Apart from these, propolis also has extensive therapeutic properties. These properties include anticancer effects, antioxidant effects, wound closure and tissue repair effects, digestive system effects, skin infection effects, anti-inflammatory effects, anesthetic effects, immune system effects, cardiovascular system effects and dental health effects.

Due to the high level of flavonoids in propolis, this product acts as a scavenger against oxygen radicals in humans. It also interestingly prevents vitamin C from being damaged by oxidation.

Clinical studies have shown that propolis is effective in bronchitis and similar disorders, influenza and herpes, skin fungi, tooth and gum disorders, ulcers, burns and abscesses, ear infections, giardiasis and colitis, vaginal and cervical disorders.

Propolis and propolis products do not have problems such as contamination and short shelf life. This is due to the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of propolis. In addition, raw propolis should be tested routinely for lead contamination.

Various methods such as local and systemic regulation of the immune system and physiological salt solution of propolis ethanol extract were applied locally to 260 steel workers suffering from bronchitis for 24 days. The best results were obtained with ethanol extract taken together with propolis tablets.

Propolis has also shown positive effects on other otorhinolaryngologic disorders such as pharyngitis, chronic bronchitis, rhinopharyngolaryngitis, pharyngolaryngitis, catarrh and rhinitis.

Clinical trials have shown that it has a protective effect against influenza in humans. In the case of colds, patients using propolis recovered completely in 3 days, while this period was increased to 5 days in patients not using propolis.

In clinical trials on patients with skin diseases, propolis cream has been shown to have significant therapeutic properties against herpes type 1 and herpes zoster viruses. Propolis cream reduced the duration of sores and pain, and also reduced the time between sore attacks.

In clinical applications of propolis ether or alcohol extract (% 1–10), effective results were obtained against 10 superficial fungi and 9 deep-growing fungi. 160 psoriasis patients were given 0.3 g of propolis 3 times a day for 3 months and it was found that one third of them improved or disappeared completely.

% 50 propolis ointment was applied to 110 fungal patients and excellent results were observed in 97 of the patients.

Sixty students were divided into groups to study the effects of propolis on plaque formation and gingivitis. The results showed that propolis is useful as an auxiliary application in maintaining oral hygiene.

Clinical studies have shown that propolis mouthwash (diluted 1:5 with water) provides significant improvement in gingival bleeding and periodontal disease. Patients were evaluated for plaque formation and gingival pain.

In a clinical study, a filling prepared with propolis and zinc oxide was indirectly coated in the cavities of 150 patients and directly in 50 patients. The results showed that the filling prepared with propolis had the same effect as zinc eugenate and had a better healing effect than calcium hydroxide-based fillings.

In a clinical study conducted to examine the effects of propolis on bleeding gums and oral mucosa, more positive results were obtained in terms of scarring. Another study also yielded similar results in gingivitis. Propolis has been recommended for use in root canal treatment due to its bone regeneration and anesthetic effects.

Propolis containing ointments were applied to 64 patients with typical open wounds aged 23–98 years. Propolis containing ointment was applied to the wounded area daily, and antibiotic ointments were also applied around the wound. This application was terminated after 4–12 weeks. No clinical improvement was observed in 19 patients as a result of the treatment, while significant improvements were observed in the other patients.

When propolis was applied to patients with infected wounds, it was observed that healing times increased and at the same time the infection decreased. was used in a trial of hospital patients with infected wounds. Half of the bacteria in the wound area was eliminated in 4 days.

As a result of studies on the effects of propolis on wounds and burns, it was observed that the healing rate increased by % 80 compared to control subjects.

% 2 and % 8 propolis containing creams were applied to 229 patients with burns, clean wounds and infected wounds. While the high concentration % showed effect on the 9th day in 18 of the patients, the low concentration propolis containing cream % 1.8 showed effect on the 16th day. The low concentration cream applied to wounds and burns showed healing effect in an average of 11 days, in inflamed wounds in 11 days and in 67 infected wounds in an average of 38 days.

% 5-10 propolis solutions were tested on 126 patients with otitis media, otitis externa and similar ear disorders. It was stated that propolis has a healing effect for all disorders (Matel et al. 1973). Propolis also showed positive effects against acute disorders in the ear.

138 patients with intestinal parasites were treated with % 10-20 propolis extract. It was observed that low doses had a therapeutic effect in children. In adults, % 20 propolis extract was found to have the same effect as tinidazole and antiprotozoa drugs. Propolis was tested on ulcer and Crohn's disease patients in Denmark. It was found that propolis extract was effective on ulcers but not on Crohn's disease.

