Uniqueness of Brazilian Bee Propolis
Brazilian bee propolis is a unique natural resource in Brazil and has been considered as the best propolis in the world. It contains high levels of flavonoids and phenolic compounds that enhance the immunity then able to fight against diseases.[1]
Propolis from different origins displays different chemical composition, depending on the local flora and bees at the site of collection. The main botanical source of brazilian propolis is Baccharis dracunculifolia, also called green or Alecrim propolis. It is a native plant from Brazil widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, the problem of digestive system [1] brazilian propolis has gained its reputation as a health food with high purity and quality.
Rich Source of Natural Minerals, Amino Acids and Multivitamins
Bee propolis contains the various types of nutrient from bees and plants. Researches showed that propolis contains more than 300 types of bioactive ingredients, including flavonoids and phenolic compounds, various essential minerals and amino acids, bioactive organic compounds like aromatic acid and tannins, provitamin A , vitamin B-complex, C, and E.[2,3]
Proteins extracted from propolis help inhibit undesirable viruses and bacteria and promote growth of probiotics in the body.[2,4,5] Propolis is a strong antioxidant to protect cells.[2] It also provides phytochemicals which stimulate regeneration of cells.[6]
Brazilian propolis is rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds. These active compounds, especially flavonoids, have high medical value. Referring to the book Chinese Herbal Medicine (中華本草), propolis has been stated as having skin nourishing and regeneration effect, and is helpful in relieving ulcers and various skin injuries and disorders such as burns. [3]
Know more about Echinacea:
Echinacea has always been used as one of herbal medicine in Europe and the United States. The most commonly used are Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia and E. pallida. Some studies have shown that ingredients in echinacea can promote phagocytosis of human macrophages to enhance the autoimmune function [19], oral echinacea has medical effects of a cold, and therefore it is widely for use in relieving the discomfort of upper respiratory diseases. [13, 14, 15, 16]
Propolis may provide the following benefits:
- Improve response to infections[2,7]
- Keep nervous system healthy[8]
- Promote tissue regeneration[3,6]
- Improve heart & brain blood circulation[9]
- Maintain healthy eyes[10] and liver[2]
- Nourish joints[11]
- Antioxidant and improve skin tone[2,12]
Echinacea has the following benefits:
- Can reduce the symptoms of colds and their incidence[13,14]
- Relieve upper respiratory tract discomfort [15,16]
- Increase immunity[19]
- Promote wound healing[17,18]
Recommended Daily Dose:
Adults take 1-2 softgel capsules daily or as directed by physicians.
References:
- Lemos M, de Barros MP, Sousa JP, da Silva Filho AA, Bastos JK, de Andrade SF. Baccharis dracunculifolia, the main botanical source of Brazilian green propolis, displays antiulcer activity. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2007;59(4):603-8.
- Khalil ML. Biological activity of bee propolis in health and disease. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2006;7(1):22-31.
- 國家中醫藥管理局中華本草編委會。中華本草。上海:上海科學技術出版社,1999。
- Orsi RO, Sforcin JM, Funari SR, Bankova V. Effects of Brazilian and Bulgarian propolis on bactericidal activity of macrophages against Salmonella Typhimurium. Int Immunopharmacol. 2005;5(2):359-68.
- Chang FR, Hsieh YC, Chang YF, Lee KH, Wu YC, Chang LK. Inhibition of the Epstein-Barr virus lytic cycle by moronic acid. Antiviral Res. 2010;85(3):490-5.
- Havsteen BH. The biochemistry and medical significance of the flavonoids. Pharmacol Ther. 2002;96(2-3):67-202.
- Fischer G, Conceição FR, Leite FP, Dummer LA, Vargas GD et al. Immunomodulation produced by a green propolis extract on humoral and cellular responses of mice immunized with SuHV-1. Vaccine. 2007;25(7):1250-6.
- Nakajima Y, Shimazawa M, Mishima S, Hara H. Neuroprotective effects of Brazilian green propolis and its main constituents against oxygen-glucose deprivation stress, with a gene-expression analysis. Phytother Res. 2009;23(10):1431-8.
- Maruyama H, Sumitou Y, Sakamoto T, Araki Y, Hara H. Antihypertensive effects of flavonoids isolated from brazilian green propolis in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Biol Pharm Bull. 2009;32(7):1244-50.
- Chikaraishi Y, Izuta H, Shimazawa M, Mishima S, Hara H. Angiostatic effects of Brazilian green propolis and its chemical constituents. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2010;54(4):566-75.
- Tanaka M, Okamoto Y, Fukui T, Masuzawa T. Suppression of interleukin 17 production by Brazilian propolis in mice with collagen-induced arthritis. Inflammopharmacology. 2012;20(1):19-26.
- Fonseca YM, Marquele-Oliveira F, Vicentini FT, Furtado NA, Sousa JP et al. Evaluation of the Potential of Brazilian Propolis against UV-Induced Oxidative Stress. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011; 2011, doi:10.1155/2011/863917.
- Shah SA, Sander S, White CM, Rinaldi M, Coleman CI. Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis [published correction appears in Lancet Infect Dis. 2007 Sep; 7(9):580]. Lancet Infect Dis. 2007; 7(7):473‐ doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(07)70160-3
- Karsch-Völk M, Barrett B, Kiefer D, Bauer R, Ardjomand-Woelkart K, Linde K. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;2(2):CD000530. Published 2014 Feb 20. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub3
- Taylor JA, Weber W, Standish L, et al. Efficacy and safety of echinacea in treating upper respiratory tract infections in children: a randomized controlled trial. 2003;290(21):2824-2830.
- Yale SH, Liu K. Echinacea purpureaTherapy for the Treatment of the Common Cold. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:1237-1241.
- Dogan Z, Ergul B, Sarikaya M, et al. The antioxidant effect of Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea in rat colitis model induced by acetic acid. Bratisl Lek Listy. 2014;115(7):411-415.
- Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Rafiee E, et al. Skin wound healing and phytomedicine: a review. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(6):303-310.
- Melchart D, Linde K, Worku F, Bauer R, Wagner H. Immunomodulation with echinacea – a systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Phytomedicine. 1994;1(3):245‐ doi:10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80072-3