A major breakthrough in the quest for an all-natural medicine that will help battle the virus, soothe and heal stomach ulcers, create and antibiotic disease-fighting reaction within the body, even help control runaway cell breakdown which is symptomatic of cancer, has just been announced. Scientists from all parts of the world have discovered that a completely natural substance made by the bee may offer hope for speedy healing of a variety of hitherto chronic ailments.

Known as propolis, this newly rediscovered beehive product was known to ancients but not until recently has it been used by modern scientists in the healing professions. It is gathered by the bees, from the leaf buds or bark of trees (especially poplars). The bees then use this propolis as a form of "cement" that lines the walls of the hive in which they prepare honey, pollen, royal jelly and related byproducts. The bees use propolis to seal up any holes or cracks in the hive. Propolis is also used to fix the comb to the roof. It is a natural form of "cement" or "building material" that offers the bees protection from outside contaminants while they remain in the hive.

The name is derived from Greek pro (before) and polis (city), so named because in its natural state, bees use propolis to diminish the entrance to their "wax city" and thus exclude harmful intruders.

What makes this rediscovery of propolis as a miracle healer is that this substance was known for thousands of years and was used to create effective cures, but it was only in recent times that modern scientists have realized its healing properties and potential. This powerful healing ingredient in propolis has been used by physicians to treat wounds as well as many so-called "incurable" ailments with much reported success.

It was Hippocrates (considered the father of medicine, a Greek physician, 460-377 B.C.) who prescribed the use of this resinous cement, now called propolis, to help heal sores as well as ulcers, both external and internal. Propolis-making bees were also depicted on vases from ancient Egypt where the sign of the bee was often interwoven with the titles of the kings and used as the motif on ornaments presented as rewards for valor. The ancient Egyptians looked upon the bees and their propolis as the source of eternal health and life.

Legend has that Jupiter (chief God in Roman mythology), transformed the beautiful Melissa into a bee so that she could prepare this miracle substance for use as healing.

In his massive Natural History (Pliny, 23-79 A.D. Roman Scholar), there is much discussion of the use of resins such as propolis. Pliny says that "current physicians use propolis as a medicine because it extracts stings and all substances embedded in the flesh, reduces swelling, soothes pains of the sinews and heals sores when it appears hopeless for them to mend."

Other healers in the many centuries that followed also praised the use of bee products for healing. In John Gerard's famous herbal book, The History of Plants (1957), reference is also made to "the resin or clammy substance of the black poplar tree buds." Apothecaries of the area would use this propolis as a major ingredient in the making of healing ointments.

Nicholas Culpepper's famous Complete Herbal, under the heading of "The Poplar Tree" states that "the ointment called propolis is singularly good for all heat and inflammations in many parts of the body and cools the heat of the wounds."

In Green's Universal Herbal (1824), under Populus Nigra (Black Poplar Tree), it is said that "the young leaves are an excellent ingredient for poultices for hard and painful swellings. The buds of both this and the White Poplar smell very pleasantly in the Spring. Being pressed between the fingers, yield a balsamic resinous substance (propolis), which smells like storax. A drachma of this tincture in broth is administered in internal ulcers and excoriations and is said to have removed obstinate or abnormal discharges from the intestines."

In more recent times, healing substances from the beehive have been used in scientific laboratories as well as hospitals with much success.

Fold Remedies. Because there is no bacteria in the beehive, since the propolis seals out all potential invaders, this miracle substance has long been known effective for healing. Some of the reported folk remedy healers include:

-Sore Lips and Gums. Put a few drops of propolis solution in half glass of water. It will turn milk-like in color. Drink a little in the morning, then in the afternoon and again in the evening. It will help heal sores, wounds, scratches, etc.

-Blemishes, Bruises. Combine propolis with honey and apply to gauze and use as a bandage dressing. Wrap dressing around affected area and let remain overnight. Renew daily until blemishes and bruises are healed.

-Burns. Put on a few drops of propolis as a natural ointment. Within moments, the burning feeling is cooled. Healing comes shortly.

-Sore Throat. Just take a few drops of propolis on a bit of bread as a natural antibiotic. Helps fight the microbes-viruses responsible and promotes healing.

-Antibiotics. For any health problem requiring antibiotics, try propolis. The advantage here is that your body may be allergic to chemotherapeutic medicines and create adverse conditions and reactions. Not so with all-natural propolis which is a "natural medicine" and "natural antibiotic." Feverish inflammations are cooled this way.

