Bee Propolis Throat Spray - Alcohol Base

Did you know that bees give us more than honey? You may already know that honey has many immune-boosting benefits. However, you may be surprised to learn that bees also give us something called Propolis. In fact, bee propolis hosts a whole other list of superfood properties that you should know about! Propolis may also be referred to as “bee glue” because it is actually used to line the walls of the hive. It is collected from parts of plants and buds, but has a waxy texture that helps with the construction of the hive. In fact, the name propolis comes from the greek words “pro”, meaning “at the entrance”, and “polis”, standing for “city” or “community" (1). Today, we mainly use propolis for its antimicrobial properties, for everything from colds to wound treatments, and even skin repair. Historically, it has even been used by ancient Egyptians to embalm cadavers, and Greeks and Romans used it as a mouth disinfectant and an antiseptic in wound treatments (1). Propolis also acts as a potent anti-inflammatory because of its naturally-occurring components, including: Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and B7, amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium, etc. (1). So how can bee propolis help us in our daily lives? 1. Colds and throat infections At Organika, many of us swear by a few sprays of our Bee Propolis Throat Spray to ward off the first signs of a cold. With both antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, Bee Propolis can help to boost immunity. This lets us fight off colds a little easier and possibly keep us from catching it altogether! Alongside this, propolis is composed of a compound called caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE) (1), which shows anti-inflammatory properties. With a cold, this inflammation can show up as a puffy face, stuffy nose, and irritated throat. 2. Allergies If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may think that there is no hope. Sure spring flowers are beautiful, but a runny nose and watery eyes don’t feel so great. While there hasn’t been a lot of scientific research around this, many people find that bee propolis, honey and pollen are beneficial for allergies. By incorporating locally harvested honey, or bee propolis (Organika’s comes from the Okanagan in British Columbia!), you can expose yourself to some of the things that cause seasonal allergies to start with. You can also help to prepare your immune system for when allergy season hits. 3. Oral Health Our mouths are actually pretty gross. While it does a pretty good job on its own to clean everything out, bacteria and infections can be stronger than we think. This is especially important if our immune system is down. Bacteria can cause issues like halitosis (a nicer way of saying “bad breath”), gingivitis, and can create infection if you have any type of surgical procedures on your teeth or gums. Due to the antimicrobrial and antibacterial properties of propolis, it can help reduce our risk of mouth diseases and infections. 4. Wound Healing Bee propolis has long been used in skin care products. It has been used in both first-aid treatments and in our beauty care. With high levels of antioxidants, it works against free-radical activity that occurs in wounds, ultimately assisting with healing. There have also been studies that have shown propolis’ role in assisting with collagen production in the wound (2). There is still significant research to be done around the use of propolis to truly understand its various benefits. However, looking back on our history can give us a few clues like they have above. Try for yourself and see the effects of bee propolis!

Get your health benefits from the hive with 4 amazing bee products! Bees do a whole lot more than just making honey. They’re actually extremely hard workers. They pollinate the many plants that feed us, and protect their hive and support their queen, while preparing for times of scarcity. They also skillfully make 4 different medicinally used products. Bee products and their health benefits can help you when you're feeling under the weather, while providing a dose of antioxidants and nutrition. 4 Bee Products Worth Trying 1. Honey It’s not just the bears that love honey, most of us do too. Can you blame us? Honey is delicious. To make honey, bees gather nectar from flowering plants. The nectar is stored in their stomach, and mixed with enzymes transforming it into a more liquid form of honey. Once the bees return to the hive the honey liquid is deposited into the honeycomb. But the works not over yet, the honey gets fanned by the bees wings to evaporate excess water, creating the delicious sticky honey that you see when you buy raw honey from your local farmer’s market. There are a lot of different types of honey, that can vary in taste, and nutrition. For the best health benefits, the number one thing you want to look for in honey, is that it’s “raw”. Raw honey is unpasteurized, which means it’s rich in minerals and live enzymes. Honey is often used to sooth a sore throat, but it can also be applied to burns, or even used as a facial wash. If you’re buying locally produced honey, the pollen content may even help you adapt to allergens in your region if taken prior to allergy season. 2. Bee Pollen Bee pollen is often coined a superfood. It’s a rich source of vitamins and minerals, and acts as the main protein source for young bees. It’s made from the dusty golden pollen that bees collect from flowers. They combine it with honey and press it into granules. Bee pollen can be used as a nutritive supplement to your diet in granule form or taken as a supplement. 3. Bee Propolis Bee propolis is to hives like caulking is to homes. It’s a resinous substance that bees use to fill cracks and holes in the hive. It also helps to protect the hive from contamination and invaders thanks to its anti-septic properties. Making propolis takes work. Bees collect resins from trees, combine it with honey, and beeswax and then chew the mixture adding the final ingredient, their saliva. Raw propolis is sometimes called “bee glue” because it’s rather sticky and thick in texture. Bee propolis is a great source of antioxidants, but it’s also often used in herbal medicine for sore throats and oral or mouth infections. Next time you get a cold, give bee propolis tincture or spray a try. 4. Royal Jelly Royal Jelly is the royal food of the Queen Bees. It’s also fed to larvae, and the bees destined to grow up to become queens. It’s a milky secretion that comes from special glands in the heads of worker bees. It’s a source of antioxidant and used as a nutritive tonic in herbal medicine. Studies also show that royal jelly helps to support healthy cholesterol levels. Bees are amazing little creatures, and their natural medicines are proof of that. Promote your health straight from the hive and give bee products a try. Your immune system will thank you. Which bee products do you use for your health?

