Thursday, November 25, 2010

Bee Propolis: Nature's Healing Balm With Immune Boosting Properties


Proven protection and natural too! Plug in a propolis diffuser and spread the goodness throughout!! Get some throat spray to treat mouth ulcers, too!

Bee Propolis: Nature's Healing Balm With Immune Boosting Properties

(NaturalNews) Bee propolis is a remarkable natural substance collected and produced by honeybees. It is often referred to as a natural antibiotic and has many diverse uses. I love it when nature clearly has the upper hand over the frailty of our human science. Bee propolis is one such substance and has even been described as having anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and even anti-cancer properties with immune modulating effects. These may sound a little too good to be true but you can't go wrong with a bottle of bee propolis in your medicine cabinet. As a natural remedy it will be incredibly useful for at least it's anti-viral effects.

What is Bee Propolis?
Propolis is a resinous substance that bees collect from trees and plants. Bees use it as a natural antibiotic to protect their hive and as defence against disease in the hive. They do this by using it as a seal over foreign matter so that it does not pollute the hive as well as for creating doorways. It is made up of waxes, resins, fatty acids and amino acids. Hundreds of chemical properties have been identified in propolis and this differs from hive to hive as well as with the environment the bees live in and the time of day the propolis was collected. This makes propolis exceedingly complex which is why no one has attempted to synthesise the product. It is natural and cannot be patented and therefore research into the substance is limited regarding its clinical benefits.

Propolis has long been used as a natural remedy and it is thought that it's the numerous flavonoids which it contains that account for its wound healing benefits. Some studies suggest that it may be used against bacteria and viruses and other microorganisms when applied to infected areas topically. Propolis has anti-microbial action on both gram-positive and gram-negative micro-organisms. It contains constituents that increase membrane permeability and inhibit bacterial motility. It is commonly used for wound infection and other illnesses.
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Anti-viral and Immune Boosting Effects

A study was done on the effects of bee propolis on Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) -- also known as canker sores -- at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Canker sores are an ulcerative disorder of the oral cavity. They have no cure and medicine used to prevent further outbreaks and relieve pain comes with its own set of dangerous side-effects. Bee propolis was evaluated as a potential remedy to reduce the number of mouth ulcer outbreaks. There were two groups of patients, one group who took a placebo capsule and the other group who took a propolis capsule. Patients who took the propolis capsule showed a significant decrease in the number of outbreaks of mouth ulcers. Another great effect of the propolis was that the patients reported a definite improvement in their quality of life. This would likely be due to the immune boosting effects that propolis has with its high levels of B-vitamin complex and notable quantities of vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene.
About the author: Katherine Oosthuis is completing a Diploma in Nutritional Therapy. She researches and writes for a health and nutrition website Detox For Life . Her passion is to make research available to those who are looking to improve their well-being and revolutionise their health through better nutrition and alternative medicines. 

Friday, November 19, 2010

Pourquoi on mange du miel? Why do we eat honey?

une explication complète sur les vertus du Miel de toutes les nectars.
a complete explanation to the specific values found in different honeys.


Les caractéristiques de certains miels. Characteristics of various honeys.

Cliquez pour agrandir l'image
Le Miel d'Acacia : Longtemps liquide et clair, on y retrouve le parfum subtil et sucré de la fleur d'acacia. C'est un miel très apprécié. Il est idéal pour mélanger aux fromages blancs, yaourts, fruits rouges et fruits secs.
Le Miel de Châtaigniers : D'odeur forte, de couleur brun foncé presque rouge, au goût prononcé, c'est un miel fort et tonique. Il est plus corsé dans les zones ou la production de miel est accompagnée d'une production de miellat.
Le Miel de Forêt : La particularité du miel de forêt réside dans son mélange de nectars et de miellats variés, son arôme rappelle souvent les feuilles sèches des sous-bois. En bouche, le miel de forêt engendre des sensations boisées, suaves, où percent parfois une pointe de réglisse et un soupçon de menthe.
Le Miel de Lavande : Bien clair à jaune doré, ce miel fortement aromatique, sensiblement acidulé, traduit le caractère de cette fleur méditerranéenne.
Le Miel de Montagne : Généralement plus corsé, fortement aromatique de couleur ambré, c'est un miel de flore variée, récolté en moyenne ou haute montagne... Des saveurs pures, excellent pour la forme.
Le Miel de Sapin : De couleur foncée presque noir, au goût fortement balsamique et malté parfois mentholé, c'est un miel tonique et réputé.

