Propolis cream

Propolis is a resin-like substance that can change its consistency depending on the temperature. At temperatures up to 15°C, propolis is brittle and hard, above this it becomes softer and malleable, from around 60°C it becomes liquid. Bees mainly use propolis to care for their hive, but it can be used for various human needs thanks to its richness in vitamins and minerals. For example, as supportive care for skin problems or to support well-being.

How much propolis should be taken per day depends on the product used. For this reason, the specified daily dose should be observed. The rule of thumb for our propolis tincture is: 1 drop per 10 kilograms of body weight per day.

Propolis is available in various dosage forms, which you can choose from depending on your needs. In addition to propolis in capsules, tinctures are also very popular and are also suitable for external use. If you are looking for a gentle and natural skin care product, a propolis cream may be right for you.

Even young children learn that bees collect pollen (flower pollen) from flowers and use it to produce honey. This is how they associate bees with the sweet bee product. Many people are unaware that the typical "worker bee" not only produces honey, but also has various tasks to complete at each stage of its short life, such as permanently stabilizing/renovating/refurbishing the hive or raising offspring. Bees live in the form of a bee colony, which are independent of each other due to their 80,000 different individualities. The females of the whole organism have underdeveloped sexual organs and are therefore the "worker bees". In the course of their short lives, they carry out various tasks that are necessary for the colony's cohesion and survival. From the 21st day, the bees are busy for six weeks collecting water, nectar, putty resin and pollen. Putty resin basically stands for propolis, for which the bees collect the resin of some tree species, bring it to the beehive and process it into propolis there.

The name comes from the Greek "pro" = for, "polis" = city, a product "for the state". In contrast to honey, many bee products are unknown (even to many beekeepers). Propolis is not only a product that bees use for themselves, it can also be of great benefit to humans. Its history goes back to the time of the Egyptians and Aristotle, when propolis was known as the tears of trees. Bees collect the resin secretions from plants (e.g. from buds and tree bark). They gnaw at the tree bark with their mandibles (the bees' mouthparts) and pull out the pieces of resin until they become thread-like and tear. They then transport their "prey" on their rear legs into the hive, where they remove the resin with the help of other worker bees. This is extremely time-consuming, as it can take up to 4 hours just to remove the resins. Propolis also contains bee saliva, which is rich in many different enzymes. To incorporate the bee saliva into the resin, they chew it and add pollen and beeswax at the same time. The production of propolis is a huge task for the small bees, which is why a good bee colony can only produce around 500 grams of propolis in a year. The bees use propolis primarily for their hive, where it serves above all to protect the hive. Outside the hive, they apply the propolis primarily to the entrance opening, where it acts as a kind of protective cover against bacteria and germs that the returning bees bring with them from outside. Possible holes and cracks in the hive are also sealed from the inside and outside with propolis, hence the term "putty resin". The bees also cover the cells with a microscopically thin layer shortly before laying their eggs. As various properties are attributed to propolis, it is assumed that this is the reason why beehives are only very rarely attacked by diseases and infections. It is also said to serve as an additional barrier and protection against animal enemies.

The typical, characteristic property of propolis is the heterogeneous, resinous, solid mass, yet the consistency and structure of propolis is temperature-dependent. This is how propolis transforms and changes:

• up to 15°C brittle and hard
• 15°C - 30°C malleable and soft
• 30°C - 60°C viscous
• from 60°C liquid

The colors and smells of propolis also vary depending on the botanical (original plant) and geographical origin from which it was obtained. The propolis known in Germany ranges from light yellow to dark brown, but propolis can also be a reddish brown, greenish brown or even a dark brick red. The smell is usually aromatic of wax and honey. The taste of propolis can also have many nuances: slightly sweet to bitter, spicy, sour or pungent. Due to the various substances contained in propolis, it also contains many different vitamins. Trace elements and minerals, in combination with enzymes and amino acids, can support well-being. The effect that propolis can have is due to its high bioflavonoid content. In total, over 70 different effects are attributed to propolis, whereby a distinction is made between physical, biological and chemical effects. These effects and properties can be positive and beneficial for humans and animals.

Anyone who does not have an allergy or intolerance to propolis can use it without any problems. It can be used in any area. Many people use propolis tinctures, which make it easier to use and dose propolis. The treatment and application is individual for each person and varies according to need.