Propolis for Prevention

Psalms from the Hive, by Jeannie Saum

Chill in the air

Trees and birds prepare

For winter’s freeze.

Germs abound, 

Inside and out.

Wise ones use

An ounce of prevention!

Clover, Bee, and Revery

Reverie (revery) –(n.) state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing; a fantastic, visionary, or impractical idea

Fall is upon us with its cool, crisp and refreshing weather, beautiful changing leaves, and many chance for outdoor fun.  But it also means colder air, dampness, and shutting ourselves indoors at times, with dry, heated and stale air.  It’s a time when germs and viruses seem to populate and insert themselves into our previously healthy bodies.  Kids get exposed to all kinds of germs at school.  We bring home germs from work. No matter what precautions we take, inevitably, someone in the family gets sick.  And once one person is sick, it seems to make its rounds to everyone!  What’s a parent to do?

The good news is, the honeybees make something wonderful that can be used as a preventative dietary supplement to keep your family healthy!  Propolis is a sticky substance the bees make from tree resin.  In the trees, this resin keeps the bud from getting viruses,

propolis on top of frames

fungus, and bacteria.  Once mixed in the bees’ bodies and used to coat every surface inside the hive, bee propolis keeps bacteria, viruses and fungus molds and yeasts from growing in and infecting the hive.  In the fall, the bees continue to add layers of propolis to keep the hive germ-free, seal cracks and insulate for winter.  An experiment done by researchers at The University of Minnesota found that bees housed in a nest box coated with propolis had lower bacterial loads in their body and also ‘quieter’ immune systems compared to the colonies with no propolis coating. Seventy years of research on bee propolis indicates that this substance can also do the same for us!  Propolis can boost our immune system and overall wellness, as well as kill many bacteria and viruses.

Propolis provides general immune system support.   Propolis actually stimulates the immune system and raises the body’s natural resistance. Its antimicrobial properties suppress harmful bacteria and infections.  This powerhouse substance contains 500 times more bioflavonoids than is found in oranges. Flavonoids have strong antioxidant properties and help to protect cells from free radicals and cell mutations.  Propolis contains all the known vitamins, except vitamin K.   Propolis contains 13 of the 14 minerals our bodies reauire, with the exception of sulfur.  You don’t have to swallow a whole handful of vitamins and minerals.  Instead, you can use about 10 drops( about a half-dropperful) of 10% propolis oil or tincture, daily,  to strengthen your immune system and supply your body with ample antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.  And kill those nasty germs before they get established in your body!

 

 Our four  generations of family members and close friends (ages 5-84)  have diligently taken daily propolis during the cold months,  for over four years now.  We can honestly tell you that there have been only 2 visits to the doctor, in these four years, for common ailments among over twenty friends and family.  We triple our dose to three times a day, if we feel like an illness is coming on, and typically symptoms are gone in 1-2 days.  We have staved off upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, migranes, ear infections, colds, cough, and sore throats.

But don’t just take our word for it.  There is much research about propolis as an immune system booster and on its effectiveness against staff, strep, rhinovirus (common cold), upper respiratory infections, chronic ear infections, and many other illnesses.

Here are some links to this research.  To get the general gyst of the articles, read the abstract at the beginning and the summary at the end!

Ear Infections

Propolis – Prevention of Ear Infections

Summary of Propolis Actions with Links to Specific Research

Another Summary Article

Antibacterisl, Antifungal, Antiviral

Propolis – Anti-Influenza Activity

Increased Immunity to Infection

Psalm 132

¹³ For the Lord has chosen Zion;  he has desired it for his dwelling place:
¹⁴ “This is my resting place forever;  here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
¹⁵ I will abundantly bless her provisions;  I will satisfy her poor with bread.
¹⁶ Her priests I will clothe with salvation,  and her saints will shout for joy.
¹⁷ There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
¹⁸ His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine.”

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Bee Powered Beautiful Skin

Psalms from the Hive, by Jeannie Saum

Propolis to help our skin! Another great use, we find.

From eczema and psoriasis, Herpes 1 and 2,

To wounds and burns, Even wrinkles, too.

Pass this on, If you’d be so kind!

Clover, Bee, and Revery

Reverie (revery) –(n.) state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing; a fantastic, visionary, or impractical idea

 

Whether your skin is unblemished and beautiful and you just want to keep it that way – or you have a bothersome skin condition, PROPOLIS could be the answer for you!  We’ve studied the research, tried it ourselves and want others to reap the benefits from this amazing substance made by the honeybees!

