Discovery of the antibacterial and antiviral effect of Propolis

 

Propolis has a medicinal history for thousands of years, it is used as an antiseptic and natural remedy

for oral disinfect and topical treatment of skin and wounds. Through the discovery and research on

beehives, the propolis is found to create a highly complex immune defence system which makes the

beehives the most sterile environment known in nature.

 

Bees use natural resources to create beehives where they can live and nurture in nature. In a severe

ecological environment, beehives will confront with external invasion by other organisms, against

wind and rain, risk of infection and more. Therefore, in response to these problems, bees make and

use propolis to protect their hives.

 

Propolis is a natural resinous mixture that bees produce by mixing saliva and beeswax with exudate

gathered from plants. Propolis is waxy in nature and possess antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Bees use it to build and repair cracks in their hives, smooth the inner walls, and act as a protective

barrier, regulating the temperature of the hive and keeping it sterile.

 

Nowadays, propolis is used in cosmetics or as a popular alternative medicine for self-treatment of

various diseases. Current applications of propolis include formulations for cold syndromes (upper

respiratory tract infections, common cold and flu-like infections), as well as dermatological

formulations used for wound healing, treatment of burns, acne, herpes simplex and genitals, and

neurodermatitis. Propolis is also used in mouthwashes and toothpastes to prevent caries and to

treat gingivitis and stomatitis.