Sunday, April 30, 2006

New Way to Identify and Quantify Propolis Compounds

New Way to Produce Medicines Containing Propolis
Revista Fitos, 3/3/2006

Abstract: A chemical process to classify many chemical substances in Brazilian propolis, employing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was developed. It was possible to identify and quantify the different chemical compounds in this resin.

A separation process by liquid chromatography, able to identify the main components of propolis samples (markers), was established. After investigated more than two hundred samples, it was developed a method for the quality control of many compounds in this bee product. Using the quantitative HPLC, a classification for Brazilian propolis, based in the presence of markers was established.

The process includes the data imputed in a program to quantify the substances identified by HPLC and establishes the classification using the amount of each chemical component in different types of Brazilian propolis. This is a new way for pharmaceutical industry developed new products using this classification for quality control.

Review of Propolis Antitumor Activity

Biological Activity of Bee Propolis in Health and Disease
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2006 Jan-Mar;7(1):22-31

Propolis is a natural product derived from plant resins collected by honeybees. It is used by bees as glue, a general-purpose sealer, and as draught-extruder for beehives. Propolis has been used in folk medicine for centuries. It is known that propolis possesses anti- microbial, antioxidative, anti-ulcer and anti-tumor activities...

The chemical composition of propolis is quite complicated. More than 300 compounds such as polyphenols, phenolic aldehydes, sequiterpene quinines, coumarins, amino acids, steroids and inorganic compounds have been identified in propolis samples. The contents depend on the collecting location, time and plant source. Consequently, biological activities of propolis gathered from different phytogeographical areas and time periods vary greatly. In this review, the activity of bee propolis will be presented with special emphasis on the antitumor activity.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

UK Couple Fined for Selling Falsely-Labeled Honey

Couple Fined for Selling Fake Honey
By Emily Dennis, The Independent (UK), 4/29/2006

A couple who bought cheap imported honey and sold it to shopkeepers claiming it was made in Norfolk were fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £90,000 costs.

William Baker, 59, and his wife Lynn, 55, of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, carried out a "deliberate and dishonest scam" by using honey from countries such as Argentina and China in their product, a court heard…

Propolis Component Helps Reduce Tissue Injury

Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Reduced by Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester in Mice
Science Letter, 5/1/2006

(NewsRx.com) -- Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) treatment inhibits ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice.

"Oxygen-derived free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of tissue injury after ischemia-reperfusion," reconstructive surgeons in Turkey explained.

CAPE, "an active ingredient of honeybee propolis, has been identified as having potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties," noted B.T. Bilen and colleagues at Turgut Ozal Medical Center in Malatya.

In a recent study, they "evaluated the ability of CAPE applied intraperitoneally in reducing tissue injury after ischemia-reperfusion."…

"CAPE given intraperitoneally had an inhibitory effect on tissue injury after ischemia-reperfusion comparable to that of a control group," test results revealed…

Bilen and coauthors published their study in the Scandinavian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery (Effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on survival of axial pattern flaps in rats with ischaemia-reperfusion injuries. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg, 2006;40(2):73-78)…

Friday, April 28, 2006

Influence of Propolis Water Solution on Heart Mitochondrial Function

Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2006 May;58(5):709-13

The effect of propolis water solution (PWS) on the respiration of rat heart mitochondria with NAD-linked (pyruvate + malate), FAD-linked (succinate) substrates and fatty acids (palmitoyl-L-carnitine) was investigated in this study. PWS at the lowest concentration of 4 mug mL(-1) of phenolic compounds (PC) had no effect on mitochondrial respiration with all investigated substrates. PWS at concentrations of 63 and 125 mug mL(-1) of PC caused a significant decrease of basal (24 and 54%) and maximal (58 and 70%) respiration rates with succinate as substrate…

US Farm Magazine Offers Apitherapy Recipes

Homemade Health & Beauty Recipes
Countryside & Small Stock Journal, 5/1/2006

For cough syrup: Warm 1/2 cup honey. Add 4 tablespoons fresh or bottled lemon juice. Store in sterilized glass bottle in refrigerator up to 2 months. Take 2 tablespoons every 2 hours for cough.

For respiratory ailments: Mix 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme in a little honey. Take orally as needed to sooth inflamed lungs and airways.

Another Cough Syrup: Mix 5 teaspoons cider vinegar and 5 tablespoons honey. Take as needed.

Sore Throat and Cough: Put half a clove of garlic and one small onion cut in quarters in a jar. Cover with honey and let sit for several hours. Then eat by the teaspoonful as often as needed.

Homemade Balm Recipes Protect Your Lips

Honey Lip Balm

1/4 cup almond oil
1 tablespoon beeswax
1-1/2 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon essential oil

In a double boiler, melt the almond oil and beeswax. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the honey and essential oil. Pour into small lidded containers (lip balm tubes or tins). Let cool before covering. Makes 10 small tins

Lemon Lip Balm

1 tablespoon petroleum jelly
1/2 teaspoon beeswax, grated
5 dropslemon oil

In a small microwave-proof bowl, heat the petroleum jelly and beeswax for 30 seconds on high until melted. Remove from oven. Stir in the lemon oil. Pour the mixture into a small jar or tin. I like to use beeswax beads. They are easy to measure and it beats hacking away at a solid block of beeswax. The beeswax beads, as well as lip balm tubes and tins, can be ordered from Rainbow Meadow; www.rainbowmeadow.com or toll free 1-800-207-4047. They also carry essential oils and soap supplies...

