Propolis

Propolis, a natural substance with remarkable cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties, is produced by bees, which collect resin from gems and plant bark in order to transform them into structural, defensive and antiseptic material for the beehive. Its name comes from the Greek word “propolis”, meaning “in front of the city”, and is due to its function, namely, to protect the beehive. There are several varieties of propolis, since the chemical composition of its substance changes, as well as its colour, aroma and flavour, depending on the harvesting period, the type of vegetation and the type of resin.

Propolis is rich in minerals, vitamins and essential oils and has many properties: antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, anaesthetic, cicatrizing, antiseptic and blood vessel protective. The discovery and use of propolis as a natural remedy for many ailments dates back to ancient times.

The Inca civilisation, for example, used this substance to cure feverish infections back in 1600 BC. The Romans used it to heal wounds, whereas in the Middle Ages it was applied to the navels of the newly born to prevent infections, and it was used to protect the throat. Today, modern research has acknowledged the virtues of propolis, defining it a real “natural antibiotic” that is able to strengthen the body’s immune system and fight viruses and bacteria.