You will know more about propolis after reading this article

Propolis is processed from resin collected by honeybees and mixed with glandular secretions. It has a wide range of medical and health care effects. It has been used in Europe for more than 2,000 years. It is Chinese honeybee that does not produce propolis, but it has been included in the "Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China".

One,The formation process of propolis

Propolis is processed by honeybees by collecting resin from glue source plants and mixing with gland secretions. Glue source plants refer to plants that can secrete resin and can be collected and processed into propolis by bees, such as birch, willow, pine, cypress, Sumac, peach, plum, apricot, etc., the bees collect gum from the gum source plant, put it in the pollen basket and bring it back to the hive, and then mix it with the glandular secretions such as the maxillary gland and wax gland and chew it repeatedly. It's propolis.

Two,The physical properties of propolis

Propolis is mostly in the form of lumps or irregular fragments, turquoise, brownish yellow, brownish red, tan or dark brown, the surface is smooth or rough, the fracture surface is gritty, the cut surface is similar to marble, and there are special and favorite propolis. Aromatic, slightly bitter, slightly astringent, slightly numb and pungent, gradually hardened and brittle below 20 °C, gradually soft at 20 to 40 °C, viscous and plastic, insoluble in water, partially soluble in ethanol, Easily soluble in ether and chloroform.

Three,The nutritional value of propolis

The composition of propolis varies due to different geography and plant sources. More than 400 chemical components have been isolated from propolis, such as quercetin and rutin in flavonoids, histidine, lysine in amino acids, etc. , arginine, etc., benzoic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, etc. in organic acids, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, cobalamin, etc. in vitamins, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, Potassium, etc., zinc, selenium, etc. in trace elements.

Four,The health benefits of propolis

Propolis has a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. From the perspective of efficacy, the health care value of propolis is mainly reflected in the following four aspects. One is that propolis can enhance the body's resistance to diseases, and the other is that propolis has significant antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. The third is that propolis can reduce the content of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood, the fourth is that propolis can promote the synthesis of liver glycogen and can regulate blood sugar in both directions, and the fifth is that propolis has a certain beauty and beauty effect.

Five,the correct way to eat propolis

The way to eat propolis is very simple. The reason is that the merchants have basically processed propolis into propolis products such as propolis liquid or propolis capsules for the convenience of consumers. Smear it on bread, steamed bread and other foods to eat, and propolis capsules can be taken with warm water like usual capsule medicines. Note that propolis cannot be eaten directly because it contains toxic substances such as heavy metals.

Six, the authenticity of propolis identification

Propolis is more fake than honey. According to the figures released by the Bee Products Association, about 70% of the propolis on the market is fake. In fact, the current counterfeiting methods cannot be effectively identified without professional testing equipment. , Only from the appearance characteristics can only identify the fake propolis with low-level counterfeiting methods, so when you buy propolis, you should comprehensively identify it from the aspects of national approval, product reputation, time to market, and corporate strength.

Seven, propolis taboo population

1, allergic constitution can not eat propolis, the reason is that propolis contains a large number of allergens, people with allergic constitution may cause allergic reactions, and even local or systemic allergic symptoms such as pimples in serious cases.

2, pregnant women can not eat propolis, the reason is that propolis contains a certain amount of hormones or hormone-like components, pregnant women take it is easy to break the fragile hormone balance in the body, serious even because of too severe contractions and abortion.

3, infants and young children can not eat propolis, the reason is that propolis may affect the establishment and improvement of infant immune system, in addition, propolis hormones or hormone-like substances are also very adverse to the growth and development of infants and young children.