The original recipe for this hand balm called for palm kernel oil and coconut oil. But I found I can mix equal parts of butter, olive oil and beeswax, melt it until it will run and pour it into a container. The container can be either molds or something with a lid. I just rub my fingers over the top then rub it into my hands. Keeps them nice and soft.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Honey, Beeswax Moisture Cream Recipe

Kitchen Cosmetics: A Taste of Honey
By Jan Norn, Nelson Daily News (Canada), 4/26/2006

Honey has been used for healing for thousands of years and is now being re-discovered by the medical world, as it is more effective than antibiotics in the fight against some infections, both external and internal. For chapped fingers or lips, a little honey applied under your salve works wonders.

However, this must be natural honey, just as it comes from the hive - once it is pasteurized, many of the essential enzymes are destroyed. So find someone who has bees in your area, and buy directly from them. This is a powerful natural medicine, and one that has been ignored for years, probably because the majority of the honey you can buy commercially tastes good but has had a lot of the life processed out of it.

I have just finished a book by a farmer's wife who tells how her husband was terribly allergic to his surroundings when they moved onto their land 20 years ago. They ate honey from their own hives, honey that was made from the same plants that caused the allergies, and gradually he noticed, "No more allergies." Nature's antidotes!

Beeswax has it's own healing magic as well. It contains much of the goodness of honey, plus propolis to boost the healing, preservative and antibiotic qualities…

Last week I gave you a recipe for a simple gardener's salve. Today's recipe is more complex and serves a different purpose. Simple salves are for soothing and healing. Recipes that incorporate water are more effective because oil does not moisturize - only water moisturizes. The tricky part comes when you ask the oil and water to blend - they hate that! There are a few ways to outwit them, however, and in this recipe temperature is the vital tool. Get it right and you will have a lovely cream for dehydrated hands and feet.

Smart Moisture Cream

- Two ounces of beeswax
- One cup of sweet almond or your favorite oil (macerated with calendula, elderberry, etc. if desired).
- One cup of distilled or boiled water.
- One teaspoon raw honey.
- Your choice of essential oils.

1. Melt beeswax and oil until beeswax dissolves.
2. Warm water and honey, stir until dissolved, and put in blender.
3. Cover blender and turn on to 'whip'.
4. Slide blender cover over and pour in melted oil/beeswax mixture slowly and evenly.
5. Add essential oils as you wish.
6. If the gods smile on you, the warm oil mixture will blend into the cooler water and you will have a creamy mixture ready to pour or spoon in to pots.
7. If not, you will be scraping beeswax of the sides of your blender and re-whipping it a few times. Persevere, the cream is worth it!
8. This cream is quite durable and does not need to be refrigerated.

Uganda: Promoter of Honey-Based ‘AIDS Cure’ Arrested

Iranian Arrested Over AIDS Drug
By Herbert Ssempogo and Anne Mugisa, The New Vision (Uganda), 4/27/2006

The Government has ordered Iranian Prof. Sheik Allagholi Elahi to stop his activities and claims that he has a cure for HIV/AIDS using Khomeini products. Elahi has subsequently been arrested.

Elahi, who claims that his drug expels the HIV virus from the body, was arrested on Tuesday at 4:00pm at his offices at Naguru, a city suburb.

Four other people working with him were also arrested and are helping the Police with investigations, Police anti-narcotics chief Pearson Barasha said.

The Ministry of Health directive and subsequent arrest of Elahi followed findings by experts that Elahi’s claims were false and that people who he said he had cured of HIV/AIDS still remained HIV-positive.

The experts also said Elahi’s products, called Khomeini I, II and III, are just herbal products that contain varying proportions of honey and olive oil, which can be got by anyone from any market or shop…

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Product Watch: Colgate Uses Propolis in Toothpaste, Soap

Video: Russian Commercial for Colgate Propolis Toothpaste

Colgate Announces Strong 1st Quarter
PR Newswire, 4/26/2006

NEW YORK, April 26, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Colgate-Palmolive Company today announced strong worldwide sales and unit volume growth for first quarter 2006, with every operating division delivering volume increases…

Latin America (24% of Company Sales)

Colgate continues to build its strong leadership in oral care throughout Latin America with toothpaste market share gains seen in nearly every country in the region, reaching record highs in Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador…new products driving growth in Latin America are Colgate MicroSonic battery-powered toothbrush, Colgate Smiles line of manual toothbrushes for kids, Palmolive Nutri-Milk and Protex Propolis bar soaps

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Honey Massage

How You Can Make Your Day Perfect
The Express (UK), 4/25/06

DO try a honey massage. Liz says that dry, flaky skin will benefit if you slowly rub a teaspoon of honey into your face and then rinse with warm water. This cleanses and conditions the skin, while leaving its natural oils intact.

Honey and Obesity: Cause or Cure?

Honey ‘Hibernation’ Diet: Lose Weight in Your Sleep
ABC News, 4/25/06

Another alternative is the hibernation or honey diet. Honey is thought to fuel the liver and persuade our bodies to burn up fat while we sleep, but Katz said he was not sure how effective the diet was.

"It may be pleasant, but I'm not sure if you can expect to see the benefits on the scale the following morning," he said…

Fructose and Weight Gain: A Bad Rap?
Experts examine whether the sweetener known as fructose contributes to the obesity epidemic.
Carol Sorgen, WebMD Medical News, 4/10/06

In an attempt to explain the ever-increasing (no pun intended) incidence of obesity in the U.S., fingers have been pointing of late to fructose. It's a sweetener found naturally in fruit and honey and as a component of high-fructose corn syrup, which is used in sweetened foods and beverages.

