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Superfoods
Handbook
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Welcome to the Superfoods Handbook! This area is meant to be a useful guide to learning more about Superfoods and the many nutritional benefits one gains from their use and consumption. Feel free to browse through the many articles listed below. |
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Bee
Propolis
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With Permission
of Beehive Botanicals
What is Propolis? Propolis is a resinous material gathered by bees from the leaf buds and bark of trees, especially poplars, birch and conifers. In the hive bees mix propolis with wax. Propolis also contains small amounts of pollen and other bee materials. The bees use propolis to protect the hive against bacteria or viral infection and dangerous toxins. In raw form (hive scrapings) propolis is approximately 50-80% resins, 30-50% wax, 5-10% pollen, and 10% essential oils. Propolis is a very sticky substance with a sharp ahnost bitter taste with aroma of honey or vanilla. Propolis can be used internally or externally. Propolis contains minerals and trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, silica, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, cobalt, and copper. Propolis is extremely high in bio-flavonoid content (vitamin P). Processing of Propolis: Beehive Botanicals has been refining propolis for 24 years. We have a network of over 300 beekeepers in the U.S. that send us unrefined hive scrapings. Over the years we have developed a process for cold water washing of the propolis to remove most of the extrinsic wax, bee parts, wood chips, etc. that commonly occur in raw propolis. We then use this to make propolis extracts. For extracts the washed propolis is put into vats with food grade alcohol. The extract is put through a leeching process and then filtering process to obtain different strengths. We stock a 25%, 50%, and 65% propolis extract. We have the capabilities to custom make extracts to your strength requirements. The final process is our Ethanol Extracted propolis Powder 2X concentrate(EEP). We use the propolis extract and remove the alcohol and we are left with a solid form of propolis. This is a very clean, pure propolis that we recommend FOR encapsulation or tableting use. We have been using this propolis in our Beehive Botanical branded products since 1989. Justifying a 2X concentrate: It has taken several years to perfect the 2X concentrate. We start with clean hive scrapings which removes about 25% of the wax in the washing process. Then in the extraction process we remove the rest of the wax and any foreign material concentrating only pure propolis. Approximate calculations are 2 pounds of raw material (minimum) is used to make 1 pound of concentrated propolis. We have found that with removing the extraneous materials we are concentrating the bio flavonoids (see test results). BEE PROPOLIS Bee propolis has protective, antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and soothing, healing effects when taken. Like bee pollen and royal jelly1 it is being rediscovered and put to use by athletes and other health-conscious people today. What is bee propolis? It begins as a resinous mate4al, gathered by bees from the leaf buds and bark of trees, especially poplars, birch, conifers, and horse chestnut. The bees gather this sap, remetabolize it with the nectar of their own secretions, and take it back to the hive. The final propolis is a mixture formed by the bees from this bee resin and wax, plus pollen1 beebread, and other bee materials. Propolis is derived from the Greek pro (before) and polis (city). Bees place propolis before their hive to sterilize the hive and to protect it from intruders. It is placed behind the entryway so that all entering bees cross over and brush up against it and are "immunized" This protects the hive's inhabitants from infection. It is a sealant and tightener for the hive, and it acts to protect bees from bacterial or viral infection and dangerous toxins. Propolis is also used to line the interior cells in preparation for the queen's laying of eggs. In fresh condition, propolis is sticky, aromatic, soft, and tastes somewhat burningly bitter. It has a peculiarly pleasant aroma similar to birch or poplar buds, or sometimes to honey or vanilla. To be taken internally, propolis is often administered in the form of a purified alcohol or water extract, in a gelatin capsule, lozenge, or directly as the dried resin. Externally, it can be applied either as a solution or a salve. According to researchers at the Second Leningrad Scientific Conference on the Application of the Products of Apiculture [bee culture) in Medicine and Veterinary Medicine in 1960, "Bee propolis is rich in pro-vitamin A [carotene), B1, B2, B3, biotin, other B vitamins, C, E, H, P [bioflavonoids], and others. It also contains up to .40 percent albumin substances."1 Bee propolis also contains a large number of protective minerals and trace elements, including calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, silica, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, cobalt, and copper. Propolis is composed of 50-70% resins and balsams, 30-50% wax (good bee propolis is high in resin content and lower in wax), 5-10% pollen, and 10% essential oils. It contains 500 times more bioflavonoids (vitamin?) than is found in oranges. Bioflavonoids are essential in the assimilation of vitamin C, strongly benefit the circulatory and respiratory system, strengthen immunity, and are anti-inflammatory. There are many other substances and derivatives found in propolis, and several scientific tests show that it contains a whole complex of not-yet-identified components. Like vitamin A, bee propolis has a tonifying and healing effect upon the important epithelial tissue of your body. Epithelial tissue is a membrane-like protective tissue that covers free surfaces such as the outer layer of the skin. It also forms the surface layer of mucous and serous membranes, lining your body's organs, glands, cavities, and ducts from the mouth to the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. In other words, these nutrients fortify and protect the internal and external "castle walls" of your body. Considered your body's first line of defense, epithelial tissue is involved in all infections, inflammations, and immunological problems due to internal or external harmful agents. It serves the general functions of enclosing and protecting1 producing secretions and excretions, and acting to absorb nutrients. It also has specialized functions such as movement of substances through ducts, production of cells, and reception of stimuli. Drs. F. C. Porchum and A. J. Borovaja have conducted clinical investigations into the use of bee propolis. They researched both its bactericidal properties and the effect propolis has on radioepithelitis (inflammation of epithelial tissue due to radiation).2 It is important to remember that exposure to radiation is known to be the single most severe stressor to the human body. They found propolis to be effective at the clinical stage of radioepithelitis. Alcohol solutions of propolis produced a therapeutic effect mainly in the first three stages of epithelitis. Propolis salves were therapeutic in more advanced cases of confluent epithelitis (conditions of merging sores) and in the stage of inflamed epithelial erosions. Besides toning and healing epithelial tissue, bee propolis immobilizes infectious bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other harmful foreign agents. Propolis acts by surrounding the agent, sealing it up, and making it useless. In the human body, the propolis-wrapped pathogen (an agent--such as a bacteria, virus, or fungi-that can cause pathology) can be destroyed and eliminated. Unlike penicillin and other drugs, propolis is consistently effective because bacteria, viruses, and fungi cannot build a tolerance to it. Propolis produces anti-inflammatory effects and stimulates cell regeneration over wounds. It strengthens your body's resistance to infections, and has been proven effective in alleviating colds, flus, ulcers, pharyngitis, and yeast infections. Also, propolis seems to have minimal side effects. Bioflavonoids are natural substances found in foods and function as companions to vitamin C. The rich concentration of bioflavonoids in propolis helps to protect against infections. How? Think of toxins as being enclosed in a protein coat. As long as the coat remains unbroken, the infectious and dangerous material remains imprisoned and is harmless to the organism. Bioflavonoids act to inihibit an enzyme which normally removes the protein coat, and thus the dangerous material is kept locked in. Bioflavonoids from such substances as propolis thus help strengthen immunity. Bent Havsteen, M.D., formerly of Cornell University and now with Kiel University in West Germany, has made a thorough study of propolis and bioflavonoids. According to Havsteen, bee propolis also stimulates interferon production. Interferon is an important natural protein substance that has been shown to combat many diseases. Havsteen notes that bioflavonoids stimulate white blood cells to produce interferon. And with this substance in the body, there is increased resistance to many cancers and viral infections induding hepatitis, AIDS, and Epstein-Barr virus. Bee propolis is widely known to be antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-fungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial. As a folk remedy, bee propolis has been used in many common disorders induding: · bruises and burns · sore throat · nasal congestion and respiratory distress · skin blemishes such as acne and pimples · flus, fevers, colds, and coughs · increasing stamina and physical strength Propolis was used as a wound dressing during the Boer war in South Africa. It has been referred to as "Russian penicillin" because it was used by the Soviet army during WW II to treat difficult wounds. