Monday 3 October 2011
The Side Effects of PROPOLIS
Like any other honey bee products, around 10% of the human population would not be able to tolerate propolis.
And people who fall under this category will get unwanted skin reactions. The reaction will prolong a few days after you have stop taking propolis.
ARE YOU AMONG THOSE ALLERGIC TO PROPOLIS?
If you fall under the groups listed below, you could be allergic to propolis :-
- Asthma Patients:
If you have asthma, you should avoid propolis because some chemicals or impurities in it may induce an attack. - Those Allergic To Bee Stings:
If you’re allergic to bee stings, the bad news is propolis could induce a similar side effect. - Those Already Allergic to Bee Pollen:
Pollens in propolis may come from any plants – and not just plants in surrounding areas where you buy your product. So, if you’re already allergic to bee pollen or evergreens, you are advised not to use propolis. - Pregnant Women:
There are not many published clinical trials on the effect of propolis on pregnant women. Because the information in this area is limited, avoid using propolis if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. - Others at risk :
If you know that you’re allergic to black poplar (also populas nigra), poplar buds, honey and balsam of Peru, forget about propolis. There are around 8 to 13 compounds that propolis and balsam of Peru have in common. Some of these compounds are benzyl benzoate, cinnamyl cinnamate, and benzyl cinnamate. Several studies have suggested that patients who are sensitive to propolis also may react to balsam of Peru.
THE CAUSE OF ALLERGY
In propolis, a substance called the B1 is believed to be the reason behind these side effects.
Allergic reaction from this substance was first documented in 1915 when a beekeeper suffered from dermatitis on his fingers and wrists. But the case was classified as an occupational effect.
And because propolis is also used as the coating on Italian varnish, instrument makers and musicians have also been reported to get contact dermatitis. Here are some cases of allergies suffered by those who use violins coated with propolis.
Right now it is seen mainly on those who :-
1. use cosmetics containing propolis, or
2. those who use propolis as their daily supplement.
THE SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIES
If you’re allergic to propolis, it may cause your skin to
- Redden.
- Develop rashes.
- Swell.
- Itch, or
- Crack.
It could also induce :-
- Eczema.
- Lesions.
- Psoriasis, or
- Mouth sores.
A WORD OF ADVICE
Even if you’re not listed as those at risk, you should always take some precautions when using any form of medications.
The best way to start taking propolis is to try it gradually. Use small quantities of propolis for the first few days. If there are no side effects, increase your propolis intake gradually to the full outlined dosage.
This way you would be able to test your comparability with the propolis product you’re taking and avoid embarrassing (and painful) reactions to the substance.
Similarly, if you decide to stop the medical treatment prescribed by your doctor, do it gradually (after his okay, of course).
The ingredients that cause the side effects
Although the ingredients in propolis will depend on the location of the bee hives and the availability of plants, one allergen, called B1 is believed to always be present in propolis extract.
There are 3 main components in B1:-
- 3-methyl-2-butenyl caffeate
- 2-methyl-2-butenyl caffeate
- 3-methyl-3-butenyl caffeate
2-methyl-2-butenyl caffeate and 3-methyl-3-butenyl caffeate are believed to elicit strong reactions in patients known to be sensitive to propolis.
Other Allergen
Apart from the above, other potential allergens could be benzyl salicylate and benzyl cinnamate. These two allergen however, are considered to be mild sensitisizers and the number of reactions to these chemicals are less frequent that the three above.
Other ingredients in propolis – like essential oils, waxes, and flavonoids have been shown to have weak to no capability to induce allergies.
How high is the allergy risk?
It is generally acceptable to say that less than 10% of people are allergic to propolis.
However, the rate of sensitization to propolis or propolis derived products is actually much lower than that. It varies from 1.2% to 6.6% of the test patients.
Reference/Researchers | Total Patients Patch-Tested | Positive Reactions to Propolis |
Hausen BM et al | 3,177 | 38 (1.2%) |
Guisti F et al | 1,831 | 35 (1.9%) |
Machackova J | 605 | 25 (4.2%) |
Reider N et al | 433 | 28 (6.55%) |
Francesca G et al | 1255 children | 5.9 % |
Source : Medscape Today , PubMed |
All of the studies above were done using patch testing method. The allergies reported were eczema and localized dermatitis on the faces, hands and limbs.
The last study involving 1255 children by Francesca G. et. al. was conducted for 8 years. The study concluded that less than 6 % of the test subject tested were allergic to propolis. Those who get contact dermatitis due to propolis were also found to be allergic to balsam of Peru ( which is not surprising since both products have common constituents).
A Word of Advice:
Please ask your doctor’s advice or ask for a patch test first before taking any propolis products. If you’ve used some propolis cream/products and appear to have the symptoms of allergy, discontinue the product.
Please ask your doctor’s advice or ask for a patch test first before taking any propolis products. If you’ve used some propolis cream/products and appear to have the symptoms of allergy, discontinue the product.
what is PROPOLIS..??
What Is Propolis ?
In simple words, propolis is bees’ own medicine. It is made of various resins collected by the honeybees from plants – particularly from flowers, leaf buds and the bark of trees.
Other names
The usually brown substance is also called bee glue. But note, it is not the same as bees wax.
Beeswax is secreted by bees while the chemically complex propolis is collected by bees from trees.
Picture Credit Martin
A populous colony may contain 40,000 to 60,000 bees during the late spring or early summer. Propolis keeps the hive strong and sterile.
What is it used for ?
Bees use the versatile resin for :-
- Sealing cracks and as natural cement to hold their home.
- Keeping themselves and their hives bacteria-free, and
- Coating invaders.
Sealing and strengthening hives
As propolis is sticky in warm weather, bees use it as a form of glue to seal cracks or hold the hive structure together.
Some African tribes are also using propolis in the similar way – to water-proof their water containers and seal cracks in their boats.
Keeping the colony bacteria-free
Living in a hive is like living in a super-busy apartment building, and sharing it with other 50,000 living beings. It’s like making a crowded Tokyo subway your home.
But because propolis is used as the cement of the congested space, as bees squeeze themselves into or out of the hive, they will brush their body against the wall and propolis.
This daily contact with propolis helps reduce bacterial and viral infection from spreading in their congested home. Without some kind of natural antibiotics protection, the whole colony would be dead.
Coating Intruders
If a rodent like a rat enters the hive, bees will sting it to death and coat the carcass with propolis.
Because it cannot carry the carcass away from its’ hive, bees need a way to sterile the dead body. By embalming the body with an antiseptic shell, the carcass will remain in the hive. But it will not rot or spread an epidemic in the congested space.
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