Honey, propolis
and ginseng
The
Antibacterial Effects of Propolis Honey
Since ancient
times people have speculated about Propolis & honey's
curative properties. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Chinese and
Egyptians used Propolis & honey to heal wounds and cure
disease of the gut (ZumIa and Lulat, 1989). Until recently
there was little scientific evidence to support therapeutic
used of Propolis & honey. Lately, however, many studies have
shown that propolis & honey has valid medical used because
of its very strong antibacterial activity. This article
focuses on the potential importance of propolis honey in
modem day medicine due to its antibacterial
properties.
Treatment of Burn Wounds and Skin Ulcers with Propolis +
Honey:
Subrahmanyam
(1991) conducted a study comparing a conventional method of
bum treatment (silver sulfadiazine) with topical application
of propolis + honey. Burn patients of a variety of ages were
divided into two treatment groups. The burns of patients in
Group 1 were cleaned with saline solution and pure,
undiluted, propolis + honey was applied daily. Burns of
Group 2 (control) were cleaned and covered with gauze that
was soaked in 5% silver sulfadiazine which was changed
daily. Results showed that within 7 days 91% of the infected
wounds treated with propolis + honey were free of infection,
compared to less than 7% of the silver sulfadiazine treated
burns. Within 15 days, 87% of the propolis + honey treated
wounds were healed whereas only 10% of the control group
wounds were healed. Patients treated with propolis + honey
experienced less irritation, more relief of pain and no
allergic reactions or side effects.
Subrahmanyam
(1991) suggests that propolis+honey is effective for
treatment of burn wounds because: 1) It prevents infection
because of its antibacterial or bacteriostatic properties
(i.e. inhibits the growth of both Gram-negative and
Gram-positive bacteria). 2) It provides a viscous barrier to
fluid loss and wound invasion by bacteria thus preventing
infection. 3) It contains enzymes which may aid the healing
process by promoting tissue formation. 4) It absorbs edema
fluid (pus) thereby cleaning the wound. 5) It reduces pain
and irritation and eliminates offensive smell.
Efem (1988)
showed that various types of wounds and skin ulcers which
had not responded to conventional methods of treatment such
as antibiotics and medicated dressings responded favorably
to a topical propolis+honey treatment. Wounds and ulcer
types treated with propolis+honey included: Fournier's
gangrene, bum wounds tropical ulcers, bed sores and diabetic
ulcers. After the wounds were cleaned with saline, propolis,
honey and clean bandages were applied daily. Infected wounds
that had not responded to conventional treatments were free
of 'infection within 7 days of the first propolis+honey
application. Following treatment with propolis+honey, dead
tissue was quickly replaced with healthy granulation tissue.
In some cases, diabetic ulcers were successfully treated
with propolis+honey and skin grafts, thus preventing
amputation.
Apparently, the
antibacterial properties of propolis+honey allow it to work
on wounds and skin ulcers in the same manner it works on
burns.
The
Antibacterial Activity of Propolis+Honey
The
antibacterial activity of propolis+honey is partially due to
its osmotic effects (Molan, 1992a). Propolis+Honey is a
saturated or super saturated solution of sugars and is said
to have osmotic, properties (i.e. water-with drawing). Water
molecules strongly react with the sugars in propolis+honey
leaving little water available for microorganisms. The
bacteria that cause infection are unable to survive in
propolis+honey because they become dehydrated and killed by
the very strong anti-bacterial substance found in propolis
known as bio-flavon. Molan (1992a) compared the
antibacterial activity of propolis+honey to artificial honey
solutions (i.e. super saturated solutions of sugars of the
same proportion as those in honey). Results showed that
these artificial honey solutions did not have the same
degree of antibacterial activity as propolis+honey,
indicating that while the removal of water from bacteria is
important, other factors are operating to provide the
observed antibacterial effects.
The presence of
hydrogen peroxide generated by the enzymatic activity of
glucose oxidase in dilute honey also contributes to its
antibacterial activity (Molan, 1992a). As hydrogen peroxide
decomposes, it generated highly reactive free radicals which
react with and kill bacteria (Note: Prior to chemical
identification of hydrogen peroxide, it was often referred
to as inhibine in the literature).
Treatment of Infant Gastroenteritis and Stomach Ulcers Using
Propolis+Honey
A paper by
Haffejee and Moosa (1985) studied the effects of orally or
intravenously administering propolis+honey for the treatment
of gastroenteritis compared with a usual treatment of
glucose solution (control). Gastroenteritis is acute
diarrhea caused by human rotovirus Tallett et.al., 1977).
This disease is highly contagious and mainly effects young
children, but can also occur in adults. The disease is
characterized by diarrhea accompanied with fever and
vomiting at the onset. Gastroenteritis is a major health
problem that has been found in all continents and all races.
