What Is Bee Propolis?
Bee propolis or also refered as bee glue is a beehive
product, similar to honey and royal jelly. Basically, it is a mixture of
different resins that bees gather from various vegetation around them[1].
Usually, the resin comes from tree buds, or sap flows. During the gathering
process, they blend it together with their saliva[2] or are at
least, they partially metabolize it[3]
What is the use of propolis for bee colonies?
Originally, the term itself comes from Greek. It is devised by Aristotle from two main words: ‘pro’ and ‘polis’. ‘Pro’ (προ ) means ‘before’ while ‘polis’ (πόλις) means ‘city’. As a complete term, propolis means ‘Defense of The City’. This literal definition is the actual function for bee colonies.
It is already proven that bee propolis has a very
complex chemical composition. There are more than 300 chemical components that
have been identified so far – most of them have specific biological properties,
such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effect[4]
So, in scientific point of view, propolis acts as
natural antibiotic agent, protecting the colonies against harmful microbes,
especially from Bacillus larvae[7] that cause a fatal disease called
American foulbrood.
In technical point of view, bees use it to repair
and seal-off any fracture or hole that is found in their hive, especially
fracture and hole within brood combs – Brood comb is one of bee hive structure
where the queen bee lays eggs. It is also the place to raise new brood/bee
larva.
Another function is to decrease the hive entrance
capacity. By doing this, the colony get at least two benefits:
- Bees are
purged from harmful microbes.
Bees have to creep via a narrow canal that has been coated by propolis every time they want to enter or leave their hive. By doing this, bees can keep themselves hygiene.
- Seal-off any animal/ insects corpses that are too big to be taken out from their hive.In this case, propolis functioned to suppress the growth of decomposing bacteria from tissues of the corpse, thus, reducing the chance of getting any infection.
How does It looks like?
Each specific type of bee propolis can have different color, and scent. We can find dark-brown as the most common color. But as outlined by Coggshall and Morse, some samples come with yellow, red, green and even transparent color[6].- At near freezing temperatures or less than 15ºC it becomes harden and fragile.
- At normal temperatures (25ºC - 45ºC) it is a lenient, tender and very sticky substance.
- At 46ºC - 59ºC temperatures, it will become stickier.
- At 60ºC - 70ºC most sample will become liquid. In some other samples, the melting point is 100ºC [2]. However, in one of the most recent research, it is reported that bee propolis from Amaicha del Valle can stay stable even at 120ºC temperature [7].
I personally believe that the best
temperature to keep and consume bee propolis is a room temperature. This is
simply because the fact that bees themselves can get the maximum benefits in
such temperatures inside their hives.
How Mankind Use Bee Propolis
No doubt that propolis has a long history. It
serves various purposes, especially when it comes to medicinal concern. The
first known usage by mankind is in the age of Ancient Egypt. Archeologists
found a numerous pictures on vases and ornaments that show us about the
relation between mankind and bees. Some pictures also show us that Egyptian at
that time know some benefits from various bee products.
In 4th century in Greece, Hippocrates gave
prescription to use bee propolis. He uses it to cure external and internal
wounds, as well as ulcers.
. 
Gaius Plinius Secundus or also known as Pliny the
Elder from Roman also talked about this bee product. He wrote a well known
encyclopedic work titled Naturalis Historia. In that book, he tells about
various resins usages, including bee propolis uses for treating inflammations,
relieve pain, and – same as Hippocrates – to cure wounds.
Next historical record comes from Europe in 12th
century. It is said that bee propolis can be effectively be used to treat oral
health problem, such as infections and caries[8]. Then, in the year
of 1957, John Gerard told us about how he uses bee propolis in the book titled
Generall Historie of Plantes. In his book, John said that this resinous
substance works effectively to heal and quicken the recovery process.
Other Uses Aside From Health Concern
Aside from its functions in medical and health concern,
bee propolis is also used for waterproofed containers, glue, wood
preservatives/varnished especially for musical instruments (such as violins or
guitar), preparing bow string and for tuning drums[9]. Even in
some car-polishing products, it works as a catalyst to convert fats and oils
into a quality car wax polishing products[10].
Reference:
- Hill R. that, The Natural Antibiotic. Thorsons, Wellingborough, England, 1977
- R. Krell, Value Added Products From Beekeping. FAO Agricultural Service Bulltein No. 124, 1996
- A. Cuellar, Hernandez Rojas, Perez Martinez . 1990. Brand-new anti microbes architecture of bee propolis from Cuba. Revisi Cuba de Phararma cia, 2a (1): 5i-5b
- GA. Burdock 2005
- Walker, P. and Crane, E. 1987. Constituents of propolis. Apidologie, 18(4): 327-334
- Coggshall, W. and Morse, R.A. 1984. Beeswax: production, harvesting, processing and products. Wicwas Press, Ithaca, NY, USA, 192 pp
- Mlagan, V. and Sulimanovic, D. 1982. Action of bee glue on Bacillus larvae. Apiacta,17:16-20
- R. Krell, Value Added Products From Beekeping. FAO Agricultural Service Bulltein No. 124, 1996
- Jolly, V.G. 1978. Bee World, 59 (4): 158-161.
- History Of Landau Carriage 1743" (website: http://zymol.com/readhistory.aspx) accessed in March 2011