Some research has suggested that fructose may stimulate a hormonal response in the body that promotes weight gain. Other studies have hypothesized that fructose, vs. other forms of sugar, may trick you into thinking you are hungrier than you should be. But is fructose the real culprit? Many experts don't think so

Monday, April 24, 2006

Overview of Methods for Measuring Polyphenols in Honey, Propolis

Advances in the Analysis of Phenolic Compounds in Products Derived from Bees
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, April 15, 2006

Honey and propolis are rich in phenolic compounds, which act as natural antioxidants, and are becoming increasingly popular because of their potential role in contributing to human health. These compounds can also be used as indicators in studies into the floral and geographical origin of the honey and propolis themselves.

We present here an overview of current analytical methods for measuring polyphenols in honey and propolis. The analytical procedure to determine individual phenolic compounds involves their extraction from the sample, analytical separation and quantification.

The techniques reviewed are based on spectrophotometry as well as analytical separation techniques such as gas chromatography, high-pressure liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Propolis Research: Side Effects, Anti-Tumor Potential

Propolis: Effect of Different Concentrations, Extracts and Intake period on Seric Biochemical Variables
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 105, Issues 1-2 , 21 April 2006, Pages 95-98

Conclusion: On the basis of our findings, since propolis does not induce any significant change in seric parameters, it is claimed that long-term administration of propolis might not have any cardiac injury.

Inhibitory Effect of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester on the Growth of C6 Glioma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Cancer Letters, Volume 234, Issue 2 , 28 March 2006, Pages 199-208

Conclusion: These results suggest that CAPE presents an antitumor potential for glioma by inhibiting the growth of tumor cells.

Synthesis of Compounds with Antiproliferative Activity as Analogues of Prenylated Natural Products Existing in Brazilian Propolis
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 41, Issue 3 , March 2006, Pages 401-407

Conclusion: The compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity toward a diverse panel of cultured human tumor cell lines. Compound 3 showed significant selective cytotoxic activity (IC50 < 9 μg/ml).

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Bee Venom Balm Recommended for Arthritis

Ask Emma
By Emma Mitchell, The Guardian (UK), 4/22/2006

I am a 50-year-old man with arthritis. Although my fingers are not yet that painful, I have been prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, which I don't want to take. Could you recommend any natural anti-inflammatory creams?

There are some excellent natural anti-inflammatory creams…And many swear by Nectar Balm, containing manuka honey and bee venom, from Nectar Ease...

Friday, April 21, 2006

Honey-Based ‘AIDS Drug’ Banned in Uganda

Khomeini 'Aids Drug' Banned
The Monitor, 4/21/2006

The Government has with immediate effect banned the use of an Iranian anti-Aids and Tuberculosis herb (Khomeini) and its distribution in the country.

The State Minister in charge of Primary Health Care, Dr Alex Kamugisha, announced in Parliament yesterday that the Institute of Elahi International Initiatives for Development and Education (IEIIDE) must stop treating patients and distributing its products in Uganda.

At the same time, angry members of Parliament demanded for the immediate arrest, prosecution and deportation of the Institute's head Prof. Sheik Allagholi Elahi.

"All the patients under the care of Prof. Elahi are advised to receive appropriate care and treatment including ARVs from accredited health facilities under the Ministry of Health," Kamugisha said. "The public is advised that the Khomeini products are not a cure for HIV/Aids and anyone taking them does so at his or her own risk."

Prof. Elahi claims he cures HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis in three weeks...

The main components of the drug, according to the study are olive oil, honey and minerals of varying concentrations.

"The samples analyzed did not have antibiotics, antiretroviral and antituberclosis drugs currently in use in Uganda," Kamugisha said…

SEE: Scientist Accuses Ugandan Government of Stalling Herbal AIDS Drug

Thursday, April 20, 2006

New Apitherapy Video in Spanish

En este vi­deo se explica en que consiste la Apiterapia y el procedimiento utilizado por Pedro Perez (www.curandote.com) con testimonios de pacientes.

View the video: 16 min 23 sec - Apr 15, 2006

This video explains Apitherapy and the procedures used by Pedro Perez, with testimonies of patients.

Market Watch: New Zealand Apitherapy Company Takes on Debt

Comvita Takes on Debt for Bigger Stake in US Partner
The New Zealand Herald, 4/20/2006

NZAX-listed health products maker Comvita has taken on more debt to buy an extra US$1 million ($1.6 million) stake in American partner Derma Sciences.

The money will be used to support Derma's US$6.5 million purchase of Western Medical, a United States-based maker and marketer of medical textile dressing.

The latest equity stake with attached warrants could take Comvita's stake in Derma to 10 per cent…

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Product Watch: Honey Used in Hungarian Skin Care Products

Natural Skin Care Line Edible
NBC 10 (USA), 4/18/2006

Fruit, honey an herbs combine in an edible skin care line that promises results inside and out.

The Eminence organic skin care line consists of all-natural products, like face masks made of cherries, honey and biocomplex. They contain no preservatives, no added perfumes, and are actually edible.

"The skin is the largest organ in the body. Would you really want to put a product on your face that would probably make you very ill if you eat it? With our product, you can literally eat it," line owner Boldijarre Koronczay said.

The line is home grown, hand picked and hand mixed in Hungary…

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

DVDs of German Apitherapy Conference Now Available

DVDs containing presentations and demonstrations offered at the German Congress and Workshop on Apitherapy held recently in Passau are now available for purchase.

The cost for the two-DVD set is 40 Euros, plus shipping and handling. For more information on ordering, contact Dr. Stefan Stangaciu at: drstangaciu@apitherapy.com

Product Watch: New Nutritional Bar Contans Bee-Collected Pollen

A New Revolutionary Meal-In-A-Bar
Newswire Today, 4/18/2006

Midland based Wysong Corporation, a research, development, educational and manufacturing firm, announces (patent pending) OriginsTM Meal-In-A-Bar. This delicious natural food is the result of over 20 years of conceptual and technical development. The goal of Origins™ is to provide food exactly as a person would find in nature. That means no heat processing.

