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 produce a resin with which they seal joints and cracks in their hive. Propolis is obtained when beehives are cleaned in apiaries. Propolis is dissolved by soaking the grids; this brownish, crumbly, sticky mass has a spicy scent. 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 propolis obtained in this way is dissolved in 96% ethanol, filtered to remove the solid parts and evaporated.

Action: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, antiphlogistic, astringent, granulation-promoting, local anesthetic, immunomodulating, spasmolytic and choleretic. In vitro: induction of apoptosis, thereby antitumoral, cytotoxic, immunomodulating. In animal experiments neuroprotective, antiarteriosclerotic.

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

HMPC: No monograph

ESCOP: No monograph

Commission E: No monograph

Empirical medicine: Infections of the upper respiratory tract and urogenital tract, immune stimulation, diseases of the mouth and throat, burns, acne, mycoses, eczema

The mother tincture is authorized according to §105 AMG for non-purulent inflammations of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and urinary tract, as well as skin diseases,

Preparations: PROPOLIS mother tincture Hanosan 3, Propolisept mother tincture

^{Propolisept®} ointment,

Cave: Allergies, see also propolis

Contraindication: Atopic persons, allergy to Peru balsam, poplar buds, cinnamon, caffeic acid.

1. Braakhuis A (2019) Evidence on the Health Benefits of Supplemental Propolis. Nutrients. 11: 2705
2. Almuhayawi MS. (2020) Propolis as a novel antibacterial agent. Saudi J Biol Sci. 27: 3079-3086
3. 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
4. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl-Teedrogens and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Scientific publishing company Munich. S 522-523
5. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/amg_1976/__105.html