The Origin

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. The tree resin is especially important as it contains the natural compounds that give propolis its special properties.
Bees can fly several kilometers to find the right trees and gather enough resin to produce propolis. Once they have collected the resin, they must carry it back to the hive, which can be quite a distance.
When bees collect tree resin, they first mix it with saliva to make it easier to handle. Upon returning to 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 create a sticky, moldable substance called propolis.
With this propolis, the bees seal all cracks and gaps in the hive. This is important because it helps maintain the temperature, humidity, and cleanliness inside the hive. Propolis also has antibacterial properties that protect the bee colony from diseases and infections.

Harvesting Process

However, to be able to buy propolis, it must first be harvested. One of the most common methods for harvesting propolis is using 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 bees can freely fly in and out of the hive, but the propolis is scraped off as they pass through. Once the trap is full, the propolis can be collected and processed.
Another method for collecting propolis is using a propolis screen. A propolis screen is a frame inserted into the hive. It has small holes just large enough for bees to pass through but too small to carry propolis. The screen is designed to catch the propolis as the bees pass through and can be removed and processed when full.

Processing into Capsules

The collected propolis is first cleaned to remove impurities such as dirt and beeswax. After cleaning, the propolis is processed into a powder. For this, the raw propolis is ground into a fine powder using special equipment. The powder is then mixed with other ingredients like maltodextrin, which improves the powder's flowability and facilitates encapsulation.
The next step in this process is encapsulation. During encapsulation, the propolis powder is filled into capsules. This is done with a special machine that fills the capsules with the propolis powder mixture. The capsules are then sealed with heat or pressure to keep the propolis powder fresh and protected from air and moisture.
Finally, the propolis capsules are packaged and labeled. The capsules are usually packed in bottles or blister packs, and the label should include information about the ingredients, dosage, and other important details. This way, when you buy propolis, you can be sure it is a pure product without artificial additives.

Buying Propolis – What You Should Consider

If you want to buy propolis, it is important to know what to look for to ensure you get a high-quality product that offers the desired health benefits.
The quality of propolis can vary depending on the location and the type of bees producing it. When buying propolis, you should make sure to purchase from a reputable beekeeper who works sustainably and ethically.
When buying propolis, look for a product that is pure and free from any additives or contaminants. It is also important that the propolis concentration is clearly indicated on the product.

Möchtest du Propolis kaufen solltest du zudem darauf achten, dass das Produkt von einer unabhängigen Organisation wie der USDA oder der Europäischen Pharmakopöe zertifiziert wurde. Damit wird sichergestellt, dass das Produkt auf Qualität und Reinheit geprüft wurde.