prop·o·lis

ˈpräpələs
noun
  1. a red or brown resinous substance collected by honeybees from tree buds, used by them to fill crevices and to seal and varnish honeycombs.
 Some people don’t know that besides honey, bees also produce other things like beeswax, brood, venom, royal jelly, pollen, and propolis.
 
Propolis is also called “bee glue”, which is a compound made from the sap on needle-leaved trees or evergreens. Bees combine the sap with their own discharges and beeswax, to create a sticky, greenish-brown product used as a coating to build their hives. This resinous substance is called propolis. 
 
Propolis was already used by ancient civilizations, for its medicinal properties. Greeks used it to treat abscesses. Assyrians put it on wounds and tumors to fight infection and help the healing process, and Egyptians used it to embalm mummies.
 

Throughout history, propolis has been mentioned several times, in  different cultures. Noah’s Ark, referred to as Gopher, means product of the hive or glue of the bees. “Little Moses’ box was covered with Propolis”. In the Talmud, many passages talk about Kera  (Propolis). The word Propolis comes from two Greek words – “pro” meaning before and “polis” meaning city.  Correctly translated Propolis means “defences before a town” (defense of a city). 

Propolis also appears indirectly in the Bible. The “Balm of Gilead” was actually a bee-collected resinous material (that is Propolis ) used in biblical times and is cited in the Old Testament Prophets.  In fact, sung in churches today is a hymn entitled, “Balm of Gilead”.

In modern times, propolis remains a very popular remedy, ans it is used around the world in pharmacies, medical, and veterinary clinics, due to it’s anti-bacterial or anti-radiation properties.

Propolis is directly responsible for keping the hygiene of the beehives, which are prone to developing viruses and bacteria, caused by their conditions of temperature and humidity.

Propolis has several properties that provide health benefits, due to the great number of active ingredients present. One of its main products is propolis tincture, which is an alcoholic extract of propolis, and is well known and used for its therapeutic properties: It stimulates the organism’s defense system, works as an antioxidant and anti-microbial action. It also has activity as a stimulant and its healing, analgesic, anesthetic and anti-inflammatory activity.

Among other health benefits of propolis we can find:

  1. A natural antibiotic.
  2. Soothing action for minor burns.
  3. Discourages infections.
  4. Cures ear infections.
  5. Supports the immune system.
  6. Helps with fungal nail infections.
  7. Stabilizes blood sugar.
  8. Prevents vaginal herpes.
  9. Promotes oral health.
  10. Cures cold sores.
  11. Prevents cancer cells growth.