Functional Food for Better Health - Honey, Propolis & Royal Jelly

Its all in the ingredients!! Each of these products merit healthy respect but all three together? In Apitherapy, that's called Synergistic Power! If you're consuming these bee products, you're not only saving your life but helping bees maintain an important role and contributor to all beings on our planet. 

Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly: A Comprehensive Review of Their Biological Actions and Health Benefits

JOxidMed 2017 February

Introduction

Apiculture is the science and art of prolonging, sustaining, and retaining health by using products obtained from honeybee hives, such as honey, bee bread, bee venom, bee pollen, propolis, and royal jelly. Recent years have seen the fast application of bee products in both traditional and modern medicine. Currently, many studies are targeted toward investigating directed health benefits and pharmacological properties of bee products due to their efficacies, leading to the increasing development of nutraceuticals and functional food from these products. The concept of functional food refers to food that has the ability to promote better physiological or psychological health compared to traditional remediated and nutritional food. These effects positively contribute toward excellent health maintenance, well-being, and reduced chronic illness [1]. The present review focuses on the potential health benefits of bee products, including honey, propolis, and royal jelly. 

Conclusion

The present review focused on the potential health benefits of bee products such as honey, propolis, and royal jelly. These products are highly rich in active components such as flavonoids, phenolic acid, phenolic compounds, terpenes, and enzymes, which have biological functions in preventing some diseases and promoting good health. Honey, propolis, and royal jelly have distinct efficacies with significant nutritional properties and functional values. Thus, these bee products can be developed into potent apitherapeutic agents. However, some precautions need to be taken in case of allergens associated with bee products and in finding the right intake dosage. Hence, it is necessary to conduct further studies to determine the critical mechanisms related to the pharmacological activities of these bee products and the appropriate amounts that can be taken in order to obtain promising health benefits.

Propolis Stops Growth of Candida, Fungi and Yeasts

The antifungal properties of propolis are consistently present in all forms of propolis collected throughout the world. It's not surprising, as the beehive is a dark, damp, humid enclosure that cannot tolerate mold and fungi. That's why bees use it throughout the hive.

Yeasts as Important Agents of Onychomycosis: In Vitro Activity of Propolis Against Yeasts Isolated from Patients with Nail Infection

J AlternComplement Med, 2012 Sept 

Objective: 

The purposes of this study were to determine the frequency of the yeast species obtained from patients with clinical features of onychomycosis and the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of the yeast species to propolis.

Methods: 

A prospective study was carried out at the Mycology Research Center in Iran from 2010 to 2011. Clinical diagnosis was performed by direct microscopic examination and culture. Different yeast species were identified by morphological and biochemical tests. An antifungal susceptibility test to fluconazole (FLU) and propolis by the broth microdilution method was performed on each isolate.

Results: 

One hundred and twenty-eight fungal isolates were obtained. The most prevalent fungi were yeasts (81, 63.2%), dermatophytes (36, 28.1%), and nondermatophyte fungi (11, 8.6%). Fingernails were more affected than toenails (65.4% vs. 19.8%, respectively). The most frequently found species was Candida albicans (38.5%), followed by Candida spp. (23.1%), C. tropicalis (10.8%), C. kefyr (6.2%), C. krusei (3.1%), Malassezia globosa (4.6%), M. slooffiae (4.6%), and M. pachydermatis (1.5%). Of all yeast isolates (65), seven showed resistance to FLU. The average MIC of propolis for FLU-susceptible isolates was 5.8 μg/mL, whereas this value was 12.25 μg/mL for FLU-resistant isolates.

Conclusion: 
Our results proved that the propolis inhibits the growth of pathogenic yeasts and confirmed the efficiency of propolis as an anti-Candida and anti-Malassezia agent. 

Propolis Takes the Sting out of Mouth Ulcers

Propolis heals wounds, especially in the mucous linings of the body, which is a very complementary addition to any treatment protocol.  In fact, products are trending towards phyto-apitherapy formulas for even greater appeal...

Bees Take the Sting out of Mouth Ulcers

ScienceDaily (Nov. 17, 2010) 

The healing properties of propolis -- a mixture of resin and wax made by honey bees to seal and sterilize their hives -- have been known for many years. But its use in medicine and food supplements has been limited because the sticky substance is not water soluble and has a strong, off-putting smell.

Now researchers at the University of Bradford's Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Science have developed a way of purifying propolis that retains its medicinal properties, but makes it dissolve in water and eliminates its pungent smell. The technique has already led to the development of a new mouth ulcer gel and opens the door to a huge range of other pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications for the substance.

"Propolis is a complex chemical mix and a very useful natural product," explains Centre Director, Professor Anant Paradkar, who led the research. "Propolis has been shown to be anti-microbial, anti-fungal, a strong anti-oxidant, non-allergenic and can boost the immune system. It also promotes wound healing and has anaesthetic properties.

"There is a substantial market for propolis-based products -- particularly in China, the USA and South Asia. The main stumbling block in developing products has been the solubility and odor issues, which our formulation overcomes."

