Collecting Propolis: The Healing Resin from the Hive Cures a Hundred Ailments

After a bad year for beekeepers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, many of them will try to mitigate the consequences of the catastrophic season by producing propolis, a healing resin from the hive that is an increasingly sought-after bee product in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has long been so on the world market.

This sticky mass, which doctors say is the medicine of the 21st century, and which bees use to disinfect and seal cracks in the hive, beekeepers begin collecting during August and continue until late autumn. It has been proven that propolis contains several healing components that strengthen immunity, protect against colds and flu, aid wound healing, and just a few drops of propolis are enough to soothe even the worst toothache.

Rajko Radivojac, a healthcare worker at the Prijedor hospital who has been beekeeping for two decades, has been actively collecting propolis for several years. He produces up to several kilograms of this resin annually, from which he makes propolis drops, healing creams, or mixes propolis with honey and other bee products.

- There is a lot of scientific evidence confirming the healing properties of propolis. Even the people who consume it say they feel much better after regularly taking a few drops of propolis or propolis mixed with honey – Radivojac told NAP.

- I think people are increasingly realizing how important health is, so the demand for bee products, which are undeniably the most healing natural products, is growing every year – he adds.

Thousands of bees from the hive bring resin from plants and trees during the day, from which, according to a never-proven recipe, they produce propolis. In the hive, it is in the form of a sticky resin. The bees distribute part of it at the entrance to the hive, so every time they return from nature, they disinfect their legs with propolis. In this way, they prevent the introduction of bacteria into the hive. Part of the propolis is used to boost their own immunity, disinfect the inside of the hive, and also to seal cracks in the hive.

Beekeepers collect propolis by scraping it from the walls and other parts of the hive, as well as by placing propolis traps in the form of plastic nets, onto which the bees stick propolis.

- When propolis is removed from the hive, it hardens into a very solid material in just a few minutes – explains Radivojac.

- Therefore, it needs to be crushed and soaked in medical alcohol. After a few weeks, we get a very healing liquid – adds this beekeeper.

The experiences of people who buy propolis from Radivojac indicate that with this healing bee product, it is possible to strengthen immunity, defeat bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori or Escherichia coli, aid wound healing, stomach ailments, and dozens of other health problems in just a few months.

- The hive is the best pharmacy in nature, of course, under the supervision of a doctor – concludes Radivojac, writes NAP.