Honey has been established as an effective antimicrobial and antioxidant for millennia and used for the treatment of surface wounds, burns and inflammation. The initial interest in honey as an antimicrobial therapy decreased upon the discovery and implementation of antibiotics but there is renewed interest due to the alarming rise in the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) organisms.

Propolis is another bee-derived substance produced by honeybees from tree resins, beeswax and pollen. Together with their own salivary secretions, a sticky, solid product is created and used as a coating for beehives. Like honey, the chemical composition of propolis is subjected to the geographical location, botanical origin, and bee species, and both have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiinflammatory properties.

In addition to honey and propolis, honeybees produce other products of interest to researchers. These are royal jelly, bee venom, beeswax and bee bread. Bee-derived products can be developed in to alternative antibacterial agents with promising therapeutic potential in the medical setting and their potential as innovative treatments should not be overlooked. Keywords : Honey, propolis, bee-derived products antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) organisms