Bee Glue for Dogs and Cats...
Propolis (known as Bee Glue) is a resinous, waxy substance that bees create by mixing their saliva with beeswax, along with compounds from various plants and trees. Bees use it to seal gaps in the hive to keep out intruders. Propolis also has antimicrobial properties and may protect bees from pathogens.
The substances that make up propolis can be complex. Scientists have identified more than 300 separate compounds in propolis. The exact composition can depend on the location of the beehive.
As a rough guideline, propolis typically consists of:
Propolis also contains polyphenols, such as flavonoids, which are a type of antioxidant.
Medicinal properties
One 2019 review suggests that people have used propolis as a medicine since the year 300. Ancient Egyptians used propolis for embalming, and some doctors used it during World War II to help with wound healing.
Wound healing
One 2015 review suggests that propolis may aid wound healing. An animal study in rats with diabetes showed that propolis helped the skin grow new cells in order to repair itself.
Because people with diabetes can experience slow wound healing, this suggests that propolis could be beneficial for helping the skin heal more quickly. As propolis also kills some types of bacteria, it may also help prevent infection.
Oral health
According to the same 2015 review, propolis also appears to prevent the formation of calcium phosphate, which is the main component of dental plaque.
Propolis and honey are also antibacterial, which may make them useful as ingredients in dental care products.
According to one small study in the review, propolis significantly decreased the amount of bacteria in the saliva of people with periodontitis.
Inflammation
The antioxidants in propolis may work to reduce inflammation, such as the inflammation that arthritis causes.
Animal studies have tested propolis as an anti-inflammatory agent in rats and mice with arthritis. In both studies, the propolis inhibited swelling and appeared to have an impact on how the inflammation developed.
Scientists believe that propolis may regulate inflammatory substances in the body, such as prostaglandins.
Allergies
One study in the journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity notes that propolis contains compounds that may have an anti-allergy effect in the body.
Comparison of Propolis Skin Cream to Silver Sulfadiazine: A Naturopathic Alternative to Antibiotics in Treatment of Minor Burns
Abstract
Background: Propolis, a naturopathic substance derived from bees wax extract, has recently been praised for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cicatrization-enhancing properties.
Conclusion: Propolis skin cream appears to have a beneficial effects on the healing of partial thickness burn wounds
