Have you ever heard of propolis or introduced to using it? It is a resinous substance that bees make.. It has many health benefits that you may not expect, and in the following article we will introduce you to all the secrets of propolis and its most important uses and benefits for you and your health, so follow along with us.

What is propolis?

If you think that honey is the only thing that bees make, this article will change your thinking! Propolis is one of the most popular products that bees manufacture as well. It is a brown sticky resin.

The bees produce this product by merging each of the sap or what is known as the sap that is found on trees and which contains plant compounds with beeswax and some of their own secretions such as saliva, and the result is propolis.

This sticky substance has been discovered and used thousands of years ago, due to its unique medicinal properties that helped many civilizations treat some health problems, such as abscesses and wounds because it helps fight infection, and was also used in the ancient Egyptian civilization to embalm the dead.

The main role of this substance for bees is to seal the gaps in the hive to prevent any attack on them. It can also protect them from pathogens due to its antimicrobial properties. The types and properties of this substance vary depending on many things, the most important of which are the location and location of the bees and the types of flowers and trees that they can access.

Propolis ingredients

The compounds and materials that make up this resinous substance are very complex and may not be counted, but some scientists have estimated that it consists of more than 300 compounds. Roughly speaking, these compounds can be divided as follows:

• 50% plant compounds from the sap of trees and flowers that bees carry.
• 30% beeswax.
• 5% pollen.
• 10% essential oils.
• Antioxidants, such as polyphenols and flavonoids.

Propolis benefits and uses

There are some health benefits of propolis, which have been clarified by some medical studies and research, and the most important of these benefits are:

1. Helping wounds heal

Propolis helps heal wounds, as it helps the skin to repair itself by stimulating the growth of new cells, which speeds up the healing process. It also helps to kill types of bacteria and this helps prevent exposure to infection.

2. Oral health support

This substance has a role in dental care, as propolis and honey are one of the most important antibacterials, which is why they are used in the manufacture of dental care products. It also has a role in reducing bacteria present in saliva, especially in people with inflammation and dental ulcers, and preventing tooth decay.

3. Reduce inflammation

As the antioxidants in this gum substance help a lot to reduce inflammation, such as inflammation caused by arthritis and others. This substance can inhibit swelling and prevent the development of inflammation.

4. Herpes treatment

This sticky substance may be an alternative treatment for genital and oral herpes, as it helps treat skin lesions caused by the herpes simplex virus.

5. Anti-cancer

There are some simple studies that have shown that this substance has a role in preventing the growth of cancer cells, and that it may stimulate the death of cancer cells, and there are some tests that have shown that some compounds of propolis, such as flavonoids, help prevent the development of some types of cancer, such as oral cancer. Skin cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer.

6. Burns treatment

As this substance helps to heal some minor burns, as some studies have shown that propolis and silver sulfadiazine have the same effect in treating burns, and they also found that propolis has more anti-inflammatory benefits.

Other benefits

• There are some studies that may explain the importance of this substance in lowering the level of blood sugar.
• This mucilage contains some compounds that have anti-allergic effects.
• This sticky resin helps support and stimulate the immune system.

Important Alert:

Although this resin has been used for thousands of years to treat health problems, and there are some studies and research on this substance accurately, the evidence resulting from these experiments and research is not enough. So far, there is no strong and clear scientific evidence to fully support these researches and studies, so be careful in using them and it is preferable to consult a doctor first.

How to use propolis

There are many products in which bee propolis is used, as follows:

topical products

There are some topical products on the skin that are made from this substance, such as creams, ointments, and some other preparations, and they may be harmless if they are used correctly and in reasonable quantities, but you must make sure of the product and its compounds that suit your condition and what you suffer from first.

Propolis capsules

There are nutritional supplements made from this substance and taken orally.

Mouthwash

There is a mouthwash that is made of this material and diluted with water before use.

Attention:

Before using these products, you must consult your doctor in order to direct you to the best, and whether these products are safe for you or not, and it will also help you to know whether you suffer from an allergy to propolis or not.

Propolis damages

There are some cases in which this substance should not be used, including:

• In the case of asthma.
• If you are allergic to bee products such as honey, etc.
• This substance may increase the risk of bleeding, especially for those who suffer from bleeding disorders or who are going to have surgery.