Key Takeaways:
- A collaboration between apicultural scientists and a Māori land trust in Te Urewera is investigating the potential health benefits of propolis, or "bee glue".
- Propolis is a complex mixture of plant resin, salivary enzymes, beeswax, and pollen, with unique properties that may contribute to its medicinal value.
- Research has identified a wide range of compounds in propolis and native plant samples, with potential applications in wound care, antimicrobial agents, and natural immune function boosters.
- The study aims to understand the connection between propolis and improved glycemic control and reduced insulin resistance, with potential implications for the treatment of diabetes.
- Māori land trusts are increasingly involved in honey production, with a focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
Introduction to Propolis Research
The collaboration between apicultural scientists and the Māori land trust in Te Urewera is shedding light on the potential health benefits of propolis, a complex mixture of plant resin, salivary enzymes, beeswax, and pollen. Propolis, also known as "bee glue", is used by honeybees to seal holes in their hives and protect them from intruders. Apicultural scientist Michelle Taylor explains that propolis is "completely different to honey" and is used by bees to manage airflow and protect their hives. The research team, in partnership with Manawa Honey NZ, has been investigating the unique properties of propolis and its potential medicinal value.
Native Plant Samples and Propolis Collection
As part of the research, honey bee hives were placed on Tuawhenua Trust lands near Ruatāhuna, at the heart of Te Urewera. The team from Manawa Honey supported scientists with the collection of native plant samples within 1500 meters of the site and propolis collection from the hives. Analysis revealed that both plant and propolis samples contained a wide range of compounds, with the majority of major compound peaks in propolis also present in many plant samples. Taylor said they analyzed 33 native plant species, including miro, rimu, and totara, and were surprised by the complexity of the chemical composition.
Properties and Potential Applications of Propolis
The research on New Zealand propolis is still in its early stages, but it is recognized for its healing properties, especially in wound care, as an antimicrobial agent, and as a natural immune function booster. Taylor is particularly interested in the connection between propolis and improved glycemic control and reduced insulin resistance, with potential implications for the treatment of diabetes. She notes that New Zealand has a high incidence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and the research aims to determine whether the properties of propolis from native plants could be part of the therapy for these conditions.
Māori Land Trusts and Honey Production
Manawa Honey chief executive Brenda Tahi said their interest in propolis research stemmed from their kaupapa, which was about a future where people were in tune with nature, spilling over into better health outcomes. Many Māori land trusts are starting to take up honey production on their whenua, with a focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Tahi notes that the mānuka industry in Aotearoa is largely based on Māori-owned land, and Māori landowners are increasingly involved in the honey industry. She also highlights the importance of traditional knowledge and practices in the production of honey, including the use of native plants and the identification of different types of honey.
Traditional Knowledge and Practices
Tahi explains that there is a long tradition of wild honey gathering in Ruatāhuna, with each whānau having a place where they would collect honey from the hives. She notes that many people are familiar with mānuka honey, but there are other types of honey produced in the forest, including hinau, rātā, and tāwari. Tahi says that the bees’ favorite honey is often tāwari, and the company is happy to work with the complexities of the forest to produce high-quality honey. The research team is also taking samples from native plants in Te Urewera, including climbing rātā, kānuka, rewarewa, tawhero, and kāmahi, to better understand the properties of propolis and its potential applications.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The research on propolis and its potential health benefits is ongoing, with the team aiming to understand the connection between propolis and improved glycemic control and reduced insulin resistance. The collaboration between apicultural scientists and Māori land trusts is an important step towards developing sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the honey industry. As Tahi notes, "we’re pretty happy with what Te Urewera gives us" and the team is committed to working with the complexities of the forest to produce high-quality honey and propolis products. The study highlights the importance of traditional knowledge and practices in the production of honey and the potential for Māori land trusts to play a key role in the development of the honey industry in Aotearoa.