, a total of 209 cancer patients undergoing chemical or radiotherapy treatment) pointed out the use of propolis mouthwash (2-3 times a day, 5-15 ml each time, continuous 7 to 180 days) the incidence of severe oral mucositis was significantly lower than the control group.
Conclusion: Propolis mouthwash is positive for improving severe oral mucositis caused by radiotherapy, but it is still limited by the small sample size, excluding studies other than Chinese and English, and more large-scale trials are still needed to corroborate.
6. Propolis benefits wound healing
Wound repair is a very complex mechanism in the human body. It is a series of cell-molecule-guided processes of hemostasis, inflammation, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling. This includes the migration and spread of epidermal cells and keratinocytes, fibroblast adhesion, and synthesis. Extracellular matrix proteins, connective tissue remodeling, etc.
However, for certain traumas, such as diabetes, chronic infections, burns, and large wounds, wound management must be cautious, and reducing wound infection is the first priority.
A prospective feasibility study (6 weeks, targeting 24 patients with diabetic foot ulcers) pointed out that applying propolis solution to the local wound area can reduce the ulcer area and accelerate the speed of wound healing.
*Conclusion: Topical application of propolis may have the effect of accelerating wound healing, but the results still need to be confirmed by more large-scale controlled trials.
7. Propolis benefits cardiovascular disease
For a long time, cardiovascular diseases have been considered to be mainly male diseases. However, relevant studies have found that women’s relative risks are actually higher, especially morbidity and mortality.
Women with diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and other symptoms are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease than men. In addition, depression is another important independent factor.
A double-blind controlled study pointed out (90 days, 67 adults) that propolis not only helps increase the body’s antioxidant capacity (by improving glutathione/glutathione and reducing lipid peroxidation index TBARS) but also Raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
*High-density lipoprotein cholesterol plays an important role in vascular diseases. It can neutralize the hardening effect of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on the blood vessel wall and prevent its oxidation.
*Summary: Propolis can enhance the antioxidant effect and high-density good cholesterol and has potential anti-cardiovascular disease effects, but more empirical confirmation is needed.
8. Propolis benefits otitis media
Otitis media is a common bacterial infection in children. It is estimated that about 50% to 85% of young children will experience acute otitis media once before the age of 3, and the prevalence period is usually between 6 and 15 months.
Young children are more susceptible to otitis media due to their physiological structure, which may include shorter eustachian tubes, more elasticity, and a more horizontal position, which makes it easier for pathogens to invade.
The Eustachian tube usually does not mature until 7 years old, which explains the declining incidence after this age, and the immune system is also an important factor.
A controlled study (a period of 3 months, for 122 young children under 5 years old) found that propolis solution (additional addition of zinc) can help reduce the number of recurrent acute otitis media and the use of related drugs (antibiotics).
9. Propolis benefits genital herpes
Genital herpes (HSV) is the fourth most common type of sexually transmitted disease, affecting billions of people around the world, and there are mainly two types of viruses that cause diseases, which are divided into type 1 and type 2 simple herpes. Rash virus.
The first type of herpes simplex virus mainly affects the oropharynx and genitalia, while the second type mainly depends on the genital area. Both types of viruses are related to contact with the secretions of patients on the surface of the oral cavity, genital, or anal mucosa.
The incidence of genital herpes in most countries is between 2-74%, and the difference is very large. In some African countries, the prevalence rate is more than 70%, which not only increases the risk of AIDS infection but also increases the rate of HIV transmission.
A controlled study pointed out that the efficacy of propolis ointment in the treatment of genital herpes lesions and local symptoms is not lost to acyclovir/acyclovir (herpes treatment drug) and placebo, and the incidence of repeated infections is also reduced to 55% (compared to 66% of the preliminary review).
10. Propolis benefits gingivitis
Gingivitis is an early and easily treatable periodontal disease. It is estimated that more than 50% of adults have this phenomenon, usually caused by the plaque biofilm on the edge of the gums (plaque).
If the plaque is left untreated, it will cause periodontal inflammation and even periodontal disease in the long term. The most serious is the loss of teeth.
Common symptoms of gingivitis include swollen and atrophic gums, bleeding when brushing teeth, gum color changing from pink to dark red, oral odor, etc.
A double-blind controlled study on the relationship between gingivitis and mouthwash (a 28-day, 60-sample sample) found that mouthwash containing propolis was helpful compared to medicated mouthwash (0.12% chlorhexidine) and placebo Lowering the Papillary Bleeding Score (an indicator of gum condition) means that it can improve the gum inflammation.
Are there any side effects of propolis?
Propolis has been used by humans for hundreds of years. It is a safe natural substance (whether oral or external), but possible side effects include allergic reactions, such as rash, local burning, gastrointestinal discomfort, and other allergic symptoms (but allergies may also be used after use Only appeared after a while).
Propolis Precautions
- Do not use if you have been allergic to bees or their related products such as honey, pollen, royal jelly or aspirin (containing salicylates)
- Some experts believe that some ingredients in propolis may worsen asthma, so do not use it for patients with asthma
- Some phytochemical components in propolis may have anticoagulant effects, so patients with coagulopathy (such as hemophilia), taking anticoagulants, and 2 weeks before surgery should not consume
- Do not use for pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under one year of age, and liver and kidney dysfunction (the relevant safety is still unknown)
Where to buy propolis capsules recommended by most people?
In recent years, food safety problems in various countries have exploded, and it is not healthy but black-hearted products that everyone spends on. Therefore, European and American products with relatively strict quality control have become popular products.
And iHerb.com is a large-scale medical cosmetics e-commerce company in the United States. It has a high satisfaction rate of 97% in the evaluation of Google customers. It provides global home delivery so that you can buy it without risking buying fakes through purchasing high-quality health products.
