Propolis

Bees are some of natures busiest creatures. They build intricate hives, produce honey, pollinate flowers and provide health supplements to humans in the form of bee pollen and propolis. The use of bee propolis as a treatment for various ailments has been around almost since the beginning of time.

Propolis is a sticky substance that bees make which is better known as "bee glue". The process begins when an expert propolis-making bee gathers resin from cone-producing evergreen trees or from the buds of trees. The bee will gather this sticky sap when the proper weather makes it pliable and soft. After the bee gathers enough, he blends the resin with wax flakes that he stores in the gland of his abdomen. After the bee has shaped it into a ball, he tucks it into the pollen basket that is attached to his leg. The bee will continue until the basket is full, then take it back to the hive. At this point, the propolis is unloaded and used to patch up holes in the hive. Bees also use propolis as an antiseptic barrier covering invaders with the sticky substance to prevent hive contamination.