Ingredients: Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Pecans, Cashews, Macadamia Nuts, Prebiotics (Including Inulin), Flax, Plums, Walnuts, Hydrated Maple Syrup, Apples, Honey, Dairy Concentrate (including Colostrum, Lactoferrin, Lactoperoxidase), Enzymes, Probiotic Cultures (including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bifidus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium), Vanilla, Bee Pollen, Cinnamon, Coral Calcium, Milk Calcium, Oat Sprouts, Quinoa Sprouts, Spelt Sprouts, Wysong OxerpholTM (Vitamin E Tocopherol Epimers, Fat-soluble Vitamin C, Organic Chelators and Natural Botanical Oleoresins).

Monday, April 17, 2006

Development of Jamaican Apitherapy Products Proposed

Agri Ministry Moves to Expand Honey Production
John Myers Jr/Rasbert Turner, Jamaica Gleaner News, 4/17/2006

The Ministry of Agriculture is moving to increase honey production to meet the increasing demand for local honey on the international market.

The ministry, through its Apiculture Unit, has been actively recruiting and training farmers in bee keeping and husbandry islandwide to meet this demand. The first batch of 28 young farmers graduated from the Bodles Research Centre in Old Harbour, St. Catherine on April 6…

Winfield Murray, president of the All-Island Bee Farmers Association (AIBFA) said "based on the local and international demand for Jamaican honey, the bee industry has the potential to be a 'gold mine'."…

Mr. Murray said there is the potential to develop value-added products, such as candles, hair oil, body lotion, bath gel, bee wax, bee pollen, propolis, royal jelly, gift packaging, from the bee industry.

He noted that the potential for the development of value-added products provides the opportunity for the generation of significant income for the small, medium and large farmers…

Possible Mechanism for Sustained Release of Bee Venom

Sustained Release of Bee Venom Peptide from Biodegradable Thermosensitive PLGA-PEG-PLGA Triblock Copolymer-Based Hydrogels in Vitro
Die Pharmazie, 2006 Mar;61(3):199-202

The release of bee venom peptide from the copolymer-based hydrogel and hydrogel degradation in the phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) was studied at 37 degrees C under agitation. Bee venom peptide was released from the copolymer-based hydrogels over 40 days in vitro and the variation of DL-lactide/glycolide molar ratio in the PLGA block of the copolymer did not significantly affect the release rate of bee venom peptide (P > 0.05)…

These results indicate that the PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymer-based hydrogel could be a promising platform for sustained delivery of bee venom peptide.

Sunday, April 16, 2006

The Potential of Honey to Promote Oral Wellness

P. C. Molan, Honey Research Unit, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

Abstract: Honey has been used as a medicine throughout the ages, and in more recent times has been "rediscovered" by the medical profession for treatment of burns, infected wounds and skin ulcers. The large volume of literature reporting its effectiveness indicates that honey has therapeutic features that indicate it has potential for the treatment of periodontal disease, mouth ulcers and other problems of oral health.

Honey has a potent broad-spectrum antibacterial activity that rapidly clears infection from wounds when applied topically, which may make it suitable for "anti-infective" treatment of periodontal disease as well as for clearing infection in mouth ulcers and wounds from oral surgery.

The action of honey in preventing wounds becoming infected also indicates that it may be of use in preventing the development of dry socket after tooth extraction. The soothing effect resulting from the very effective anti-inflammatory action of honey may also be beneficial in these applications.

The anti-inflammatory activity of honey, combined with its significant content of antioxidants, may also be of benefit in preventing the erosion of periodontal tissues that occurs as collateral damage from the free radicals released in the inflammatory response to infection…

Conclusion: The therapeutic properties of honey evident in its well established usage in wound care clearly give it potential for therapeutic use in various areas of dentistry, but there will need to be trials carried out before its usefulness in known. There is also the potential for the risk of caries to be reduced by using honey selected to have a high level of antibacterial activity, but again trials need to be carried out to determine to what extent this is true…

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Use of Propolis in Dental Care Reviewed

Propolis: a Background
British Dental Journal (2006); 200, 359-360

Sir, Dr T. A. Parr reported a patient who developed oral ulceration as a consequence of exposure to a fungicide, who was then treated with propolis (BDJ 2006; 200: 64). However, before clinicians consider using propolis, a little background might be worth considering.

Propolis (bee glue, or royal jelly[sic]) is a natural substance based on the resin of pines, collected by bees. The term 'propolis' derives from 'pro' (Greek = before), and 'polis' (city) based on the fact that honeybees use propolis to narrow the opening to their hives.

Propolis is a complex entity, containing about 55% resinous compounds and balsam, 30% beeswax, 10% ethereal and aromatic oils, and 5% bee pollen. Contained chemicals include amino acids; flavanoids including flavones, flavonols and flavanones; terpenes; vanillin; tetochrysin; isalpinin pinocembrin chrysin galangin; ferulic acid; caffeic acid; caffeic acid phenethyl ester; cinnamic acid and cinnamyl alcohol.

Propolis has a degree of antimicrobial action against fungi such as C. albicans, and some bacteria including a range of oral microorganisms and viruses, and may be as effective as aciclovir against herpes simplex virus. It also has immunomodulatory activity with augmentation of non-specific antitumour resistance.

Not surprisingly therefore, many claims, not always substantiated, have been made for the general beneficial effects of propolis. In dentistry, propolis has been used in dentifrices, as a storage medium for teeth after evulsion, in periodontal therapy and in endodontics. Propolis ethanolic solutions are the most used propolis products on the market for assisting the treatment of ulcers in the mouth, thrush or skin infections: there is little evidence base.

