Although bee products have a faithful following among some many health conscious people, the majority of the world does not quite understand why and how bee products work.
A few of the studies summarized below should help provide a deeper understanding of the scientific process of bee products and their effects on our bodies.
Bee Propolis contains a rich abundance of potent terpenes. flavonoids, and benzoic, caffeic, cinnamic,and phenolic acids. One of the most significant medical journal articles ever published on the subject f bee products discusses how the caffeic acids in propolis and honey work to help in preventing colon cancer, which kills over 60,000 Americans each year. Chinthalapally V. Rao, Ph.D. of the American Health Foundation in Valhalla, NY, reported in a published finding called Cancer Research (Sept.15,1993; 53:1482-88) that the caffeic acids in Bee Propolis prevented the formation of precancerous tissue in rats after they were exposed to cancer-causing chemicals.
For centuries, folklore and natural/alternative medicine practitioners have pointed to the role of Propolis as a powerful, natural antibiotic. Recently, traditional medicine and the scientific research community have also joined the Propolis bandwagon.
Many medical articles now provide proof of the broad antibacterial and antiviral properties found in Bee Propolis. These medical journals have documented the specific activity of Propolis during key studies dealing with viruses and bacteria.
Among the deadly bacteria that Bee Propolis has shown to fight effectively is S. aureus, also known as Staphylococcus Aureus. Staphylococcus Aureus is the bacterium responsible for most deadly surgical infections, blood poisoning, and some types of pneumonia. At least 10 percent of all patients hospitalized in the United States will be a victim of these infections. Staphylococcus Aureus has become increasingly resistant to nearly every synthetic antibiotic.
A Chinese study was conducted in the early 1990’s where researchers discovered that certain components of propolis, when extracted, significantly inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus Aureus. The propolis elements specifically key to inhibiting this deadly strain are the sinapic, isoferulic, and caffeic acids. This study was conducted by Qiao Z and published in the China Journal of Chinese Materi Medica on Aug. 1991 (16:481-2). A European study reported that ethanol extracts from propolis had a “marked synergistic effect” on the anti-staph activity of two antibiotics, streptomycin and cloxacillin, and a moderate effect on several others (Krol W, Arzneimittel-Forschung, May 1993;43:607-9).
Another scientific investigation (Ikeno K, Caries research, 1991;25:347-51) found that propolis inhibited the activity of several streptococcal bacteria species that cause dental infections and caries. Japanese researchers conducting the research documented that propolis fed to laboratory rats had far fewer infections than those on a regular diet. Propolis provided ample protection against Streptococcus mutans and several other strep species. This strep species is part of the family of germs that cause strep throat.
Propolis works against bacteria in several ways. One study reported that it prevented bacterial cell division and also broke down bacterial walls and cytoplasm, which is how some prescription antibiotics work (Takaisi-KikuniNB, Planta Medica, June 1994;60:222-7).
The most remarkable aspect of Bee Propolis as an antibiotic and antiviral treatment is that it fights many viruses, not just bacteria (something synthetic antibiotics csimply cannot accomplish).
Another Medical journal report (Focht J, Arzneimittel-Forschung, Aug. 1993;43:921-3) emphasizes the increasing role that propolis is gaining in fighting upper respiratory infections, namely those brought on by the common cold and influenza viruses. Other investigations including (Serkedjieva J, Journal of Natural Products, March 1992;55:294-302) have led to the discovery that the cinnamic acid extracts of Bee Propolis prevent viruses from reproducing,
Two more studies also underling the point that there are many health benefits to be had when taking propolis on a regular basis. Components such as the flavonoids and ethanols are powerful antioxidants and free-radical scavengers. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (Jan. 1994;21:9-13) showed that some of the antioxidant phenols in propolis functioned similarly to vitamin E. In other research (Drugs Under Experimental & Clinical Research, 1993; 19:197-203) it was noted that propolis had exceptional anti-inflammatory properties and was capable prevent blood clots.
This lends the possibility for further research down the road on how Bee Propolis may help those at risk for strokes and aneurisms.
