Propolis in Historical Context
The Greek philosopher Aristotle, mentor to Alexander the Great, closely observed bee colonies and meticulously documented their behavior over many years. He found much to admire in the world of honeybees: their geometric sense of construction, their ability to produce useful substances like honey, beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, and pollen, their social cohesion and solidarity, and even their willingness to sacrifice themselves by stinging intruders to defend their hive—their home. These observations led Aristotle to write "The History of Animals", in which he argued that the ideal ruler (or king) should learn the principles of governance from the perfect social structure of a beehive.
In his writings, Aristotle describes how a hive includes distinct roles—workers, soldiers, explorers, and caretakers—and how each bee performs its duties in the best interest of the community. He passed on these insights to his young student, Prince Alexander, teaching him philosophy, mathematics, politics, and military strategy. Thanks to this education, Alexander matured into a brilliant commander and eventually became Alexander the Great, conqueror of vast territories.
Propolis in Western History
Propolis appears in historical records as early as the writings of Hippocrates (c. 406–377 BCE), widely considered the "Father of Medicine," who reportedly used it to treat pain and ulcers. Aristotle also noted its use for skin diseases and infections in "The History of Animals". The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder (AD 23–79) provided detailed accounts in his work "Naturalis Historia", writing:
“Propolis removes harmful substances and irritants from the flesh, heals swelling, softens hardened tissues, relieves pain, and cures a variety of persistent ailments.”
In 11th-century Persia, the philosopher Avicenna (Ibn Sina) wrote that:
“When applied to a wound where an arrow or thorn has been removed, propolis prevents festering and soothes the pain.”
In 12th-century South America, the Inca civilization of the Andes reportedly used propolis to treat febrile infections. During the 18th and 19th centuries in France, soldiers wounded in war were treated with propolis mixed with Vaseline for wound healing.
In the modern era, Professor Remmy Sauvin, a biochemist at Sorbonne University, published a paper in 1966 titled “On the Clinical Effects of Propolis.” He noted:
“Inside a beehive the size of an apple crate, where about 20,000 bees live in dense proximity, the temperature is around 32°C and the humidity is high—perfect conditions for bacterial growth. Yet, no bacteria can be found within the hive.”
His findings pointed to propolis as a potential natural antibiotic.
Propolis has long been used in traditional folk remedies across Eastern Europe, including Russia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic—regions where conventional pharmaceuticals were historically less accessible than in Western Europe. The readily available antimicrobial properties of propolis made it a popular alternative in these countries.
Propolis in Eastern Medicine
In East Asia, historical records also highlight the use of propolis. The Donguibogam, a Korean medical text authored by Heo Jun during the Joseon Dynasty, refers to propolis as “Nobongbang” (露蜂房). It is mentioned in various sections for its therapeutic uses:
In the Oral Health Chapter : For molar and tooth pain
In the Decoction Chapter : For epileptic seizures , neurological tremors , abscesses and boils , mastitis and breast cancer, toothache, and malignant sores.
A Long History and Ongoing Mystery
As demonstrated, propolis has been used medicinally for centuries across both East and West, with applications ranging from wound care to infection control. In modern times, scientific validation has helped uncover its value, yet many mysteries remain.
We still lack a complete scientific understanding of:
How bees synthesize propolis from tree resins
The full spectrum of bioactive compounds it contains
Its exact mechanisms of action in the human body
The research into propolis is still in its early stages, and much more work remains to fully uncover the potential of this remarkable natural substance.
Written by Yongkap Hur
Propolis Specialist
CEO, Unique Biotech Co., Ltd.
Propolis in Historical Context
The Greek philosopher Aristotle, mentor to Alexander the Great, closely observed bee colonies and meticulously documented their behavior over many years. He found much to admire in the world of honeybees: their geometric sense of construction, their ability to produce useful substances like honey, beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, and pollen, their social cohesion and solidarity, and even their willingness to sacrifice themselves by stinging intruders to defend their hive—their home. These observations led Aristotle to write "The History of Animals", in which he argued that the ideal ruler (or king) should learn the principles of governance from the perfect social structure of a beehive.
In his writings, Aristotle describes how a hive includes distinct roles—workers, soldiers, explorers, and caretakers—and how each bee performs its duties in the best interest of the community. He passed on these insights to his young student, Prince Alexander, teaching him philosophy, mathematics, politics, and military strategy. Thanks to this education, Alexander matured into a brilliant commander and eventually became Alexander the Great, conqueror of vast territories.
Propolis in Western History
Propolis appears in historical records as early as the writings of Hippocrates (c. 406–377 BCE), widely considered the "Father of Medicine," who reportedly used it to treat pain and ulcers. Aristotle also noted its use for skin diseases and infections in "The History of Animals". The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder (AD 23–79) provided detailed accounts in his work "Naturalis Historia", writing:
“Propolis removes harmful substances and irritants from the flesh, heals swelling, softens hardened tissues, relieves pain, and cures a variety of persistent ailments.”
In 11th-century Persia, the philosopher Avicenna (Ibn Sina) wrote that:
“When applied to a wound where an arrow or thorn has been removed, propolis prevents festering and soothes the pain.”
In 12th-century South America, the Inca civilization of the Andes reportedly used propolis to treat febrile infections. During the 18th and 19th centuries in France, soldiers wounded in war were treated with propolis mixed with Vaseline for wound healing.
In the modern era, Professor Remmy Sauvin, a biochemist at Sorbonne University, published a paper in 1966 titled “On the Clinical Effects of Propolis.” He noted:
“Inside a beehive the size of an apple crate, where about 20,000 bees live in dense proximity, the temperature is around 32°C and the humidity is high—perfect conditions for bacterial growth. Yet, no bacteria can be found within the hive.”
His findings pointed to propolis as a potential natural antibiotic.
Propolis has long been used in traditional folk remedies across Eastern Europe, including Russia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic—regions where conventional pharmaceuticals were historically less accessible than in Western Europe. The readily available antimicrobial properties of propolis made it a popular alternative in these countries.
Propolis in Eastern Medicine
In East Asia, historical records also highlight the use of propolis. The Donguibogam, a Korean medical text authored by Heo Jun during the Joseon Dynasty, refers to propolis as “Nobongbang” (露蜂房). It is mentioned in various sections for its therapeutic uses:
In the Oral Health Chapter : For molar and tooth pain
In the Decoction Chapter : For epileptic seizures , neurological tremors , abscesses and boils , mastitis and breast cancer, toothache, and malignant sores.
A Long History and Ongoing Mystery
As demonstrated, propolis has been used medicinally for centuries across both East and West, with applications ranging from wound care to infection control. In modern times, scientific validation has helped uncover its value, yet many mysteries remain.
We still lack a complete scientific understanding of:
How bees synthesize propolis from tree resins
The full spectrum of bioactive compounds it contains
Its exact mechanisms of action in the human body
The research into propolis is still in its early stages, and much more work remains to fully uncover the potential of this remarkable natural substance.
Written by Yongkap Hur
Propolis Specialist
CEO, Unique Biotech Co., Ltd.