Le Miel de Tilleuls : Ambré, clair, très parfumé au prononcé de menthe, c'est un miel de qualité conseillé pour les jeunes enfants pour son coté apaisant.
Le Miel de Tournesol : De couleur jaune vif, il exhale un arôme végétal très frais, légèrement acidulé. De texture assez fine, il est facile à tartiner et possède un pouvoir sucrant important. Riche en oligoéléments calcium, bore et silicium.
Le Miel Toutes Fleurs : Doré, ambré ou clair, crémeux ou liquide, c'est toute la saveur des régions de France, le goût des terroirs des fleurs butinées. Cocktail luxuriant des fleurs de plaine, subtilité des fleurs sauvages.






Le Miel et ses vertus. Honey and its benefits.



Chaque miel est caractérisé par une composition analytique propre qui lui donne des vertus particulières.
Chacun possède les propriétés communes à tous les miels et celles plus spécifiques, reconnues par des médecins, que l'on attribue aux fleurs et plantes visitées par les abeilles.

Miel d'Acacia : calmant, reconstituant, régulateur intestinal peut être donné à des jeunes enfants.
Miel d'Aubépine : antispasmodique - sédatif nerveux - conseillé en cas de digestion difficile, de palpitations.
Miel de Bourdaine : laxatif - facilite la digestion gastrique - stimule l'appétit.
Miel de Bruyère : antianémique, dynamogénique, diurétique antirhumatismal, conseillé en cas de fatigue, de convalescence ou d'affections des voies respiratoires.
Miel de Châtaignier : accélère la circulation sanguine.
Miel d'Eucalyptus : antiseptique général des voies respiratoires et des voies urinaires.

Miel de Forêt : très riches en divers oligoéléments: potassium, phosphore, calcium, soufre, magnésium, manganèse, zinc, fer, cuivre.
Miel de Garrigue : tonique et fortifiant.
Miel de Gâtinais : très nourrissant, revitalisant.
Miel de Lavande : anti-inflammatoire des voies respiratoires, antispasmodique, calmant de la toux.
Miel de Menthe : soulage les maux de l'appareil digestif, peut être indiqué aux cardiaques.
Miel d'Oranger : sédatif nerveux, calmant pour les enfants, conseillé en cas d'insomnie, antispasmodique.
Miel de Romarin : cholagogue, augmente les sécrétion biliaire, stimulant des fonctions hépatiques, conseillé en cas d'asthme, de difficultés digestives.
Miel de Rhododendron : antirhumatismal, tonifie et assouplit l'épiderme.
Miel de Ronce : diurétique, tonique, conseillé aussi en cas d'angine, aphte, enrouement, diarrhée.
Miel de Sapin : antiseptique général et anti-inflammatoire des voies respiratoires. diurétique, conseillé pour les bronches et pour l'insuffisance rénale.
Miel de Sarrasin : reconstituant, tonifiant, conseillé en cas de fatigue , d'anémie, de convalescence, de problèmes circulatoires.
Miel de Thym : antiseptique général, stimulant des fonctions digestives, tonifiant, facilite les tonus musculaire et la récupération physique.
Miel de Tilleul : sédatif nerveux, favorise le sommeil, calmant des migraines, de douleurs gastriques, de spasmes.
Miel de Tournesol : fébrifuge, conseillé en cas d'état fébrile améliore la circulation sanguine.

