Propolis is a resinous material collected by honeybees from tree buds and used to seal their hives. It has wide-ranging healing properties and is used in traditional Chinese, Indian, and European medicine. Propolis contains various waxes, resins, essential oils, and pollen that give it antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects useful for treating wounds, ulcers, infections, and other ailments. Studies have found propolis can help treat conditions like tuberculosis, inflammation, and circulatory and immune system deficiencies. Propolis shows promise for treating numerous other diseases as well.

1. PROPOLIS: NATURE’S MEDICAL MIRACLE
Propolis is the sweet-smelling resin used by the bees as a sealing
compound in their hives. In Yoruba language, propolis is called Ida. It is thick,
viscous and jelly-like with wide spectrum of healing properties.
Propolis are used by honey bees for sealing the entrance to the hives
against drafts, for stopping up cracks and for maintaining illness free
environment. The pollen components of propolis adds to its efficacy and
potency in curing common ailments. Propolis is one of the products derivable
from bees hives.
The composition of propolis is very complex, including perhaps thirty
percent of various waxes, fifty-five percent resins and balsams, ten percent
ethereal oils and five per cent pollen. In addition, a whole series of unusual
compounds are present in small amounts.
The first clue as to the real advantages of propolis in scientific terms
was reported to have been established by a Frenchman, P.Lavie, who wrote
about the anti-bacterial substances found in bee colonies as far back as 1960.
He found that when propolis from hives was treated with hot water or alcohol,
it gave an antibiotic extract that remained stable for many months in a
refrigerator.

2. In China, India and Europe, propolis are dried, powdered and zealed
under different trademarks for household use. It is cure-all medicine that
shoud be included in every first-aid-box and medicine cabinet for its wide-range
application.
Propolis is good for prostate cancer and diabetes when used under
the expert prescription. Propolis can be used as gargle for dental care and
against fungal and yeast infections. According to a report, propolis is used to
treat nerve illness and ulcers. Also, it is good for the treatment of wound and
skin diseases by tropical application.
In 1968, the Russians in the study of Api-therapy reported that
propolis held tuberculosis and candidiasis in check. The Russians discovered
that propolis reduces blood-pressure and has a calming effect on the nervous
system. Coupled with this calming effect is a stimulating effect on the
processes of the regeneration of tissue. In essence, it is a good antioxidant.
Sovient literature cites a multitude of uses of propolis to include
healing of war injuries. Of course, propolis is remarkably effective on wounds
that were healing slowly especially after amputations.

3. Inflammations of the ear are often cured with propolis. It is used
in surgical operations for its anaesthetic property. After surgical
operations, regular intake of alcoholic extract of propolis remove pain
and hasten healing. Either in powdery or aqueous extract form, propolis
extract taken by mouth is frequently used to cure both gastric and
duodenal ulcers.
Again, propolis has been reported to be an excellent remedy for mouth
ulcers. A little dab of pure propolis tincture containing between two and
five per cent of propolis for two or three days generally cures mouth
ulcer completely.
A daily or twice daily application of propolis tincture is effective
for the treatment of warts and verrucae. Maurice Hanssen (2000) in the
book titled ‘’The Healing power of pollen and other products from the
beehive’’ reported that propolis heals acne, shingles, sinuses and disease
of the upper respiratory tract.
In specific terms, propoplis is good for the treatment of flu,
hormone imbalance, chicken pox, headache, parkinson’s disease,
influenza, urinary tract infection and lung diseases.

4. analyses of users report indicate that propolis is good for HIV/AIDS,
sinus congestion, swelling of throat, dental disease, eczema, sclerosis,
arthritis, insomnia, female infertility problems, heart disease and liver
disorder.
Propolis has equally been found to provide cure for gram
positive and gram negative infections. It is an excellent remedy for food
poisoning. A woman suffering from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
may seek solace in the healing power of propolis.
Extensive study of uses of bees propolis shows its potency in
treating genital herpes, gout, hepatitis B, stomatitis and circulatory
deficiencies. A propolis gel is being used experimentally by dentists with
excellent results against gingivitis and pyorrhoea.
Propolis can be air-dried in a room temperature or be preserved
in the refrigerator. The shelf-life can extend to one to two years without
chemical preservation
By
Onike Rahaman
(07033902827)