Bee Products - Pollen, Propolis, and Royal Jelly

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angelprincessjo

 

Dear Group,

Although Dr. Murray doesn't mention it in this specific article,

Propolis is a wonderful remedy for teeth and gums. Toothpaste and

mouthwash containing propolis are available in better health food

stores everywhere.

 

JoAnn

 

 

Doctor Murray's Newsletter |

Natural Facts For June 23rd 2004

Wed, 23 Jun 2004 09:10:28 -0700

 

 

 

2:10:2004

Bee Products - Pollen, Propolis, and Royal Jelly

Introduction

 

Among the most interesting products in health food stores are bee

pollen, propolis, and royal jelly. These products concentrate

many " phytochemicals " (plant-derived chemicals) with powerful health-

promoting activity. Yet, for the most part, these products have been

under appreciated and under utilized in North America.

 

Bee pollen comes from the male germ cell of flowering plants. As the

honeybee travels from flower to flower it fertilizes the female germ

cell. Honey bees make possible the reproduction of more than 80% of

the world's grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes. The pollen is

collected and brought to the hive where the bees add enzymes and

nectar to the pollen.

 

 

Propolis is the resinous substance collected by bees from the leaf

buds and barks of trees -- especially poplar and conifer trees. The

bees utilize the propolis along with beeswax to construct the hive.

Propolis has antibiotic activities that help the hive block out

viruses, bacteria, and other organisms.

 

 

Royal jelly is a thick, milky substance produced by worker bees to

feed the queen bee. The worker bees mix honey and bee pollen with

enzymes in the glands of their throats to produce royal jelly. Royal

jelly is believed to be a useful nutritional supplement because of

the queen bee's superior size, strength, stamina, and longevity

compared to other bees.

Nutritional Composition of Bee Products

 

Bee pollen is often referred to as " nature's most perfect food "

because it is a complete protein (typically contains 10-35% total

protein) in that it contains all 8 essential amino acids. Bee pollen

also provides B vitamins, vitamin C, carotenes, minerals, DNA and

RNA, numerous flavonoid molecules and plant hormones.

 

Propolis and royal jelly have similar nutritional qualities to

pollen, but have considerably higher levels of different

biologically active compounds.1,2 Royal Jelly contains approximately

12% protein, 5-6% lipids and 12-15% carbohydrates.

 

History and Folk Use of Bee Products

 

The use of bee products for medicinal purposes is as old as

beekeeping itself. There are many mentions of it in Chinese texts

that are 2,000 years old and it was also written about by

Hippocrates. Honey was so valued during Roman times it was often

used instead of gold to pay taxes.

 

Of all the bee products, propolis was the most valued as a medicinal

agent. Hippocrates prescribed propolis to help heal sores as well as

ulcers, both external and internal. Propolis-making bees were also

depicted on vases from ancient Egypt where the sign of the bee was

often interwoven with the titles of the kings and used as the motif

on ornaments presented as rewards for valor. The ancient Egyptians

looked upon the bees and their propolis as the source of eternal

health and life. In the 17th century, propolis was a major

ingredient of healing ointments in the European pharmacopoeia.

 

Pharmacology and Clinical applications

 

The health benefits of bee products are much heralded, but

insufficiently studied from a scientific perspective. There is

somewhat of an overlap on the uses of pollen, propolis, and royal

jelly. To provide some clear clinical direction we will rely on what

scientific research has been done on these products to date. In all

likelihood, the list of principle uses for each of these bee

products is likely to grow with continued research. Nonetheless,

based on what exists to date, the principle uses are as follows:

 

Bee pollen:

 

Allergies

Antioxidant support

Energy enhancement

Menopausal symptoms

Support for chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Propolis:

 

Common cold

Gastrointestinal infections

Immune enhancement

Topical anti-inflammatory

Upper respiratory tract infections

Royal jelly:

 

Elevated cholesterol levels

Energy enhancement

Bee Pollen

 

