Propolis

Little known but nonetheless naturally wonderful, the propolis is an essential health product from the beehive that blends perfectly with gemmotherapy.

The origins of propolis

The Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Arabs, and Incas knew of its virtues. The Greeks gave it its name, literally Pro-polis, which means "Before the city." Propolis is indeed deposited by bees at the entrance of the hive. Previously, many ancient texts spoke more prosaically of "black wax."

Even back then, the Egyptians used it for their health or as part of embalming to preserve bodies. In Rome, too, it sold for more than honey, and every legionary took some with him when he went on campaign. In France, it first appears in the 16th century in the writings of Ambroise Paré. In medieval Georgia, it was used to rub the navels of newborns or their sore teeth. It then experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 19th century when doctors in the British army used it for disinfect the wounds and facilitate their healing during the Boer War in South Africa.

Over the last thirty years, the movement has continued and grown in Eastern Europe, Asia and especially in Japan where it has enjoyed phenomenal success.

What is propolis?

Propolis is a real rampart Natural propolis is collected by bees from the buds of certain trees (e.g., poplar). They transform it and then use it to protect and sanitize the hive and to ensure the growth of future bee larvae. In practical terms, the hive is a confined space where thousands of individuals are active at a temperature between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius with a humidity level of around 70%. This could easily lead to a breeding ground for bacteria, but this is not the case because propolis, thanks to its properties, acts as a true barrier against harmful agents.

The composition of propolis

For a long time, propolis resin was believed to be a substance produced by bees like royal jelly, until it was discovered that it came from the thin resinous film It protects tree buds. Bees can then use a wide variety of plants to make propolis. Its composition depends on the nature and composition of the plants used to produce it. It generally consists of half resin, a third wax, and the remainder made up of essential oils and pollen.

The different types of propolis:

There is not just one type of propolis, but several. However, the ones that interest us most are green and brown propolis.

• Green propolis Harvested in Brazil, it is made by bees foraging on field rosemary, an endemic plant species also known as Baccharis dracunculifolia. Known for its beneficial properties, it is often recommended to people recovering from illness.
• Brown propolis : originating from Europe, this propolis is primarily active in supporting our natural defenses.

What are the health benefits?

Just like the buds on which it is found, the resin is rich in Flavonoids , whose numerous properties are too many to list, are present in propolis, in the form of a mother tincture. Propolis inherits these virtues and thus offers a natural and authentic alternative solution for many everyday ailments, particularly during the spring and winter months when our bodies are put under considerable strain.