Immune System Disorders

Propolis, esberitox N and calcium-magnesium combination was applied to two patients with immune system disorders and positive improvements were obtained in their immune system and clinical conditions.

Inflammations

Propolis was injected regularly to 22 patients with aseptic necrosis, and normal treatment was applied to 32 patients under the same conditions. Significant improvements were observed in patients treated with propolis compared to others. % 3 propolis ethanol extract was applied to 90 patients with vaginal and uterine inflammation, and positive improvements were achieved in more than 50 of them.

Effects Against Diseases

Propolis, called natural penicillin, has antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, antifungal antibiotic properties. These protective and therapeutic properties have been explained by studies conducted all over the world.

Tuberculosis

VH Karinova and El Rodionova from the former Soviet Union studied 135 patients with tuberculosis of different types and stages. The patients were aged between 6 and 50. Depending on the response, propolis was applied to the patients 3 times a day for 4 to 10 months. As a result of the study, all patients except 12 were observed to have recovered. These 12 patients were found to have renal tuberculosis.

Ulcer

In Romania, Dr. A. Vasilca and Dr. Eugenia Milcu studied the therapeutic properties of propolis on ulcers. 34 chronic ulcer patients were given propolis extract for 4 weeks. 28 patients recovered completely, while 6 patients showed significant improvements. Some patients underwent tissue biopsy and the regenerative effect of propolis was observed.

Mitosis

Romanian medical researchers N. Popovic and N. Oita published a report on the effects of propolis on cell division. The researchers stated that the tissue never becomes completely cancerous, there are always healthy cells and the activities of normal cells are affected by cancerous cells. They showed that propolis stops cancerous cells, increases the activity of normal cells and allows the tissue to become normal.

Colitis

Dr. S. Nikolov and his colleagues from Bulgaria studied the effect of propolis on acute and chronic colitis. 45 patients aged between 20 and 65 participated in the study. The patients were given propolis extract three times a day before meals. As a result, a total of 43 patients had positive results. 26 of them had very good improvement, 12 had good improvement, and the rest had satisfactory improvement. Only two patients showed no improvement. Most patients started to recover on the seventh day and were completely cured on the nineteenth or twentieth day.

Immune System

The most researched and widely accepted feature of propolis is its immune-boosting properties. Propolis is a natural, broad-spectrum antibiotic that activates the secretory glands. Propolis not only prevents infections, it also cleanses them from the body.

As demonstrated by numerous experiments, propolis eliminates bacteria, viruses, fungi and even penicillin-resistant staph.

Propolis is very strong against viruses. This effect is achieved thanks to the protective effect of bioflavanoids found in propolis. Viruses settle on the outer part of proteins. If not prevented, this dangerous and infectious substance is released in the carrier organism. Unfortunately, in such a case, enzymes break down the outer part of the protein and thus the harmful substance spreads into the system. However, this does not happen if propolis is present in the system. Bioflavanoids inhibit the enzymes that break down the outer part of the protein and trap the viral substance inside. The same flavonoids cover the virus and prevent its activity. In the presence of bioflavanoids, the carrier becomes immune to viruses.

Another way is that propolis helps the immune system by strengthening the phagocytic activity. Phagocytes surround microorganisms, take them in and eliminate them by digesting them. This effect, which occurs thanks to propolis, has been observed and published by many Soviet and European scientists.

Antibiotic activity :

Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus brevis, B.polymyxa, B.pumilus, B. sphaericus, B. subtilis, Cellulomonas fimi, Nocardia globerula, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis)
Gram negatives (Aerobacter aerogenes, Alcaligenes sp., Bordetella bronchiseptica, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens).
Staphylococcus aureus and Sptreptococcus mutans. (flavonoids galangin and pinocembrine)

Arthritis, Rheumatism, Arthrosis

Anti-fungal activity :

(cynamic acid and flavonoid crisina).

Anesthetic effect :

Used in dentistry due to its anesthetic effect, 3-5 times stronger than cocaine (Ghisalberti 1979)

Antiprotozoan effect :

Trichomomas vaginalis (Scheller et.al., 1977). Giardia lamblia, (Towers et. al., 1990).

Antiviral activity :

erpes simplex types 1 and 2, adeno virus, corona virus, and rota virus.,

Anticancer :

Cynamic acid and terpenoids in the structure of propolis have cytotoxic activity and propolis has been used successfully in intestinal, kidney, breast, nose and pharynx cancer.

