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2025.05.08 column

Is Propolis effective for the throat? What are the points to consider when choosing a product?




Some of you may have seen the words "contains Propolis" on commercially available Lozenges.

Propolis is originally used to keep beehives safe, but it is also recommended for those who want to clear their throats.

In this article, we will introduce the effects of Propolis and how to incorporate it into your daily life, in addition to its throat-clearing effect.

If you want to enjoy natural health foods, please read on.

What is Propolis?


Propolis is a natural defense barrier that bees use to maintain the hygiene and strength of their hive by applying it to the entrance and gaps.

Honeybees create it by mixing tree sap, resin, and mucus collected from plants with their own secretions.

It contains various antibacterial ingredients that protect the condition of the hive, and is attracting attention as a health food produced by bees, along with honey and Royal Jelly.

Furthermore, the environments in which high-quality Propolis can be harvested to serve as a health food are extremely limited, and it can only be harvested from a very small number of hives.

There are 20,000 to 50,000 worker bees in each beehive, but the amount of Propolis that can be extracted from them is only 40 to 60 grams per year. If only the propolis that can be treated as a health food is selected, the amount is further reduced.

That is why Propolis is still a very valuable and expensive health food today.

Ingredients contained in Propolis


Propolis is made up of resin, Beeswax, essential oils, Pollen, and other organic components.

The organic components among these are the secret to the refreshing stimulation of the throat.

The amount and balance of organic components contained in Propolis varies depending on the type of plant it comes from.

Here we will introduce the organic components contained in Propolis as a general example.

▼Organic components of Propolis



The above is just one example, and it is said that Propolis contains over 300 types of chemical substances.

Of particular note are ingredients known as cinnamic acid derivatives.

Cinnamic acid derivatives help keep beehives clean and prevent the invasion of bacteria and other microorganisms.

Its effectiveness as a health food is still in the research stage, but it is suspected to have a variety of functions, and further research is anticipated.

Benefits of Propolis




As I mentioned earlier, the components and their quantities in Propolis vary depending on the source plants.

Therefore, there are many different benefits to be gained from ingesting Propolis.

Here are some common examples.

Clear your throat


Propolis provides a refreshing feeling to the throat.

In addition to ingesting it directly, it is also recommended to gargle with Propolis.

Lozenges containing Propolis, which has a tingling sensation, are also commonly sold.

Supporting a healthy everyday life


Propolis is rich in ingredients that help you stay healthy every day.

It will help you replenish the nutrients you are lacking and help you maintain your health.

If you want to continue to stay healthy and energetic, try using the power of Propolis.

Relieves seasonal discomfort


If you are concerned about the itchy discomfort you feel when the seasons change, Propolis is recommended.

It is expected to have the effect of addressing the triggers that make you feel depressed, and also help to balance your mind and body. Incorporate Propolis into your life and aim for a comfortable daily life free from the bother of itching.

Maintaining skin that gets compliments


Propolis can also be a valuable ally for those who are worried about their skin and are losing confidence in it.

If you incorporate Propolis into your daily routine, you may regain the confidence you had when you were younger and receive compliments such as, "You look better!" Why not start Propolis lifestyle and live a more energetic life?

You can enjoy wearing the clothes you want to wear


Propolis contains a variety of ingredients, so it can be used to supplement and balance the nutrients that are lacking in your daily diet.

Use Propolis to replenish your nutrients while dieting, and aim to enjoy wearing the clothes you love every day.

Related articles:What are the benefits of taking Propolis?

People who should avoid Propolis




Propolis does have some side effects.

However, as of March 2025, no serious side effects have been reported, so there is generally no problem.

People who should avoid it are beekeepers who handle honeybees and people who are allergic to bees.

Although the incidence rate is very low at about 0.05%, symptoms known as 'Propolis hypersensitivity' have been observed in beekeepers.

Even non-beekeepers who have previously experienced allergic symptoms after eating foods produced by bees, such as honey or Royal Jelly, should avoid Propolis as well.

However, Propolis is generally a food with very low risk of harm.

As long as you follow the recommended daily intake and avoid overdosing, you can generally enjoy it without any problems.

▼Recommended dosage of Propolis



Although it is generally not problematic for small children to consume it, it is best to avoid it until the age of about 3.

Although Propolis is naturally beneficial for health, it can be too stimulating if taken by those with a weakened immune system.

However, it is important to note that some products that use Propolis, such as liquid types, contain alcohol.

Related articles:Is honey dangerous? How to choose safe honey

How to take Propolis?


Liquid Propolis, which is generally sold as a health food, may be too harsh on the throat if drunk as is, so it should be diluted with water or hot water before drinking.

The recommended dosage is about 5 to 10 drops of Propolis extract per glass of water or hot water. Take it once or twice a day. Gargling with it instead of drinking it is also recommended.

Please note that the resin contained in Propolis may stick to the cup.

It can be easily removed by wiping it with alcohol, but if you find it troublesome to wipe it off every time, please prepare a special cup for this purpose.

