Thanks for the info.. I'll try this when I get a chance
You're welcome CBEE. Please post back with your results/impressions. The red propolis I get here really smells great but I haven't sampled any other types.
i think the main problem is, i can't control the temperature.
hmmm, you say you simply put propolis in your diffusor, doesn't it simply burn and give off of aroma?
also..what is technicly speaking burned propolis, does it even burn if not under direct heat source, or does it simply vapourise?
Temperature control is helpful but, unless it's either too cool to get any vapor or so hot it's burning very quickly, you should be able to get a bit of an idea. Then you can obtain the tools you need/want as appropriate. I use a lot of herbal remedies = phytotherapy and already had all the equip necessary to efficiently heat the herbs to release the active constituents
without combustion. I'm unsure if I would go to that expense solely for propolis, but it is nice having options. :)
Diffusers
vs direct inhalation: Both have their purpose/application. Doing a direct inhalation is more concentrate and
may (no studies known, of which I'm aware) be an effective remedy for respiratory ailments. Diffusing propolis is a more dilute approach,
has been shown to neutralize ~ 72%-76% of airborne bacteria, reduce pollutants (such as Benzene and Hydrocarbons) from 15% to 70%, smells nice (aromatherapy), benefits everyone in the house and with every breath (as opposed to one person inhaling, directly a few breaths). So they're both good. ;) My personal practice is to have the diffuser going all the time (even as I write this post, love it) and to do direct inhalation if I feel any cough/cold/congestion (sometimes mixed with other herbs such as mullein, peppermint, borage, eucalyptus, etc.,).
Vaporising
vs burning: 85°C is reportedly the "maximum temperature which proved to be the optimal temperature for the emission of the components without causing their alteration" (I have to research that further). So if you could keep it close to that temp it would seem ideal. That being said I have allowed propolis to cook to a crisp on the wood-stove, it did smoke lightly but was still quite pleasant. Nothing at all like smoke from incense, which I believe many people still use (not me, I dislike smoke). So if you're unable to keep the temp below the burning level it isn't too bad really.
I wonder how propolis vaporization would work in a CPAP machine?
I suffer from Sleep Apnea as well as Asthma, Chronic Sinusitis, and Narcolepsy so if propolis vapor can help my asthma and siusitis I would be tickled pink. I will have to give this some thought. As yet I don't have enough propolis to harvest any as the bees in my apiary seem to go lite with it. The Italians make as much as my other 3 hives put together yet they are not nearly as propolis prone as Italian bees I've had in the past.
CPAP Machine: if the machine is a model which draws ambient air (as opposed to from an oxygen tank) I would think that having a propolis diffuser in the room at the same time would be fine and with all the same benefits of unassisted breathing. I would be hesitant to introduce repeated, concentrated propolis vapor streams into the CPAP due to potential adverse effects upon the flow generator (air pump). A shot every once in a while may be a good natural disinfectant though.
Ailments: the marketing copy from one website lists: "
Effective against bacteria, viruses, acari, fungi and molds, the Propolis Diffusers are exceptional when treating conditions of the respiratory system - pharingitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, otitis, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza, colds". I've not suffered from any of these, can't
prove propolis vapor is remedy nor preventative (I'm also using nano-colloidal ionic silver solution in an ultrasonic diffuser, have a "green" (non-toxic) home, etc., etc.,) but it surely couldn't cause any harm (Primum non nocere). I'd say go for it Brian! I have a suspicion it will help you.
No propolis? I thought all beeks had too much propolis gumming up the works. ;) I put one propolis collection mat on one hive... got a bit from that but it wasn't as easy to harvest as I would have hoped (put in freezer, flex and propolis is
suppose to pop out... very little did). I'm also into my honey supers scraping from the bodies and frames already. Having this stuff diffusing every day, I can see how I could go through a lot (hope I make it thru the winter). You've no frames/hives to scrape?
Cheers,
Dane
Ps. Whew... this thread is getting serious eh? I think it's time for the disclaimer: