Products like my propolis often catch people’s attention when they’re visiting my Jem’s Bees® stall. If you’ve ever stopped by to see me at an event, you might remember the little packets of resinous-looking stuff I display at the front of the table. The question I get most often? “What is it?” Even if someone’s vaguely heard of propolis, they don’t always know what it’s for. According to the BBKA:
"Propolis or bee glue is a resinous mixture that honey bees produce by mixing saliva and beeswax with exudate gathered from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. It is used as a sealant for unwanted open spaces in the hive. Propolis is used for small gaps, while larger spaces are usually filled with beeswax. Its colour varies depending on its botanical source, the most common being dark brown. Propolis is sticky at, and above, room temperature. At lower temperatures, it becomes hard and very brittle. It is thought to provide an antibacterial seal to the hive to prevent diseases.
Propolis also has great medicinal qualities and can be added to alcohol to make tinctures to treat various ailments."
Recognisable by its distinctive smell, propolis is one of those hive scents that brings a nostalgic smile to beekeepers’ faces. On a warm day, it’s often the first thing you notice when opening the hive. I love the sight and smell of it. But it sticks to blimmin' everything, and when cooler, hive boxes can lock together like they’re cemented. That’s why hive tools are a beekeeper’s friend. Propolis also stains, which isn’t ideal.
Over the years, people have found so many uses for propolis. The Ancient Egyptians used it to embalm mummies; violin makers have been using it in varnish for centuries; in modern dentistry, it turns up in toothpastes, mouthwashes, lozenges, and even creams. It’s also a staple for herbalists and those into natural remedies thanks to its antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.
Playing around with propolis myself, I’ve tried chewing it. Why? Because some of my customers do just that, and I wanted to know what it was like. Once in my mouth, it had an immediate medicinal taste. The taste wasn’t bad, but it turned into sticky taffy, got wedged between my teeth, and stained them yellow for a few days. I don’t like stuff getting stuck in my teeth, so that wasn’t for me. Making tinctures, though? A much better idea, and something I’ve enjoyed doing. I steeped some propolis in a high-proof alcohol for a few weeks, strained it, and then popped it into a small bottle. It makes a handy remedy and keeps for ages. If you can’t have alcohol, propylene glycol works too. I like to add a few drops to tea or a hot drink when I’m feeling under the weather – or just because it’s a wintry day.
Once I realised what propolis could do, I decided to work with a cosmetic safety assessor who introduced me to a natural soap recipe containing propolis. It’s messy to work with during soap-making, but the results are worth it. My Witch Hazel and Propolis Antibacterial Soap is one of my favourite creations, as it contains my honey, my beeswax, and my propolis – among other natural ingredients. I don’t know many beekeepers who work with propolis because of how sticky it is, but if you’re reading this and thinking you’d like to try, give it a go and decide for yourself.
Let’s talk about the two propolis products I sell. My unrefined propolis is what I’ve personally collected directly from my hives, using mesh screens and by scraping it off hive boxes. It’s raw and completely natural – just how the bees made it. My antibacterial soap combines propolis with witch hazel, honey, and beeswax for a naturally gentle and effective wash.
If you’ve never used propolis before, it’s worth exploring. Whether you’re making tinctures, trying it in natural remedies, or just appreciating its long history, there’s so much it can offer.
See my propolis products here:
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