If you look at propolis in the laboratory, it is an organic compound that consists of about 50 percent resins, 30 percent beeswax, 10 percent essential oils, 5 percent pollen fractions, 3 percent organic substances and 2 percent nutrients (minerals, trace elements, amino acids, Enzymes, flavonoids).
To date, the putty has not been fully broken down and the question why it works so well against germs, viruses and fungi in the beehive has not yet been answered conclusively. Between 150 and 200 different ingredients have been discovered so far. But what complicates an analysis is that the composition of propolis is never the same, not even from the same floor. It depends on numerous factors such as the plant source and the activity of the bees. These variations can sometimes be seen in the color and taste of propolis, which is why our cosmetic products can always vary slightly in color.
WHERE IS OUR PROPOLIS COMING FROM?
Most of the propolis used in Germany is imported from abroad. A bee colony can produce up to 200 grams of putty resin a year and there are in Germany According to the German Beekeeping Association, around 150.000 beekeepers with a total of around 1.000.000 bee colonies. Many of these beekeepers are purely hobby beekeepers and only a very small number practice beekeeping as a profession. German beekeepers can only cover almost 20 percent of the need for honey, so it is hardly surprising that it is not possible to obtain large amounts of propolis in Germany.
But there is now also Eastern European propolis, which consists of almost the same ingredients (of course there are small differences due to the different plant source) as the domestic one. The test in Germany by laboratories and experienced beekeepers is important.
Our propolis production is also not quite sufficient for our cosmetic production. We therefore buy European propolis, which hardly differs in taste and smell from our propolis. Most of the propolis imported in Germany comes from China. We did some tests with Chinese propolis, and even if everything was fine with it from an analytical point of view, the taste and smell simply didn't convince us and we stick to the more expensive European goods.