-Skin Blemishes. Soak propolis onto a small pad of cotton or wool and smear all over spots such as acne, bumps, etc. Repeat as often as possible, especially after washing. Also good if left on overnight. Helps clear up infectious pimples within a short time.

-Nasal Congestion. Traced to vasomotor rhirutis, there is breathing difficulty and stuffy nose. Take a few drops of propolis in a liquid, at least three times daily. It helps clear nasal infection, decrease nasal secretions, open up clogged passages to permit healthier breathing.

-Respiratory Distress. For scratchy throat, stubborn cough, try this European remedy. Just combine a few drops of propolis with honey, add to herb tea. Drink several times daily. Helps give you a "silky" throat.

-Broken Bones. Use propolis through out the day. According to doctors at the Second International Symposium, healing is hastened with better knitting of the bone matrix.

-Better Physical Strength. In Miracle of Propolis, Mitja Vosnjak tells of a group of mountain climbers who were looking for a substance that would give them increased strength. They took propolis mixed with honey, bee pollen and royal jelly and found that they could travel through a snow storm along the ridge with exceptional vigor and strength. For thirst and exhaustion, they would drink honey diluted in tepid water and take propolis mixed with honey, bee pollen and royal jelly. "One team member fell, received large bruises which became infected. These were bathed with propolis solution and were quickly cleared and healed." They also put propolis on the skin to protect it against sunburn and cracking. It worked well. They were able to reach the mountain summit, because of improved physical strength due to propolis.

-Colds and Related Ailments. The use of propolis and related bee products is helpful to treat sore throats, coughs, colds, tonsillitis, sinusitis, halitosis, mouth-gum infections. It was reported that a senior physician of the Ljubljana Clinic in Yugoslavia had a small daughter who was troubled by inflamed tonsils together with a high temperature of 102 F (or 39 C). The little girl had frequent attacks. Given chemotherapeutic antibiotics, her fever became worse and her temperature rose. The attending doctor was unaware of the use of bee products for this condition. But the doctor's wife (the girl's mother) knew of propolis. She gave the ailing child a sugar lump soaked in propolis. She repeated this treatment. After two days, the child was much better, and was soon on the way to recovery. So began research into the miracle healing powers of this natural antibiotic.

-Skin Healing. From Austria, Dr.Edith Lauda tells of using a propolis tincture and ointment to treat patients troubled with acne, and other dermatological disorders. Dr. Lauda was able to completely heal her patients after a few treatments of a propolis tincture and ointment. One case concerned a woman who suffered with acne conglobate on her chin for thirty years. She had not responded to chemotherapy. After only two propolis treatments, her skin was free of inflammation. Only small acne remainders were visible. Another woman, age 40, had acne pustulosa, covering her entire face, she did not respond to chemotherapy. But within two weeks of home treatment with propolis tincture and ointment, the acne was totally eliminated.

-Other Benefits. Propolis and bee products are reportedly successful in healing corns, protecting against radiation, soothing the throat after a tonsillectomy. It is helpful to staunch blood:its glutinous composition has a "varnishing" reaction on the operation wound. Propolis in the form of eye drops has been used to reduce intra-ocular pressure. The Soviet Union tells of applying a propolis ointment together with a propolis-butter extract taken orally to help successfully treat bone joint tuberculosis.

This natural medicine has been rediscovered and hailed as a miracle of healing. World scientists are researching propolis and other bee products. They are constantly making new discoveries about its curative powers. Take advantage of this all-natural healer to build body health without the use of potentially harmful drugs and medicines.

Currently, various types of propolis are available in many health stores and pharmacies. These include:

-Propolis lozenge which is sweet tasting and effective for soothing a sore throat, relieving a cough due to colds and other respiratory problems.

-Propolis cream is helpful for either dry or oily skin. It may also be used to build up the health of the skin to protect against premature aging.

-Propolis tincture is a liquid form that can be used as a gargle (four or five drops in half a glass of tepid water) for throat disorders. Also, put a few drops on a sugar lump and suck. Eases throat infections.

-Propolis Toothpaste should be used to help improve health of the gums and teeth. It also has an antibacterial antiseptic action that destroys harmful bacteria which breed in spaces between teeth, preventing the developments of gum disorders.

Bee products such as propolis offer hope for a long and healthy life. These are all-natural medicines, amazing in their miracle health-youth building powers. They are yours for the taking.....and rejuvenating.