What is Propolis?
Propolis is a natural substance collected and produced by honeybees. It is created when bees gather resin from plants and mix it with their own secretions, such as beeswax and saliva, storing the mixture inside the hive. The resin is a sticky substance secreted by plants at growth points, buds, or wounds, while beeswax is a solid, animal-derived material secreted from the wax glands on the abdomens of bees, primarily used in constructing honeycombs.
Propolis typically consists of approximately 45–55% plant resin, 25–35% beeswax, 10% essential oils, 5% pollen, and 5% minerals. The resin contains over 150 biologically active compounds, including phenolics and flavonoids, which contribute to its health-promoting properties. Because propolis is plant-derived—especially from trees—its composition, color, and physical characteristics can vary depending on the local vegetation.
The term propolis originates from the Greek words "pro" (meaning "before" or "in front of") and "polis" (meaning "city" or "fortress"). Literally, it means "defender of the city", which symbolically reflects its biological role in protecting the hive. Honeybees use propolis to seal gaps in the hive, disinfect the queen’s egg-laying chamber, and maintain internal hive hygiene by preventing microbial growth and decomposition.
Scientific Definitions
According to the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), propolis is defined in the Health Functional Food Code as:
“A substance made by honeybees by mixing plant resins with their own secretions.”
Furthermore, it must be processed by removing wax and extracting using water, ethanol (or hydroethanol mixtures), or supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂) to be approved for functional food applications.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the United Nations defines propolis as:
“A mixture of wax and resins collected by honeybees from plants, particularly from buds and flowers.”
It explains that bees scrape resin using their mandibles and transport it back to the hive, forming pellets similar to pollen on their hind legs. During this collection and packing process, the resin is mixed with bee saliva, secretions, and wax, resulting in what we call propolis (R. Krell, FAO).
Propolis-Producing Bee Species
Although there are hundreds of bee species worldwide, the one most well-known for producing and utilizing propolis is the Western honeybee, scientifically named Apis mellifera.
Today, the vast majority of honeybees used in apiculture globally belong to this species.
In contrast, native Asian honeybees—often referred to as “wild” or “indigenous bees”—produce little to no propolis. This is one of the key reasons why they are more vulnerable to diseases. In fact, studies by Mlagan & Sulimannovic (1982) and Meresta (1988) have shown that propolis has the ability to suppress pathogens, such as Bacillus larvae, the bacterium responsible for American foulbrood, one of the most devastating bee diseases. Propolis helps protect developing bee larvae and inhibits bacterial growth from decaying organic matter inside the hive.
These findings reinforce the idea that propolis serves as a natural shield, safeguarding the hive from external threats.
Written by Yongkap Hur
Propolis Specialist
CEO, Unique Biotech Co., Ltd.
What is Propolis?
Propolis is a natural substance collected and produced by honeybees. It is created when bees gather resin from plants and mix it with their own secretions, such as beeswax and saliva, storing the mixture inside the hive. The resin is a sticky substance secreted by plants at growth points, buds, or wounds, while beeswax is a solid, animal-derived material secreted from the wax glands on the abdomens of bees, primarily used in constructing honeycombs.
Propolis typically consists of approximately 45–55% plant resin, 25–35% beeswax, 10% essential oils, 5% pollen, and 5% minerals. The resin contains over 150 biologically active compounds, including phenolics and flavonoids, which contribute to its health-promoting properties. Because propolis is plant-derived—especially from trees—its composition, color, and physical characteristics can vary depending on the local vegetation.
The term propolis originates from the Greek words "pro" (meaning "before" or "in front of") and "polis" (meaning "city" or "fortress"). Literally, it means "defender of the city", which symbolically reflects its biological role in protecting the hive. Honeybees use propolis to seal gaps in the hive, disinfect the queen’s egg-laying chamber, and maintain internal hive hygiene by preventing microbial growth and decomposition.
Scientific Definitions
According to the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), propolis is defined in the Health Functional Food Code as:
“A substance made by honeybees by mixing plant resins with their own secretions.”
Furthermore, it must be processed by removing wax and extracting using water, ethanol (or hydroethanol mixtures), or supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂) to be approved for functional food applications.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the United Nations defines propolis as:
“A mixture of wax and resins collected by honeybees from plants, particularly from buds and flowers.”
It explains that bees scrape resin using their mandibles and transport it back to the hive, forming pellets similar to pollen on their hind legs. During this collection and packing process, the resin is mixed with bee saliva, secretions, and wax, resulting in what we call propolis (R. Krell, FAO).
Propolis-Producing Bee Species
Although there are hundreds of bee species worldwide, the one most well-known for producing and utilizing propolis is the Western honeybee, scientifically named Apis mellifera.
Today, the vast majority of honeybees used in apiculture globally belong to this species.
In contrast, native Asian honeybees—often referred to as “wild” or “indigenous bees”—produce little to no propolis. This is one of the key reasons why they are more vulnerable to diseases. In fact, studies by Mlagan & Sulimannovic (1982) and Meresta (1988) have shown that propolis has the ability to suppress pathogens, such as Bacillus larvae, the bacterium responsible for American foulbrood, one of the most devastating bee diseases. Propolis helps protect developing bee larvae and inhibits bacterial growth from decaying organic matter inside the hive.
These findings reinforce the idea that propolis serves as a natural shield, safeguarding the hive from external threats.
Written by Yongkap Hur
Propolis Specialist
CEO, Unique Biotech Co., Ltd.