In  our first years as beekeepers, we found that honey was becoming more widely known for its antimicrobial properties and its benefit for a healing dressing on wounds and burns.  It was also being used more readily in treatment of skin conditions like pityriasis, tinea, seborrhea, dandruff, diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, and  hemorrhoids.  In cosmetics  it was known for moisturizing, softening, soothing, and hair conditioning effects,  helping keep the skin young-looking and slowing wrinkle formation, regulating pH and preventing infections.  All this had been known for decades, but honey had not been used widely in the US until recently.

We were excited to learn about these benefits of the honey our bees make.   But, we have found that honey is hard to keep in-solution in all natural cosmetic products without adding a chemical emulsifier to keep it mixed with the oils (honey is water based).  It tends to separate out of balms and ointments, and we just didn’t want to add artificial chemicals to our products.

Fortunately, we quickly found a solution!  We discovered something just as effective, or maybe even better that the bee’s honey – PROPOLIS, the sticky tree resin-based goo the bees make to seal and sterilize their hive.  It can be used to help with many conditions and health ailments, both inside and out, in ourselves and our animals.  And we find it  easier to keep it mixed in our skin care products.  We’ve used it ourselves for three years, and are truly amazed at what it can do!

As we have noted many times in our blog, over 50 years of research has proven that propolis contains flavonoids and plant esters that have  antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (see previous blogs about propolis for additional research we have reported on.)   One study from 2011  found that poplar bud extract significantly regulated genes involved in antioxidant defenses, inflammatory response and cell renewal, processes involved in skin aging. Poplar bud resin is the main component of bee propolis. The  antioxidant properties  suggest potential anti-aging properties in propolis which could be utilized in cosmetic and nutraceutical formulations. (Stéphanie Dudonné, Pascal Poupard, Philippe Coutière, Marion Woillez, Tristan Richard, Jean-Michel Mérillon, Xavier Vitrac)

Beyond just the daily use of propolis in normal skin care routine, research has shown that propolis can be effective in treating many bothersome skin conditions.  In a 2013 study, propolis was used as a topical treatment for psoriasis.  While testing was done on mice, the conclusion was that propolis extract could possibly  treat psoriatic lesions by reducing the inflammatory cells without any

toxic effect.  (Fitoterapia)

From livestrong.com, in a 2013 article by Carol Sarao,  it was reported that propolis is being used by naturopathic healers and herbalists to treat eczema.  Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition which causes inflammation and itching. Symptoms include red or grayish patches, thickened, scaly skin and small raised bumps which may ooze and then crust over.   Eczema is usually treated with steroids, antihistamines and antibiotics, which often have undesirable side effects.  Propolis treats the infection and inflammation without these bothersome side effects. Our daughter, Sarah, who has had eczema all her life, has found skin balm, with propolis, helps her eczema outbreaks.

A clinical study published in 1993, in an issue of the journal “Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research,”  propolis was reported to be a potent anti-inflammatory agent.  It suppressed production of histamines and prostaglandins in animal tissue. Drugs.com states that both oral and topical applications of propolis can improve wound healing.   The University of Maryland Medical Center says that propolis is rich in antioxidant flavonoids, which help enhance the immune system, and notes that it may heal lesions from the HSV-1 virus more effectively than Zovirax, an antiviral ointment.

Propolis has shown to be an effective antimicrobial agent against many microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus strains and Candida tropicalis, even those resistant to antibiotics!  (A Ugur, M Barlas, N Ceyhan, V Turkmen, 2000) This study can be found at greenmedinfo.com (see Blog Roll for link)  In a study on humans, propolis was found to be an effective treatment for cutaneous warts. In patients with plane and common warts treated

with Propolis, cure was achieved in 75% and 73% of patients, respectively.  (Hatem Zedan, Eman R M Hofny, Sahar A Ismail, 2009, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.) Found at greenmedinfo.com

A study reported in 2009 showed that Propolis extracts might be suitable for topical application against herpes infection.  (Paul Schnitzler, Annett Neuner, Silke Nolkemper, Christine Zundel, Hans Nowack, Karl Heinz Sensch, Jürgen Reichling) greenmedinfo.com  Another study reported in 2009 showed its effectiveness against HSV-2, the genital herpes virus that causes recurring outbreaks. It stated that propolis extracts might be suitable for topical therapy in recurrent herpetic infection.  (Silke Nolkemper, Jürgen Reichling, Karl Heinz Sensch, Paul Schnitzler)

A study reported in 1988 reported that propolis was an effective treatment for Herpes Zoster, the virus that causes Shingles.  (Silke Nolkemper, Jürgen Reichling, Karl Heinz Sench, Paul Schnitzler)  In a more recent study, Propolis  Ointment was applied topically to the Shingles blisters  of study patients, 4 times a day.  Those in the propolis test group showed faster healing than the other medication tested, and the placebo group. (Vynograd et al., 2000).

