Chaing Mai Study Shows Propolis Clears up Cold Sores in a Matter of Hours.

"Bees are our helpers and our friends. It is estimated that 33% of human food production is dependent on insect pollination; most of this is accomplished by the honey bee. Sadly, the bee population is declining primarily due to the unconsidered use of petrochemical based pesticides and chemicals. In some cases, bee keepers have been contracted to move their hives to areas devoid of bees to insure pollination rather than to make honey.

Propolis is a resinous composition that bees collect from tree buds and certain flowers; it is used to seal off small spaces in the hive to protect it and improve the environment of the bee colony. Generally, brownish in color, it is proved by Chinese research to include isolated sinapinic acid, isoferulic and caffeic acids. These compounds have anti-bacterial properties. However, there is evidence too, that Propolis has anti-viral components.

A study conducted by Sirinad Musiaek and Yimanee Tragoolpua from the Biology Department at Chaing Mai University has revealed that Propolis extract, halted the Herpes Simplex Virus. Often associated with the common cold sore, Herpes Simplex 1 and 2 can affect various body areas namely the lips, eyes and skin. Transmission is often sexual; in the case of HSV 2 the genitals are affected.  It has been a causative factor in Cervical Cancer. The usual medical treatment is with the anti-viral drug Acyclovir. Many products flow from it; Zovirax is one of the best known. The treatment does not eliminate the cause, but it does address the symptoms. However, this can take up to four weeks in extreme cases and stress can easily trigger another outbreak. The remarkable Chiang Mai study showed that aqueous and ethanolic Propolis extracts altered the virus population on vitro cells after virus attachment in both Herpes Simplex 1 and 2 cases. Curiously the Propolis in high dosage performed better than Acyclovir in the case of HSV 2. The real test of the case lay in time, though. The study demonstrated how HSV-1 was entirely eliminated in a mere 60 minutes. It did, however, take just over 6 hours to remove the HSV-2 strain.

This is amazingly good news for the millions of Herpes sufferers worldwide, but there is even more to celebrate! That’s because Acyclovir type drugs have been shown in rare cases to produce birth defects in neonates. A small US study of 467 pregnant women   produced 17 birth defects in their off-spring. This shows a 3.6% affected rate, which is 0.6% higher than the average birth defect rate of 3%. Is it worth taking a risk like this, however, slight? Women suffering from genital Herpes are expected to go on a course of Zovirax for the last few weeks of term to prevent lesions appearing at the time of birth. Wouldn’t it be much better if they took safe Propolis instead during this crucial stage of foetal development? Secondly, it has been found that breast feeding mothers pass on a large quantity of the anti-herpes medication to their babies whilst suckling. Again Propolis appears to solve the problem and no doubt benefits the infant, as well!

Veerapan Tantipong is the President of Bee Products Industry Company Limited in Chaing Mai. He holds a BSc Degree from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. He has used his knowledge wisely and has come up with a solution for long suffering Herpes victims. “Virulox”, contains  50 mg of Propolis and a 120 mg of synergizing Royal Jelly in a lyophilized form. The tablet can pack of powerful punch of Propolis to help the sufferer overcome a Herpes attack. Take two tablets when you feel the first tingle of a cold sore and repeat the dose hourly for six hours. This alleviates the symptoms from both Herpes 1 and 2. The Propolis is aided by the 10 HDA in Royal Jelly, which some describe as being a precursor to the might of stem cells. But that’s a story in itself!"

 This article by Alister Bredee first appeared in "The Southern Times" of  November 18th 2012