Bee propolis has been used by humans as a part of apitherapy for its health-protecting properties since the time of the ancient Greeks. Apitherapy refers to the use of bee products (propolis, bee pollen, royal jelly etc.) for health benefits.
The word “propolis” is derived from the Greek words “pro” (before) and “polis” (city). Ancient beekeepers noticed bees often built a wall of propolis at hive entrances (before the city).
The first recorded health benefit of propolis comes from Hippocrates, regarded as the father of modern medicine.
Hippocrates prescribed propolis as apitherapy to help heal internal and external sores and ulcers.
Propolis has been used in Europe as a remedy ever since, and propolis is still one of the most frequently-used home remedies in the Balkan states for wounds, burns, sore throats and stomach ulcers.
Modern science focused on propolis after the 1960s, inspired by the general interest in bee and natural products.
Numerous studies have revealed the versatile and valuable pharmacological activities of propolis in apitherapy: antibacterial, antimycotic and antiviral — and also many other less obvious effects such as cytotoxic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulation.
Unlike synthetic antibiotics which usually act quite specifically, propolis kills a wide range of micro-organisms including bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses. Also unlike synthetic antibiotics, micro-organisms do not develop resistance or tolerance to propolis.