There has been little research done on bee pollen - probably because

there is little financial reward to justify such an investment. The

research that does exist is limited, but impressive. For example,

studies in animals show that pollen can promote growth and

development, protect against free radical and oxidative damage, and

protect against the effects of harmful radiation as well as toxic

exposure to chemical solvents.3-5 A pollen extract has also been

shown to produce significant improvement in menopausal symptoms

(headache, urinary incontinence, dry vagina, decreasing vitality) in

double-blind studies.6 The improvements were achieved even though

the pollen extract produces no estrogenic effect, an important

consideration for women who cannot take estrogens of any kind.7

 

Propolis

 

The primary use of propolis has been in immune system enhancement

and infections. Propolis has inherent antibiotic activity to help

the hive block out viruses, bacteria, and other organisms. It seems

these same effects can help humans block out organisms as well as

propolis has shown considerable antimicrobial activity.8-10 Propolis

also stimulates the immune system, according to preliminary human

studies.11,12 Studies have also shown that propolis exerts some

antioxidant, liver protecting, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer

properties.13-17

 

One of the key uses of propolis may turn out to be offering

protection against and shortening the duration of the common cold. A

preliminary human study reported propolis extract reduced upper

respiratory infections in children.11 In a double-blind study of 50

patients with the common cold, the group taking propolis extract

became symptom-free far more quickly compared to the placebo group.18

 

Another possible application of propolis is in the treatment of

inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's disease and

ulcerative colitis. In June, 2001, Ralph Golan, M.D., described an

interesting case of ulcerative colitis that responded to propolis

therapy in an article in the Townsend Letter for Doctors. Dr. Golan

feels that the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of

propolis are put to good use in the treatment of IBD.

 

The antimicrobial properties of propolis may also help protect

against parasitic infections in the gastrointestinal tract. One

preliminary study of children and adults with giardiasis showed a

52% rate of successful parasite elimination in children and a 60%

rate in adults in those given propolis extract (amount not

stated).19 However, these results are not as impressive as those

achieved with conventional drugs used against giardiasis, so

propolis should not be used alone for this condition without first

consulting a physician about available medical treatment.

 

Royal jelly

 

There has been reasonable scientific investigation on the

cholesterol lowering effect of royal jelly. Specifically, there have

been 10 human studies published, seven were double-blind.20 Of these

seven double-blind studies, only three studies utilized an oral

preparation. An injectable form was used in the other four. Results

of a detailed analysis of the double-blind studies indicate with

oral preparations, despite shortcomings in the design of the studies

and lack of standardization with commercial preparations used, that

royal jelly can produce decreases total cholesterol levels by about

14% in patients with moderate to severe elevations in blood

cholesterol levels (initial values ranging from 210-325 mg/dl). Even

better results may be noted when using higher quality royal jelly

products.

 

Natural Factors " Bee Factors "

 

The bee products that I recommend are manufactured by Natural

Factors. These products utilize the best quality control processes

to insure the highest quality product. For example the bee pollen is

collected from Northern Alberta's pristine Peace River Valley. Even

though this bee pollen from the cleanest possible environment, it is

still meticulously tested for the presence of pesticides,

insecticides, herbicides or heavy metals. Full-time beekeepers

collect Natural Factors Bee Pollen daily in specially made stainless

steel (not zinc) mesh pollen traps. In its natural state pollen

contains a lot of moisture and can spoil if not refrigerated or

frozen quickly. Natural Factors Bee Pollen is frozen immediately and

air-dried in a special cleaning and drying plant - the largest in

Canada.

 

Natural Factors is applying modern chemical analysis to judge the

quality of its bee products. For example, one of the active

ingredients found in royal jelly is 10-Hydroxy-2-Decenoic Acid or

HDA. This substance is believed to be one of the key components of

royal jelly and maybe be the factor responsible for the Queen's size

and fertility. Enriching Bee Factors Royal Jelly from Natural

Factors is guaranteed to provide a minimum of 5% HDA.

 

Another excellent bee product from Natural Factors is Pollen Plus

Energy - a formula that contains bee pollen, royal jelly, and two

herbs highly respected for their effects on boosting energy and

promoting vitality. Gotu kola is included in the formula for its

anti-fatigue, stress-reducing, and mental alertness properties. An

ancient proverb states that " two leaves a day will keep old age

away. " Siberian Ginseng is included for its well-known ability to

fight stress and promote higher energy levels.

