Propolis

Propolis is the putty resin of bees. Bees collect the sticky exudate from the buds of various trees, mix it with saliva and wax and use it to make a resin with which they seal joints and cracks in their hive.

Propolis is a brownish, crumbly, sticky mass with a spicy scent. It consists of 80% resins and waxes, which contain essential oils, flavonoids, pollen, insect components and foreign bodies. Most of the buds it contains come from Populus nigra L. (black poplar, Salicaceae) but also from other Populus species and other tree species, depending on the location of the beehive.

The beeswax is obtained by scraping it off when cleaning the hive. The formation of propolis is stimulated by inserting fine-meshed grids, the grid can be removed, the wax becomes brittle at low temperatures (freezer) and cracks off. The wax is then dissolved in ethanol, filtered off and evaporated to obtain purified propolis.

ESCOP: not processed

HMPC: not edited; HMPC defines propolis as a product of animal origin that does not meet the legal definition of vegetable substances or herbs.

Commission E: not processed

Authorized according to § 105 AMG: non-purulent inflammations of the mucous membranes of the respiratory and urinary tracts, skin diseases.

Experimental medicine: External: skin injuries and skin inflammations, preventive skin protection, acne, sunburn, dental hygiene.

Internal: strengthening the general condition, gastroenteritis, non-purulent inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and urinary tract, skin diseases. Immune stimulation, diseases of the mouth and throat, burns, acne, mycoses, eczema.

In dentistry, propolis has an analgesic and antibacterial effect:

Antimicrobial effects of propolis on oral pathogens have been shown in vitro, and clinical studies have confirmed the effect of propolis in combating biofilms, dental caries and in adjuvant periodontal therapy, as well as plaque control, reduction of the pathogenic bacterial count and control of periodontitis. (Alghutaimel H et al. 2024). There is also evidence that propolis administered topically or systemically can shorten the healing time, relieve pain and reduce redness in recurrent aphthae (Roberts T et al. 2024).

55% resin and pollen balsam (caffeic acid ester), 20-30% wax, 10% essential oil, benzene carbon, phenylacrylic acids, benzyl and phenyl alcohols; flavonoids.

Propolis is the putty resin of bees. Bees collect the sticky exudate from the buds of various trees, mix it with saliva and wax and use it to make a resin with which they seal joints and cracks in their burrows.

Propolis is a brownish crumbly sticky mass with a spicy smell. It consists of 80% resins and waxes containing essential oils, flavonoids, pollen, insect components and foreign bodies. The buds it contains are mainly from Populus nigra L. (Black Poplar, Salicaceae) but also from other Populus species and other tree species, depending on the location of the beehive.

Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, antiphlogistic and hypoglycemic effects. Immunomodulating and cytotoxic effects have also been described. Animal experiments have shown antiarteriosclerotic and neuroprotective effects.

It was used for embalming in Egypt even before the Christian era and was also used for medicinal purposes in Greece and ancient Rome. It was not until the beginning of the 19th century that it was rediscovered in Europe and has been widely used in folk medicine. Propolis is said to have bactericidal, antifungal, astringent, choleretic, antiseptic, spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and anaesthetic properties. The antiviral effect is attributed to the flavonoids and caffeic acid esters it contains.

Dermatological applications include acne, psoriasis, atopic eczema, leg ulcers, burns, wounds, contact eczema, rosacea, herpes simplex infections, etc. Propolis is also widely used in cosmetics and toiletries.

Cosmetic applications: Propolis is used in cosmetic formulations. The mixture of substances acts as a care for blemished skin, as a preservative and as a moisturizing substance.

Homeopathic preparations can contain propolis, as can chewing gum and caramel sweets.

Technical uses: Propolis is used in the textile industry and is used in the production of modeling compounds, polishes and varnishes, e.g. for the surface treatment of violins.

Medical application: Propolis-containing topicals are widely used in cosmetics and toiletries. It is used for the care of blemished skin, as a preservative and as a moisturizing agent.

Contact allergy on hands, face, trunk, lower legs.

The main allergens are caffeic acid esters (see below caffeic acid) isolated from poplar buds (see also Populi gemmae). Sensitizing potency: Medium (propolis) or strong (caffeic acid esters). Frequency of sensitization: Rare. In former times mainly beekeepers were sensitized, today mostly private persons who apply products containing propolis externally (see above). Due to antiseptic, antimycotic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anesthetic and other effects often contained in local therapeutics. Cross-allergies with rosin, beeswax, Peru balsam, Pix pinaceae, Pix betulina, cinnamaldehyde. Sensitization rate in patients between 1 and 2%.

for external use: atopic persons, propolis allergy, allergy to Peru balsam or poplar buds, allergy to cinnamon, allergy to caffeic acid 1,1-dimethylallyl ester.

Propolis cream, ^{Propolisept®} mother tincture, ^{Propolisept®} drops

1. Ammon HTP (2014) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary. Walter de Gruyter GmbH Berlin,Boston p.1464
2. Hausen BM, Vieluf K (1997) Allergy plants, plant allergens. Ecomed Verlag, Landsberg/Munich, pp. 209-213
3. Miorin PL et al. (2003) Antibacterial activity of honey and propolis from Apis mellifera and Tetragonisca angustula against Staphylococcus aureus. J Appl Microbiol 95: 913-920
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6. Braakhuis A (2019) Evidence on the Health Benefits of Supplemental Propolis. Nutrients. 11: 2705
7. Almuhayawi MS. (2020) Propolis as a novel antibacterial agent. Saudi J Biol Sci. 27: 3079-3086
8. Berretta AA et al. (2020) Propolis and its potential against SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms and COVID-19 disease: Running title: Propolis against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19. Biomed Pharmacother 131:110622
9. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/amg_1976/__105.html
10. Alghutaimel H et al. (2024) Propolis Use in Dentistry: A Narrative Review of Its Preventive and Therapeutic Applications. Int Dent J;74(3):365-386. doi: 10.1016/j.identj.2024.01.018. Epub 2024 Feb 19. PMID: 38378400; PMCID: PMC11123522.
11. Roberts T et al. (2024) Efficacy and Safety of Propolis for Treating Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Dent J (Basel) 6;12(1):13. doi: 10.3390/dj12010013. PMID: 38248221; PMCID: PMC10814165.