All the good of propolis

Considered a natural antibiotic, propolis is a product that bees give us and that protects the gums, nose and throat.

Propolis is a substance produced by bees: a kind of resin that they use to coat hives and protect them from external agents such as mold, fungi, bacteria and insects.

Its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, in fact, have been known for thousands of years. Since the time of the ancient Egyptians, who used this “resinous substance” with which bees held together their honeycombs to glue the bandages used to wrap the bodies to be mummified

The Greeks, on the other hand, great consumers and admirers of honey, used propolis to dress wounds and promote healing.

Later propolis was used to treat burns, inflammation of the gums and even to prevent tooth loss.

But one of the most original applications of propolis is due to Antonio Stradivari, the great builder of Cremonese violins. In fact, he added propolis to the paint to protect his tools from the aggression of parasites.

And it cannot be said that it was not a good idea, since his violins, after two centuries, have survived unscathed.

Effectiveness of the remedy

The action of propolis is similar to that of a broad-spectrum antibiotic, that is, it acts by counteracting the growth and development of many species of bacteria and other microorganisms, without giving side effects. And that’s not all.

Propolis is also attributed an immunostimulant activity (it helps stimulate our defense system) and therefore promotes the body’s resistance against viruses and bacteria, especially by supporting the activity of white blood cells.

In fact, some studies report an increase in these immune cells, in particular macrophages (those that engulf germs and inactivate them), following the intake of propolis.

These antimicrobial and immunostimulant actions of propolis are due to several substances that compose it.

Chief among these is galangin, which has powerful antibacterial activity. The higher the concentration of galangin in propolis preparations, the higher the action against different types of bacteria.

The responsible for the antiviral activity of propolis, which has proven to be able to be useful in fighting many strains of viruses, such as those of flu, colds and even herpes viruses, would instead be flavonoids (substances with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power) and vitamin C present in the substance.

In some products the active ingredients of propolis are subjected to a modern technological process, acti-chelation, with the aim of enhancing its bioavailability and activity, without altering its naturalness.

When and how to use it

The most common use is against characteristic autumn and winter cooling affections, such as sore throats and colds.

It has the advantage of having a broad-spectrum action, that is, of being effective on many types of pathogens, and of not causing bacterial resistance (many antibiotic drugs if used for a long time or inappropriately cause resistance in bacteria thus becoming ineffective).

The only precautions in the use of propolis are: avoid its use during pregnancy and lactation, in people allergic to bee venom and in children under one year of age.

It is commercially available in drops, throat sprays, capsules containing titrated dry extract, in chewable tablets, and also in the form of mouthwash for dental hygiene and oral cavity.