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:

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