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Bee
Propolis
FACTS
Bee
propolis (also known as bee glue) is the sticky
substance used by bees to seal their hives to
protect them from unwanted intruders and infection.
Insects and small animals who haplessly enter
the hive are first stung to death and then embalmed
in propolis to prevent disease-causing decay.
Bees don't make propolis; they gather if from
trees. Propolis includes many different substances,
such as resins, vitamins, minerals, and a large
amount of bioflavonoids. Propolis, the Greek word
for "defender of the city," was highly
valued in ancient times. Early healers intuitively
knew that propolis was a natural disinfectant,
and they used it for a wide variety of ailments.
Hippocrates prescribed to heal skin wounds and
soothe angry stomach ulcers. The great English
herbalist Nicholas Culpeper wrote that propolis
was "good for all heat and inflammation in
many parts of the body and cools the heat of the
wounds." During both World Wars, soldiers
applied propolis to their wounds to prevent infection.
Intrigued
by the folklore, modern scientists investigated
propolis and discovered it does indeed have natural
antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Recent trials conducted at the National Heart
and Lung Institute confirmed that propolis is
effective against a wide range of disease-producing
microbes, including Staphylococcus aureus MRSA,
commonly known as staph, which is resistant to
most antibiotics and is common in hospitals. This
is particularly important, considering that the
overuse of antibiotics is creating a new breed
of "monster" bacteria that is resistant
to all known antibiotics. If wee are to stop the
spread of drug-resistant bacteria, we must look
to new types of natural therapies like propolis
that can keep bacteria in check.
Propolis
can be used both externally and internally. Recently,
natural healers have found that propolis is an
excellent treatment for sore gums, mouth ulcers,
and sour throats. Propolis salve can be rubbed
on sore gums to soothe inflammation and prevent
infection. As a gargle, propolis can help relieve
the pain of sore throat and mouth ulcers and promote
healing. Propolis is effective ageinst the herpes
virus; when gently applied to the herpes lesion,
propolis can help relieve pain. When taken orally
in capsule form, propolis is reputed to stimulate
immune function.
POSSIBLE
BENEFITS
Promotes
healing of skin wounds.
Treats
sore throats and gum disease.
THE
RIGHT AMOUNT
Take
one 200-mg capsule daily.
Personal Advice
At
the first sign of cold symptoms, I dissolve a
zinc lozenge in my mouth and take vitamin C, propolis,
Echinacea, and goldenseal. By the next say, the
cold disappears.
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