Bee Pollen and Propolis.

Bees create propolis by collecting a resinous sap from trees and then mixing it with wax back at the hive. They use this material much the way people use caulk: to seal their homes. Chemically, propolis is exceedingly complex and contains a rich variety of potent terpenes and benzoic, caffeic, cinnamic,and phenolic acids. It's also high in flavonoids, which by themselves may account for many of the benefits attributed to propolis-and some researchers refer to propolis as a type of flavonoid.

Bee Pollen is flower pollen collected by honeybees from a variety of plants and is the insect's primary food source. Pollen grains, which are flowers' male reproductive cells, contain concentrations of phytochemicals and nutrients. Bee pollen is rich in carotenoids, flavonoids and phytosterols. The exact profile varies depending on the plant sources and growing conditions; however, beta-carotene, beta-sitosterol, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, lycopene, quercetin and rutin are consistently reported.

One of the most significant medical journal articles described how the caffeic acids in propolis and honey might prevent colon cancer, which kills some 60,000 Americans each year. Chinthalapally V. Rao, Ph.D., of the American health Foundation, Valhalla, N.Y., reported in Cancer Research that these caffeic acids prevented the formation of precancerous tissue in rats after they were exposed to cancer-causing chemicals.

Most medical articles, however, still point to the value of propolis as a powerful, natural antibiotic. That doesn't mean eating propolis will let you throw away your antibiotics - only that you may not need them quite as often.

Studies show promising results regarding pollen's potential. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of 60 men, researchers from the department of urology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, found pollen extract was an effective treatment for prostate enlargement and prostatitis. In another study, mice with lung cancer survived almost twice as long when treated with pollen extracts compared with untreated controls. Pollen increased the effectiveness of chemotherapy when given simultaneously. Unlike chemotherapy, pollen didn't attack tumors but stimulated immunity. The pollen dose ranged from 0.2 to 10 mg per day

Why would bees need substances with broad antibacterial and antiviral properties? Any beekeeper will tell you the answer. Bees are very susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, which can destroy hives the way the bubonic plague ravaged Europe in the 17th century.

Two medical journal articles document the activity of propolis specifically against Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium that causes dangerous and often deadly surgical infections, blood poisoning, and a type of pneumonia. Five to 10 percent of all patients hospitalized in the United States develop such infections, and S. aureus has become resistant to all but one pharmaceutical antibiotic.

In a Chinese study, researchers found that extracts of propolis - specifically, sinapic, isoferulic, and caffeic acids - inhibited the growth of S. aureus. A European study reported that ethanol extracts from propolis had a "marked synergistic effect" on the anti-staph activity of two antibiotics, streptomycin and cloxacillin, and a moderate effect on several others.

In a third study, rats were exposed to solvent vapors 30 hours per week for three months, simulating industrial exposure. This elevated their liver enzymes, indicating diminished detoxification capabilities. Rats given 60 mg/kg body weight of pollen extracts had significantly lower liver-enzyme levels than untreated controls. Liver damage in the control rats increased their serum cholesterol 104 percent and triglycerides 37 percent, increases that were nearly prevented in rats given pollen.

Another scientific investigation discovered that propolis inhibited the activity of several streptococcal bacteria species that cause dental caries.Japanese researchers reported that propolis-fed laboratory fats had far fewer caries than those given a regular diet. Propolis protected specifically against Streptococcus mutans and several other strep species. These strep species are closely related to the germ that causes strep throat.

Propolis works against bacteria in several ways. One study reported that it prevented bacterial cell division and also broke down bacterial walls and cytoplasm, which is how some prescription antibiotics work.

Perhaps more remarkable is that propolis acts against viruses, which antibiotics do not. A number of medical journal reports have discussed the role of propolisin fighting upper respiratory infections, such as those caused by the common cold and influenza viruses . Other investigators have reported that the cinnamic acid extracts of propolis prevent viruses from reproducing, but they worked best when used during the entire infection.

Underpinning many of the benefits of propolis is that some of its components,like the flavonoids and ethanols, function as antioxidant free-radical scavengers. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology noted that some of the antioxidant phenols in propolis functioned similarly to vitamin E. In another article, researchers described that propolis had anti-inflammatory properties and that it could also prevent blood clots.

Propolis consists mainly of specific tree resins collected by honeybees. Bees use propolis like putty to seal cracks and openings in the hive, strengthen combs and seal brood cells. Propolis also helps sterilize the hive--the resins protect both trees and bees from infections. Most research has been conducted on propolis from European and Eurasian forests, where the source trees are predominantly poplars but also beech, birch, chestnut and several conifer species.

More than 180 compounds have been identified in propolis, and many are biologically active. Flavonoids are abundant, including apigenin, galangin, kaempferol, luteolin, pinocembrin, pinostrobin and quercitin, all of which are anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, antiallergenic, antioxidant and/or antimutagenic. Propolis is uniquely rich in the caffeic acid phenethyl ester, which in animal studies has inhibited cancer growth and reduced inflammation as effectively as drugs.

Propolis also contains organic acids and their derivatives as well as terpenoids. These constituents contribute antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral effects.

In cultures, propolis inhibits the growth of various viruses and fungi including herpes, influenza, rota, candida and aspergillus. Many bacteria are also affected, including Clostridium spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. Propolis is active against bacteria isolated from people with upper respiratory infections, including penicillin-resistant strains.

