Raw propolis is a natural product made by honeybees. The bees gather resin from flowers and leaf buds to carry back to the hive, where it is mixed with beeswax to create propolis. The worker bees use the sticky substance to repair the beehive and to line and seal brood combs. The raw propolis has antifungal and antibacterial properties that serve to protect the health of the entire colony. Bee propolis will kill the Bacillus larvae bacteria that causes American foul brood, a major threat to honeybees.
Depending on the plants and trees in the area surrounding a beehive, propolis can have a different appearance and composition. Raw propolis usually ranges from yellow to dark brown, but clear propolis also has been seen. When analyzed, raw propolis is a complex combination of as many as 180 different compounds created from the materials collected by the honeybees. The raw materials are further transformed by the bee's saliva as they are harvested, carried back to the hive and mixed with beeswax.
Scientific studies have shown that propolis is effective against many common types of bacteria, viruses and fungi. In a refined form, bee propolis is used in cosmetics, medicines, wound treatment and food preservatives. Historically, propolis also has been used in wood preservatives and varnishes. In contrast to the refined product, raw propolis is unprocessed and typically is consumed in chunks or ground into a fine powder. It can cause stomach upset and potential allergic reactions, so raw propolis should be taken only in small quantities when used as a nutritional supplement.
Raw propolis is a whole product that hasn't undergone any additional processing, but a propolis extract is created when the substance is put through a chemical process to separate specific compounds from the other ingredients. The extraction process is an attempt to isolate the materials that are thought to be most beneficial, such as flavenoids and phenolics. Pharmaceutical companies are the primary user of propolis extracts. When dissolved in alcohol, a propolis tincture is formed that is claimed to have additional medicinal properties.
When used as a dietary supplement, it generally is recommended to take 250 milligrams of raw propolis a day. People who are allergic to bee stings should not use propolis in any form. In addition to capsules for daily intake, propolis lozenges are used as a remedy for sore throats. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not instituted guidelines for propolis use.
Many products claim to include organic propolis. The organic designation doesn't apply to the propolis-derived portion of the substance. Honeybees roam freely and will gather substances from both organic and non-organic areas.