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Use of Beeswax and Other Bee Products in Skin Care
Bee "products" include honey, beeswax and propolis. Each have a
long history of wonderful therapeutic benefits. Below you will find
summaries of some of the current research into the natural healing
properties of bee products, including links for more information.
- Overview: Although honey is perhaps the most famous bee
product of interest to human beings, bees also make propolis,
another substance that humans have used for thousands of
years. Bees coat the hive with propolis in much the same way
we use paint and caulking on our homes. People began using
propolis more than 2,300 years ago for many purposes, the
foremost of which was applying it to wounds to fight
infection. It is a resinous compound made primarily from tree
sap, and contains biologically active compounds called
flavonoids, which come from its plant source. Propolis does
indeed have
antiseptic properties; the flavonoids in propolis may be
responsible for its antimicrobial effects as well as other
alleged health benefits.
Research
-
Honey is an ancient remedy for the treatment of infected
wounds, which has recently been 'rediscovered' by the
medical profession, particularly where conventional modern
therapeutic agents are failing. There are now many published
reports describing the effectiveness of honey in rapidly
clearing infection from wounds, with no adverse effects to
slow the healing process; there is also some evidence to
suggest that honey may actively promote healing. In laboratory
studies, it has been shown to have an antimicrobial action
against a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi. However,
further research is needed to optimize the effective use of
this agent in clinical practice.
- Effects of topical application of honey on cutaneous wound
healing in rabbits. These findings suggest that honey applied
topically on cutaneous wounds
accelerates the healing processes and appears to have an
important property that makes it ideal as a dressing for
cutaneous wounds.
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The Effects of Topical Application of Honey on Wound Healing
in Mice: An Experimental Study. Honey increased: 1)
formation of granulation tissue 2) density and activation of
fibroblasts 3) keratinization in surface of wound 4) thickness
of basement membrane and epidermis 5) thickness of collagen
fiber. Honey decreased infection, inflammation, edema and
dehiscence.
- One of the most widely known and extensively tested
properties of propolis is its antibacterial activity. Many
scientific tests have been conducted with a variety of
bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms. Many of the
tests have shown positive control of the organisms by various
extracts and concentrations of propolis.
Dermatological and cosmetic applications are at this time
probably the most common uses for propolis and its extracts.
Its effects on tissue regeneration and renovation have been
well studied. Together with its bactericidal and fungicidal
characteristics it provides many benefits in various
applications in cosmetics.
- A
Sweet Way to Soothe Skin Infections. Four different
infections were studied, including tinea versicolor (an
infection that causes blotchiness), tinea corporis (also known
as ringworm), tinea cruris (jock itch), and tinea facialis
(ringworm of the face). Thirty-seven people completed the
four-week trial.
- Benefits and applications of primary bee products in cosmetics.
Some of the functions, and associated applications for
propolis in cosmetics, are: Anti-bacterial agent,
Anti-dandruff and sebum equalizing agent, Anti-microbial and
healing agent, Anti-irritant and antibacterial agent,
Purifying agent, Preservative, and Possibly as catching free
radicals.
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