Liquid Bee Propolis

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?