Introduction
The term propolis is derived from the Greek and literally means “before” (pro) the “city” (polis). This designation results from the fact that Propolis is found in large numbers at the flight holes of beehives. It is a resinous, sticky mass, which is also produced by bees in addition to honey.
Many humans Propolis is under numerous other terms such as bee glue, bee resin, advance or stuffing wax admits. In the medical field, propolis can be found thanks to its various effects, which promote the healing of various diseases. Important effects of propolis are antibacterial and antiviral effects.
Propolis also has a killing effect on fungi. It is therefore antimycotic. Bees also use these important modes of action to keep their colony healthy and ensure survival.
Thus important places in the beehive, as for example the honeycombs, in which the brood is, are lined with Propolis. This prevents bacteria and fungi as well as viruses from spreading to the population and thus ensures that many individuals can live together in a very confined space. The use within the health range concentrates predominantly on the alternative as well as popular medicine range.
There are different forms of administration of propolis such as ointments, creams, tinctures, lozenges and nasal sprays. The field of application ranges from respiratory tract infections and mucous membrane inflammations to inflammations and injuries of the skin. There is also a wide range of care products containing propolis.
Effect
Due to its composition, propolis has characteristic properties and effects. Not all of them are only positive for humans. In addition to very helpful and health-promoting effects, side effects are also known with propolis.
The following section deals in detail with the positive effects for humans: 1. antibiotic/antibacterial effect: It has been proven that propolis has an antibacterial effect. The effect of propolis tinctures is particularly directed against gram-positive pathogens such as staphylococci. Here it could be shown in experiments that propolis inhibits the reproduction of pathogens.
The antibacterial effect is not only directed against gram-positive but also against gram-negative bacteria. This antibacterial effect is primarily attributed to the flavonoids contained in propolis. Flavonoids are also found in many plants and vegetables.
Further research has shown that propolis can inhibit the attachment of bacteria to human cells. The antibacterial effectiveness is thus significantly present, however it must be said that it is in no way as pronounced as the antibacterial effect of antibiotics. A serious infectious disease cannot be treated with Propolis, since the antibacterial effect is simply too weak and many pathogens have long been resistant to such weak antibiotic effects.
2. antiviral effect: In addition to the antibacterial effect of propolis, an antiviral effect is known. This means that the bee resin is effective against viruses and can damage and fight them. This effect is also called virostatic.
An effectiveness is known against the widespread herpes viruses and rhinoviruses. Herpes viruses trigger, among other things, inflammatory aphthae and blisters on the mucous membranes of the lips and mouth. Rhinoviruses cause respiratory tract infections, they are typical “rhinitis pathogens”.
3 Antimycotic effect: Propolis contains ingredients that have an antimycotic effect. This means that propolis can inhibit the growth of fungi. The effect is mainly directed against the yeast fungus Candida albicans and other skin fungi, so-called dermatophytes.
Typically, these fungi cause skin mycoses (fungal diseases of the skin). The antimycotic effect is attributed to the flavonoids contained in propolis, as are the antibacterial and virostatic effects. 4. antioxidative effect: The antioxidative effect of propolis has been shown in animal experiments.
The formation of reactive oxygen species was inhibited by propolis. Such reactive oxygen species are cell-damaging and occur in almost all metabolic processes in the body. They are also known as free radicals.
UV radiation, nicotine, harmful substances and environmental pollution also lead to the formation of free radicals in the body. These are involved in the formation of various diseases such as cancer, arteriosclerosis and aging processes in the body. Antioxidative substances such as propolis counteract these processes by inhibiting free radicals.However, a significant antioxidant effect of propolis in the human body has not been proven.
5) Immune-boosting effect: The immune-boosting effect of propolis has not been conclusively proven in humans. However, a positive effect on the thymus, an organ of the human immune system, is discussed. Thus, mainly flavonoids of propolis are supposed to promote the activity of the thymus especially in old age.
6th wound-healing effect: In the wound healing process, propolis promotes the formation of granulation. The granulation designates the new formation of young connective tissue and is essential for good wound healing. The ingredients apigenin and luteolin, which also belong to the flavonoids, are said to be responsible for this.
4. antioxidative effect: The antioxidative effect of propolis has been shown in animal experiments. The formation of reactive oxygen species was inhibited by propolis. Such reactive oxygen species are cell-damaging and occur in almost all metabolic processes in the body.
They are also known as free radicals. UV radiation, nicotine, harmful substances and environmental pollution also lead to the formation of free radicals in the body. These are involved in the formation of various diseases such as cancer, arteriosclerosis and aging processes in the body.
Antioxidative substances such as propolis counteract these processes by inhibiting free radicals. A significant antioxidant effect of propolis in the human body has not been proven. 5) Immune-strengthening effect: The immune-strengthening effect of propolis has not been conclusively proven in humans.
However, a positive effect on the thymus, an organ of the human immune system, is discussed. Thus, mainly flavonoids of propolis are supposed to promote the activity of the thymus especially in old age. 6th wound-healing effect: In the wound healing process, propolis promotes the formation of granulation.
The granulation designates the new formation of young connective tissue and is essential for good wound healing. The ingredients apigenin and luteolin, which also belong to the flavonoids, are said to be responsible for this. 7th cytotoxic effect: This effect has so far only been shown in animal experiments.
Thus Propolis has a killing effect on tumor cells and inhibits their growth. In humans however this effect was not proven, so that no use of Propolis is meaningful in the cancer therapy. 8. further effects: Propolis continues to have a positive effect on oral and dental hygiene and prevents plaque formation. A protective effect on a pollen allergy is also discussed. In conclusion, the effect of propolis can vary depending on the composition of the product, so that different studies with partly differently composed products come to different results.
