No doubt, anyone who is asked to produce bees first and foremost thinks of the honey which we Europeans use as a healthy and tasty spread. At least among us would be fine
Propolis think, a tough mass, which holds even more he
aling substances for us humans than the bee honey. But already the ancient Egyptians used propolis for embalming more than 2,000 years ago. Greeks and Romans in the centuries after, however, used the natural product as a medicine against a variety of minor diseases and injuries.
This is behind the disinfecting putty
If you have never heard of Propolis before, you may only know this natural product under one of the numerous other names: Bees’ putty, bee’s resin, putty and putty are common synonyms in German-speaking countries. They all mean a resinous, sticky mass with which the bees close gaps in the hive airtight. But that is far from the sole purpose of the propolis. Because their bactericidal ingredients ensure that the corridors and honeycombs are disinfected inside the hive. The dense, coexistence of the small insects would probably cause daily epidemics that would destroy entire peoples. Thus, propolis as a spatula with antibiotic effect is almost something of a life insurance for all bee colonies worldwide.
Healing ingredients of propolis
Hardly any natural substance has such a heterogeneous portfolio of active ingredients as propolis. On the one hand, the bee putty is crammed with numerous vitamins, on the other hand, the trace elements and minerals in particular ensure a beneficial effect in external applications. Secondary plant ingredients such as flavonoids contribute to the disinfection of the human body in the case of colds or flu-like infections and are responsible for the fact that propolis from most home pharmacies has become indispensable.
External application on the skin
Propolis is often used in medical ointments and creams to relieve insect bites or sunburn. As a rule, one already recognizes by the bitter, slightly resinous smell of the creams, that larger amounts of bee putty are contained. Propolis ointments act as a so-called drawing ointment, which means that foreign bodies and toxins in the skin are drawn to the body surface. Thus, such ointments are often used when you have a wood splinter driven into the skin or was stung by an insect. Furthermore, propolis may favor healing in minor cuts or bruising injuries. The hive kitten lays on the affected areas like an invisible plaster, thus protecting the wounds from the ingress of dirt or bacteria. If a few foreign substances have already made it into the wound, they are immediately rendered harmless thanks to the bactericidal active ingredients of propolis. On no account, however, may propolis-based ointments be applied to oozing, highly festering wounds. Because the resulting wound closure no longer gets oxygen to the wound, which the local cells need to fight against the bacteria. In general, a doctor should always be consulted for severe festering injuries as blood poisoning and similar serious illnesses can be the consequences. Even with deep wounds, the healing properties of propolis alone is not enough.
Oral and pharyngeal applications
Toothpastes and mouthwashes based on propolis are becoming increasingly popular. Of course, the desinified effect of the honey product comes into full effect here. In particular, if you suffer from frequent gingivitis or tooth decay, routine oral care with Propolis products can provide lasting improvement. In the meantime, even flosses with propolis coating are available, which can repair the finest micro-lesions in the enamel with regular use.
Internal applications of propolis
GPs regularly prescribe propolis capsules or tablets when it comes to treating allergies symptomatically. Propolis products are also ideal for therapy in case of infection as well as for simultaneous strengthening of the body’s defenses. Some physicians now also assume that inflammation of the bladder and in the urethra could be treated – but here are still missing study results.
Source: https://krank.de/ernaehrung/superfood/propolis/propolis-wie-die-anwendung/?gclid=CjwKCAiAob3vBRAUEiwAIbs5TtpdPlepvEsjlz5P6ny93Za1nDSVjLzgwyiGe_SUMo4pAsSU_wKU1BoCT5MQAvD_BwE