In Dermatology and Cosmetics:

Antibacterial, antifungal and tissue regenerative

ARTICLES PUBLISHED ABOUT PROPOLIS;

PROPOLIS NATURAL ANTIBIOTIC

Karamum fights cancer, ulcers, liver and bronchitis.

Propolis produced by bees is an excellent healer for external wounds when mixed with honey and oil.

Dr. Ali İhsan Öztürk, Aegean Agricultural Research Institute Beekeeping Branch Manager, stated that propolis, also known as black wax among the public, is a mixture of wax and resinous substances collected by honeybees from the branches, trunks and especially flower and leaf buds of plants.

Öztürk, who reported that propolis is used as a raw material for medicine in medicine, stated that although it was included in the drug codex in the former Eastern Bloc countries, it was not included in Western countries and that this substance is widely used as a "folk medicine" in Asia, Europe and Africa.

Öztürk, who emphasized that the product is a very important active ingredient for human health due to its protective and therapeutic properties, said that propolis is especially effective in the treatment of digestive and urinary system disorders.

Öztürk pointed out that propolis has a positive effect on cancer, stomach ulcers, leprosy, strengthening of capillaries and immune system, bronchitis, mouth ulcers, high blood pressure and protection of the liver.

Dr. Ozturk spoke as follows:

"Propolis, when mixed with honey and oil, forms an excellent ointment for external wounds. The anti-rheumatic effect of this product has also been established. Propolis is a unique substance that is increasingly finding a place in alternative treatments and in the protection of general body resistance and health due to the active substances it contains that are very important for health."

BEE GUM PROPOLIS HEALING SOURCE

It has been reported that propolis, which bees use against infections in the hive, has been widely used in the treatment of many diseases since ancient times with its antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Lütfiye Yılmaz, Research Assistant at Uludağ University Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Food Engineering, said in her statement that propolis, also known as "bee glue", is a resinous substance obtained by biochemically changing the nectar collected by worker bees with pollen and various enzymes secreted by the bees in the hive.

Stating that bees use this substance to polish honeycomb cells, close cracks and crevices in the hive and disinfect the hive, Yilmaz noted that people have also used propolis for various purposes since ancient times. Yilmaz stated that the chemical properties of propolis, which is used in medicine for its antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties, vary depending on the region where it is collected, the plant source and the season, and emphasized that some studies have determined that propolis contains protein, carbohydrates, various minerals and small amounts of vitamins, which are important for human health.

-EFFECTS OF PROPOLIS ON HUMAN HEALTH-

Explaining that many components contained in propolis exhibit biological and pharmacological activity, Yilmaz reported that propolis is widely used in the regulation of blood levels, various allergies and infections, diseases such as asthma, fever, migraine, hypertension, acne, ulcers, arthritis, and digestive, respiratory and circulatory system disorders. Drawing attention to the fact that propolis also strengthens the immune system and increases the body's resistance to diseases, Yilmaz said that various studies have shown that propolis accelerates the healing and tissue regeneration in conditions such as burns, cuts and wounds that can be seen on the skin.

-ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT-

Yılmaz, who pointed out that propolis, known as a "Natural antibiotic" due to its strong antimicrobial effect, is known to be effective on bacteria, viruses, molds and parasites, emphasized that it has been determined that propolis, when taken regularly and continuously, increases the effect and duration of antibiotics in the digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems and the functioning of these systems. Yılmaz, who explained that propolis reduces blood pressure, has a calming effect and regulates serum glucose levels due to the substances it contains, noted the following:

Propolis is reported to have positive results in the treatment of hypertension, arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Propolis is the best immune stimulant widely used in the world. The widespread use of synthetic drugs in medicine has caused the importance of known natural drugs to decrease. However, in recent years, the emergence of side effects of synthetic drugs and the resistance of disease agents to drugs have directed people to alternative medicine and natural drugs. Stating that the effective and rapid pharmacological benefits of propolis, which is among natural drugs, have made its use widespread, Yılmaz said the following:

"It is known that propolis has no side effects when taken regularly and has positive effects in the treatment of almost all kinds of diseases. It is possible to find propolis products in the European markets in the form of capsules, tablets, lozenges and chewing gum. It is thought that propolis, which is recommended for many different purposes, can create new application areas in the treatment of many pathological diseases. Despite its wide area of use, there is no standard developed in our country regarding production methods."