Euronews, 6/18/2013
Honey has been used as a medicine
since time immemorial; as a remedy for digestive problems, bad circulation,
breathing difficulties and – of course – as the ultimate elixir for a sore
throat.But honey is also an effective
antiseptic and antibiotic, with the power to ward off wound infections, reduce
inflammation and promote healing.
The medicinal molten gold
includes germ-killing inhibins, which slow down the production of bacteria, and
the protein defensin-1, which helps stimulates the immune system.
Besides honey, bees also produce
other useful substances, such as propolis. This is a yellow, waxy resin bees
use to seal the cells in their hive. They collect it from the sap of trees, and
when these trees have strong antibiotic properties – as the poplar, willow and
birch do – the propolis transfers these antibiotic benefits to the hive, and
thus to the honey itself.
As Professor Henri Joyeux
explains, the uses of propolis are endless: “We realized that propolis could
have had antiseptic effects, as an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory. And when
the bees leave the hive, we will are able to extract it, and purify it. This
purification is such that one can produce a small alcoholic extract, which can
help, because it is quite thick, fat, and contains considerable vitamins,
minerals, and has a very interesting effect on bronchoalveolar respiration. For
example, if you have a child suffering from a little asthma, you put 5 drops of
propolis in his breakfast, you mix it, and it’ll solve the problem
immediately.”
Bee therapy’s most prized
product, however, is still royal jelly; a concentrated honey made exclusively
for queen bees...