Is Propolis Honey?
When bees are mentioned, honey must be the first thing that comes to mind. Honey is a very common food in our life. Many people must have heard of propolis. This is also a product about bees sold on the market. Some consumers who don't know much about it will think propolis is honey, but the name is different. In fact, propolis and honey are still very different.
Propolis is not honey. Honey and propolis are both bee products. However, the two substances are completely different and have very big differences. The first is the difference in production methods. Honey is a sweet substance fully brewed by bees to collect nectar or secretions of plants. Propolis is a colloidal solid with aromatic smell. Bees collect resin from plant spores or tree trunks. Then mixed with the secretion of its upper jaw gland and wax gland.
Secondly, there is also a big difference in taste and appearance between honey and propolis. Honey is mostly in liquid form. It also has solid crystalline honey. The taste is different due to different nectar plants. Usually it is sweet and delicious, and the taste is dense and long. Propolis is an opaque solid. The cut-off surface presents sand grains. The taste is slightly spicy. When chewing, it will stick to your teeth.
Of course, the main difference between honey and propolis is its composition and function. Honey contains more than 180 kinds of nutrients such as amino acids, minerals, vitamins and enzymes. These ingredients can nourish the body and enhance the body's resistance. It also has the functions of beautifying and relaxing bowels.
The main active ingredients in propolis are flavonoids and terpenes. It also contains a variety of vitamins, trace elements, amino acids, minerals and lipids. Propolis has good bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects. It can regulate endocrine and promote body metabolism. It can remove the accumulation on the inner wall of blood vessels. It has a wide range of health care effects on the body.
In traditional nutrition, propolis can moisten and promote skin, diminish inflammation and relieve pain. Some modern studies have shown that propolis can enhance human immunity. And it also has antioxidant and ulcer healing effects. Oral administration can improve the resistance. It can also improve hypertension, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. External application can promote the healing of oral ulcer and skin wound. Propolis can also help regulate hypoglycemia. Even diabetics can consult their doctors to take propolis reasonably according to their own conditions.
Honey and bee pulp have been mentioned, so naturally royal jelly should also be mentioned. Royal jelly is also called bee milk, etc. It is a slurry secreted by glands such as worker bee tongue gland and upper jaw gland. The newborn larvae only need to eat royal jelly all the time to develop into queen bees. Otherwise, it will develop into a worker bee.
