Quality Assurance, Science & Applications

So, just what is Propolis? Propolis is made from the resinous substances exuded by trees and other plants. These often sticky substances are used by the plants as a mechanism to protect the plants and their new young buds.

Many of us, including children, know about sticky buds and this substance is collected by the honey bee. Once collected the bees process the propolis into a beneficial product for the welfare of the beehive and the bees.

In natural woodland the sun warms up the buds of plants and the volatile fraction of the sticky substance is spread in to the local environment providing a pleasant aroma within the woods. This pleasant atmosphere has become known for its therapeutic properties which is why Sanatoriums used to be built in wooded areas where people could benefit from the ‘fresh air’ thereby aiding their recovery and recuperation.

KONTAK has developed and patented an innovative system that diffuses the volatile components of propolis into the environment. This system is the only one of its kind able to fully exploit the sanitising properties and the probiotic action of propolis into the air. This system is now available in the UK.

KONTAK propolis is only sourced from unpolluted areas, by beekeepers that live in the Alps, far away from urban, industrial and nuclear pollution. It does not contain any heavy metals, pesticides or antibiotics. KONTAK combines its passion for propolis with a scientific approach, investing in research and development, and continuous collaboration with doctors and relevant specialists.

In numerous experiments conducted by the ASL of Collegno (Italy), a classroom that used the PROPOLAIR diffuser, showed that the molecules of propolis in the air reduced bacterial and microbial presence thanks to their antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

Diffusers were used for three days non-stop and the results showed an enormous 71.8% reduction of microbes in the air and a sanitization of the classroom!

More science facts on propolis and diffusers:

In the beehive

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by honeybees from the buds and bark of trees and shrubs. The resins are produced by plants as part of their immune system, healing wounds and protecting against the damaging effects of radiation.

These resins and balsams are taken back to the hive where the bees add salivary enzymes, wax and pollen. This substance is used to protect the colony from disease and infection due to its high antimicrobial activity.

Propolis is used to varnish cells in the honeycomb before the Queen lays an egg, thus ensuring a sterile environment for the development of the young larvae as they grow.

Large pests and invaders, such as mice, slugs and lizards, are often killed by the colony but cannot be removed due to their size. In this case, the bees will cover them with a coating of propolis to prevent disease resulting from putrefaction.
Propolis is also used by the colony to reduce the entrance for easier defence and to seal up cracks and holes. Thus the Greek origin of its name, pro (before) and polis (the city). Propolis is sometimes referred to as “defender of the city”.

Composition

A complex compound of biologically active substances including flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenes, phenolic esters and aromatic acids, each having distinct functional effects.

However, the synergistic effect of these compounds together is greater than the effect of any one substance.

The greatest number of antimicrobial substances comprises those which are soluble in alcohol. Other compounds are soluble in fat or oil. The least number being water-soluble.
Propolis contains small amounts of sugars, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

Biological effects

The following effects have been observed and studied: antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anaesthetic, anti-allergenic, hepatoprotective, anti-tumour, radioprotective, antiulcer, cardioprotective, and immune-modulating.

Propolis is also a chelator and able to remove heavy metals from the body.

Health enhancing effects

Many diseases are due to a poor or weak immune system. Propolis is able to activate the immune response and can be used to reduce the effects of an illness or prevent it if taken as a prophylactic.

Propolis has a high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity index (ORAC) and as such can reduce damage caused by oxidative stress and free radicals.

The complex structure of propolis means that multidrug-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cannot become resistant to it.

Whilst propolis is lethal to harmful bacteria, it does not affect the hundreds of beneficial bacteria that are important for our bodies.