Professor Paradkar's team has been developing the new technique to purify propolis in collaboration with natural medicine manufacturer, Nature's Laboratory. The researchers have helped the company develop a new propolis-based mouth ulcer gel, which has better anaesthetic, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties than gels already on the market and is safe for use in children.

"A problem for mouth gels is that adhesion to the skin membrane inside the mouth is difficult -- because of the nature of the surface, the gel can simply slide off," says Professor Paradkar. "As propolis retains some of its stickiness even in a water soluble formulation, when it is applied to specific areas in the mouth, it adheres more effectively."

The Centre has gained funding for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Nature's Laboratory, to further develop the purification system for use at a larger scale and support the creation of new propolis-based products. The aim is, through the KTP, that the company will be able to set up a purification process to increase its own manufacturing capacity.

Mexican Propolis Exhibits Strong Anti-Pancreatic Cancer Effect

Congratulations Mexico! With more than 38 components identified in Propolis, you've discovered 2 more...

Two New Cytotoxic Phenylallylflavanones from Mexican Propolis

Institute of Natural Medicine, Univ. of Toyama, Japan, College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges Univ., China; Chem Pharm Bulletin, June 30, 2011

Summary:

Two new phenylallylflavanones, (2R,3R)-6-[1-(4 -hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-yl]pinobanksin (1) and (2R,3R)-6-[1-(4 -hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-yl]pinobanksin 3-acetate (2) were isolated from a methanolic extract of Mexican propolis. Their structures were elucidated with spectroscopic analysis. Both compounds (1, 2) exhibited preferential cytotoxic activity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells in a nutrient-deprived medium with the concentration at which 50% cells died preferentially in NDM (PC50) values of 17.9 M and 9.1 M, respectively.

Propolis is the resinous substance collected by bees from various plants, and used for hive construction and repairs as well as for defense purposes. 1) Humans have used propolis as a natural remedy for thousands of years because of its numerous health benefits. 1) Propolis has been reported to have anticancer, 2,3) antiviral, 4) antifungal, 4,5) antibacterial, 4,6) antioxidant, 7) immunomodulatory, 8) and anti-inflammatory activity. 9) Today, propolis is widely used in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries as a health supplement. 10) As acontinuation of our previous research on propolis from different geographic locations, 11—19) we previously reported two new flavonoids, 8-[1-(4[1]-hydroxy-3[1]-methoxyphenyl)prop- 2-en-1-yl]galangin (3) and 8-[1-(4[1]-hydroxy-3[1]-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-yl]chrysin (4), possessing a unique structural feature with a phenylallyl moiety attached to their flavone skeleton, from a methanol (MeOH) extract of Mexican propolis. 19) Interestingly, they showed strong preferential cytotoxic activity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1) in a nutrient-deprived medium (NDM). Further work on the extract resulted in the isolation of two new phenylallylflavanones (1, 2), shown in Chart 1...

Holistic Approach to Sanitized Air Uses Propolis

An ideal solution for those who are in constant contact with the general public, this device smells good and eliminates contaminants in their environment - taxi cabs, health clinics, schools, etc... 

Fresh air, sanitized naturally with Propolair

Holistic health care providers recommend using preventative measures to avoid the onset of serious health conditions. Taking prescription medication with the negative side effects is all too common, as well as, the increasing onset of antibiotic resistance.

It's also important to keep in mind environmental influences in the home and office. Eliminating things such as mold, bacteria and pollution which also have effects on our health should be non-toxic or "green". Finding a natural approach to boosting the immune system and managing our health and environment is the best approach. One such product gaining global notoriety is Propolis. 

A resinous substance produced by honey bees, Propolis is collected from the buds of trees, has numerous bioflavonoids with very important natural properties. Studies worldwide have confirmed that it is:

• anti-bacterial 
• anti-fungal
• anti-viral 
• anti-inflammatory 
• anti-tumor 
• anti-depressant
• antiseptic
• immuno-stimulant   

As Propolis is also very effective for respiratory conditions, an Italian inventor and beekeeper designed and patented an electrical diffuser, Propolair, to vaporize these important flavonoids into the air, employing a holistic approach to treating environmental factors.

In 1995, he, with the aid of researchers at the Italian Ministry of Health ("Biologi Italiani n°2/96"), conducted several studies in schools and found that propolis vaporizers reduced airborne bacteria by 71.8%. 

Researchers then took one step further to determine its effectiveness in more challenging situtions - closed agricultural environmental conditions and found it greatly reduced the bacterial load in pig and poultry farms. ("Agriculture Ecosystems Environments, 4/97")

In separate studies in Milan, as a result of having diffusers in nurseries and preschools, ("Assoc. Casa Materna Milano, 5/99") researchers discovered school attendance increased up to 61% without any allergic reactions reported. 

In 2003, additional studies conducted by the Chemical Laboratory of the Chamber of Commerce in Turin ("Lab Chimico 12/03"), researchers found that when propolis is vaporized and diffused, it reduced the presence of numerous air pollutants from 15% - 70% reduction of benzenes and hydrocarbons. For this reason, the inventor also created a vaporizer for cars, trucks, buses and vans.

