Gathered ethically, for maximum absorption in a balanced way

I am not making this up, I promise: straight from http://www.seventhwaveuk.com/63-propolis.html.

Propolis

Certain honeys are known to heal, and are proven effective against many strains of bacteria.  Some of the best contain a bit of Propolis.  But for maximum health potential, this is a supplement containing just pure Propolis.

There's a massive 1,000mg per capsule of purified Bee Propolis. As an all round foundation vitamin and mineral supplement, just one a day is perfect.  But if you need to repair and restore, then we recommend two a day.

Just like all of the treasures from the beehive, Propolis is bursting with nutrition. Over 180 nutrients are present including all your key vitamins and minerals, trace elements and amino acids.  Propolis is one of natures richest sources of bioflavonoids (antioxidants). And of course everything is totally natural, and works with your body in a balanced way.

People have been enjoying the benefits of Propolis for thousands of years! And modern research has proven how effective it is.  The benefits are wide, with excellent therapeutic effect, but Propolis is especially recommended for your immune system, circulation and gum health.  Please note that EU legislation prevents us discusing how Propolis may help specific health conditions.

We are so proud to be the UK's natural and additive free supplement brand, and it means you get the maximum absorption and results. The additives used in other products are potential allergens, and can really reduce effectiveness.  You can read more on this here.

Gathered ethically from honeybees in the mountainous region of Extremadura, Spain. This is one of the most natural, and environmentally conserved parts of Europe and ensures the Propolis is of an exceptional quality.

Make of this what you will...

Take a look at  http://www.beefertile.com/products.html.  Worse than the pseudoscience is the creation of false hope.

 

First degree burns

At the start of each year, I attempt to sterilise frames, boxes and excluders with a blowtorch. A fair number of frames simply catch fire, and many others are charred beyond recognition. The boxes and excluders never look quite the same again.

Not any more.

Step forward my ancient Bosch heat gun paint stripper, complete with nozzle thingy that could have been purpose-designed for blasting into the nooks and crannies of a hive. The 'high' heat setting is perfect; propolis melts and runs away like water, and wax disappears in a puff of delicious smoke.

No burns, no mess. Nice. 

Pseudoscience (quack, quack)

You *must* read this: http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/bee.html

Huge thanks to Anonymous, who posted this as a comment.

Pic from http://www.rubberduck.com/

C'mon, Colin

Disappointingly, Colin (who commented on my rude remarks about pseudoscience at www.yourhealthfoodstore.co.uk) has not yet sent me the research that backs his claims about the antibacterial and other properties of propolis.

Dettol, I understand, is antibacterial, but you won't catch me drinking it. Ditto propolis.

Colin

Thank you, Colin, for the comment on yesterday's post (http://mellifera.blogspot.com/2009/04/propolis-and-other-sticky-topics.html):

"The fact is Toby, that without PROPOLIS there would be no bees, no hives and no honey.
It has been proved to be a natural antibacterial agent, it strengthens the immune system, and moreover acts as a protection against the flu virus.
All proved in research."

You may well be right , though I question your grasp of cause and effect. I suspect it runs more like bees then honey and propolis. Regardless, you still won't catch me eating propolis (which, let's face it, is "No More Nails" for bees.)

Let's have the links to the research, then.

Pic from http://www.makingdiyeasier.co.uk/unibond/nomorenails.html

Propolis and other sticky topics

Personally I find propolis to be a monumental embuggerance, and the last thing I would do is drink it, eat it or rub it on me.

More pseudo food science can be found at yourhealthfoodstore.co.uk

Fairy Liquid Power Spray

While I fiddle around failing to sort out the bee escapes, take a look at http://www.wwnorton.com/cgi-bin/ceilidh.exe/pob/forum/?C3415104e900A-6409-1073+1d.htm for some nice random beekeepery.

I washed the bee escapes in Fairy Liquid Power Spray. Oh Yes I Did. Best anti-propolis agent known to Incompetence.

Waxy Beelegs Honey

It smells of honey, looks like honey and by golly it is honey. It's full of bee legs, propolis and wax, and tastes great!

I can see the labels now: "Waxy Beelegs Honey."

Sticky problem? Fairy solution!

Here's a tip-top-tip if you are trying to clean a surface or tool of propolis: Fairy Power Spray!

Propolis is the goo that bees make to seal gaps in the hive. It's their all-purpose builders' glue, a kind of No More Nails for Apis Mellifera.

Oh Boy, it sure is sticky!

Propolis resists scouring, detergents, soaps and oven cleaner. Fairy Power Spray, on the other hand, cuts through propolis almost as soon as the spray hits the surface, resulting in a yellow gunge that you can simply away.

Procter & Gamble, there's a whole new market out there!

I wonder if Ainsley Harriott keeps bees?


Toby Chapman-Dawe