While I am a great supporter of holistic dentistry and complementary medicine, the fact is that as well as the fact that there is little evidence base for efficacy, phytomedicines such as propolis, though natural, cannot necessarily always be regarded as safe. Propolis is, for example, well recognised as causing hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis, and as occasionally causing untoward reactions such as allergic cheilitis, and oral ulceration.

C. Scully CBE

Friday, April 14, 2006

New Zealand Apitherapy Firm Moves to Protect Use of ‘Manuka’ in EU

Moves Made To Safeguard 'Manuka' Name
Scoop Independent News, 4/13/2006

An application has been made to secure the 'manuka' name after concerns were raised by manuka honey exporters that the word 'manuka' was legally unprotected in Europe and could fall into the wrong hands…

According to Sue Irwin Ironside, partner at intellectual property lawyers Baldwins, while manuka as a word would be exceptionally difficult to protect in New Zealand as it is in general use, that is not the case in other countries.

"In Europe, for example, manuka would be an uncommon name and could be registered by a company that is unconnected to New Zealand – even though manuka is exclusive to New Zealand."

When the vulnerability of the name was noted by natural health products company Comvita, it immediately applied to register the name 'manuka' in the European Union as a precautionary move.

Comvita chief executive Brett Hewlett says after seeing that other interests have registered or tried to register 'manuka' elsewhere in the world we decided to move quickly.

"It's important to ensure that registrations for manuka don't fall into the wrong hands as that could result in legitimate exporters being sued for trademark infringement."

National Beekeepers Association executive officer Jim Edwards says he is pleased to see moves are being made to protect the name for manuka products on behalf of all New Zealand beekeepers…

Hewlett is clear about the intention: "It is not, and never will be, Comvita's intention to obstruct any New Zealand-owned manuka product brands from selling in the EU. Healthy competition in such a vast market can only serve to continue to build credibility for the therapeutic properties of our unique and indigenous manuka honey."

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Antioxidant Activity of Propolis May Result From Action of Several Compounds

Propolis Extract Release Evaluation From Topical Formulations
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

Abstract: Propolis is a resinous bee hive product that has many biological activities. Among these activities, the antioxidant activity deserves special interest since it suggests propolis could be successfully applied topically to prevent and treat skin damages. The skin is continuously exposed to free radicals generated in the aging process and by external stimuli such as sunlight. Thus, the development of topical formulations added with propolis extract is justified. However, it raises the necessity of being concerned about the methodologies that could be used to evaluate the propolis extract release from these formulations…

Thus, once the antioxidant activity of propolis extract may be the result of the synergic action of several compounds, the obtained results indicate that a release study would be more conclusive if the antioxidant activity was evaluated, besides the measurement of a marker compound content.

Beeswax One Source of Cholesterol-Lowering Drug

Drug May Help Cut Your LDL
Richard Harkness, Sun Herald (USA), 4/13/2006

Q: Due to the cost of Zocor and the need for long-term use, I'm interested in trying policosanol to lower my cholesterol. But could you tell me why policosanol, which comes from sugar cane, has the same side effects as drugs like Zocor?

A: Zocor (simvastatin) is one of the cholesterol-lowering prescription drugs called statins.

I'm wondering how you came by your notion that policosanol has the same side effects as statin drugs, which doesn't seem to be the case. More on this shortly.

Policosanol, a dietary supplement, is a mixture of waxy alcohols derived primarily from sugar cane. Other sources include wheat germ, rice, beeswax and yams

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Chinese Propolis Products Donated to Botswana Police

Chinese Company Celebrates Success
Daily News (Botswana), 4/12/2006

GABORONE - Members of the Chinese herbal company Tasly held a get-together to celebrate the company’s success in Botswana.

The health products company, which is only a year old in Botswana, was giving away a number of awards to its well performing distributors. Two people, who had reached a certain target in a time, walked away with cars worth about P60 000 each.

The highlight of the musical event came when the company donated some of its products to the Botswana Police Service.

The gift comprised Tasly products worth P164 000, including 1 000 bottles of Propolis tablets and 500 bottles of Propolis capsules.

The tablets improve the immune system while the capsules are for high blood pressure and ulcers...

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Market Watch: Japanese ‘Jelly Drink’ Contains Royal Jelly

Jelly Drinks in Pouches Speed up Breakfast
The Nikkei Weekly (Japan), 4/10/2006

The popularity of jelly beverages is growing. Originally developed as a nutritional supplement for athletes and others who engage in vigorous physical exercise, these jelly pouches are increasingly used as a breakfast substitute by busy people.

The market shares of such drinks continue to grow faster than those of other nutrition-supplementing products. Jelly beverages' expansion began around 1997, and sales have reached an annual 50-60 billion yen. Jelly beverages come in aluminum pouches with a spout at the top, through which the contents are sucked up. Being jelly, they stay longer in the stomach than liquid-type nutritional supplements…

Sato Pharmaceutical Co.'s Sato Q10 Jelly contains coenzyme Q10, a substance that slows the aging process. The popularity of the substance is growing, especially among women. The 150g pouch sells for 250 yen. Like Sato's main product, the Yunker nutritional drink, Q10 also contains carrot essence and royal jelly, to make the product appeal to Yunker users.

Argentine Apitherapy Association Formed

On April 8, a group representing many different professions, including medical professionals, engineers and beekeepers, former the Argentine Apitherapy Association. Dr. Julio Cesar Diaz was named as president of the association.