As stated by noted physician, Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, M.D.

“To treat children successfully, we have to use anti-mold strategies.  To a large degree, I don’t use medical drugs.  The propolis vaporizor is a strategy to make the house mold free.  An Italian study showed that if you vaporize propolis at 82.3 C, it creates a monoatomic vapour of propolis in the house that kills every single living microbe in the air, making homes safe for the children.  It’s a fantastic tool.  It’s inexpensive, and has transformed the lives of alot of kids.  An Italian asthma study shows over 70% asthma cures in 6 weeks with kids.  70% asthma cures!  There’s not much that matches that result. The Propolis vaporizer is a big part of my anti-mold strategy”.

Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt M.D.,  LIA Conference 2008

For more information, see the video or visit the website.

Propolis Found to be Natural Anti-Protozoal Agent

Propolis, the natural protector extraordinaire...

Activity of Cuban Propolis Extracts on Leishmania amazonensis and Trichomonas vaginalis
Natural Product Communications, 2011 Jul;6(7):973-6

In this paper we analyzed the antiprotozoal effects of eighteen Cuban propolis extracts (brown, red and yellow type) collected in different geographic areas, using Leishmania amazonensis (as a model of intracellular protozoa) and Trichomonas vaginalis (as a model of extracellular protozoa).

All evaluated propolis extracts caused inhibitory effect on intracellular amastigotes of L. amazonensis. However, cytotoxicity on peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice was observed. Only five samples decreased the viability of T. vaginalis trophozoites at concentrations lower than 10 microg/mL. No correlation between the type of propolis and antiprotozoal activity was found.
Cuban propolis extracts demonstrated activity against both intracellular and extracellular protozoa model, as well as the potentialities of propolis as a natural source to obtain new antiprotozoal agents...

Diverse pharmacological activities of propolis have been explored, such as: anti-inflammatory and anti-tumoral effect [2a]. Up to now, antimicrobial properties have been widely investigated; including antibacterial [2b], antiviral [2c] and antifungal activity [2d]. Antiparasitic activities have also been reported against  Trypanosoma cruzi  [2e] and Giardia duodenalis [2f]. However, only a few studies have been carried out for the antileishmanial [3a-3c] and antitrichomonocidal activity [4a]. In Cuba, propolis has displayed therapeutic potentialities as antipsoriatic, antiinflamatory, analgesic [4b], antibacterial [4c] and antitumoral [4d]. Scarce reports can be found about its antiparasitic activity. Thus, its biological potentiality has not been explored totally...  

Leishmania are protozoa that cause leishmaniasis [5a]. The disease is endemic in 88 countries throughout Latin America, Africa, Asia and Southern Europe. Approximately 350 million people are thought to be at risk with a worldwide prevalence  of 12 million and annual incidence of 2 million new cases [5b]...

Healing Properties Of Propolis Researched by Pharmaceutical Engineers

Ongoing pharmacological developments of Propolis in Asia ... one must ask why aren't the western medical institutions also pursuing this?

Healing Properties Of Propolis Researched by Pharmaceutical Engineers

Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
18 Nov 2010 - 5:00 PDT

The healing properties of propolis a mixture of resin and wax made by honey bees to seal and sterilise their hives have been known for many years. But its use in medicine and food supplements has been limited because the sticky substance is not water soluble and has a strong, off-putting smell.

Now researchers at the University of Bradford's Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Science have developed a way of purifying propolis that retains its medicinal properties, but makes it dissolve in water and eliminates its pungent smell. The technique has already led to the development of a new mouth ulcer gel and opens the door to a huge range of other pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications for the substance.

"Propolis is a complex chemical mix and a very useful natural product," explains Centre Director, Professor Anant Paradkar, who led the research. "Propolis has been shown to be anti-microbial, anti-fungal, a strong anti-oxidant, non-allergenic and can boost the immune system. It also promotes wound healing and has anaesthetic properties.

"There is a substantial market for propolis-based products particularly in China, the USA and South Asia. The main stumbling block in developing products has been the solubility and odour issues, which our formulation overcomes."

Professor Paradkar's team has been developing the new technique to purify propolis in collaboration with natural medicine manufacturer, Nature's Laboratory. The researchers have helped the company develop a new propolis-based mouth ulcer gel, which has better anaesthetic, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties than gels already on the market and is safe for use in children.

"A problem for mouth gels is that adhesion to the skin membrane inside the mouth is difficult because of the nature of the surface, the gel can simply slide off," says Professor Paradkar. "As propolis retains some of its stickiness even in a water soluble formulation, when it is applied to specific areas in the mouth, it adheres more effectively."

The Centre has gained funding for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Nature's Laboratory, to further develop the purification system for use at a larger scale and support the creation of new propolis-based products. The aim is, through the KTP, that the company will be able to set up a purification process to increase its own manufacturing capacity.

Sources: Bradford University