Propolis (bee-glue) is a sticky substance that the bees produce after they collect resin extracts from the trees and enrich it with wax, pollen, enzymes and more. It is used by the bees, to seal up and disinfect the inner part of the honey comb.
Natural Properties
The color of propolis can be yellow-green, orange-green, even light or dark brown. It depends on the plant that is comes from, the mixing of wax and pollen and the time that it stays in the honeycomb. In low temperatures – <15° C, propolis gets solid and hard. In higher temperatures (starting from 30° C) it starts to have more ductility and gradually becomes a sticky substance. Typically, propolis starts to melt in 60-70° C and its density is approximately 1.12gr/ml. It is completely undiluted in water, but it can be diluted in ethyl alcohol, glycol and other organic diluters.
The healing properties of propolis were known from the ancient years, when it was referred as “black wax”. People who thrived in the Mediterranean used propolis as a medicine, as they had understood its anti-inflammatory properties. Hippocrates used to recommend it for the healing of ulcers and burns. Roman soldiers always used to carry propolis with them and the Egyptians were using it for the mummification of the dead. Nowadays propolis is used as a medicine, on its own or as an ingredient in other products.
Source:
(https://www.wikipedia.org/)