Contact: Prof. Roberto D. Pecora

Second European Conference of Apidology 2006

Prague, Czech Republic, September 10-14, 2006

Monday, April 10, 2006

Apitherapy News Interview with Dr. Noori S. Al-Waili

Noori S. Al-Waili, M.D., is a New York-based physician and research scientist who has published more than 160 scientific papers, many dealing with the medicinal properties of honey. He is also a speaker at the 1st International Conference on Medicinal Uses of Honey, August 26-28, 2006, in Malaysia.

ApiNews: How did you first get interested in Apitherapy research?

Muslims believe that honey is a healer for human illnesses because it is mentioned in the Holy Quran: “And thy Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on tree and in men’s habitations, then to eat of all the produce of the earth and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord, there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men, verily in this is a sign for those who give thought.” (Quran, 16:68-69)

In 1996, when I was in Sanaa, Republic of Yemen, working as an OBG specialist, I noticed that people applied natural unprocessed honey on postoperative wounds. The wounds healed without complication. This observation prompted me to study the possible effects of natural honey on wound infection following caesarean sections.

In 1997, I was invited to work in United Arab Emirates as a scientific advisor to the Islamic Establishment for Education, which included the Dubai College of Medicine, Dubai Pharmacy College and Dubai Specialized Medical Center and Research Laboratories.

I was fortunate enough to work with Haj Saeed Lootah, founder and chairman of the Islamic Establishment for Education, who was very interested in natural medicine and honey in particular. With his generous support, I conducted most of our published works on honey at the Research Laboratories of Dubai Specialized Medical Center.

My wife, Dr. Khelod Saloom has also supported me in my research and my sons are now working with me in the AL-Waili Foundation for Trading and Science.

ApiNews: What has been your main research focus?

As you know, honey is an old medicine and many people have worked on its effectiveness and safety. However, the main bulk of the published work focused on the effectiveness of honey as wound healer and antibacterial agent. On the other hand, we do believe that honey is good for all human diseases and illnesses. Therefore, our work was not limited to honey’s wound healing or antibacterial properties.

We have tested honey in wound healing, bacteriology, virology, mycology, cardiovascular systems, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dermatology, ophthalmology, surgery, renal physiology, hematology, and toxicology. We also used different methods of delivery, such as oral, conjunctival, topical, intravenous, and inhalation. The research included both animal and human experimentations.

ApiNews: What have been some of your key findings?

We studied extensively the effect of honey on many medical topics. We did controlled study on human patients that proves the healing and the antibacterial properties of honey.

A sampling of Dr. Al-Waili’s published research:

Investigating the Antimicrobial Activity of Natural Honey and Its Effects on the Pathogenic Bacterial Infections of Surgical Wounds and Conjunctiva

The Antimicrobial Potential of Honey from United Arab
Emirates on Some Microbial Isolates

Topical Honey Application vs. Acyclovir for the Treatment of Recurrent Herpes Simplex Lesions

Effect of Honey on Antibody Production Against Thymus-Dependent and Thymus-Independent Antigens in Primary and Secondary Immune Responses

Natural Honey Lowers Plasma Prostaglandin Concentrations in Normal Individuals

Natural Honey Lowers Plasma Glucose, C-Reactive Protein, Homocysteine, and Blood Lipids in Healthy, Diabetic, and Hyperlipidemic Subjects: Comparison with Dextrose and Sucrose

Intrapulmonary Administration of Natural Honey Solution to Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus or Hypertension

Effects of Honey on the Urinary Total Nitrite and Prostaglandins Concentration

Intravenous and Intrapulmonary Administration of Honey Solution to Healthy Sheep: Effects on Blood Sugar, Renal and Liver Function Tests, Bone Marrow Function, Lipid Profile, and Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Injury

ApiNews: You are scheduled to speak at the upcoming 1st International Conference on the Medicinal Uses of Honey in Malaysia. What points to you hope to make at the conference?

I will speak about recent advances in honey research. I will also emphasize the possible therapeutic effects of honey beyond its wound healing and antibacterial properties.

ApiNews: What do you see as future trends in Apitherapy?

I believe that bee products will be an important part of our modern medicine and researchers will discover unidentified ingredients and their potential usefulness in various aspects of medicine.

Honey is a medicine more than a simple nutrient. In addition to honey, pollen, beeswax, royal jelly, and propolis are all important and await further work to explore their biological and medicinal value.

Intravenous honey will become part of future intravenous therapy and honey inhalers will be useful for respiratory diseases. Honey and bee products will be the main component of dermatological and cosmetic preparations.

ApiNews: How may people interested in discussing your research contact you?

I may be reached by e-mail at: noori786@yahoo.com

Fresh-Frozen Pollen Recommended Over Dried

When Foods Become 'Super'
By Lucy Mayhew, The Times (UK), 4/10/2006

Bee Pollen

What it is: Powder collected by bees from plants and bound with enzymes to aid digestion in their pollen sacks. The pellets are collected from the bees' legs.

How it helps:

Contains the full range of vitamins and enzymes, 27 minerals, 22 amino acids and the antioxidants which help to prevent many degenerative diseases.

French research suggests that its greatest benefit lies in helping with intestinal problems. But this was achieved only using frozen fresh pollen, rather than the standard dried pollen.

Allergy UK reports anecdotal evidence that hay fever sufferers also benefit from bee pollen. Holistic practitioners suggest slowly building up to a teaspoon a day at the approach of the hay fever season.

