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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.
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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'.
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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.
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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 .
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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.
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The Egyptians
used propolis, honey and other resins to mummify their
pharaohs preserving them, as far as possible,
for the next life.
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Propolis has been used by man since
these times in one form or another to stay well and
to treat disease
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