Propolis is a sticky plant-derived material used by bees as their available caulking, sealing, lining, strengthening, preserving and probably repellent material inside the hive and around the entrance. It is the material that sticks frames and other hive parts together. It is also found in a layer as a thin 'varnish' over all the inner surfaces of the hive including wax combs. Small cracks and holes in the nest cavity are often filled with propolis, damaged combs are repaired with propolis and objects that cannot be removed from the nest are frequently sealed with propolis.
Propolis is soft and sticky at warm temperatures and can be molded to fill holes and gaps or spread over surfaces. At cool temperatures and as it ages, propolis becomes brittle and hard. It has antimicrobial properties and is an important part of the chemical arsenal within the hive for combating contamination and pathogen invasion. Propolis is a resinous material collected by foragers from a variety of plants, especially the buds of trees. Since propolis is a mixture of locally available plant exudates, it would be expected to differ from one locality to another and from colony to colony. Surprisingly, the composition of propolis samples from diverse sources is remarkably similar.
Generally, no correlation between the composition of tropical propolis and the place of collection or bee species have been found. The chemical composition of propolis, however, varies from sample to sample due to the variety of plant resins, gums, exudates, etc., utilized by the bees and the collection techniques used by beekeepers to obtain propolis from the hive. Propolis consists of a mixture of resins, terpenes and volatile oils, and miscellaneous materials. The pharmacologically active constituents of propolis are found in fractions soluble in solvents such as alcohols.
Propolis and some of its constituents exhibit a variety of biological and pharmacological activities. Propolis has had an ancient history as a curative agent in human health. It was known in the time of Aristotle and discussed in detail by Pliny, the Roman naturalist. Treatment of a variety of ailments including colds and sore throats, skin problems, stomach ulcers, burns, hemorrhoids, gum diseases and wounds have been reported. Clearly propolis has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Propolis appears not to be toxic to humans and mammals unless very large quantities are administered. Propolis can, however, over time become extremely irritating to a beekeper's hands, causing painful cracks in the skin. The shortage of rigorous research into both positive and negative potentials of propolis indicate that common sense and caution should be exercised in the use of propolis.
Production and Commercial Uses of Propolis Commercial production of propolis is usually a difficult and time consuming operation. To obtain the highest grade and purity of propolis, special 'inserts' are usually placed in hives. These inserts provide spaces that mimic holes or cracks in the hive, thereby encouraging the bees to fill them with propolis. The resultant propolis is then collected, sorted and packaged. Hive scrapings, though an easier way to obtain propolis, are often contaminated with wood chips, wax and paint and are of lower commercial quality.
In North America and Europe the main uses of propolis are as natural supplements and herbal medicines. These take the form of tablets in which propolis can be combined with a variety of other ingredients. Propolis is also used as an additive to skin lotions, beauty creams, soaps, shampoos, lipsticks, chewing gums, toothpaste, mouthwashes and even suncreens. Use of propolis tinctures for treatment of sore throats, cuts and skin rashes is also popular. In addition to uses for health, propolis is sometimes used as a varnish.
One problem with propolis as a varnish is that it requires a very long time to dry beyond the sticky phase. The potential for propolis as an animal growth stimulant has also received some attentionPropolis is used more outside of the U.S. than inside the U.S. The price of propolis varies greatly from country to country. In the U.S. and Canada wholesale prices are low, varying from US$4.50-US$13 per kg.
In contrast, the price in New Zealand, where propolis is more widely used, has been as high as US$57 per kg. The potential supply of propolis in the U.S. is high, but with a low demand production is not likely to increase. The future of propolis might see some growth with the expanding health food awareness, especially in the area of lozenges for sore throats. (mainebee.com)
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