Basque Propolis Has Strong Activity Against Microbial Strains

Exciting new results of propolis antimicrobial and antifungal action against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Salmonella enterica ...

The Antimicrobial Effects of Propolis Collected in Different Regions in the Basque Country (Northern Spain)

WorldJournal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Nov 2011

The antimicrobial activity of 19 propolis extracts prepared in different solvents (ethanol and propylene glycol) (EEP/PEP), was evaluated against some bacterial and fungal isolates using the agar-well diffusion method.

It was verified that all the samples tested showed antimicrobial activity, although results varied considerably between samples. Results revealed that both types of propolis extracts showed highly sensitive antimicrobial action against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi at a concentration of 20% (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisae) with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/ml, with a moderate effect against Streptococcus pyogenes (MIC from 17 to 26 mg/ml).

To our knowledge, this is the first study showing elevated antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria [Salmonella enterica (MIC from 0.6 to 1.4 mg/ml)] and lesser activity against Helicobacter pylori (MIC from 6 to 14 mg/ml), while Escherichia coli was resistant.

This concluded that the Basque propolis had a strong and dose-dependent activity against most of the microbial strains tested, while database comparison revealed that phenolic substances were responsible for this inhibition, regardless of their geographical origin and the solvent employed for extraction. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between EEP and PEP extracts.

Defining Bee Products - Tulsa natural health | Examiner.com

a great recap on the healthy and natural products from the beehive!

Tulsa's Natural Food Market, Akins, provides great articles covering products and health issues.  This article defines all the products that have become available to us from bees: Bee Pollen, Bee Propolis, Royal Jelly, and Honey.

Bee Pollen

Bee Pollen is the male seed of a flower or plant which is collected by bees and transported back to the hive to nourish the colony and structure of honeycombs.  Bee pollen has proven to be an interesting substance to scientists because it is a very nutritious food, containing more enzymes and co-enzymes than any other food, along with 22 amino acids, 27 minerals and numerous vitamins.  Bee pollen has been used for several purposes, including reducing allergies.  Bee pollen contains quercetin, a bio-flavoniod that inhibits the release of histamine, the chemical responsible for allergy symptoms.  Bee pollen has also been used to improve the immune system and increase energy and endurance.

Bee Propolis

Bees create propolis by collecting sap from trees and mixing it with wax in their hives.  Propolis is a complex product that contains a variety of phytochemicals, many of which have been shown to possess antibacterial and antiviral properties.  These properties work in the body to increase resistance to disease by internally stimulating the immune system.  Propolis also contains several bio-flavonoids, which help strengthen the capillary blood vessel system.  Propolis is used to fight off infection both internally and externally.

Royal Jelly

Royal jelly is a secretion made by worker bees that is fed to the queen bee.  This substance transforms a female bee into a queen bee and increases her life span and her fertility.  Royal jelly has a gelatinous consistency and contains numerous nutrients.  It is a rich source of protein and essential amino acids, B vitamins, minerals and trace minerals.  Along with the other bee products, royal jelly possesses antibacterial activity.  (Note: Asthmatics should use caution when taking royal jelly internally.)  In addition to internal use, royal jelly is also useful externally.  In creams, masks and lotions, royal jelly acts on a cellular level to increase circulation and deliver more oxygen to the skin.  Over time, wrinkles are reduced and the skin becomes soft and more youthful in appearance.  

Honey

Bees make honey with the use of nectar from flowers.  There are many varieties of honeys depending on the flower from which the nectar is gathered.  Honey is most commonly used as an alternative sweetener to refined white sugar.  While some argue that honey is no different than sugar, others believe differently.  In his book Honey, Garlic & Vinegar, Dr. Patrick Quillin states "...honey is a complex collection of enzymes, plant pigments, organic acids, esters, antibiotic agents, trace minerals like chromium and other unidentified nutrition factors."  As with the other bee products, research done on honey has revealed the antibiotic properties of honey, mainly when used externally on wounds and burns.  Honey is also used as an ingredient in cosmetic formulations for its hydrating and toning effect.  