Miel de toutes fleurs : très équilibré en oligoéléments nécessaires à l’organisme.

sources : ouvrages de références, documents du Docteur Y. DONADIEU et du Professeur E. BENGSH.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

NRDC: Vanishing Bees

NRDC: Vanishing Bees


Honey bees are disappearing across the USA, putting $15 billion worth of fruits, nuts and vegetables at risk


A solid article from the National Resource Defenses Council, which includes the list below of all the crops bees pollinate - it's a great reference when speaking to the dangers of pesticide use.

bee on a flower
Why are the bees leaving? Scientists studying the disorder believe a combination of factors could be making bees sick, including pesticide exposure, invasive parasitic mites, an inadequate food supply and a new virus that targets bees' immune systems. More research is essential to determine the exact cause of the bees' distress.
Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture has allotted $20 million over the next five years for research, that amount pales in comparison with the potential loss of $15 billion worth of crops that bees pollinate every year. And the USDA has so far failed to aggressively seek out a solution.
If we don’t act now to save the honey bee, it might be too late. And no honey bees will mean no more of your favorite fruits and vegetables

Here’s a list of what bees pollinate:


Fruits and NutsVegetablesField Crops
  • Almonds
  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Avocadoes
  • Blueberries
  • Boysenberries
  • Cherries
  • Citrus
  • Cranberries
  • Grapes
  • Kiwifruit
  • Loganberries
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Nectarines
  • Olives
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Plums/Prunes
  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries
  • Asparagus
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Cucumbers
  • Cantaloupe
  • Honeydew
  • Onions
  • Pumpkins
  • Squash
  • Watermelons
  • Alfalfa Hay
  • Alfalfa Seed
  • Cotton Lint
  • Cotton Seed
  • Legume Seed
  • Peanuts
  • Rapeseed
  • Soybeans
  • Sugar Beets
  • Sunflowers

Monday, November 8, 2010

Propolis May Help Protect Liver from Damage Caused by Diabetes

The never-ending values of Propolis proven yet again! Le pouvoir de la propolis est forte!


Protective Effects of Chinese and Brazilian Propolis Treatment Against Hepatorenal Lesion in Diabetic Rats
Hum Exp Toxicol, 2010 Oct 18

Diabetes mellitus promoted an overproduction of free radicals and an increased incidence of both diabetic nephropathy and liver disease.

In this report, we evaluated the effects of Chinese and Brazilian propolis on streptozotocin-induced hepatorenal injury in rats.

The results demonstrated that Chinese propolis-treated rats had a 7.4% reduction in the glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc) level compared with untreated diabetic rats. Additionally, Chinese propolis induced an increase in the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) level significantly while Brazilian propolis raised serum SOD and reduced level of malonaldehyde (MDA) and nitric synthetase (NOS).

Of the measurable decrease in serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and microalbuminuria demonstrated the propolis-mediated improvement of hepatorenal function, which was further confirmed by histological examination. We also observed that Chinese and Brazilian propolis increased hepatorenal glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) level and inhibited MDA production significantly.

These results suggested that propolis may prevent hepatorenal injury by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Apitherapy News: Propolis May Help Treat Oral Cavity Diseases in HIV+ Patients

Apitherapy News: Propolis May Help Treat Oral Cavity Diseases in HIV+ Patients

Propolis has been already been proven to be very effective in the mucus linings of the body, lungs and oral cavities. It's well-known bioflavonoids are numerous. The caffeic acid or CAPE is one of the most common and was also proven at Columbia University in 1994 to possess anti-tumor properties.

The Antifungal Activity of Iranian Propolis Samples Against Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans Strains Isolated from HIV+ Patients with Oropharyngeal Candidiasis 
Journal of ApiProduct & ApiMedical Science, Vol. 2 (4) pp. 161 - 166 

Propolis is an antimicrobial agent whose composition can vary depending on the area from which it is collected. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro activity of two propolis samples from northern and southern Iran (Mazandaran and Hormozgan province respectively) against some fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans strains isolated from HIV+ patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). 

The chemical composition of propolis samples was determined by high-resolution gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Ethanolic extracts were prepared from the propolis samples. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) of propolis on the growth of C. albicans isolates were determined using the broth microdilution method. The main compounds of propolis extracts were aromatic acids such as caffeic acid (1.6% for northern and 2.2% for southern samples). 

The propolis extracts showed antifungal activities; the concentrations capable of inhibiting all of the yeasts ranged from 2 to 20 mg/mL. Propolis from southern Iran showed the most effective MIC values for the yeasts studied. 

Because of increased antifungal resistance, propolis may be kept in mind in the treatment of oral cavity diseases such as OPC in HIV+ patients.