How Bee Propolis Supports a Strong Immune Defense

Cough and cold season is frequently accompanied by sudden upper respiratory tract infections.

Supporting a resilient immune system helps the body stay prepared.

Bee propolis is one of the oldest-known therapies to support immune health.¹

A substance bees make and use to protect their hives, propolis has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and other immune benefits.²

Propolis extract can be taken daily to help protect against upper respiratory infections.

In addition, a propolis spray can provide immediate, short-term relief for someone who’s already sick.

In placebo-controlled trials, standardized propolis extract:

• Reduced risk of upper respiratory infection by 31% when taken daily during cough and cold season,³ and
• Led to recovery from sore throats two days faster when used as a spray.⁴

These propolis formulas deliver a one-two punch for immune support and faster upper respiratory symptom relief.

What Is Propolis?

Propolis is a substance bees make out of beeswax and materials extracted from plants.¹

It is sometimes called “bee glue” because it is sticky. Bees use it to seal gaps in the hive and create a healthy, anti-microbial environment.¹

People have safely used bee propolis medicinally for centuries.⁵

Preclinical research shows that propolis has broad-spectrum immune system effects.^5-7

The benefits of propolis are largely attributed to its unique mixture of plant-based polyphenols.⁶

Fighting Respiratory Infections

An upper respiratory tract infection often starts with a sore, inflamed throat.⁸ It can rapidly turn into a full-blown illness.

Viruses most commonly cause these infections, though bacteria can also be the culprit.⁹

Preclinical studies found that propolis and propolis- derived compounds help fight various microbes, such as those that cause the common cold and influenza. They do so in multiple ways, including by:

• Preventing harmful microbes from invading cells,⁷
• Inhibiting key enzymes needed for a virus to replicate,⁷
• Making cell membranes of unhealthy bacteria more permeable and vulnerable to attack,¹⁰
• Disrupting energy metabolism of the pathogen,^7,10 and
• Helping maintain the body’s antioxidant defenses during the infection.^6,7

Clinical research has confirmed the ability of standardized propolis to fight upper respiratory tract infections in humans.⁴

Standardized Propolis Extract

Like honey, not all propolis is the same. Its precise content varies based on its geographic origin and the extraction process, which can influence its health-promoting properties.^5,11

What You Need To Know

Bee-Based Immune Support

Bees make a substance called propolis to protect their hives from pathogens. Research shows it can help protect people from viruses and bacteria that cause upper respiratory infections.

Not all propolis is the same. Propolis that has been standardized to contain an ample mix of polyphenols can provide consistent immune system benefits.

Throat spray made with standardized propolis extract has been clinically shown to help people get over sore throats two days faster than a placebo.

In a clinical study, daily oral intake of propolis capsules cut the risk of getting upper respiratory tract infections by nearly one-third.

To enable consistent immune functions, scientists developed a specialized extraction process that results in propolis standardized to a 12% polyphenol content.¹²

This extract is rich in six distinct polyphenols with strong antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, including galangin, quercetin, pinocembrin, pinobanksin, apigenin, and chrysin.¹²

Spray Away Sore Throats

In a clinical trial, 122 healthy adults (ages 18 to 77) were given a standardized propolis oral spray or placebo spray on the first day of mild upper respiratory tract infection symptoms.⁴

Symptoms included a sore, red, swollen, or hoarse throat. The majority of cases were caused by viruses.

The subjects used two to four sprays three times daily for five days. In the treatment group, this provided 12 mg to 24 mg of propolis polyphenols per day.

After three days, 83% of people using the propolis spray had relief from all their throat symptoms, compared with only 28% of those in the placebo group.

After five days, subjects in both groups had largely recovered from their throat discomfort, which is typical of mild upper respiratory tract infections.^4,13

This means the propolis group resolved their sore throat symptoms two days faster than the placebo group.⁴

Preventive Immune Support

Daily use of propolis extract can help prevent upper respiratory infections in the first place.

In a clinical trial, 295 adults (ages 25 to 69) were given capsules containing 200 mg of standardized propolis extract or a placebo twice daily for three months.³

The study took place during the colder months, a common time for upper respiratory tract infections.¹⁴

Compared with the placebo group, those in the propolis group had:³

• 34% fewer sick days,
• 26% fewer subjects who experienced upper respiratory discomfort, and a
• 31% lower risk of getting an upper respiratory infection at any time during the treatment.

The propolis was well-tolerated without side effects.

Proven Bioavailability

Before conducting this clinical trial, scientists evaluated how bioavailable the polyphenols in the propolis extract were.

Bioavailability of polyphenols is often low, ranging from 0.3% to 43%.^15,16 Specialized extraction methods can improve bioavailability.

After giving healthy adults a single dose of a standardized propolis capsule or a placebo, scientists collected blood and urine samples over 24 to 48 hours, respectively.¹⁷

Blood biomarker and urinary excretion data showed that polyphenols in the propolis extract were over 70% bioavailable.¹⁷

That means the active compounds in the propolis were able to effectively spread throughout the body, helping to support immune health, which may help to support fighting off colds and flu.

Summary

Propolis, a byproduct from bees, is a powerful immune system supporter.

Daily use of standardized propolis extract has been shown to reduce the risk of upper respiratory infections by 31%.

Propolis throat spray helps resolve upper respiratory infection symptoms, including sore throats, two days faster than a placebo in a clinical study.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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