European poplar-based propolis (in 10% extracts ethanol) has an effective fungistatic effect against 17 fungal pathogens[1]. It also has been demonstrated to work effectively in suppressing the growth of yeasts and fungus which responsible for ringworm and athlete's foot disease[2].
Aside from European type, another study also assess this therapeutic effects on Brazillian bee propolis. As a record, these antifungal properties were tested on patients who suffer for onychomycosis (fungal infection of toenails or fingernails), so basically, we can consider it to be more practical compared to European type. The result shows that the Brazilian bee propolis gives desirable results against 67 yeasts which have been isolated from onychomycosis patients[3].
This antifungal effect comes to an existence due to specific compounds which we can find on bee propolis; they are flavonoids (pinocembrin, sakuranetin, and pinobanksin) and caffeic acid derivatives (benzyl ester, and pterostilbene)[4].
Based on the study, the effective concentration to achieve a desirable result for fungus infection treatment is at 0.05mg/ml of flavonoids[3]. However, please don’t forget the fact that each bee propolis type gives different level of significance for a specific treatment. So if you are considering Brazilian type for treating a fungus infection, you might want to ensure that the product of your choice contains at least 0.05mg/ml of flavonoids.
Does Bee Propolis Works For Candida Infection?
Yes, study shows that it does work effectively for treating candida yeast infection.Candica species are common cause of skin disease and mucosal membranes of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary (genital), and respiratory tracts. Candida albicans is a particular fungus that grows both as yeast and filamentous cells. But basically, it is a common organism that can be found on our body, and it starts to become problem when our immune system is in low condition. By that time, Candida will wildly grow and cause infection that can spread to any part of our body.
From one of the most recent research, it is identified that bee propolis has a great capability to work specifically contra various Candida species, especially Candida albicans[5]. To be more specific, it gives a significant result against these species[6]:
•Candida albicans
•Candida tropicalis
•Candida krusei
•Candida guilliermondii
Reference:
- Lisa M, Leifertova I, Baloun J (1989) Fungistatic effect of propolis. Folia Pharm Univ Carol 13, 29-44; ChemiAbstr (1991)
- Salajan, G. 1970. Inst. Agron. "Dr. Petru Groza" Luc. Stut. Ser. Zootech. 26:165 as cited in Stanley and Linskens, 1974, p.113 and Schmidt and Buchmann, 1992
- Ana Carla Pozzi Oliveira, Cristiane Suemi Shinobu, Renata Longhini, Selma Lucy FrancoII, Terezinha Inez Estivalet Svidzinski. "Antifungal activity of EEP against yeasts isolated from onychomycosis lesions" Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz vol.101 no.5 Rio de Janeiro Aug. 2006
- Metzner J, Bekemeier H, Paintz P, et al. On the antimicrobial activity of bee glue and its constituents [in German; English abstract]. Pharmazie. 1979;34:97–102.
- Claudia Ota,Carmelinda Unterkircher, Vera Fantinato,M. T. Shimizu. "Antifungal activity of bee glue on different species of Candida" .Mycoses Volume 44, Issue 9-10, pages 375–378, November 2001
- Ota C, Unterkircher C, Fantinato V, Shimizu MT. Bee propolis antifungal effect on different Candida.Mycosis. 2001 Nov;4a4(9-10):375s-8.
