Man has used propolis for healing since ancient times. The first known users of substances from the beehive were the Egyptians, and the preservative qualities of the beehive were well known to them. The ancient Egyptians believed that they would need their bodies in the afterlife. In order to preserve their dead bodies, they would melt down a whole hive, including the honey, wax and propolis, and use the mixture to coat bandages used in their mummification process. The Egyptians, Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians used another method of preservation for burial. This involved immersing the dead bodies in large jars of honey and sealing them with wax. On his deathbed, the Greek conqueror Alexander the Great ordered himself to be buried in this way. His teacher, Aristotle, studied and wrote extensively about propolis, and was the first to specifically identify propolis as a substance. Aristotle also wrote the first scientific study of the honeybee.

The Greek physician, Hippocrates (460-377 BC), who is considered to be the father of modern medicine, recognized the healing properties of propolis. Hippocrates prescribed propolis for different types of ailments. The Greeks were also the first to develop beehives, and honey, as agricultural products. The Romans further developed beekeeping and expanded on the knowledge and benefits of propolis. Pliny the Elder, the famous Roman researcher and natural historian, showed a detailed understanding of propolis in the beehive. He also was well versed in the applications of propolis.

The Raw Materials of Propolis, Tree Resins
 

The story of propolis is much different than the story of bee pollen. Propolis contains many of the same polyphenols found in bee pollen, but in much higher quantities. However, while bees eat pollen for food, they do not eat propolis. We have discussed how the nutritional value of pollen was driven by the symbiotic relationship of plants and bees. However, we find that propolis is not the product of a similar symbiotic relationship. While bees benefit from collecting tree resins for propolis, trees do not benefit from the bees collection of propolis in return. The beneficial properties of tree resins have evolved for the trees, although the bees were quick to discover and use tree resins for their own uses.

Therefore, to understand propolis, one must first understand tree resin, and what tree resin does as its primary function. We have already seen that propolis functions as the immune system of the beehive. It is not surprising, then, that tree resin functions as the immune system of the trees.

Historically, indigenous people have used various tree resins as natural medicines for health and healing. In the Christian religion, two of the three gifts from the wise men to the infant Jesus were tree resins, Frankincense and Myrrh. Modern science has since validated both as valuable for health and healing. Tribes of the rain forest use numerous tree resins for a variety of treatments. Romans also used resins for medicinal purposes. The Roman natural historian, Pliny the Elder, wrote extensively about preventing wine from turning to vinegar by adding tree resins. Pine, cedar, and often terebinth (which Pliny described as the Best And Most Elegant resin)--were added to Roman wines for this purpose. Modern researchers have shown that certain tree resins, like propolis, can kill bacteria, thereby protecting organic compounds from degradation.

When physical damage occurs to trees, then tree resin, or sap, floods into the area and seals it off. In this way, the damaged tissues are protected from infection from bacteria or fungi. Similarly, when parasites, such as bark beetles, attack a tree, tree resin flows into the wounded area and kills the insects and their larvae. Tree resins and waxes are secreted onto the surfaces of sensitive tissues, such as delicate new buds, to protect against harmful ultraviolet radiation. Tree resin screens out harmful radiation, and protects the buds from damage. Ultraviolet radiation also causes free radicals, and tree resin acts as antioxidants to smother the free radicals before they can cause damage. How does tree resin work to provide these protective benefits? Researchers look to polyphenols as the answer.

Tree resins typically have high concentrations of polyphenols. Many polyphenols have been shown to be anti microbial against bacteria, fungi and viruses. These actions are essential to the immune defense of the tree. Polyphenols have also been shown to play important roles in the trees biochemical response to stress, disease and physical damage. Polyphenols are also present in high concentrations in developing leaves and buds. Their presence there indicates that in addition to their protective roles, they may also play a role in the development and maturation of plant tissues. The chart to the right shows electron microscope scans of bioflavonoids in embryonic tissues of tree buds. Photo A, Granular GP and Vacuolar VP polyphenols. Tonoplast, T. Nucleus, N. Photo B, Vacuolar polyphenols VP, cell wall, CW. Photo C, Droplike DP polyphenols. Cytoplasmic Membrane, M.
 
 
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