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Market Watch: Single-Source Bee Pollen

Star Tribune (USA), 4/5/2006

No two jars of Ames Farm's single-source bee pollen taste exactly the same. That's because owner Brian Fredericksen harvests from more than a dozen Minnesota fields, bottling each location's contents separately. One 6.5 oz. jar might hail from a wildflower-filled meadow near Minnetrista, another might come from a grove of chestnut trees in the state's far southeastern corner, and both will have subtly different summertime flavor notes. Pebbly and golden, with an intensely floral fragrance, this rich source of protein can be stirred into juices, yogurt, smoothies and hot and cold cereals…

Honey Used in ‘Organic Facial’

And Now a Facial Good Enough to Eat
Anastasia Hendrix, San Francisco Chronicle, 4/9/2006

Mary Beth Alessandri carefully sets four bright red, organic tomatoes in a stainless steel bowl and puts a tub of organic honey and a container of organic, raw brown sugar on a table alongside a small, white food processor. It looks like the foundation of some California cuisine creation at a vegetarian restaurant. But Alessandri is not a chef; she's prepping to make one of her signature "organic facials" on the menu at Cloud 9 Spa, which she opened in September in the Flood Building in downtown San Francisco…

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Royal Jelly Viewed as ‘Miracle Cure’ in Iraq

Iraq's Honey Industry Slowly Trickles Back
By John Johnson Jr., Los Angeles Times (USA), 4/8/2006

BAQUBAH, Iraq — Alwan Abdal Razzaq, a balding man in a green suit, holds up a vial of opaque fluid.

"This is the queen's food," says the 47-year-old beekeeper. "It is $20 for a vial."

Known here as a miracle cure for everything from arthritis to headaches, royal jelly, the sickly sweet substance that bees feed to a larva to turn it into a queen, is a valuable commodity in rural Iraq, where folk remedies are a common alternative to modern medicine. Especially when modern medicine has become so expensive as to be out of reach for many…

Friday, April 07, 2006

Review of Honey as Wound Dressing Now Online

Healing Honey: The Sweet Evidence Revealed
SAGE Journal provides support for the use of honey as a wound dressing

(Thousand Oaks, CA, USA – April 6,2006) Substantial evidence demonstrates that honey, one of the oldest healing remedies known to medicine, produces effective results when used as a wound dressing. A review article in the most recent issue of SAGE Publications' International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds summarizes the data. Scientists performed 22 trials involving 2,062 patients treated with honey, as well as an additional 16 trials that were performed on experimental animals…

The article "The Evidence Supporting the Use of Honey as a Wound Dressing" can be found on The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds' website at http://ijlew.sagepub.com.

Possible Interaction Reported Between Royal Jelly and Warfarin

Warfarin and Royal Jelly Interaction
Pharmacotherapy, April 2006; 26(4):583-6

An 87-year-old African-American man came to the internal medicine clinic for a routine anticoagulation management visit. He had no complaints. His medical history was significant for stage IV-A follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension. His long-term drug therapy consisted of warfarin, felodopine, lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide, controlled-release diltiazem, potassium chloride, and oxycodone. He reported adherence with his prescribed drugs and denied taking any over-the-counter or herbal products…

On admission to the hospital, his INR was 6.88, which increased to 7.29 during his hospital stay. On further investigation, the patient admitted that he had started taking an herbal supplement, royal jelly, 1 week earlier. When asked specifically about the ingredients in the supplement, he stated that royal jelly was the only component. Relative to the patient's denial of any other changes in his condition or drug regimen, the most probable explanation for his elevated INR and subsequent bleeding is a possible interaction between royal jelly and warfarin.

To our knowledge, no case reports concerning royal jelly and warfarin taken concomitantly have been reported. Clinicians should be proactive and repeatedly provide education regarding the potential dangers of dietary supplements taken with conventional drugs.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Study: Propolis Flavonoid Content Higher in Korean than Brazil

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial activities of Propolis from Several Regions of Korea
LWT - Food Science and Technology, Volume 39, Issue 7, September 2006, Pages 756-761

Abstract: Biological activities of different propolis extracts in Korea were examined for the evaluation of quality comparison with that from Brazil (BZ). Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of propolis extracts from Yeosu (YS) and Cheorwon (CW), whose values were higher than BZ, were also shown to be more aboudant…

The extracts of YS and CW had effective antimicrobial activities on Staphilococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium and Candida albicans. Strong antioxidant, radical-scavenging and antimicrobial activities of YS and CW seemed to relate with high values, total polyphenol, and flavonoid contents.

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Brazilian Apiculture Congress Offers Workshops on Propolis, Pollen, Royal Jelly

The 16th Brazilian Apiculture Congress to be held May 22-25, 2006, in conjunction with the Brazilian Congress of Meliponiculture and EXPOAPIS 2006, will have a central theme focused on “50 Years of Africanized Bees.”

The congress program features workshops on “The Production and Processing of Bee Pollen,” “The Handling of Propolis Production,” “Brazilian Propolis: Composition, Diversity and Possible Applications,” and “Quality Control of Apiculture Products: Propolis and Royal Jelly.”

Free Website Translation

NHB: U.S. Grocery Stores Encouraged to Include Honey in Cold and Flu Isle

The U.S. National Honey Board (NHB) recently distributed a flyer to more than 4,000 grocery store buyers and product managers throughout the U.S., encouraging them to include a stack of honey in the cold and flu remedy isle. The flyer asked the grocery executives to complete a short survey regarding honey placement in the store. Of those responding, approximately half of the executives indicated that although they had not considered placing honey in the cold and flu aisle, they thought it was a good idea.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Apitherapy Used for More Than 2,000 Years

Patients All Abuzz
Apitherapy, which dates back more than 2,000 years, uses honey bees in the treatment of more than 500 diseases, conditions.
By Melissa DeLoach, News-Leader (USA), 4/4/2006

BRUNER — Jim Lafferty lifts the sleeve of his T-shirt and sits patiently as Reyah Carlson ices down his left shoulder. Across the room, a honey bee buzzes toward the sunlight reflected in the window of Carlson's living room…

Lafferty, 56, of Ava, suffers from arthritis, tendonitis and carpal tunnel. Calcium deposits in his left shoulder also contribute to his discomfort.

