Bee propolis
Bee propolis is resinous and contains a complex mixture of substances collected by honeybees. Propolis has a color varying from greenish yellow to dark brown. Bees use propolis to seal holes in their hives, exclude draught, protect against external invaders and mummify the carcasses of predators. The amount of propolis available from a bee colony is related to the hive structure used in the honey and pollen gathering operations. Propolis designates a mixture of gums, resins and balms of viscous consistency which are gathered on certain parts, generally buds and bark of plants such as trees by bees. The bees return the propolis to the hive, where it is modified and mixed with other substances, essentially their own wax and salivary secretions. The major species of trees which are known to contribute to the production of propolis are coniferous: pine, fir, spruce, some poplars, alder, willow, horse chestnut, birch plum, ash and oak. Bee propolis which has been known as a natural antimicrobial substance or a health-improving substance is a composition containing secondary metabolites typified by flavonoids and phenols produced by phanerogams such as aspen and pine trees and collected by arthropods such as honeybees in wax and salivary juice which are produced by the arthropods. It is believed that intact propolis contains a variety of trace ingredients in the form of a homogenous mixture with resins, beeswax, essential oils and pollens as predominant ingredients. Since ancient times propolis has been used as a folk remedy in different areas of the world because of its potential antimicrobial and soothing and demulcent activities. Because of its biological activity, propolis is widely used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. Propolis, also known as "bee glue", is produced by honey bees from plant secretions that are collected from the buds, young branches, and petioles of tress such as poplar, birch and willow. Honey bees complete the preparation of propolis by adding wax and their own saliva to the plant exudates collected. Bee propolis is useful as an antimicrobial, an antioxidant, an anesthetic/analgesic, an anti-inflammatory, and for treatment of various skin conditions, such as acne and seborrhea. Of these effects, anti-oxidative effects, anti-inflammetory effects, analgestic effects, anti-viral effects, immuno-stimulating effects, antitumor effects are attributable to flavonoids present in propolis. Bees collect resins from numerous different plant species, thus the chemical composition of propolis varies greatly and depends directly on the local flora and phenology of the host plants and indirectly on the locality and time of collection. While chemical composition varies, propolis is generally composed of about 45% resin, 35% wax and 20% inert material. More specifically, bee propolis constituents include about 10% essential oils, 5% pollen, and 15% various organic polyphenolic compounds including, flavonoids and phenolic acids.
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