Being allergic to bee venom is different to being allergic to bee-products. Propolis is made from bee's saliva and pollen, resin and plant extracts.

A bee's sting contains the toxin melittin and is meant to discourage potential threats from coming close to the hive and queen bee.

It is meant to induce an extremely painful and uncomfortable reaction.

A bee uses it's saliva and mixes it with tree resin and pollen to make glue or propolis to patch up it's hive.

Propolis exists to keep the hive safe from microbial contamination.

Sometimes repeated exposure to something can increase your risk of developing an allergy to ie, for example a very small percentage of bees keepers who developed a propolis allergy after 9 years of handling it every day.

9 years of regular, daily exposure to a product is a long time to be constantly exposed to something.

Most people would only use a product when they needed to.

Unlike antibiotics, the use of essential oils such as Manuka Oil has been shown to not cause resistance or tolerance.

That means it's effectiveness does not decrease over time.

Certificate of analysis provided gives us the amount of propolis content and flavonoids in a batch.

We also ensure there are no trace contaminants such as Lead, Mercury or Arsenic.

A balm does not contain water, so has no preservatives or alcohol which may cause stinging on broken, raw and inflamed skin.

When the skin is in that condition, it is generally more sensitive and reactive.

A balm is also better suited for skin that needs intensive treatment with actives as it sits on the skin for longer and allows better penetration of actives.

It also contain waxes such as beeswax or candelilla wax (plant version of beeswax) which will increase hydration of the skin by preventing moisture loss from the skin's surface.

It acts as a natural barrier when the skin is broken and compromised.

It may feel oiler on the face, so a serum or cream would be better for the face.

Spray with a toner on clean skin, then massage a few drops of an oil serum, followed by a cream to seal in the oils.

Just using an oil serum on it's own will not replace the moisture in the skin. Moisture or water is contained in a cream, not a balm or oil.

They can reduce the redness, inflammation, itch and help the skin heal, but it's not a cure if there are allergens that are causing the auto-immune system to flare-up.

This can happen if there is leaky gut, a genetic predisposition, or if certain foods or environmental allergens are getting into the system.

It's best to get a test done to find out what you are allergic to so you can minimise exposure to the allergen.

These products will relieve the symptoms which will then give you more time to look at any changes you can make to improve your health condition.

Naturopaths can perform tests to see if there is leaky gut, or if you are allergic or intolerant to certain foods.

They can also advise you on how to manage stress which is a big trigger, and what supplements to take to help heal the gut.

Victoria Martin is an expert in auto-immune diseases and can help you unravel your symptoms.

Get in touch for a chat or to make an appointment.

A patch test can be done to ensure there are no allergic reactions to Propolis, Manuka Oil or Calendula.

Most people are not allergic to these actives, but a small percentage of people react to the tea tree family, daisy-family or pollen in the propolis.

If you are unsure of allergies to pollen, use the products which does not contain pollen such as the Manuka Oil Balm or Manuka Oil Cream.

Yes, we can custom-blend any product to suit your needs. Please get in touch with us to make your request.