The Many, Many Wellness Benefits of Bee By-Products

Thanks to its numerous beneficial properties, many experts consider propolis the OG antibiotic. "The rich antioxidant content of propolis helps the body fight free radicals and soothe inflammation, which takes a major load off our immune systems, but what makes propolis unique is its diverse array of healing phytochemicals, like flavonoids," says Stein. "Containing over 300 beneficial compounds, research has shown that propolis possesses impressive anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and potentially even anti-cancer properties."

While it's still far from mainstream in the U.S. it has deep roots — roots that go back millennia, in fact: Both Hippocrates and Pliny the Elder recommended it for healing various ailments, like ulcers, colds and wounds and according to Stein, it was also a beauty fave of Cleopatra, who used it to firm and clarify her complexion. "The ancient Egyptians even used it in the mummification process to seal things up and prevent the spread of bacteria," she explains.

To this day, it's still widely used in alternative medicine. "When I had the opportunity to visit with beekeepers of the Samburu Tribe in northern Kenya, I noticed that many were using propolis as a chewing gum to heal mouth ulcers," says Wilson-Rich. "The exact mechanisms of action for boosting immune function are still not well known at this time and warrant further study."

As far as the present day U.S. goes, the stuff still has niche appeal as an all-purpose remedy. These days, propolis is mostly marketed for natural immune support and is found in throat sprays, honey, toothpaste and mouthwashes.

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