What is Propolis?
Propolis is a bee product rich in essential substances that are useful to humans. Propolis is produced by bees from sap taken from parts of plants that produce sap-especially budding plant-sap which is the material forming the basis of propolis. The sap is brought into the hive by worker bees and mixed with wax (a type of wax) and pollens.
With the help of bee saliva, the mixture is made into flexible, and this is propolis. Propolis has a greenish color variations between the brown and dark brown. For the bees, propolis is a substance very important fundamentals they need for sterilization beehive from bacteria, fungi and disease. It has been estimated that 200,000 honey bees produce propolis content of 20 grams per year.
Propolis has been prepared to contain 50-55% resin, 5-10% pollen, 30% wax and 10% Etheric Oil.
The content of Propolis
Until now, scientific research on the content of propolis is not yet complete. Propolis is known as rich in vitamins, especially vitamin B-complex. Also contains vitamin C, E and H (Biotin) Minerals / Elements Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Chrome Silizium, Vanadium and Manganese. Essential amino acids and enzymes Bioflavonoids or so-called vitamin C, Bioflavonoids are the most important substances of propolis good for bees as well as for humans.
Bioflavonoids present in significant amounts in propolis, even compared with most other bee products like honey, royal jelly etc.. These substances provide the most powerful natural antibiotic effect and serves to cure or at least reduce pain, relieve inflammation, binding of toxic substances that enter the body and strengthens the immune system.
Benefits of Propolis
The use of propolis as a natural ingredient for human health are still used today and showed remarkable improvement in line with the results of research studies the scientists about the usefulness of Propolis as a medicinal ingredient in medicine.
Just as for the bees, Propolis is also used by humans in protecting human body from bacteria, viruses and fungi. Speed of work and the activity of propolis in the reacting withstand attack germs are hallmarks of propolis compared with other similar natural materials. The protective effect will be felt shortly after taking propolis.
The usefulness of propolis that has been known from studies of biological scientists al:
1. Anti-virus and anti-bacterial
2. Anti-active in fighting parasites Giardia sp. And Trichomonas sp.
3. Anti-inflammatory healing and regeneration
4. Active anti-oxidant to prevent premature aging
5. Anti-tumor and radiation protection
6. Increase the body's immune-stimulating antibody production
Scientific studies have concluded that propolis combat the parasite Giardia sp is the cause of digestive disorders in the anak2 and intestinal disorders in 12 fingers in adults. Propolis also fight against Trichomonas sp. That cause inflammation of the vaginal and urinary tract in women.
An important function of propolis is stimulating the immune system to fight disease. It is very important especially for people who have low immunity power, or decrease the number of leucocytes in the body.
Children with low body resistance to disease is characterized by easy breathing. After using propolis their endurance will increase and become a solution to the problem of interference of repeated respiratory tract. Propolis is very effective in the treatment of tonsillitis, sinusitis and influenza.
In general, people get a huge benefit in the presence of propolis. Very few people who have an allergy to this natural wonder.
History of Propolis
Since tens of centuries ago at the time of Greek civilization, Roman and ancient Egyptian, propolis has been used as a superior natural ingredients that are beneficial to human health. The pastor at the time of ancient Egypt has been using propolis in their herb medicines. In America, the Indians of the Incas also used propolis since time immemorial.
Said Propolis has been known since ancient Greece, In the original Greek, the word Propolis is a combination of two words namely pro and policy. Pro has a sense of defense, and the policyholder has Aarti city.
In a general sense of the word propolis is the defense of the city. The town is referred to in this case is a hive of bees, where bees work and live.
Attacks and distractions that threaten the lives of bees and their homes can include bacteria that cause disease, can also be the little animals that tried to come to disturb them.
