Propolis

by Heather Clay Printed in Hivelights Vol 14 #1

Collecting a small amount of propolis is not difficult. After a day working with bees, scraping and moving frames there are globs of propolis stuck to hands, hive tools and clothing. The problem is more often how to remove it than how to collect it. This nuisance may be turned into a potential income if beekeepers respond to the increasing demand for propolis. In Canada the price of propolis has increased two to three fold from $6 per pound in 1990 to $12-20 in 2000. It is time to consider more efficient ways of collecting and handling propolis.

The traditional way of collecting propolis by scraping frames and boxes is labour intensive and does not provide a large quantity of propolis- 1 box of frames produces 1 oz of propolis. Wood and paint particles can sometimes contaminate the collected scrapings. An alternative method for collecting a higher grade propolis is to use a special hive insert which has spaces that encourage bees to fill in the holes or cracks. This is also a time consuming, labour intensive process.

Now there is an easier way to collect propolis and there are buyers who want your propolis. Ed Nowek, the owner of Planetbee, Armstrong BC, has bees and has developed a thriving business selling propolis products and alternative health bee products. He claims the best propolis is the bright red Okanagan variety, which has a lovely smell and works well for producing the tincture, ointment, capsules and raw chunks that he sells. Fresh propolis that is free of wax, wood and debris fetches the highest price. Short shelf-life is not a problem with propolis because of the substance's natural antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Raw propolis from built up areas should routinely be tested for lead contamination. Ed says that Canada is rich in propolis sources like poplars and alders but he can't get enough of good quality propolis from Canadian beekeepers.

The shortage of good clean propolis may change if beekeepers follow the advice of John Gates, Apiculture Specialist for BC. At the annual BC Honey Producers Association meeting in October, he demonstrated an innovative propolis collection method developed in New Zealand. The material used for collection is windbreak/shadecloth which comes in rolls 50m x 1m. Each roll will supply 180-200 mats costing about 40 cents each. The mesh cloth is laid on top of the frames in the top box. When strips of propolis have been formed, the mat is moved over by the width of a frame so the bees will have new holes to fill. Propolis is easily removed by freezing, folding and rubbing the mat. After cleaning, the mats are reusable and supposedly become more attractive as they become fuzzy with the bees chewing them. The mats can be left on for most of the season and can replace the inner cover. If the bees need feeding, simply cut an access hole in the collector material so that the bees can reach the feeder. John found that these mats will work on nucleus colonies but recommends using them on full strength colonies.

Propolis (From the Greek pro=before, polis=city, referring to its use in partially closing the entrance to the colony - bee city)

a resinous gum gathered by bees from plant buds and bark.
contains approximately 55% resins & balms, 30%wax, 10% etheric oils and 5% pollen.
soft when warm (25-45 0 C) brittle when cold (below 15 0 C) melts at 65 degrees C .
dissolves in alcohol to make tincture.
provides the glue that bees use to seal cracks in their hive and to anchor hive parts.
has over 38 compounds called flavonoids, (plant derived natural pigments and active compounds) that have antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidizing properties.
has phenolics such as cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamic acid, vanillin, benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid and caffeic ferulic acid, which have antibacterial, anti inflammatory effects.
acts as a local anesthetic, reducing spasms, healing gastric ulcers, improving pulmonary function and strengthening capillaries.
was prescribed by Hippocrates for healing sores and ulcers, both internally and externally.
protects vitamin C from being oxidized or destroyed.
is used in the treatment of over 300 diseases.
has the ability to directly destroy penicillin-resistant staphylococcus.
has bioflavonoids that inhibit enzymes from removing the protein coating of viruses, keeping the viral material locked inside.
Ancient Greek texts refer to the substance as a "cure for bruises and suppurating sores".
Roman physicians used propolis in making poultices.
Hebrew references to the therapeutic properties of tzori (propolis) are mentioned throughout the Old Testament.
Records from 12th century Europe describe medical preparations using propolis for the treatment of mouth and throat infections, and dental caries (Krell, 1996).

More information on propolis check out Stefan Stangaciu's Apitherapy Reference Data Base

Reference:
Krell, R. 1996. Value-added products from beekeeping. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN, Agriculture Services Bulletin 124.
Stangaciu, Stefan. 1999. Scientific Basis of Propolis Use in Medicine. Proceedings of the XXXVI Congress Apimondia 99, pp77-79.
Note: Proceedings of the Apimondia 99 conference are still available from CHC for $10

BEESWAX AND PROPOLIS BURN OINTMENT
38 gms beeswax, 20 gms propolis, 10 gms pulverized aloe, 30 gms water, 1 gm borax Grate and melt together the beeswax and propolis. Remove from heat and add the remaining ingredients. Store in a jar. Tinctures and lozenges are popular treatment for sore throats, cuts, mouth sores and skin rashes. For internal use, 1 x 3ml dose three times daily of a 1:10 tincture is typical, but higher doses can be used if necessary. Propolis tincture is normally diluted in water producing a cloudy liquid. For external use, the 1:10 tincture is diluted in water, and used as