Article provided by Akin's Natural Food Market

Bees provide us with numerous products that aid in improving our immune system.  Next time you need an antibiotic, consider bee propolis; or to reduce allergies, think of bee pollen on a daily basis.  Remember raw and fresh is best even when you are talking about bees.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Defining Bee Products - Tulsa natural health | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/natural-health-in-tulsa/defining-bee-products?cid=parsely#parsely#ixzz1BPCGaYeD

New Study Shows Honey, Propolis Flavonoids Protect Liver

Propolis contains numerous flavanoids and depending on its origin, their concentrations may vary. Chrysin is consistenly found European and North American Propolis and having its concentration certified is a real plus... 

Chrysin Abrogates Early Hepatocarcinogenesis and Induces Apoptosis in N-Nitrosodiethylamine-Induced Preneoplastic Nodules in Rats
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Article in Press, 2011, January 04


Flavonoids possess strong anti-oxidant and cancer chemopreventive activities.


Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) occurs naturally in many plants, honey, and propolis. In vitro, chrysin acts as a general anti-oxidant, causes cell cycle arrest and promotes cell death. However, the mechanism by which chrysin inhibits cancer cell growth and the subcellular pathways activated remains poorly understood.


Effect of dietary supplementation with chrysin on proliferation and apoptosis during diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced early hepatocarcinogenesis was investigated in male Wistar rats.


To induce hepatocarcinogenesis, rats were given DEN injections (i.p, 200 mg/kg) three times at 15 day interval. An oral dose of chrysin (250 mg/kg bodyweight) was given three times weekly for 3 weeks, commencing 1 week after the last dose of DEN. Changes in the mRNA expression of COX-2, NFkB p65, p53, Bcl-xL and β-arrestin-2 were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Changes in the protein levels were measured by western blotting.


Chrysin administration significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the number and size of nodules formed. Also, a significant (P < 0.01) reduction in serum activities of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH and γGT were noticed. Expression of COX-2 and NFkB p65 were significantly reduced whereas that of p53, Bax and caspase3 increased at the mRNA and protein levels. Likewise, a decrease in levels of β-arrestin and the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-xL was also noted. These findings suggest that chrysin exerts global hepato-protective effect and its chemopreventive activity is associated with p53-mediated apoptosis during early hepatocarcinogenesis.

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.....

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.

Study Reference: (http://www.springerlink.com/content...)

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. 

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.

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.

Apitherapy News: Propolis Kills Cancer Cells

Apitherapy News: Propolis Kills Cancer Cells

Why Honey?

Is it really hard to imagine that an all natural source of sweetener could provide you with more than something on your toast or in your tea? Why do people naturally find themselves reaching for honey when they are not feeling well? Well, the answers are found in this nice recap:

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Learn Why You Should Eat Raw Honey

By Elizabeth Walling, 8/15/2009

(NaturalNews) - Long before what we refer to as civilization was born, honey was a food prized above all others in many traditional cultures. Ancient peoples in Spain, India, Egypt and all over the world knew that honey supplied a unique richness of nutrients. But far from squeezing honey out of cute little plastic containers shaped like bears, these people were eating their honey freshly harvested from local bee hives - untouched and untainted by civilized man. They worshiped pure, raw honey - and for good reason.

In times before commercial processing overtook our food supply, the remarkable medical benefits of raw honey were understood by primitive man. Today, when we pause to take a closer look at the composition of raw honey, we can clearly see why it is so invaluable:

- Raw honey contains bee pollen, which many leading nutritional experts refer to as a potent superfood. Among bee pollen's many benefits are allergy relief, detoxification, anti-cancer properties, increased energy, amino acids, vitamins and thousands of beneficial enzymes.

- Raw honey is one of the richest natural sources of amylase, an enzyme which facilitates the proper digestion of carbohydrates. This makes raw honey an excellent companion for toast or oatmeal. This essential enzyme is lost the moment honey is heated, since amylase converts to starch when exposed to heat.

- Propolis, a material bees use for constructing their hives, is another beneficial part of raw honey. Propolis is believed to have antioxidant, antimicrobial and even anti-cancer properties. It is said to boost the immune system and improve the health of the liver as well.

- Raw honey is an excellent source of flavonoids (particularly flavanones, flavones and flavonols). These have powerful antioxidant properties that protect us from illness and disease…