Propolis

The origins

Propolis is a valuable substance produced by bees. It is made from a combination of beeswax, tree resin, pollen and saliva. The bees collect these materials from various sources, including trees, flowers and other plants. Tree resin is particularly important, as it contains the natural compounds that give propolis its special properties.
Bees can fly several kilometres to find the right trees and collect enough resin to produce propolis. Once they have collected the resin, they must carry it back to the hive, which can be a considerable distance.
When bees collect tree resin, they first mix it with saliva to make it easier to handle. Once back at the hive, the bees begin processing the tree resin into propolis. The bees chew the resin and mix it with beeswax, pollen and more saliva to form a sticky, malleable substance: propolis.
The bees use this propolis to seal any cracks and gaps in the hive. This is important as it helps to maintain the temperature, humidity and cleanliness inside the hive. Propolis also has antibacterial properties that protect the colony from diseases and infections.

Harvesting process

However, in order to buy propolis, it must first be harvested. One of the most common methods for harvesting propolis is the use of a propolis trap. A propolis trap is a device attached to the entrance of the hive that collects the propolis the bees use to seal the entrance. The trap is designed so that the bees can fly in and out of the hive unhindered, but scrape off the propolis as they pass through. Once the trap is full, the propolis can be collected and processed.
Another method for collecting propolis is to use a propolis screen. A propolis screen is a frame that is inserted into the hive. It has small holes that are just large enough for the bees to pass through, but too small for them to carry propolis with them. The screen is designed to catch the propolis as the bees pass through, and it can be removed and processed once it is full.

Processing into capsules

The collected propolis is first cleaned to remove impurities such as dirt and beeswax. Once the propolis has been cleaned, it is processed into a powder. To do this, the raw propolis is ground into a fine powder using specialised equipment. The powder is then mixed with other ingredients such as maltodextrin, which improves the powder’s flow properties and makes it easier to encapsulate.
The next step in this process is encapsulation. During encapsulation, the propolis powder is filled into capsules. This is done using a special machine that fills the capsules with the propolis powder mixture. The capsules are then sealed using heat or pressure to ensure the propolis powder remains fresh and is protected from air and moisture.
Finally, the propolis capsules are packaged and labelled. The capsules are usually packed in bottles or blister packs, and the label should include details of the ingredients, dosage and other important information. This way, when you buy propolis, you can be sure that it is a pure product with no artificial additives.

Buying propolis – what to look out for

If you’re thinking of buying propolis, it’s important to know what to look out for to ensure you’re getting a high-quality product that offers the health benefits you’re looking for.
The quality of propolis can vary depending on the location and the type of bees that produce it. If you’re looking to buy propolis, you should ensure you’re buying from a reputable beekeeper who operates sustainably and ethically.
When buying propolis, you should look for a product that is pure and free from any additives or impurities. It is also important that the propolis concentration is clearly stated on the product.

If you’re thinking of buying propolis, you should also ensure that the product has been certified by an independent organisation such as the USDA or the European Pharmacopoeia. This ensures that the product has been tested for quality and purity.