The name Propolis, Pro = before + Polis = city, which from Greek translates to “before the city”.
Bee propolis is a dark-brown or greenish resinous mass with a characteristic spicy smell. Bees collect resins from the buds of poplar, birch, chestnut, and other trees, mix them with beeswax and gland secretions, producing a natural “superglue” and antiseptic at the same time. They use it to seal cracks in the hive, coat combs, and mummify.
Natural propolis contains more than 300 chemical compounds. Its composition varies depending on the geography of collection, season, and local flora—that is why propolis from different countries can differ in smell, color, and concentration of active substances.