What the Heck is Propolis?

I have been taking a favorite cough syrup lately, as the cold weather is officially here.  I love this brand 'Broncolin', you can get it at many Latino Supermarkets in the U.S.  One of the ingredients got me thinking.  It's called Propolis.  I thought I'd shed a little light on this little known supplement that comes from the sap of tree bark and coneflower pollens and nectars.  There are more specific origins of Propolis, but this article is more about the medicinal properties than the origins.  I want to talk about the antibacterial and antifungal properties of Propolis.  There is a very nice article on some of the research done on the origins and physical properties of Propolis and I have included it in the link.

Bee's use this resin like substance to seal off the hive in places where other predatory insects might sneak in, but also to disinfect.  This substance also has a reputation in history for healing battle wounds, ulcers, etc.  Now, the reason that I take it in the cough syrup is to fight infections and help expel phlegm, treat coughing and the like.  There are so many good things in Propolis!  Flavonoids, Ketones, Quinones, Amino Acids...what a great supplement!  It even shows and effect of Candida?!  NICE. It would seem that one of the primary uses would be for pulmonary health.  That is why it is so great in cough syrup preparations. There are many preparations for propolis on the market, some are free from fumigation chemicals that would be used on bee hives, and some are alcohol free throat sprays(for example)  Either way, this is a great addition to the winter remedy cabinet.  Remember that alcohol preparations last longer than 12 months, but store them properly.  Non-commercial varieties that are crafted by hand are not as shelf stable as most extracted versions are. 

So, take in small quantities and have an extract on hand for the medicine chest, or buy it hand crafted for use right away!

Comfrey "Knit-Bone" as a Bone Healer (Shymphytum officinalis 6CH)

I set my first link to a study that is easy to read and has a clear conclusion at the bottom.  I figured in this way even the lay person who isn't versed in the wording of scientific double blind studies and research papers would be able to grasp the results of the references. 

Why Comfrey? (Shymphytum officinalis 6CH)
Well, my dad fell last week and cracked his kneecap.  Of course my mom called and told me all about it.  I told her, "You should get a comfrey poultice on Dad A.S.A.P."  My mom being hip to the natropathic scene said, "Where would I get that?"  Then I talked to my Dad and he is not so convinced.  So, I set out to show some research and scientific proof of Comfrey's bone-knitting capabilities.  It is not an easy task mind you, to find scientific research on homeopathic and natropathic remedies/ treatments/ therapies.

Now do you use Comfrey and 'Voila!' your bone heals.  Tsk,tsk. You can't expect to take a pill or drink a tea and it's "magic".  Alternative medicine is generally easier on the body than pharmaceuticals.  Therefore, the therapies take more time or are needed daily, just like traditional medicine. Comfrey speeds healing it doesn't work magic, ok?  Such is the case of Banaba for diabetes.  I told my mother about Banaba a couple months ago as well as Bitter Melon.  She didn't get good results right away with the Bitter Melon but she is trying the Banaba.  I reminded her that she had taken other pharmaceuticals that didn't work for her either.  What did she do?  She went back in and they tried a different medicine and that one worked for her.  The same is true of herbal medicine.  Back to Comfrey.....

So, the link above states that the lab rats had increased bone healing around titanium implants.  The theory is that the allantoin in the Comfrey aid in the reconstruction of bone and ligament trans-dermally.  Make a poultice out of crushed root and leaf and apply it wrapped to the area.  This is similar to a muscle rub or a nicotine patch. There are commercially available topical applications of Comfrey.  They generally are available from Germany where this herb has been used by health professionals and sold over the counter, from what I've read.  There are also Comfrey gels, creams, etc available in the states, but you need to get them online.  I haven't checked the local health store for them, but I will be now!

There are very generous articles like the one on LiveStrong.com that I want to add: http://www.livestrong.com/article/156691-what-is-comfrey-root-extract/

My experience with researching Comfrey is that there are a lot of articles on why Comfrey is toxic, etc.  But, it is very hard to find current clinicals that show the effects on bone.  Now, why when there is plant that is called 'BoneSet' are there not more clinicals being done on the effects of Comfrey on bone!  Either way, I was happy to find what I did.  I did find plenty of articles (NOT clinicals) on Comfrey being good for bonesetting.  But that was not what I wanted to provide.  I will try and do some more research in scientific journals and the like to provide any actual lab hours dedicated to this therapy, but I am glad for what I found.  I added an article below also that I did really like and I thought it was a good piece.  I also wanted to add that I read about Comfrey being less toxic to the liver when the more mature leaves were harvested as opposed to the young leaves.  Things to keep in mind when checking into the research being done.

GodSpeed~  The Millenium Blogger
Published piece on the experiments of comfrey on rats with titanium implants: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18422987

An awesome peice on Comfrey with in-depth information:  http://www.drugwatch.info/a_comfrey_CHanrahan.htm

EXTERNAL USE ONLY!  Comfrey is toxic to the liver when ingested and will cause severe liver damage!
Plant Parts Used:  Crushed Root and Leaf
Other common name(s): blackwort, bruisewort, common comfrey, knitbone, slippery root

Welcome to the Alternative Health, Fitness and Living Blog!

Welcome!  I decided to start blogging about Alternative Living, etc.  based on the observations that many people seem to want and need a lifestyle change.  But how do you begin?  How do you do that thing you do anyways???  I hope that all generations and my peers will find my blog as a place to find "gateway" ideas to their new found lifestyles.  Most of my blogs will be personal experiences and things I am currently experimenting with buffered with occasional rants (I am SURE!)  I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy sharing with you.

Godspeed,

Kimber