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Natural antibiotic – bee pitch (propolis)
Small but incredibly powerful — that’s how bee glue, also known as propolis, can be described. Although its taste is nowhere near as sweet as honey, propolis has long been regarded as one of the most potent natural substances produced by bees. Even our ancestors used it for oral hygiene, to soothe the throat, to treat wounds and to strengthen the body.
Today, scientists are taking an increasingly active interest in propolis. Research shows that bee propolis possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and protective properties. It is no wonder that it is often referred to as a natural antibiotic, which bees use to protect their hive from bacteria, fungi and other threats.
So what exactly is propolis, how can it benefit humans, and how should it be taken on a daily basis?
Bee pitch (propolis) – the bees’ weapon
Bee propolis is a substance produced by worker bees. It is relatively scarce in the hive and therefore highly valued. Like beeswax, propolis is a sealant that bees use to plug any cracks in order to protect themselves from all kinds of pests. If you’ve ever tasted propolis, you probably understand why. Its bitter taste deters many of the bees’ enemies, whilst also protecting them from invisible pests: viruses, fungi, bacteria, mould and so on. Bee pollen is similarly valued – a natural bee product rich in vitamins, minerals and other substances beneficial to the body.
Bee propolis – a masterpiece of nature and the bees
Bee pitch is a natural antibiotic that helps bees defend themselves against a wide range of diseases and invaders.
Bees make propolis from tree resin, sap and other ingredients, mixed with their own saliva, which contains a wide variety of enzymes, and wax. The colour and properties of the pitch depend on where in the world it is made and the plants used by the bees. In Lithuania, bees use a lot of conifers to produce propolis, so our bee pitch/propolis is a very strong antibacterial agent.
Why is propolis a natural antibiotic?
For many years, scientists have been carrying out various studies on this natural bee productwhose results have never ceased to amaze. Bee pitch has a dual action: first, it directly kills micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) by breaking down their walls and shells and preventing them from reproducing; Secondly, propolis, as a powerful antioxidant, stimulates the activity of our immune cells, boosting the immune response against any disease. In addition, propolis, thanks to its active substances and essential oils, is effective in relieving pain, improving mood and helping to fight depression. Perhaps the biggest argument why propolis should be used more often, not only in combination with various medicines, but also instead of them, is the positive effect it has on our body and its antimicrobial effect, without damaging the healthy cells of the body, which is unfortunately the case with many chemical preparations.
For more on the properties of bee propolis, see our article “What is propolis, what are its benefits for us and how to use it”.
Propolis use
Even in ancient times, people used to chew propolis to maintain oral hygiene and apply it to a sore tooth. Nowadays, the most common form is propolis mixed with spirit, which we can make at home:
- Dissolve 40 g of bee pitch/propolis in 300 ml of 70 % medical spirit in a glass container. If you have a stronger spirit, it can be diluted with boiled water;
- Keep the container tightly closed for two weeks out of direct sunlight, shake and stir daily;
- After two weeks, the solution is strained and poured into the desired bottles with dispensers. Use as needed, preferably in the morning and evening, with a few injections into the mouth.
Find other bee pitch recipes here: “How to prepare bee pitch extract”.
We are often more willing to take synthetic medicines and place greater trust in pharmaceutical companies than in natural bee products. However, natural remedies can sometimes be just as effective, if not more so, than medicines artificially created in laboratories. And, most importantly, we can use natural bee propolis as a preventative measure to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Meanwhile, enthusiasts of natural bee products are increasingly opting for honey-filled gummy sweets – a convenient and tasty way to enjoy bee products every day.
Our Lithuanian bee products
Bee pollen
Price range: €2.20 through €6.80
Bee bread
Price range: €2.80 through €16.35
Sources consulted for this post:
- Pasupuleti, V. R., Sammugam, L., Ramesh, N., & Gan, S. H. (2017). Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly: A Comprehensive Review of Their Biological Actions and Health Benefits. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2017, 1259510. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1259510
- Wagh V. D. (2013). Propolis: a wonder bees product and its pharmacological potentials. Advances in pharmacological sciences, 2013, 308249. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/308249
- Bankova, Vassya. (2005). Recent trends and important developments in propolis research. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. 2. 29-32. 10.1093/ecam/neh059.