Propolis potentiates pharmaceutical antibiotics, including streptomycin, penicillin, neomycin and tetracycline; the combined products act synergistically. For treating existing internal infections, propolis can be taken in conjunction with prescribed medications but not in place of them. For acute infections, customers can take four to eight 400­600-mg capsules daily for two weeks.

Propolis is also a superior ingredient in wound salves and may help heal stomach ulcers. One tablespoon raw honey with propolis three times daily during an ulcer flare-up can be helpful. In addition to being antimicrobial, propolis is anti-inflammatory and detoxifying, and it stimulates new tissue growth.

The healing powers of honey. Mode of Application of Honey.

Most people think of honey as something that is to be spread on bread, but few realise how many uses it has. Its unique properties mean that it is found in foods, cosmetics, and it even has a place in health care and healing.

The procedure that is described in most of the reports is to clean the wound first, even though many describe honey as having a cleansing and debriding action on wounds (see next section). Some report abscesses being opened and pockets of pus drained, and necrotic tissue being removed, before dressing wounds with honey.

Caution: some studies suggest that honey should not be given to babies under the age of one year, as it may lead to poisoning.

Honey has been used for its healing properties for over four thousand years. The Egyptians had over 500 medical formulas based on it whilst the Greeks used it to cure skin disorders. Recent research has shown that they might have had the right idea.

Some used rigorous cleansing procedures: scrubbing with a soft toothbrush followed by hydrogen peroxide, saline rinse, betadine, and another saline rinse; dilute Dakin solution or dilute hydrogen peroxide on the wound bed and alcohol on the surrounding skin (29); or the wounds were cleaned with eusol or aqueous 1% chlorhexidine. Some reported cleaning the wounds before dressing, but did not specify with what. One cleaned the wounds with gauze. Most report simply washing wounds with saline before dressing with honey, and when dressings are changed.

Honey is made up from fructose, glucose, water and other sugars. It also contains many enzymes, vitamins, minerals and amino acids that your body needs. Honey contains many antioxidants that are used by the body to eliminate free radicals - molecules which zip around in healthy cells and have the potential to damage them. Honey therefore makes a good alternative to sugar in food and drink. Care must be taken though, as honey does contain lots of sugars and it must be eaten in moderation. Sugars should not generally represent more than 10 percent of your total calorie intake.

In many of the reports the honey is spread on the wound then covered with a dry dressing, mostly gauze. The quantity of honey used varies: one reported using a thin smear of honey (but with relatively poor outcomes); two reported using a thin layer honey (but this was applied 2 - 3 times daily); most just refer to the honey being spread or poured over the wound; others report using a thick layer of honey, soaking the wound generously with honey, pouring honey into the wound to three-quarters fill, and applying 15-30 ml of honey to ulcers. Others have applied the honey to the dressing then placed it on the wound: either the honey was spread on gauze or the gauze was soaked in honey, or "honey pads" were used. (It has also been reported that covering cracked sore nipples in nursing mothers with gauze soaked in honey can prevent them from becoming infected.

How honey can heal.

Research being carried out around the world suggests that honey helps in the healing and sterilising of wounds and ulcers, in the growth of new skin, and, has many antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. The reason for this is the unique combination of properties that honey has.

Antibacterial properties.

Honey is high in sugar, low in protein and quite acidic. These factors combine to make honey free from contaminants itself and help it to kill the contaminants it comes into contact with. The main antibacterial agent in honey is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is released when honey touches the skin. This is produced by the enzyme glucose oxidase which is introduced into honey by the bee. However various types of honey will contain slightly different antibacterial substances.

Honey-impregnated gauze has also been used to pack cavities of wounds. Others have packed cavities of wound directly with honey and then covered the wound. Cervical ulcerations stubborn to healing have been treated by inserting 85 ml honey in the vagina and holding this in place with a tampon for 3 days.

Scar prevention.

Honey has a hygroscopic nature. This means that when honey is exposed to air, it draws moisture in from the air. This is very useful as honey may help to:

• Prevent scarring by keeping the skin moist
  
  
• Help in the growth of new tissue
  
  
Mostly the dressings are changed daily) or every 2 days: or every 2 - 3 days. One paper reported that dressings were changed daily, but that less frequent changes (every 2 - 3 days) were needed if the wounds were clean and dry. Another reported dressings being changed once or twice daily until clean granulated wounds were achieved, then once-daily changes. Others have reported changing honey dressings twice daily, 2 - 3 times a day, 3 times daily, and 3 times daily if contaminated with urine or faeces, otherwise twice daily.
• Stop bandages from becoming stuck to an open wound if applied to the bandage before use
  
  

It is this nature which causes honey to be an ingredient in lots of cosmetics and make up, as it keeps the skin moist and fresh and prevents drying.

Read our factsheet for information about scar removal by plastic surgery.

Two papers report mixing lipid material with the honey to make it easier to spread; either castor oil or 20% vaseline or lard. Although this was a common form of wound dressing in ancient times, it is not necessary as honey can be made very fluid by warming to 37°C if vigorous stirring is not sufficient. Bulman refers to using liquid honey on large surfaces, or carefully warming granulated honey. (Excessive heating of honey should be avoided because the glucose oxidase enzyme in honey which produces hydrogen peroxide, a major component of the antibacterial activity of honey, is very readily inactivated by heat.

Manuka honey.

A type of honey called Manuka honey is especially important as it contains a component that is effective against more resistant bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus and helicobacter pylori. It is this type of honey has been shown to be very good in treating some stomach ulcers and sore throats.