Bees are known for making products humans love such as bees wax, bee pollen, and of course honey, however they also produce a sticky substance named bee propolis that is known to be nature’s health powerhouse.
What Is Bee Propolis?
Bee propolis is a basically a naturally produced, resin-like mixture created by bees from plant materials. Unlike honey, bees do not eat the propolis; instead, bees use propolis to build hives! These intelligent little architects use the sticky-waxy substance for various construction needs such as: sealing openings and cracks, smoothing out exterior surfaces, and as barriers to protect against invaders like bigger insects and lizards!
What Are The Benefits To Taking Bee Propolis?
Bee products like honey and bee pollen are renowned for their health benefits and bee propolis is no different.
Researchers have found that the biologically active compounds in propolis hold extremely beneficial properties that may aid with:
- Diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders.
- Asthma and Coronavirus
- Cardiovascular disease, obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS
How Is Bee Propolis So Beneficial?
Bee propolis is a health hero due its biological active compounds, which include flavonoids, phenolic compounds, polyphenols, terpenes, terpenoids, coumarins, steroids, amino acids, and aromatic acids.
These biological active compounds in bee propolis, also known as “phytochemicals,” are different depending on various factors such as environment, location, the bee species producing it, and which plant its being made from.
Due to all the variables affecting the production of the propolis, the location in which it is produced makes a large difference in which phytochemicals are found in the bee propolis. A propolis from Florida would not necessarily have the same phytochemicals as a propolis sourced from Ghana.
Healing Capabilities of Propolis
The phytochemicals present in propolis are responsible for its various health properties:
- Antibacterial + Antifungal properties: Bee propolis has been seen to help prevent and protect against bacterial and fungal infections.
- Antidiabetic: A study found that supplementing with bee propolis may reduce blood glucose levels as well as improve insulin sensitivity; it may also reduce glycosylated hemoglobin levels, which may improve long-term blood sugar control.
- Anti-inflammatory: Bee propolis has been found to be an anti-inflammatory; it may reduce inflammation, potentially alleviating the symptoms of conditions such arthritis, asthma, sore threats, COVID, and colonic inflammation
- Antioxidant: The antioxidant compounds found in bee propolis can help protect the body from oxidative stress and damage caused be free radicals, preventing damage to cells and tissue.
- Anticancer: Bee propolis has been shown to slow down tumor growth, prevent the spread and growth of cancer cells, and exhibit chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects.
Basically, bee propolis is nature’s health superhero.
Safety
If you have any allergy to honey or bees then it is best to abstain from consuming any products produced by bees and this includes propolis. Having pollen allergies may also increase risk of having an allergic reaction to propolis.
Before taking propolis make sure to ask a doctor whether it’s right for you, especially if you are taking any medication, have any existing allergies or asthma, or are pregnant.
Bee Propolis Dosage + Preparation
We like to mix 1/2 teaspoon of propolis with 1 tablespoon raw local honey and 1/2 teaspoon bee pollen. Mix these three ingredients together until you get a paste and take one spoonful; take this gradually, once a week until you adjust and are able to take it more frequently.
If you have never had bee pollen or propolis, it is best to start off small and then gradually increase your intake. There is no rush, just enjoy the journey of finding out what’s best for you.
Where To Buy Bee Propolis
You can purchase bee propolis straight from our store using the link below.
