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What Are The Properties of Stingless Bee Propolis?
Antimicrobial
Anti-inflammatory
Cardiovascular Health
Vasomodulation Properties
Antitumor Properties
Immune Support
Natural Wound Healer
High in Polyphenols
High in Flavonoids
High in Terpenoids
Filtered for Purity
Supports Conservation of Australian Native Bees
High Potency (no additives or fillers)
What Are The Uses of Native Stingless Bee Propolis?
Our customers have reported they use raw propolis in the following ways
Lining hives to promote eductions
A resource to provide to hives
Cold sore and ulcer remedies
Various health remedies
Production of soaps and balms
Production of toothpaste
Various medical purposes
(Not sold for human consumption)
Provide Your Stingless Bees With Propolis
Promote Hive Eductions with Propolis
In the world of native stingless bees, an eduction refers to joining an empty hive to an established hive, and waiting for the stingless bees to colonise a second home. When attempting to perform an eduction it is good practice to line the empty hive with propolis. This provides stingless bees with the building materials they require to begin constructing a new hive and encourages them into the empty space.
Providing Stingless Bees with Propolis as a Resource
Propolis is a native stingless bees main resource they require to construct their hive. Providing them with propolis in difficult times such as poor weather conditions gives them a helping hand and promotes hive growth. Simply smear some propolis paste at the entrance and watch as they begin to collect it.
Native Bee Hive Eduction Tips
- Work with wet hands to ensure the propolis sticks to the inside of your hive and not your hands.
- Warm the propolis with a hair dryer or simply place it in the sun to help it spread.
- Work it around the empty hive, but don't be too fussy, native bees are very resourceful and will quickly reprocess and reconstruct the propolis to suit their needs.
- Place a small ring of propolis around both sides of the entrance to deter unwanted pests and encourage the bees to use their new entry.
What is Native Bee Propolis?
Australian native stingless bees collect resins from trees and mix this with wax secreted from special glands on their abdomen to form what we know as propolis, a dark sticky substance with many unique properties. This mix of resin and wax comes in various forms and is primarily used by stingless bees for nest construction and hive defence.
The resins collected by stingless bees are produced by special resin cells in plants. Plants often produce resin when an injury occurs. as protective mechanism against insects and pathogens. European honey bees also collect resin, however they primarily use wax for nest construction.
Researchers have detected over 300 compounds in propolis. It is proven to have a high bioactivity level with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antitumour effects. Studies have also shown that the propolis produced by stingless bees has a higher antimicrobial activity compared to that of European honey bee propolis.
Links to related articles on propolis and various studies exploring its health benefits can also be found below.
The History of Native Stingless Bee Propolis
The word propolis stems from the greek words 'pro' (before) and 'polis' (the city), translating to 'defender of the city'.
This name was given as bees place propolis at the entrance of their hives to deter intruders from entering. They also use the sticky substance to seal gaps and mummify any intruders that gain entry.
The use of propolis dates back to ancient times. Egyptians used propolis to preserve cadavers, while ancient Greeks created perfumes and used propolis to treat ulcers and cure wounds. Indigenous Australians also used propolis to form the mouth pieces of didgeridoos.
To learn more about some of Australia's fascinating stingless bees follow the link below.
How Do We Harvest Native Stingless Bee Propolis?
From Hive to Jar......How We Harvest Native Stingless Bee Propolis
At Tetra, we aim for consistency within our brand. Harvesting native stingless bee propolis in a repeatable, sustainable and hygienic fashion is a critical step in achieving this. By purchasing propolis directly from our stingless bee farm we are able to guarantee quality and purity, while keeping cost down.
Our propolis is harvested and packed on site directly from healthy hives of Australian stingless bees (Tetragonula Carbonaria and Hockingsi). It contains no additives or fillers and has not been exposed to high temperatures. We guarantee it is amongst the purest and strongest available on the market.
Tetra native bee propolis contains both wax and resins (not just native bee wax which is not true propolis). This is everything native stingless bees need to begin constructing a new hive.
Unlike European honey bees, native stingless bees store their honey in small pots made out of propolis. After this honey has been harvested and filtered, a small amount of propolis often remains as a leftover byproduct. This product can then be collected, rinsed to remove pollen and honey, then filtered.
Filtering is achieved by slowly melting the product at low heat over a long duration, just enough to melt the already sticky substance. It is then pressed through a strainer directly into moulds and placed in a refrigerated environment. Filtering ensures the propolis is free from any unwanted debris, ensuring our customers receive value for their money.
No exposure to chemicals or high temperature occurs during the collection process. This ensures the unique properties of native stingless bee propolis remain intact and unchanged.
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