Category: Honey

What is Propolis? Propolis is viscous resin which oozes from bark and buds of some trees like conifers. Honey Bees while collecting nectar also collect propolis in their pollen baskets. Honey Bees mix propolis with wax flakes secreted from their abdomen. This propolis, also known as Honey bee glue, is used to seal the interior of the hive cells which store honey or eggs. Studies are being carried out on health benefits of Propolis. Propolis acts as antiseptic or antibacterial agent and protects honey and eggs form various microbes, bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

What does Propolis contain? Honey Bees use resin from variety of trees and plants, hence Propolis differ in their chemical composition from place to place. Propolis is chemically complex substance. Along with hundreds of chemical compounds, it mainly contains flavonoids, terpenes, benzoic acids, caffeic acid, phenolics, cinnamic acids, aromatic oil and bee wax among others, which are responsible for its health benefits, mainly the anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties of Propolis or Honey bee glue.

Vitamin and Mineral Content of Propolis: In a paper presented at Leningrad Scientific Conference on the Application of Apiculture (bee culture) in Medicine, mentioned that Bee Glue or Propolis is rich in Vitamin A (carotene), Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, biotin, an array of bioflavonoids. Propolis contains nearly all known vitamins except Vitamin K. Propolis contains 500 more bioflavonoids (vitamin P) than what oranges contain. It contains all mineral required by the body including like Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Silica, Potassium, Phosphorus, Cobalt and Copper among others.

Honey, because of its health benefits, has been used for various medicine purposes since ancient times. In Greek mythology honey was known as “Food of the Gods”. Indigenous Maoris of New Zealand have been utilizing health benefits of Manuka honey for medical use. It is now that scientists established health and medical benefits and antibacterial properties of Manuka Honey.

Manuka Honey is monofloral honey that is derived from the nectar of the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) indigenous to New Zealand.

All honey has anti bacterial properties. Honey when used on infected wound, have ability to absorb moisture from bacteria. Also most honey produces low levels of hydrogen peroxide which is natural antiseptic. Manuka Honey apart from producing low levels of hydrogen peroxide also contains manuka flora compoents which provide it unique anti bacterial property. This non peroxide anti microbial property of manuka honey is due to combined action of methylglyoxal and an unidentified synergistic component.