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From:
"Michael L. Wallace" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 29 Feb 1996 03:31:46 -0600
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Good Morning,
 
Well, here it is, folks the 3rd and final installment in the saga of
propolis.  Sorry that it has taken so long for me to get to this
installment, but I have been extremely busy, lately, trying to find a new
job and working as a temp. on 2nd shift.
 
This post we'll talk about what to do with your propolis.  BTW, for those of
you who don't know propolis is pronounced [prah-poh-lis].  For years I
pronounced it [proh-poh-lis], until a friend kindly corrected me. Even then,
I found it hard to break the habit of pronouncing it wrongly.
 
I believe that in the last post I indicated that once the trap was full, you
put the trap in a plastic bag (new [of course] garbage bag) and place it in
the freezer.  The freezing process changes it into a form that you can
actually work with.  When it is warm it's very sticky.  When frozen it will
crumble easily.
 
Remove your trap from the freezer and, while it's still in the bag, begin
mashing and twisting it.  This will cause the propolis to come out of the
trap, into the bag.  You may want to open the bag and make sure all of the
propolis has released from the trap.  The trap is now ready to be put back
on the hive.
 
At this point, you have several options.  You can sell the propolis to
companies who purchase it.  One source of mine told me that one Canadian
company is offering $40 US/pound.  I, personally, have not tried to sell it,
so I haven't checked out the market, to see what a fair market price would
be.  Another option is to use it yourself or collect for others (which could
also be sold).
For those of you who have tried chewing raw propolis, you, no doubt, found
out that it sticks to and stains the teeth and doesn't want to come off.  If
you want to do it this way, that's fine.  However, there are better methods
of delivery.  I have a friend that grinds the raw propolis into a powder, in
the blender, then snorts it up her nose.  She claims that this method is
especially effective if you feel a cold or sinusitis coming on.  To be
totally honest, I haven't tried this method of delivery and doubt that I
ever will.  It's just too radical for my brain to accept.
 
There are several companies that make "extracts" and "tinctures" of
propolis.  The tinctures are those preparations that contain alcohol.  The
extracts do not. However, alcohol is used in the processing of both
preparations.  The preparation process, actually, takes a while.  Once the
propolis has been ground into a powder, it is placed into a sealed container
containing high proof, grain alcohol.  For those of you who don't know
anything about alcohol (liqour), there is a product on the market called
"Ever Clear".  It is the highest proof grain alcohol that I have found
available.
 
Let the mixture set for approximately two weeks.  This will break down the
resins and esters.  Some people may choose to use it in this form.  That's
okay, but it will be very potent and possibly hard to handle.
 
If you want the alcohol out, place this mixture into a baking pan.  Place
the pan in the oven and leave the door propped open.  Turn the oven on the
lowest setting.  This will evaporate the alcohol out of the mixture.  You
will need to add water, periodically, so that it doesn't dry out and
crystalize in the pan.  You want it to stay in liquid form, just minus the
alcohol.  I suggest using either distilled or filtered water, just to keep
it as pure as possible.  Keep tasting and smelling it, until you are sure
that the alcohol is evaporated out (this will take several hours).  Once the
alcohol is gone, it is ready to pour off into a sealed container. Now, if
you let it sit for long, it will seperate and the solids will settle at the
bottom.  When you want to use the mixture, just shake well before using it.
 
You can use the preparation like this, however, it's not very pleasant
tasting. I prefer mixing it in a little bit of honey.  You may think of some
other vehicle that it could be mixed with.  It's your propolis.  Try away!
At this point I have to leave the rest up to you.  If I begin trying to
suggest amount to consume on a daily basis, then I would be in danger of
"practicing medicine without a license".  So, the rest is up to you.  If
anyone has any helpful hints, after trying the above recipe, be sure and
post it to the list, so everyone can benefit.
 
Well, as Porky Pig says, "Ebidah, ebidah, ebidah, that's all folks!"
Thanks, and God Bless.  See everyone around the list.
 
 
Mike Wallace
[log in to unmask]
McKinney, Texas   USA

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