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, prescribed propolis to heal sores and both internal and external ulcers. It has been used in the Soviet Union as an alternative to novocaine in treatment of mouth disease because of its anesthetic properties. It also has uses in salves, ointments, perfumes, oils, and as a preservative. Bee propolis appears to be a remarkable antibiotic that helps fight disease reactions within the body. It even helps control runaway cell breakdown, a condition symptomatic of cancer. I have frequently used bee propolis for many years both personally and recommended its use, often along with other herbs, to many clients. Remy Chauvin, MD, of Sorbonne, Paris and K Lund Aagaard, the two men most responsible for the widespread use of propolis today, also testify to the versatility of the applications of propolis. Dr. Chauvin spoke of propolis, "100 percent killing effect of bacteria" and said that "propolis works by raising the body's natural resistance to infection through stimulating one's own immune system. Many people with allergies and hay fever safely and effectively ingest bee pollen. 73% of patients with hay fever averaged a 75% improvement when given bee pollen orally. 78% of asthma patients averaged a 75% improvement in taking bee pollen orally. 17.8% of hay fever patients and 33.3% of asthma patients showed a complete, 100%, improvement with oral bee pollen-usually the sooner bee pollen treatment began pre-seasonally the greater the rate of healing.5,6,7,8 Quercetin in bee pollen inhibits the release of histamine in the body. It may be one of the contributing factors in decreasing allergic and hay fever responses.9,10,11,12 Bee pollen improves fertility. It can reduce cholesterol levels. Bee pollen improved the condition of men with prostatitis. It produced therapeutic benefits in patients with glycohaemia (abnormal amount of blood sugar), low hemoglobin, and bleeding ulcers. Bee pollen, royal jelly, and vitamin C were given to menopausal women for 30 days, after which 82% were symptom-free. Patients with kidney insufficiency were fed bee pollen and showed great improvement. Bee pollen promotes healing of a wide variety of other health problems. Regarding safety, I have observed that a small percent of people who initially ingest large amounts may occasionally experience minor gastro-intestinal irritation and a laxative effect or a rare allergic reaction. One 1983 research study corroborates my clinical experience. It is unclear whether this effect is due to the person being very sensitive; or due to poor quality pollen such as gathered from commercially-sprayed flowers; or improperly cleaned, dried, or stored pollen which therefore may contain debris or mold-causing moisture. I have also clinically observed that large amounts of bee pollen may be contraindicated for some people with gout as it may elevate purine or uric acid levels. For preventive purposes, a common initial adult dosage of bee pollen granules is initially 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon once per day. The dosage is gradually increased to 1-2 teaspoons one to three times per day. Adults suffering from allergies are best advised to start off with one to three granules daily, and then to gradually increase.
BIO Steve Schediter, N.D., is an internationally respected naturopathic doctor, health therapist, author, and speaker. He is a featured speaker each year at the 11 largest consumer health symposiums, and he has given featured solo presentations on nutrition and herbology each of the last eight years at the three foremost health industry trade conventions He is the author of the best~selling book FIGHTING RADLITION & CHEMICAL POLLUTANTS wilil FOODS, HERBS, & VITAMINS - Documented Natural Remedies that Boost Your Immunity & Detoxify. He regularly writes for and is on the Medical Advisory Boards of both Hea!th Foods Business and Let's Live magazines, has been published in ten other prominent national health journals, and he and his book are listed in Who Is Who In Service To the Earth. Dr. Schechter advises individuals, corporations, and health care providers on vitality, immunity, detoxification, clinical nutrition, medical herbology, and optimal health. He also provides individualized telephone health consultations. He can be reached through, and copies of his book are available from, Vitality, Ink, in Encinitas, CA, (619) 943~8485(VITL). 1 R. B. Keller and E. K. Prudnicenka. On the Composition of Propolis and Its Bactericidity, Thesis of the Lectures of the Second Leningrad Scientific Conference on the Application of the Products of Apiculture in Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Leningrad, 1960. p. 53. 2 F. C. Prochum and A. J. Borovaja. Bactericidal Effects of Propolis and Its Use in Clinical Practice, Military Medican Journal, 1970, no.9, p.65. (BPA) Bee Propolis Handout - NNFA - Copyright ©1995 Steven R. Schechter, N.D. page 3 5 Maurer, Murray L. and Strauss, Margaret, "A New Oral Treatment for Ragweed Fever." Journal of Allergy, 32:343 (1961). 6 Sternberg, Louis, "Seasonal Somnolence, As Possible Pollen Allergy," Journal of Allergy, v.14, p. 89, 1
BEE PROPOLIS: This substance
is gathered by bees from various plants. Together with beeswax, it is
used to construct the hive. It contains anti-bacterial properties, which
accounts for the complete sterility inside the hive. Use of propolis
stimulates the white blood cells to destroy pathogens inside the body.
It is documented to have a good effect on swollen mucou |
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NOTE: THIS IS A
FREE FORUM AND THE RESULT OF FREE SUBMISSION FROM OUTSIDE RESEARCH OR
OPINION. ARTICLES ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE OPINION |