Haffejee and Moose (1985) found that the propolis+honey
treatment shortened the duration of diarrhea in patients
with bacterial gastroenteritis. Patients with bacterial
gastroenteritis who were treated with propolis+honey had a
mean recovery time of 58.00 hours compared with 93.13 hours
for the control patients. Improved treatment of
gastroenteritis with use of propolis+honey can be explained
by its antibacterial properties.
Laboratory
experiments conducted by Somal et. al. (1994) have shown
that Propolis+honey successfully inhibits Helicobacter
pylori, the organism responsible for upper gastrointestinal
dyspepsia of stomach ulcers. Propolis from Brazil , contains
a phytochemical component that is antibacterial to H.
pylori. Treatment with propolis + honey is much less
expensive and appears to need less time that conventional
antibiotic treatments which can have serious side effects.
Propolis - Most
Natural Antibiotic
It is said that
Propolis is the most natural antibiotic man has ever
discovered. The remarkable thing about this statement is the
fact that this discovery took place some 2000 years ago. A
lot of people probably haven't even heard about Propolis,
and yet, ancient herbal books prescribed Propolis for
numerous complaints. The bactericidal qualities of this
medicine have been known since the beginning of written
history.
History
The use of
Propolis in popular medicine goes back all the way to
ancient times. Egyptians, Greeks and Romans reported the use
of Propolis for its general healing qualities and for the
cure of some lesions of the skin. Since the 12th century in
Europe , folk remedy has attributed an important place to
Propolis for certain preparations for external use. However,
it has only been in the last twenty years that scientists
have been able to prove that Propolis is as active and
important as our forefathers thought.
Recognized by
science
Propolis is now
considered an important part of dietetics and a natural cure
by the World Health Organization. Its popularity is ever
increasing, due to its many possibilities. The
concentrations of flavonoids seem to be responsible for the
great antibiotic effects of Propolis. Flavonoids possess
many potent curative effects. Forty-one of these substances
have been recognized by science.
What does it do
Flavonoids
stimulate hair growth, and improve the circulation of the
blood. They also stimulate elimination of urine, bile
secretion, and endocrine secretion. It is a well known fact
that endocrine secretion, from places such as the thymus,
the thyroid gland, the pancreas and the adrenals has a
beneficial effect on the organism in general. Flavonoids are
not only antibacterial substances, they are also active for
the treatment of ulcers, rheumatism, flu and cold syndromes,
irritated stomachs and certain breathing problems.
The same
products are also beneficial for some chronic ailments, such
as stress and joint problems. This gives an extra dimension
to the performance of the product. Propolis, by nature,
gives us a most powerful and versatile complement to
supplement our food intake. All over the world, physicians
have been astonished by the power of Propolis. We are only
at the beginning of the story because the healing
possibilities of Propolis seem to be unlimited.
Origin of
Propolis
Our honeybees
collect resins as a basic material on the buds of poplars,
birches, pine trees etc. After the resin is chewed by the
honeybee, and with the addition of saliva, other substances
are formed. The finished product is called Propolis.
Propolis is of vital importance for the survival of the
bees. Not only does it protect them against diseases, but
also against climatic changes, such as wind and cold.
Propolis
consists of more than 100 substances
Propolis is
composed of 50-55% resin and balms, 30% wax, 5% fixed
substances such as clump, greases, amino acids, organic
acids, composed ethers of alcohol, elements of spores and
microelements such as iron, copper manganese, zinc,
aminocids, phytoncides, and antibiotics, plus a high content
of vitamins B,E,C,H and P, as well as pro-vitamin A. Pollens
make up 4 to 10% in the composition of the product.
Remedies
Propolis is an
age-old remedy that has been receiving a lot of attention
lately. It is used extensively in the now defunct Warsaw
Pact countries and Propolis is well known in the Netherlands
, France , Germany and Belgium . It is not yet as well known
overseas.
The following
problems treated by Propolis showed satisfactory
improvements all over the world:
-
Acne
-
Asthma
-
Arthritis
-
Bums
-
Boils
-
Bleeding gums
-
Bedsores and Blisters
-
Burning tongues
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Callused feet
-
Canker sores (aphtha)
-
Common cold
-
Corns
-
Diaper rash
-
Diarrhea
-
Eczema
-
Flu
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Female complaints
-
Gastritis
-
Gout
-
Hay-fever
-
Hair loss
-
Insect bites
-
Inflammation of the nasal passage
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-
Moles
-
Psoriasis
-
Sore throats
-
Swollen glands
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Stomach ulcers
-
Tennis elbow
-
Warts
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Inflammation of the gums
-
Inflammation of the ears
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Inflammation of the prostate gland
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