This ailment's name is glomerulonephritis. So then what is glomerulonephritis?
The glomerilus is the kidney area which filters out toxins from the blood stream. It also separates urine from blood. Glomerular disease happens when holes are punched out of the kidneys filtration system which then allows larger molecules which should remain inside the body to enter the urine flow, and is thus lost during urination. Glomerulonephritis is a chronic inflammation, which results in these holes being established. Sometimes a chronic stimulation of the immune system can lead to the circulation of the broken away clumps of antibody or antigens. To determine the cause as being from this infliction, a protein analysis of the urine is usually required. If the protein is unusually high, this could be the cause.
However it has since been discovered that the bacteria streptococcus is the cause for PIGN (postinfectious glomerulonephitis). PIGN that progresses can show serious injury to glomeruli (such as sclerosis). (1)
This condition is associated with the immune response to nephritogenic pathogens. Suggesting that the greater the immune response to this pathogen, the greater the damage done to the organ. (2) In another study, scientists discovered that the therapeutic stimulation of sGC could provide a promising result with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in humans due to its beneficial antiproliferative, antifibriotic and antiproteinuric effect.(3)
However the sheer fact that Streptococcus has been linked to causing glomerulonephritis provides a possible treatment which is relatively affordable and painless. Propolis effectively eradicates Streptococcus aureus and Staphylococcus aureus (a), which in itself is amazing as S. Aureus bacteria has become resistant to all antibiotics except for one. However propolis has been scientifically proven to effectively eradicate streptococcal bacteria as well as several other strep species.(5)
Considering that both GERD's (acid reflux) related infections and Glomerulonephritis have associated inflammation, the helpful attribute of propolis being an anti-inflammatory as well, is just another added benefit to using this as a treatment for these illnesses. (6) Type 6 propolis (brazilian) has also been proven to eradicate these strains of bacteria, including mutans streptococci biofilms, Streptococcus mutans UA159 and Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 biofilms. It has been suggested that there is nothing available on the market to destroy bacteria which is as effective as propolis (8)
And yet, although propolis is a proven bacterial and viral destroyer, there will always be more proof that it is a fabulous helper in any medicine chest. It has also been proven to heal herpes lesions faster and more effectively than acyclovir (sold under the name Zovirax). A study involving 90 individuals with genital herpes, were divided into three groups to study the effectiveness between using propolis, using placebo and using acyclovir ointments. On day ten, 24 out of the thirty people being treated with propolis had all of their blisters healed compared to only 14 individuals from the acyclovir group. Adding to this proof, sixty-six percent of the women with genital herpes also has vaginal infections, and their infection ratios were reduces by 55% after taking the propolis treatment, yet vaginal flora was not adversely affected at all.(7)
Propolis, what an amazing substance. Speaking of sexual issues, propolis comes to our rescue yet again. In vivo and in vitro testing irrefutably revealed that propolis is excellent in its inhibitory effect on many yeasts, including Candida Albicans. Direct comparisons with nine anti-fungal drugs revealed propolis as the clear winner as it is more effective and does not lose its effectiveness with long term use.(8)
1. Phillip Ruiz , Maria F. Soares: Acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis: An immune response gone bad? : Human Pathology: Volume 34, Issue 1, Pages 1-2 (January 2003) 2. Bernd Hohenstein, Christoph Daniel, Andrea Wagner, Johannes-Peter Stasch, and Christian Hugo : Stimulation of soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibits mesangial cell proliferation and matrix accumulation in experimental glomerulonephritis: Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 288: F685-F693, 2005 3. Khayyal MT, el-Ghazaly MA, el-Khatib AS: Mechanisms involved in the antiinflammatory effect of propolis extract.: Drugs Under Experimental & Clinical Research, 1993; 19:197-203 4 Qiao Z, Chen R.: Isolation and identification of antibiotic constituents of propolis from Henan: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1991 Aug;16(8):481-2, 512. 5. Ikeno K, Ikeno T, Miyazawa C.: Effects of propolis on dental caries in rats.: Caries Res. 1991;25(5):347-51. 6. S. Duarte, P. Rosalen, M. Hayacibara, J. Cury, W. Bowen, R. Marquis, V. Rehder, A. Sartoratto, M. Ikegaki, H. Koo : The influence of a novel propolis on mutans streptococci biofilms and caries development in rats.: Archives of Oral Biology, Volume 51, Issue 1, Pages 15-22 7. Vynograd N, Vynograd I, Sosnowski Z. : A comparative multi-centre study of the efficacy of propolis, acyclovir and placebo in the treatment of genital herpes (HSV): Phytomedicine 2000; 7(1): 1-6. 8. J M Grange, R W Davey: Antibacterial properties of propolis (bee glue): Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Volume 83 March 1990
Further Reading: PROPOLIS AN OVERVIEW by Dr. Ahmed G. Hegazi www.propoleo.cl/cientificospropolis/dr_Ahmed_Hegazi.pdf