Many people are familiar with the benefits of local honey and the versality of natural bees’ wax, but the bounty of the honey bee hive has another special provision, and that is propolis.  

“Propolis” comes from the Greek words “pro,” in front of, before, and “polis” meaning, city. Together, it is “in defense of the city.” Such as a defensive wall, propolis is used as a sealant to protect and extend honey bee hives. Propolis is a sticky resin made from a mixture of bee saliva and tree pollen. Also called “bee glue” it actually reflects the type of trees, sap, and other botanical sources collected by the honey bees. In some parts of the world, propolis is green (from Brazilian baccharis dracunculifolia) or red (from mangroves). In Texas, propolis is mostly yellow and brown.  

Like honey, people have used propolis far back as we know in history. Incans drank it reduce fever, ancient Greeks used for treating ulcers, bruises, and sores, the Chinese used it for dental pain, and its use is recorded among ancient Persian, Roman, and even French militaries in the 19th century for treatment of wounds. All of these applications make sense, as modern research has shown propolis contains flavonoids, which have antibiotic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidants.

To collect a bit of propolis, beekeepers can simply scrape it off the hive box with their hive tool. Those producing propolis on a large scale, use a propolis screen below the inner cover, then take it out for removal when it’s filled.

Ready for human consumption, propolis can be found in liquid form, in a liquor or water-based tincture. It is also available in capsules or a granular form, that can be sprinkled over a salad or blended into a smoothie. You may find health-focused coffee shops or juice bars offering propolis in their beverages. If you could benefit from antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antifungal- and who couldn’t – try some propolis! It’s PachaMama’s (Mother Earth) medicine.