Throat infections can be a source of considerable discomfort, requiring effective relief. While conventional treatments remain prevalent, a growing interest in natural alternatives, such as propolis, is evident. In this blog, we shall delve into the substantial therapeutic effects of propolis as a natural supplement for throat infections substantiated by research.
A groundbreaking clinical trial conducted in Italy in 2021 was dedicated to assessing the efficacy of propolis in mitigating mild upper respiratory tract infections. This comprehensive study enlisted 122 adult participants contending with these infections who were distributed into two cohorts: an experimental group administered propolis oral spray and a control group excluded from such intervention.
The experimental cohort of 58 subjects received propolis oral spray featuring an exceptional total polyphenol content of 15 mg/ml. This demographic applied 2-4 sprays (equivalent to 12-24 mg of polyphenol) thrice daily over five days. On the third day of the trial, an astounding 83% of participants within the experimental group reported a marked reduction in their symptoms. In contrast, a comparable improvement was observed in only 72% of the control group, devoid of propolis.
This clinical trial advances the proposition that propolis is a robust remedy for upper respiratory tract infections, with its prodigious polyphenol content emerging as a pivotal factor.
Our exploration extends to a study dated 2012, focusing on the impact of propolis supplementation among pediatric patients grappling with upper respiratory tract infections. This study encompassed 41 children who were administered propolis supplements to evaluate their antimicrobial properties.
The results of this study were nothing short of remarkable. Children who received propolis supplements displayed notable healing, with their infections subsiding within a brief period of 2-5 days. Researchers attributed this rapid recovery to the remarkable antimicrobial attributes of propolis, which exhibited an inhibitory effect on bacterial proliferation. Consequently, propolis is a promising natural remedy for treating throat infections among pediatric patients.
Published in the World Journal of Medical Sciences, this study supports the evidence backing propolis’s antimicrobial properties.
The scientific inquiries delineated herein collectively advocate for the viability of propolis as a natural remedy for throat infections. Propolis emerges as a promising choice for adult individuals with upper respiratory tract infections or parents seeking a secure and efficacious solution for their progeny. Its substantial polyphenol content and antimicrobial attributes position it as a potent adjunct in the endeavor to alleviate throat infections. Prudent counsel from healthcare professionals remains imperative before embarking on any novel treatment regimen, including natural interventions. In contemplating the utilization of propolis in the management of troublesome throat infections, one may discover a natural remedy bearing substantial therapeutic potential.
References:
El-Shouny, Wagih, et al. “Antimicrobial activity of propolis extract on URT infections in pediatric patients admitted to Al-Thowrah hospital, Hodeidah City, Yemen.” World Journal of Medical Sciences 7.3 (2012): 172-177.
Esposito C, Garzarella EU, Bocchino B, et al. A standardized polyphenol mixture extracted from poplar-type propolis for the remission of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection (URTI): A monocentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytomedicine 2021;80:153368. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153368
