Propolis
is a sticky substance that bees make by collecting resins and saps from trees and other plants, then processing them with their own enzymes and mixing with wax in order to use as their natural antibiotic in the beehive to kill bacteria and close crevices on the hive to ward off intruding creatures.
Propolis is really nature’s potent antibiotic. Unlike human-made antibiotics, germs cannot build resistance to propolis because the resins bees use to make it keep changing in the nature around the hives!
People who consume propolis on a regular basis are likely to have less inflammation in the body and thus less disease, which means a healthier, longer life.
Propolis has traditionally been known for its antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties and has been used for skin conditions such as burns, cuts, and eczema, for wound healing, to effectively treat a sore throat, to prevent cold and flu, as a remedy for insect stings and bites, to strengthen overall immunity and raise resistance to disease.
Additionally, propolis may help in these ways:
– Boost athletic performance
– Help with allergies – inhibit histamine release
– Kill warts
– Inhibit growth of common food-poisoning bacteria
– Lower blood pressure by helping balance nitric oxide, that expands blood vessels thus increasing blood flow and reducing chances of clotting and plaque buildup
– Treat urinary infections
– Treat cold sores, genital herpes, and other viruses
– Treat dermatitis and acne
– Relieve arthritis and other joint pain
Recent research indicates that the most significant health benefit of propolis is its strong anti-inflammatory activity in many areas of the body. Inflammation is responsible for many diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, or Alzheimer’s.
Recently, medical research on animals has also shown that propolis kills prostate and colon cancer cells in vitro.
We make 20% strong propolis tincture using propolis from our beehives and pure natural vodka as the base. This tincture can be taken orally as well as externally on the skin. When you take it orally the first time, it really bites and stings! However, it is well worthwhile getting used to!
It does not stop to amaze us each time we use it to get rid of first symptoms of a sore throat! Three times a day on the tongue for a couple of days and the bacteria are doomed and gone!
We have used it extremely successfully twice recently to treat bee sting in a severely allergic family member. (Each time, looking at the area around the sting, I thought we were likely to end in the emergency room, but kept quiet and spraying the propolis tincture.) The swelling and nasty black and purple skin and flesh were gone in two days after repeated external treatment with our propolis tincture! Thank you, bees.
Perhaps one of the most rewarding pieces of news was from my family doctor who reported that he had successfully treated a bee sting while staying at his remote vacation house when his wife remembered that he had that vial of propolis tincture that Zoran had given him a long while ago. And he too happens to react severely to insect stings. 
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