What is Collagen? Collagen is the most abundant form of protein in our body. It provides strength, elasticity, and tone. Although we may think of collagen only in our skin, it can also be found throughout our bodies: from muscle fibres and bone matrix to our blood vessels. Collagen is the protein responsible for strong and flexible connective tissues. The collagen in our skin plays the role of improving our skin's moisture, suppleness and elasticity, and a healthy amount of collagen will give an overall youthful appearance. Our body produces its own collagen, using 3 amino acids as key "building blocks"; they are Glycine, Proline, and Hydroxyproline. Collagen formation in our body involves complex enzymatic reactions, and providing the building blocks is crucial in the process. WHY SHOULD I SUPPLEMENT WITH COLLAGEN? As we age, our collagen formation naturally decreases: starting at 1% every year in our twenties, and up to 50% by the time we hit 45. Poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking, can further decrease the collagen formation rate in our body. Less collagen leads to a loss of elasticity, strength, and tone throughout the body. You may notice this through signs of ageing, such as: Fine lines/wrinkles Brittle nails Cellulite Sagging skin Loss of moisture Weak ligaments Aching joints Arthritis Cartilage injuries There are ways to bring the collagen formation rate up again, such as providing enough "key building blocks." These amino acids are abundant in collagen-rich food, such as bone broth and chicken feet. Unfortunately, most people don't get enough collagen in their diet. Hence, collagen supplementation is beneficial for most people! It helps reduce the signs of ageing, keep the strength, tone and health of our connective tissues, and even improve the digestive tract. There are so many benefits to collagen other than beautiful skin, hair, and nails! THE MAIN TYPES OF COLLAGEN Let's break down the three most common types of collagen that you'll see in our bodies: Types 1, 2, and 3. Supplemental collagen is mainly found as Type 1, as well as a combination of Types 1 and 3. Generally, sourcing plays a role in the type of collagen that is extracted. For example, bovine collagen is sourced from the hides of cattle and is naturally high in Type 1 collagen. Here is a chart of the most common types of collagen supplements and how they are sourced. Now that you are ready to start supplementing with a Collagen powder, which source should you use? What is the difference? Is there a price difference between them? Here is a breakdown of the characteristics and benefits of bovine, marine, and poultry-sourced collagen: Bovine Collagen Naturally sourced from the hides of cattle (be sure it is sourced from the hides), this kind is very high in collagen Types 1 and 3 and contains a high amount of protein. In fact, it contains almost double the amount found in marine collagen. With a large amount of glycine (a functional amino acid), bovine collagen is excellent for hair, skin, nails, as well as our connective tissues and digestive health. In most cases, bovine collagen will give you a better bang for your buck. Marine Collagen Naturally sourced from the scales and/or skins of marine species (usually cold water fish like cod or salmon), marine collagen is very high in Type 1 collagen, which is known to increase tightness, tone, and skin elasticity. It is very beneficial for skin, hair, and nail health, and is referred to as the fountain of youth. If you are a pescetarian or prefer fish-based products, marine collagen is the one for you. Poultry Naturally sourced from chicken sternum cartilages (very high in Type 2 collagen), it is high in Hyaluronic Acid and Chondroitin Sulfate, which are essential for healthy and strong cartilages, joints and ligaments. BioCell Collagen contains a potent amount of hydrolyzed collagen which stimulates collagen production in the skin, supports the health of our joints, and keeps the moisture in our skin and lubrication around our joints. What Can Collagen Do for Me? Collagen is highly beneficial to our body for many health reasons. Mostly known for its anti-ageing effects, collagen has been researched and shown to improve more than just your skin's texture and tone. So, what are the benefits of collagen supplements? Here are a few proven benefits from collagen: Increased moisture within the body (skin & joints) Improved digestive health (leaky gut) Immune support Improved mood Stable blood sugar/weight management Connective tissue health (joints, cartilage and ligaments) Reduction in inflammation within the body Improved bone health The amazing thing about collagen is that it is a very versatile and functional supplement for all lifestyles and ages. It is also an easy supplement to include in your daily routine: add it in your morning smoothies, yogurt, coffee, and even to your baking! Organika's Enhanced Collagen Enhanced Collagen from Organika goes above and beyond to meet the needs of the modern-day health enthusiast. Stress, energy, cognitive function, etc. are all symptoms that can be addressed through Organika's collagen - hence the name "Enhanced"! Whether you are in a time crunch or need a convenient way to get some much-needed nutrients, Enhanced Collagen can help you make an event out of your morning cup, or give your baked goods a nutritious boost. It is super simple to find a product that works for you! Organika has a variety of formulas created just for your modern, on-the-go lifestyle and all can be mixed in water, smoothies, coffees, even baked goods! So find which one works best for you! Check out this handy cheat sheet. Conclusion: With over 300 various collagen supplements on the market, choosing the collagen that is right for you can seem overwhelming and confusing. When choosing a collagen supplement, always make sure to ask or research a few important details before making your decision. Wondering what makes a great collagen supplement? Find out here in this blog. Do you still have questions about Collagen? Download our e-book to learn more about the different types of collagen and which one is for you!