Propolis continues to amaze us, as a nature-made, God-Inspired substance that borders on the miraculous.  Nowhere have we ever seen one substance that can do so many things.  For healthy skin and bothersome skin conditions, it can have positive and safe results!  We encourage you to see for yourself.

We include  propolis for these possible benefits, in all our skin care products.  We use skin benefitting oils and butters that soften and moisturize and infuse them with herbs known for beneficial skin effects.

For Propolis Products go to :     mkt.com/beepothecary

PROPOLIS FOR HEALTHY SKIN – POWERED BY BEES

Song of Songs 4

9 You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes,   with one jewel of your necklace.
¹⁰ How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!  How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume     more than any spice!
¹¹ Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride;  milk and honey are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments  is like the fragrance of Lebanon.
¹² You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain.
¹³ Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates  with choice fruits, with henna and nard,
¹⁴ nard and saffron,  calamus and cinnamon,   with every kind of incense tree,  with myrrh and aloes  and all the finest spices.
¹⁵ You are^[b] a garden fountain,   a well of flowing water     streaming down from Lebanon.

Using Propolis Oil and Tincture

Psalms from the Hive

by Jeannie Saum

Is it just malarkey or old wives tales?

Filling bottles with tincture

Curing from” bee glue”? Sounds like this would fail.

But, still, we tried it and now we’re sold!

Bring on the healing! This stuff is like gold!

Clover, Bee, and Revery

Reverie (revery) –(n.) state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing; a fantastic, visionary, or impractical idea

 

Two weeks ago, Laurie and I mixed up batches of propolis we had harvested from our hives with olive oil and with (cheap) vodka. (See previous entry – How We make Propolis Oil and Tincture)  After letting our propolis oil infusion  and alcohol tincture sit for 2 weeks, it was ready to bottle up for use.  We strained it through a coffee filter and used a tiny funnel to put it into 1 ounce dropper bottles.

Propolis tincture after 2 weeks of infusing in alcohol (yellow liquid), strained, then poured into bottles.

Now our propolis was ready to use for  its health and soothing benefits!

We’ve done lots of research about propolis and are amazed at what we  found, so we started making our own oil infusions and alcohol tinctures to try for our own health  purposes.  Let me tell you, after trying this stuff out for a year, WE ARE BELIEVERS!!

Here are some ways we and our friends and family have been using it. We have found that we like both the oil and the alcohol based propolis tincture, each for different applications.

The first thing I found successful was using  propolis oil on my mouth canker sores.  For some reason, I have a mouthful of sores in the winter that are painful and annoying.  Propolis takes the pain away instantly and helps them clear up in just a few days.  This is one of the documented, proven uses for propolis cited on the National Institute of Health’s website.  It is great for mouth sores and  gum infections. You can use the oil or tincture straight, or mix with water and use as a mouthwash/gargle.  You can even buy propolis toothpaste at Trader Joe’s!

We use the tincture in a small spray bottle and spray it in our throats for a dry, irritated throat.  It has a pain deadening effect, and soothes and moisturizes an irritated throat.  Propolis is a  good source of flavonoids which are documented to be  antifungal, antiviral, antibiotic, and antimicrobial.  For research documenting this, go to the National Institutes of Health website – nih.gov – and search “propolis”.

raw propolis shavings

Propolis oil infusion is great used topically on cuts, rashes, burns, sores,   etc . The oil is better for these, since the alcohol tincture would burn!  We also mix it in with hand lotion to use on dry chapped hands or those painful winter-split finger tips.   I use the alcohol tincture on blemishes, since I have oily skin and don’t want to add more oil!  Laurie’s 20 something daughter swears by propolis for her face breakouts.

Last summer, my doubting, adult son had an another ear infection that have plagued him since he was little.  I took him some propolis oil, warmed it up under hot water from the faucet, and put 3-5 drops in his ear.  He got instant pain relief, continued using the drops for several days, and the ear ache went away!

Peter Dotson had bronchitis that turned into pneumonia last fall,  had done 2 rounds of antibiotics and was still not better.  We gave him some propolis oil and he started taking 1/2 dropperful in a spoonful of honey 3 times a day, and symptoms abated within a few days!

Every one in our family has started using propolis orally when they feel like they are getting sick.  We mix the oil in a spoonful of honey.   Our asthmatic adult daughter and my asthmatic husband always end up with bronchitis and an asthma flare up when they get a cold and chest congestion.  For the last year, they both start taking propolis orally,  3 times a day   (about 1/2 a dropper full) when they start feeling under the weather.  Neither one have had bronchitis, an asthma flare or pneumonia in a year.

Recent research I have read, found that taking propolis orally daily, improved  breathing and lessened asthma flare-ups and the need for rescue inhalers in asthmatics.

While I was caring for my terminally ill mother last winter, I mixed propolis oil into the barrier cream they were using on her bedsores.  It cleared up her skin overnight!