 

Safety Issues with Bee Products

 

Allergic reactions are the most common side effects when using bee

products. If there is a known allergy to conifer and poplar trees,

use of bee products should be avoided. Allergic reactions can range

from very mild (e.g., mild gastrointestinal upset) to more severe

reactions including asthma, anaphylaxis (shock), intestinal

bleeding, and even death in people who are extremely allergic to bee

products.21 There are no known drug interactions.

 

 

 

Key References:

 

Burdock GA. Review of the biological properties and toxicity of bee

propolis (propolis). Food Chem Toxicol 1998;36:347-63.

Hove Sr, Dimick PS, Benton AW. Composition of freshly harvested and

commercial royal jelly. J Apic Res 1985;24:52-61.

Qian B, Zang X, Liu X. Effects of bee pollen on lipid peroxides and

immune response in aging and malnourished mice. Zhongguo Zhong Yao

Za Zhi 1990;15(5):301-3, 319.

Xie Y, Wan B, Li W. Effect of bee pollen on maternal nutrition and

fetal growth.

Hua Xi Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao 1994;25(4):434-7.

Ceglecka M, et al. Effect of pollen extracts on prolonged poisoning

of rats with organic solvents. Phytother Res 1991:5;245-9.

Szanto E, Gruber D, Sator M, Knogler W, Huber JC. Placebo-controlled

study of melbrosia in treatment of climacteric symptoms. Wien Med

Wochenschr 1994;144:130-3.

Einer-Jensen N, Zhao J, Andersen KP, Kristoffersen K. Cimicifuga and

Melbrosia lack oestrogenic effects in mice and rats. Maturitas

1996;25:149-53.

Tosi B, Donini A, Romagnoli C, Bruni A. Antimicrobial activity of

some commercial extracts of propolis prepared with different

solvents. Phytother Res 1996;10:335-6.

Dobrowski JW, Vohora SB, Sharma K, et al. Antibacterial, antifungal,

antiamoebic, antiinflammatory and antipyretic studies on propolis

bee products. J Ethnopharmacol 1991;35:77-82.

Tichy J, Novak J. Detection of antimicrobials in bee products with

activity against viridans streptococci. J Altern Complement Med

2000;6:383-9.

Bratter C, Tregel M, Liebenthal C, Volk HD. Prophylactic

effectiveness of propolis for immunostimulation: a clinical pilot

study. Forsch Komplementarmed 1999;6:256-60 [in German].

Crisan I, Zaharia CN, Popovici F, et al. Natural propolis extract

NIVCRISOL in the treatment of acute and chronic rhinopharyngitis in

children. Rom J Virol 1995;46:115-33.

Pascual C, Gonzalez R, Torricella RG. Scavenging action of propolis

extract against oxygen radicals. J Ethnopharmacol 1994;41:9-13.

Lin SC, Lin YH, Chen CF, Chung CY, Hsu SH. The hepatoprotective and

therapeutic effects of propolis ethanol extract on chronic alcohol-

induced liver injuries. Am J Chin Med 1997;25:325-32.

Khayyal MT, El-Ghazaly MA, El-Khatib AS. Mechanisms involved in the

antiinflammatory effect of propolis extract. Drugs Exptl Clin Res

1993;29:197-203.

Mirzoeva OK, Calder PC. The effect of propolis and its components on

eicosanoid production during the inflammatory response.

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1996;55:441-9.

Choi YH, Lee WY, Nam SY, Choi KC, Park YE. Apoptosis induced by

propolis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. Int J Mol Med

1999;4:29-32.

Szmeja Z, Kulczynski B, Sosnowski Z, Konopacki K. Therapeutic value

of flavonoids in Rhinovirus infections]. Otolaryngol Pol 1989;43

(3):180-4 [in Polish].

Miyares C, Hollands I, Castaneda C, et al. Clinical trial with a

preparation based on propolis " propolisina " in human giardiasis.

Acta Gastroenterol Latinoam 1988;18:195-201.

Vittek J. Effect of royal jelly on serum lipids in experimental

animals and humans with atherosclerosis. Experentia 1995;51:927-35

[review].

Greenberger PA, Flais MJ. Bee pollen-induced anaphylactic reaction

in an unknowingly sensitized subject. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol

2001 Feb;86(2):239-42.

 

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