Bees are mainly known for their rôle in collecting nectar from flowers & trees, transporting it back to their community in a hive (or not) & then producing what most of us love HONEY. But bees also produce a compound called propolis from the sap on needle-leaved trees or evergreens. When they combine the sap with their own discharges and beeswax, they create a sticky, greenish-brown product used as a coating to build their hives. This is PROPOLIS.
Propolis has a special compound called pinocembrin, it also contains polyphenols which also known as flavonoids act as antifungal anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial that can help people to heal traumatic burns faster by speeding up new healthy cell growth. Flavonoids are produced in plants as a form of protection. They’re commonly found in foods thought to have antioxidant properties, including:
fruits
green tea
vegetables
red wine
Propolis comes in various forms : in the original form, in caplets, as pills, as chewing gum, as a fluid or dry extract, in a mouth wash, in tooth paste, as a skin cream etc. Also it is added to syrups, is used as a remedy with plant based supplements or as drops.
In all shapes & sizes propolis is most efficient when used once or twice a day to cure colds, sore throats or just to build up the immune system. Take care when buying it to make sure it is ecologically pure.