Laurie likes using the tincture and puts 1/2 dropperful in her coffee in the morning, as a dietary  supplement/preventative.  I started  use the propolis oil as nose drops for the sinus congestion that keeps me coughing all night.  But I found the oil took a long time to go down and was kind of strong, so I mixed up some saline and mixed the oil with that.  Now I have propolis saline nose drops!  They work great to break up congestion and stuffiness.   I am also trying  propolis oil on my years-long nail fungus.  I have taken the dangerous, oral medication for this, twice over the years, and it keeps coming back.  So, I’m trying propolis.  I’ve read that nail fungus is difficult to eradicate and takes a while, so I’ll keep rubbing the oil on my nails and see if it eventually helps!

We have friends using propolis in all these ways as well.  Some are using the oil as a rub for sore muscles and one person took some to her massage therapist to use for the massage.  The therapist said it was the best stuff she’s used, and her hands felt great afterwards!!

All in all, the extended families of the Saums and the Dotsons and many friends have had the healthiest year in a very long time with fewer trips to the doctor; fewer colds, viruses, and infections; and quick clearing sores and blemishes.  That AMAZING PROPOLIS has saved us  a ton in medical bills!  And it’s from God’s amazing creation!

(See previous blog Amazing Propolis for information, research, and other ways to use.)

Romans 11

³³ Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

³⁴ “For who has known the mind of the Lord,     or who has been his counselor?”
³⁵ “Or who has given a gift to him     that he might be repaid?”

³⁶ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen

Amazing Propolis – How Can We Not Know About This??

Psalms from the Hive

by Jeannie Saum

At first the orange sticky goo

We had to scrape off,

Was just an annoyance

Nothing to use.

But then, to our surprise

We found this sticky stuff

Was really a treasure

Now we can’t get enough!

Clover, Bee, and Revery

Reverie (revery) –(n.) state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing; a fantastic, visionary, or impractical idea

During the second year of our beekeeping I started learning about the annoying sticky goo, propolis,  we were scaping out of the hive and throwing away.  Low and behold, it is an incredibly valuable hive product and has even more healing properties than honey!  Here’s what I found:

All About Propolis

Propolis is an amazing substance made by honeybees, that has m

inside the hive

any health benefits for us.

Also called bee glue, propolis is made by the bees from tree resin.  It is a stiff, sticky substance that they use in the hive to seal up cracks and also to disinfect.  Propolis has been used for centuries by man, for its medicinal and health benefits.  While not well know in this country, it is used widely throughout the world to treat illness and as a health supplement.  In Europe it is referred to as “Russian Penicillin.”

propolis on top of frames

According to the National Institute of Health, propolis is proven to have antibiotic, antimicrobial, anitviral and antifungal properties.  It  also has antioxidant and has anti- inflammatory effects.  Past and current research is showing the effectiveness of propolis in treating a wide variety of illnesses and conditions – from mild to serious.  Research is currently being done on the use of propolis to treat cancer, mico-bacterial lung infections including TB, radiation treatment burns, GI issues, herpes,  wound treatment and its effect on boosting the immune system.

raw propolis shavings

Propolis can be used raw, powdered, or in tinctures and infusions and is a valuable product to support healthy living.  Our family and friends are using propolis oils and alcohol tinctures with success (and without trips to the doctor!)  to assist in  treatment of  the following conditions:

Orally for:

• colds, viruses

• bronchitis, pneumonia

• IBS

• sore throats

• a preventative supplement – keeping my asthmatic husband well over the winter months – no brochitis or pneumonia!

Internally for:

• sinus congestion and infection – as nose drops

• canker and mouth sores – as mouth rinse

• sore throats – as a mouth rinse or spray

• gum irritations and infections – as mouth rinse

• toothache/infection – as rinse or gauze poultice

• ear infections – oil drops in ear

Externally for:

• cuts

• burns

• bites

• rashes

• pain and inflammation

• sore muscles

• nail fungus

• yeast infections

Here’s some great resources about propolis:

User’s Guide to Propolis, Royal Jelly, Honey, and Bee Pollen: Learn How to Use Bee Foods to Enhance Your Health and Immunity  by C. Leigh Broadhurst, Jack Challem (Editor)

                                    Propolis Power Plus by Carlson Wade, Don R. Bensen (Editor)

Job 5

8“But if I were you, I would appeal to God;  I would lay my cause before him.
⁹ He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.
¹⁰ He provides rain for the earth;  he sends water on the countryside.
¹¹ The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
¹² He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
¹³ He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away.
¹⁴ Darkness comes upon them in the daytime; at noon they grope as in the night.
¹⁵ He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; he saves them from the clutches of the powerful.
¹⁶ So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.

¹⁷ “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.[a]

¹⁸ For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal.