An Article and Infographic by Lucas Francis Cruz
If you’re looking for a natural product to become a new part of your health and wellness regimen, propolis might just be the treasure you’re looking for. In this article, we will explore the multitude of health benefits that propolis has to offer, and how you can incorporate it into your daily routine.
What is Propolis?
Propolis, or bee glue, is a sticky, resinous substance gathered by honeybees from various local plant sources. Bees use it to seal the holes in honeycombs and fortify their hives, which protects the hive from invaders like parasites and other insects. Propolis can exist in different varieties categorized according to geographical location, season, and botanical origin. Due to the diversity of varieties, there is no consensus on its exact composition. However, most varieties of propolis contain phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. These compounds are also present in other bee products such as honey. The phenolic content is responsible for its health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and many more.
Aside from these compounds, propolis has also been found to contain various waxes, resins, and essential oils, which may also harbour their own uses. It was used in ancient times as a folk medicine, being used for different applications from wound healing to embalming bodies in ancient Egypt.
The Many Applications of Propolis
Because of the many potential health benefits that propolis provides, it is no surprise that it has been studied to have applications in fields ranging from skin care to cancer research. It has also made its way into common products we use, such as oral sprays, toothpastes, and lotions.
Medical Uses
Among the many health benefits that propolis provides, its antimicrobial and antiseptic action is the most important use in the medical field. It has innate antibacterial and antifungal activity, and it is useful in the field of dermatology to treat staphylococcal, streptococcal, and fungal skin infections. Propolis can also treat various skin conditions, including purulent infections, hidradenitis, and cheilosis. It has also been studied to be effective in wound healing due to its antioxidant effect. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of propolis also make it an effective treatment for burn wounds.
Aside from its dermatological applications, propolis has been used in commercial medical and nutritional products such as oral sprays, lozenges, and supplements.
Cosmetic Uses
Propolis is seeing a rise in the use of various cosmetics in the market. It has commonly been used in cosmetics for treating acne vulgaris. Due to its antibacterial action, it can limit the growth of Cutibacterium acnes, a bacterium responsible for acne vulgaris. It also reduces the presence of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions and reduces the overall oiliness of the skin. Thus, it makes a great addition as an anti-acne ingredient in products like lotions, creams, and face masks.
The antimicrobial activity of propolis has also been used in oral health products, such as toothpaste and mouthwash. It is able to inhibit the formation of dental plaque and reduce dental caries development. It can also be a natural additive in shampoo formulations due to its antifungal property and its ability to treat and prevent the recurrence of dandruff.
Protection from Ultraviolet Radiation
Propolis has also been found to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation. Thanks to the presence of certain phenolic compounds, it can absorb UV light and act as a natural filter. It could be considered as an additive to sun blockers such as creams, lotions, and lipsticks due to this property. Aside from its sun protective effect, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties also make it a great addition to various skin cosmetics. These antioxidant effects also lead to having potential antiaging properties. It also provides a moisturizing and smoothing effect to the skin.
Is Propolis Safe?
Propolis can be considered a safe ingredient. It is well tolerated and non-toxic at the concentration that is used in commercial products. However, because it is an ingredient that is collected from bees, allergic reactions are possible if you are also allergic to other bee products like honey and royal jelly.
The Future of Propolis
Due to its variety of health benefits and the varying chemical composition, researchers are continuously studying other potential applications of propolis in health care and cosmetics. Some potential uses that are being studied are:
- Cardioprotective Activity – Studies on mice have shown that propolis can reduce total cholesterol concentration. The mechanism is not fully understood yet, but it is likely linked to its antioxidant property.
- Effects on Gut Health – Its innate antimicrobial activity may impact the gastrointestinal microbiota by inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria. It has also been defined as a probiotic due to it being selectively metabolized by the gut microbiota.
- Anticancer Activity – Many natural products have become first-line treatments in anticancer therapy, and propolis may have the potential to become a promising cancer treatment. Scientists are currently trying to understand the mechanisms by which it is able to produce an anticancer effect. It is currently understood that it is able to inhibit many molecular signaling pathways that are essential for cancer progression and metastasis. It can also be an adjunct to chemotherapy to treat potential side effects.
- Antidiabetic Effect – Propolis has been associated with decreased blood glucose levels in animal studies. It shows promise in being an alternative treatment for patients with diabetes. However, further studies are required to understand the molecular mechanisms.
Conclusion
Propolis is a promising natural ingredient in both the medical and cosmetic realms. It is one of the most interesting honeybee-derived products due to its varying chemical composition around the world and the multitude of its potential health benefits. More and more studies are being done every day to further understand how this tiny treasure works. In summary, no matter how you choose to incorporate propolis into your health regimen, propolis stands out as a natural remedy worth considering for improving your overall health and wellness.
References
[1] Barros, K. B. N. T., Neto, E. M. R., & De França Fonteles, M. M. (2019). Propolis and its Cosmetic Applications: A Technological Prospection. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 11(4), 350–352. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2019.11.72
[2] Braakhuis, A. (2019). Evidence on the health benefits of supplemental propolis. Nutrients, 11(11), 2705. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11112705
[3] Kurek-Górecka, A., Górecki, M., Rzepecka-Stojko, A., Balwierz, R., & Stojko, J. (2020). Bee products in dermatology and skin care. Molecules, 25(3), 556. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030556