Four patients, a 36 year old male and 3 females (42, 46, 51 years) with dental calculus, gingivitis, oedema, bleeding, gingival recession, pocket depths, attachment loss, suppuration, tooth mobility and alveolar bone loss were treated using Brazilian propolis gel treatment .

At the same time, dental brushing and mouth washing with propolis solution daily was also carried out through during their 5 weeks treatment.

The results shown a regression of 95% gingivitis and suppuration in all the teeth irrigated with Brazilian propolis, as well as a pocket depths reduction in all unsubmitted and submitted teeth.

The Conclusion

The results suggested that 10% Brazilian Propolis gel could be used as an alternative therapeutic method for the treatment of chronic teeth problems. However, further research with greater number of test subjects are needed before propolis can be established as an alternative approach for peridontal infectious conditions.

Researchers: Renata Cairo do Amaral, Rafael Tomaz Gomes, Wellington Márcio Santos Rocha, Sheila Lemos Rago Abreu, Vagner Rodrigues Santos.

Laboratory of Microbiology and Biomaterials, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Related posts:

1. Propolis and it's effects on fungus or candida

Improving Immune System

Professor S. Scheller, the head of a team of four doctors at the Institute for Microbiology at the Medical Academy in Poland found that propolis is able to stimulate the immune system.

It works by increasing the formation of antibodies to build our body resistance to diseases and by stimulating our body to release chemicals that protects us from cellular deterioration.

He also concluded that other propolis benefits include improved physical, intellectual and sexual performance as well as making injured tissue heal faster.

The study also concluded that propolis is not a toxic substance.

Treat Burns

Another benefit of propolis is in treating second degree burns. Research showed that propolis cream gave about the same result as normally prescribed cream.

But it also reduces inflammation of the burnt skin.

Believed to be a result of a substance called arginine, other studies have also supported this finding.

These studies have also concluded that propolis also stimulates enzyme systems, cell metabolism, circulation and collagen formation.

Increase Fertility

One isolated study had tested the benefit of propolis on women with infertility and endometriosis. The study indicated that consumption of 500mg of propolis twice daily resulted in pregnancy rate of 60% as opposed to 20% for women not given propolis.

How propolis would give this effect is still unclear.

Potential Cancer Drug

A report published in the Cancer Research (Sep 15,93;53 1482-88) stated that caffeic acids in propolis might help prevent colon cancer.

The study expose rats to cancer chemical agents and study the effects of rats given propolis and those without the propolis diet. It found that caffeic acids in propolis were prevented the formation of pre cancerous tissues in rats that were given the substance.

Another study done in 1990 had also reported that propolis chemicals could act against ovary cancer in hamster and sarcoma-type tumors in mice.

Read some studies done on propolis and it’s ability to fight cancer here.

Bowel Problems

Propolis could also help patients suffering from inflammatory bowel problems — like Chron’s disease and ulceration colitis.

In June 2001, Dr. Ralph Golan in his article published in the Townsend Letters For Doctors reported that ulceration colitis responded well to propolis therapy.

Dental care

One useful application of bee propolis is in dental care. Propolis mouthwash used after an oral surgery appears to shorten the healing time.

A study done in 1991 showed that rats given propolis in their drinking water had less caries compared to other rats.

Another study done in 1986 also proposed propolis as a subsidiary treatment for gum infection and plague.

You can read the latest study on the use of Brazilian Propolis to treat periodontitis here.

Protecting Liver

Two studies done in 1986 and 1987 showed that propolis may help in protecting our liver. In these studies, propolis was effective in protecting the liver against alcohol and tetrachloride.

Improve Antibiotic Effectiveness

Australian scientists, E.L Ghisalberti of the Department of Organic Chemistry at the University of Western Australia showed that propolis increases the effectiveness of penicillin or other antibiotics from 10 to 100 folds.

This finding could help reduce the number of side effects associated with antibiotics and lower the over dependency on antibiotics by doctors.

Veterinary Applications

Propolis offers some benefits to breeders by improving weight gain and reduce diarrhea in their animals.

A study done in 1987 showed that 5 ml of propolis solution given to milk-fed calves can help achieve the above results.

Studies done to rabbits have also showed that propolis could help treat coccidiosis and eimeria. It  is also beneficial at treating mastitis.

Other medical benefits of propolis

Studies done in rats and mice had shown that concentrated propolis given to the rodents reduced their blood pressure, produces sedative effect as well as protects the liver and stomach against tetrachloride and ulcers.

All these were achieved without any side effects.

Related posts:

1. The chemicals in propolis
2. Modern history
3. Propolis and Fertility