Propolis can help

What on earth is ‘bee glue’?

Hello bees! How you doing today? Despite the rain, we had a BEEautiful weekend at a wedding and even managed to catch the odd ray whilst enjoying a honey based cocktail or two! So what’s in store this week? Well, when we think of bees, most of us automatically think of honey, but bees produce lots of other things too! Today we’ll focus on the wonders of “bee glue”. Yep, that’s right, we’re not kidding! More formally known as propolis, “bee glue”, is a fabulous substance from the hive that could be our immune systems secret weapon or even the answer to our eczema or dry lips. Don’t worry if you’re feeling a little BEEfuddled. We’re here to explain what it is, how bees benefit from it and how we can all benefit from it too…

What is propolis?

• Bees collect resins from trees and plants and combine this with their saliva (containing enzymes from their tummies) to create propolis, a dark brown, sticky substance which is both antibacterial and antifungal in nature.

Really? Why? What are they doing with this brown ‘glue’?!

• Bees don’t have the same immune defence system as us humans, so instead they use propolis as a sort of external immune defence mechanism – killing the germs and bacteria at source.
• Propolis is used to coat the inside of the hive to ensure any holes or gaps are sealed. It’s also used to cover the entrance – so the bees have to wipe their feet on it when entering the hive – like an antibacterial door mat!!
• So this creates a sterile home for the bees. In fact, the beehive is believed to be one of the most sterile places on earth! We bet that’s a bit of a surprise…

So how is bee propolis beneficial for humans?

• Due to it’s antibacterial and antifungal nature, propolis might just be our immune system’s secret weapon!
• Propolis has been used for centuries as a natural medicine. From the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians to us Brits today, it’s widely recognised for it’s medicinal properties.
• In fact, in the Napolionic wars of the 19^th century saw the Russians (a great country of beekeepers by the way!) using bee propolis to treat soldier’s wounds and applying to amputee’s limbs, helping skin and tissue heal quicker than other methods available at the time.
• Recently, a growing number of scientific peer reviewed articles (the reliable kind!) have assessed the medicinal properties of propolis. Results suggest a huge range of benefits including, but not limited to:
  • Improved immune system and virus resistance
  • Hay fever defence
  • Soothing sore throats and laryngitis
  • Arthritis – reducing swelling and inflammation
  • Reduced acne, soothing burns and eczema and dry lips

How to take propolis?

• Oral capsule: best to support and boost the immune system, arthritis and defence against hay fever
• Liquid spray: best for sore throats.
• Propolis cream: best for treating burns, acne and eczema
• Here at The Hive a couple of the bees swear by propolis spray when they’ve got a sore throat!

So what does it taste like?

• It tastes quite sweet, but we must admit, it also tastes a little bit antiseptic (as it slightly numbs/de-sensitises your taste buds), so it’s not exactly your Friday night treat! It’s more like medicine, bees!

So there you have it. Yet another fabulous substance produced by bees. We grow to love them more and more each day. Yet another reason to help save the bees! Have you tried propolis before? We’d love to hear how you got on. Feel free to email thehive@justbeedrinks.co.uk or tag us on our socials @justbeedrinks to let us know!

See ya later bees!

Blogger Bee x