Propolis is a resinous plant substance, which is used by bees to create defence barriers and along with wax as a building material, as an insulation and protective coating for all inner surfaces of the hive.

The composition of propolis varies considerably according to the harvest time, the environment, the plant species in the surrounding area of the apiaries, the weather conditions and the type of attendant bee. Because of this great diversity and the resulting analytical problems, it’s very difficult to define a standardization of propolis. It contains more than 300 different ingredients:

• ca. 50% plant resins
• ca. 30% waxes
• ca. 10% essential oil
• ca. 5% pollens
• the remaining small percentage between 3% and 7% consists of sugars, vitamins and plant secondary metabolites, above all polyphenols; among them, flavonoids are the most important subclass of propolis.

Propolis is mainly used in the pharmaceutical sector as an anti-inflammatory product (i.e. in the post-op course such as for tonsillectomy), showing in addition anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, antiviral, healing, antifungal, healing, analgesic, antiulcer, radical scavenger, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties, thus being an excellent natural product for cold and flu prevention.

In addition, it is used in cosmetics for formulas of moisturizing and soothing creams thanks to its softening, anti-oxidant, balancing and cleansing properties.

In addition to consolidated experience in this sector since 1973, Carlo Sessa boasts an Italian origin and certified organic quality Propolis.

Would you like to know more?