Propolis can also be taken in in ways other than drinking it directly. Here are two ways that even first-Propolis can enjoy taking propolis and make it a part of their daily routine.

 

Mix into drinks


If you are concerned about the unique taste and flavor Propolis, try mixing it into a drink.

If you mix it into your coffee, you can drink it without worrying about the taste.

In addition, dairy products such as lactic acid bacteria drinks and yogurt drinks help to milden the unique taste of Propolis.

It also goes well with citrus juices such as orange juice and grapefruit juice.

It is also recommended to mix it with yogurt and honey.

 

Take as a supplement


For those who are concerned about the irritation of the original liquid or who want a more convenient way to incorporate it into their diet, we recommend supplements.

In addition to Propolis liquid and capsules, we also offer lemon-flavored tablets that can be eaten like a sweet.

It can be consumed without water, so if you are a first-time user or would like to start Propolis lifestyle with your family, please consider it.

 

How to choose Propolis


Finally, we will give you some tips on how to choose Propolis that will help you maintain your health from the many products available.

Please keep the following three points in mind when selecting your product.

 

Tip 1: Check the ingredients listed


To choose a quality Propolis, check the content and try a few different ones to find the one that works best for you.

Additionally, I would like to confirm the presence of Artepillin C, a cinnamic acid derivative, which is only found in Brazilian green Propolis. The higher the content of unique components, the more health benefits can be obtained in a single intake, so if you want to supplement efficiently, please choose those with a higher content.

 

Point 2: Check the place of production


Propolis actually has different characteristics depending on where it is produced.

This is because the ingredients in Propolis vary depending on the plant from which it is made.

Brazil is well known as a producer of Propolis. Brazilian Propolis tends to be rich in unique components such as flavonoids, so if you want to experience the effects of Propolis, we recommend Brazilian propolis.

 

Point 3: Clarify the purpose of taking Propolis


There are several types of Propolis products, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, including ease of consumption.

It is a good idea to first clarify why you want to take Propolis, and then choose the one that best suits your purpose.

▼ Propolis product comparison table



If you want to consume the health benefits of Propolis as efficiently as possible, we recommend the liquid type.

If you prioritize convenience, capsule types or candies are recommended.

For those who want to enjoy it like Lozenges, please choose candy; for those who want to carefully consume it in a meal-like manner, please select capsule or tablet type supplements.

Propolis is also recommended for seasonal changes.




This time, we introduced the effects of Propolis and recommended ways to drink it.

Propolis, which provides a refreshing feeling to the throat, is also recommended for those who experience increased troubles as the seasons change.

It is rich in ingredients necessary for a healthy life, so please use it for your daily nutritional supplementation.

Column Supervisor

Mr. Kaname Hirayagi

Hirayanagi Hirayanagi Essential Key pointMr.

Title: Doctor of Medicine (University of Tokyo) / Master of Health Science (University of Tokyo)

Affiliation: Food Medical Research Institute, Representative and Director

Brief Biography

After completing the graduate program in Physiology at the University of Tokyo, they became a visiting researcher at the University of Parma in Italy, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and then became an associate professor in Hygiene at Nihon University School of Medicine.
So far, I have served as a part-time lecturer at Nippon Sport Science University (Public Health / Occupational Health), Sano Nihon University Junior College (Public Health), and held positions as a director in the Japan Ergonomics Society, the Japan Society for Aerospace and Environmental Medicine, and the Japan Society of Clinical Hyperbaric Oxygen and Diving Medicine, as well as a councilor in the Japan Society of Hygiene and the Japan Society for Preventive Medicine Risk Management.
Currently, I am the representative and director of Food Medicine Research Institute.

Specialized field

- Special Environmental Medicine (Space Environment Physiology, Marine Environment Physiology, Occupational Health Science)
- Research on the health effects of food ingredients based on scientific evidence.

[Media appearances]

NHK 'Try It and Understand'
TBS Television 'The Doctor's The Stamp of Approval!'
TV Asahi 'Hayashi Osamu's Now is the Time! Lecture'
CBC Television "Health Capsule! Time for Vitality"
He has also appeared on many other programs, including MBS, TV Tokyo, and BS Fuji.

Supervision and Contribution Achievements

The Power of Honey (Housewives and Life Publishing Co.)
Magical Honey (Makino Publishing)
A special ginger recipe for body alignment (Natsume Publishing)
In addition, I have been featured in magazines, newspapers, and magazines about the health benefits of food.
He has contributed and supervised over 200 articles.

[Works]

The surprising effectiveness of sunbathing in cancer prevention - the astonishing power of vitamin D (Kodansha)
"Don't Get Sick! Ginger Green Tea Health Method (Published by Sanmark, Chinese version available)"
A longevity furikake created by a medical doctor (Sanmark Publishing)
Other specialized books include "Modern Life and Health" (Shinohara Publishing) and "New Edition of Hygiene Practice" (Nanzando), among others.
He has written many books on health and wellness.

[External link]

Food Medicine Research Institute Blog: http://h-and-w.jp/column/
My Best Pro Gunma Blog: https://mbp-japan.com/gunma/food-medicine/column/




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