Bees have been producing propolis almost since time began. They do it by collecting resin from trees and plants, taking it back to the hive where they work upon it, transforming it into the highly complex chemical mix we know as propolis.The word Propolis is believed to have been coined by Aristotle who identified how propolis was used to protect and defend the hive. Propolis(from the Greek) means 'Before the City' or 'Defender of the City'.
The bees not only use propolis as a building material and structural defence mechanism but their health is maintained as a result of its immune system enhancing properties. Propolis forms the bees' external immune defence system, making the beehive one of the most sterile environments known to nature.
There are over 180 different chemicals in propolis which vary according to the type of bees collecting it, the climatic zone, the local trees and plants and even the time of day it is collected. Effectively the bees select and collect from the local environment all the products they need to stay well .
If a mouse or large insect invades the hive the bees can kill it but cannot remove it. They prevent the corpse from becoming a source of disease in the hive by coating the body with propolis. By mummifying the mouse or insect in this way the source of infection is sealed off from the hive. Years later the"body" remains perfectly preserved.
The Egyptians used propolis, honey and other resins to mummify their pharaohs preserving them, as far as possible, for the next life.
Propolis has been used by man since these times in one form or another to stay well and to treat disease
Content and image source:
http://www.beevitalpropolis.com
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