Propolis: bee glue explained

In brief: propolis is a resinous mass that honey bees produce from tree resins, wax and their own secretions and use as a building material inside the hive. It is sold as drops, capsules, powder, spray or in creams. No health claims are currently authorised for propolis in the EU, which is why we describe it factually and neutrally.

Propolis, also known as bee glue or bee putty, is one of the oldest known natural products from the beehive and comes in many forms today. This guide explains what propolis actually is, how bees produce it, what it contains and in which forms it is offered. You will deliberately find no efficacy promises here – the reason is explained in the section on how to interpret it.

The key points at a glance

• Propolis is a resin-like mass made from tree resins and bee-derived substances.
• Inside the hive it serves as a building material to seal cracks and coat surfaces.
• Its composition is complex and varies depending on region, season and plants.
• Offered as drops (tincture), capsules, powder, spray or in creams.
• No health claims are currently authorised for propolis in the EU.

What is propolis?

Propolis is a mixture of natural substances that honey bees use inside the hive. The name comes from the Greek: "pro" (before) and "polis" (city) – roughly "before the city", because bees use it, among other things, to work on the entrance of their hive. At room temperature propolis is sticky and resinous, hard and brittle in the cold, soft and pliable in warmth. Depending on its origin, its colour ranges from yellowish-brown through reddish to dark brown.

Its role in the shared life of tens of thousands of bees is fascinating. A beehive is warm, humid and densely populated – conditions under which a single "putty", used by the bees to coat surfaces and enclose foreign bodies, helps keep the hive clean and stable. Propolis is therefore less a "miracle substance" than a clever building material that evolution has produced. This sober perspective helps to interpret the product correctly.

How is propolis formed? – the mechanism inside the hive

The basis is resins that bees collect from the buds and bark of certain trees – such as poplars, birches, alders or conifers. They mix these plant resins with wax, pollen and their own salivary and enzyme secretions. The result is propolis. Inside the hive it is a remarkably versatile building material: the bees seal cracks and draughty spots, smooth rough inner walls, narrow the entrance hole and coat surfaces with a thin layer. Beekeepers harvest propolis, for example, by inserting special grids that the bees fill with putty and that are subsequently scraped off.

Which ingredients are found in propolis?

Chemically, propolis is not a uniform substance but a complex mixture of many substances. Its exact composition depends heavily on which plants grow in the region, when it is collected and which hive is involved. Broadly, the following components can be distinguished:

These figures are averages and can vary considerably. It is precisely because of this natural variability that propolis cannot be equated with a single, always identical active substance – an important point when comparing different products.

Particular attention is paid to the group of polyphenols and flavonoids in the resin fractions. These are secondary plant compounds that also occur in many types of fruit and vegetables and are widely studied in nutritional research. But because their content in propolis varies greatly depending on the source plants, that is exactly the crux: you cannot speak of "the one" propolis. In practical terms this means that origin and processing say more about a product than a catchy advertising term on the front of the pack.

In which forms is propolis available?

Which form you choose is mainly a question of preference and application:

• Drops / tincture: propolis dissolved in alcohol or on a water/glycerine base. Practical for dosing.
• Capsules: propolis extract or powder in a solid, taste-neutral form.
• Powder / raw propolis: the dried, crushed natural product.
• Spray: often designed for the mouth and throat area.
• Creams and ointments: propolis as an ingredient in cosmetic skin care.

Because propolis is a bee product, it is not suitable for a vegan diet. People with a known allergy to bee products, pollen or bee venom should be especially careful and clarify use with a doctor beforehand. Which other bee products exist is shown in our guide on royal jelly.

Propolis, honey and royal jelly – who makes what?

The hive supplies several very different products that are easily confused:

Propolis is therefore neither food nor food secretion, but the "building material" of the hive – which explains its resinous, sticky consistency.

Why no two batches are alike

Picture two beekeepers: one in a poplar forest, one in a conifer region. Their bees collect resins from different trees – so the composition of the propolis turns out correspondingly different. Add to that season and weather. For you as a buyer this means: propolis is a natural product with natural variation, not a standardised single substance. This is precisely why information on origin and transparency is especially valuable with this product.

What research is investigating – interpreted honestly

Propolis traditionally receives a lot of attention, and research is taking a closer look at its ingredients – above all the polyphenols and flavonoids. A central challenge here is variability: because the composition differs greatly depending on origin, propolis is not a uniform, standardisable substance. For the EU this specifically means: no health claims are authorised. We therefore do not attribute any effects to propolis on the immune system, defences, skin or other bodily functions. Anyone who wants to try propolis should regard it as what is certain: a traditional natural product from the beehive.

Recognising quality

• Origin & beekeeping: traceable details on source and extraction.
• Form & base: with tinctures, note the base (alcohol vs. alcohol-free).
• Purity & laboratory testing: look for clean processing and tested quality – background in Lab-tested: what does that mean?.
• Allergy note: avoid or seek medical advice if allergic to bee products.

Matching categories at Scheunengut

You can find natural products and food supplements via All products. If you are interested in topics around the body's own defences, take a look at Immune system – there you will find nutrients with authorised claims such as vitamin C or zinc, which you can read about in Immune system: vitamin C, D & zinc.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What exactly is propolis?

Propolis is a resinous mass that honey bees produce from tree resins, wax, pollen and their own secretions. Inside the hive they use it as a building material to seal cracks and coat surfaces. The name roughly means "before the city", because bees also use it to work on the hive entrance.

Is propolis suitable for vegans?

No. Propolis is a bee product and therefore not suitable for a vegan diet. People with a known allergy to bee products, pollen or bee venom should also be especially careful and clarify use with a doctor beforehand.

In which forms is propolis available?

Most commonly as drops or tincture, and also as capsules, powder (raw propolis), spray for the mouth and throat, as well as in creams and ointments. Which form suits you depends on personal preference and the intended use.

Why do you not state any effects of propolis?

Because no health claims are currently authorised for propolis in the EU. Its composition also varies greatly depending on origin. We therefore describe propolis factually as a traditional natural product. For health-related questions, medical advice is the right place to turn.