He has turned to apitherapy, or bee sting therapy, as a way to help reduce years of pain brought on by years of laying bricks and delivering mail.

Apitherapy is the medical use of honey bee products. Though it is not a proven science by the U.S. medical community, many claim the venom, pollen and beeswax can benefit anything from a toothache to allergy symptoms.

The practice of stinging a person with a honey bee dates back more than 2,000 years, according to the American Apitherapy Society. It's regarded as an early form of acupuncture...

Monday, April 03, 2006

Student Study: ‘Ozonated’ Manuka Honey May Help Treat Colon Cancer

Two Take Top Science Fair Honors
By Julius A. Karash, The Kansas City Star (USA), 4/3/2006

Nandini Sarma, a 10th-grader at Shawnee Mission East High School, won a major area science award for the second year in a row Sunday.

Sarma and 11th-grader Elena Ovaitt of West Platte High School took top honors at the 55th Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair…

Ovaitt looked into the effects of unprocessed and ozonated manuka honey on colon cancer cells. Ozonation, Ovaitt said, is a purification method that does not destroy the medicinal ingredients of the honey, which is made from the flowers of a bush that is native to New Zealand.

"Manuka honey is one of the most medicinal honeys out there," Ovaitt said. "My project showed that ozonated manuka honey has the potential of being an effective treatment for colon cancer. Of course, further studies will be needed to validate this."…

New Zealand Beekeepers Protest Proposed Honey Imports

Bee-Keepers Swarming to the Beehive in Honey-Import Protest
Radio New Zealand, 4/3/2006

Bee-keepers will protest at the Beehive in Wellington this week against proposals to allow imports of foreign honey into New Zealand.

A rally will be held at Parliament at midday on Tuesday.

Currently, honey imports are banned from all countries except some Pacific islands, because of the risk of introducing serious bee diseases such as European Foul Brood.

But the Biosecurity Authority has drafted new import health standards that would allow honey imports from Australia and other parts of the world.

Protest co-ordinator, Waikato beekeepers president, Russell Berry, says they don't accept that heat-treating imported honey, as proposed, would remove the disease threat...

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Marketwatch: Burt’s Bees Hopes to Attract National Audience with 31-City US Tour

Burt's Bees on Tour
News & Observer (USA), 4/2/2006

Burt's Bees products are going on a 31-city, year-long tour.

The Durham company, which was sold two years ago to New York investment firm AEA, plans to give away $1.25 million in samples. All of its 150 products will be available.

The company is hoping to attract a national audience for its self-care products at a time when personal-care products are a booming sector. Analysts suggest it could be an acquisition target.

Burt's Bees Introduces Honey Lip Balm

Daily Post (UK), 3/30/06

They already make the world's number one selling lip balm and now Burt's Bees has introduced another winner the Honey Lip Balm and soothing treatment in a stick. It's made with sweet, soothing honey to moisturise and protect lips in the gentlest way and is packed with beeswax, shea butter, almond oil, cocoa butter and lanolin to keep lifts soft and healthy. Available from John Lewis store nationwide priced £2.99.

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Propolis a ‘Potential Useful Tool for Prostate Cancer Therapy’

Resveratrol and Propolis Extract
Oncology Research, 2006;15(9):409-21

In the Western world cancer is the second leading cause of mortality, and prostate carcinoma represents in men the second most important type of cancer-causing death. We have already shown that resveratrol (200 microM) triggers in DU145, an androgen-resistant prostate cancer cell line, a necrotic-like cell death, while propolis ethanolic extract (100 microg/ml) causes an apoptotic-like cell demise. The present research is aimed to better elucidate the molecular mechanisms activated by the two micronutrients...

The results presented suggest chemotherapy based on resveratrol and propolis, alone or in combination with vinorelbine, as a potential useful tool for prostate cancer therapy; the increase in cell cycle control and the modulation of HSPs expression reinforce this suggestion.

Survey: Older Americans Use Honey as Home Remedy

Folk Remedies Widely Used by Older Adults in North Carolina
Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 4/7/2006

(NewsRx.com) -- A survey of older adults in rural North Carolina shows that they widely use complementary medicine therapies, but tend to focus on folk or home remedies, such as taking a daily "tonic" of vinegar or using Epsom salts.

"What most people think about as complementary medicine - acupuncture, homeopathy and massage therapy - they aren't using at all," said Thomas Arcury, PhD, lead researcher, from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. "Their use is largely limited to home remedies, vitamins and minerals."…

Arcury said it is common to use some of the therapies, such as vinegar or honey, as a general tonic. "I've talked to older adults who'll tell you should take two tablespoons of vinegar every day in a glass of warm water because it's good for you," he said. "They aren't treating anything in particular."

The study divided CAM therapies in eight categories to better document which types of therapies are being used. The categories (and examples) are: food home remedies (honey, lemon and garlic), other home remedies (tobacco, Epsom salts, and salves), vitamins (multivitamins, folic acid and vitamin E), minerals (calcium, magnesium and zinc), herbs (gingko biloba, ginseng and Echinacea), popular manufactured products (flax seed, amino acids and glucosamine sulfate), CAM therapies (imagery, biofeedback and energy healing) and CAM practitioners (chiropractor, herbalist and acupuncturist).

More than half of participants used food home remedies (52%) and other home remedies (57%). Vitamins were used by 45% of participants and minerals by 17%. Interestingly, only 6% of participants used herbs for self-care…