Honey is a representative gift that bees give to humans, but propolis is getting more attention these days. That is why there are many products that boast propolis in toothpaste, cosmetics, and even candy.
Propolis is a composite material mixed with resin from the buds and buds of various trees (樹脂, a sap released by trees to protect itself from wounds and attacks of caterpillars), bee saliva, and enzymes. Bees use propolis to protect their hives from bacteria and viruses, and the reason the hives are almost sterile is because they work hard to paint and solder with propolis.
Propolis is known to have antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant properties. This effect is due to various compounds in propolis, and in fact, only more than 500 compounds have been identified by 2012. Propolis contains various substances such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acid, and among them, the flavonoid effect is large.

Products containing 16-17 mg of flavonoids
Most propolis products that are not health functional foods do not indicate the content of flavonoids, but indicate the percentage of alcohol extract. For example, 70% extract means that it is extracted with 70% alcohol. The higher the concentration of alcohol, the more flavonoids are extracted, but the lower the amount of propolis, the higher the unit price for the producer.
If the alcohol concentration is low, a large amount of propolis is produced, but the specific gravity of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids increases. I am concerned about the residual alcohol, but since it is a very small amount, there is no problem. Alcohol-extracted products have the advantage of being able to easily contain a lot of flavonoids, which are active ingredients, but they have the disadvantage of relatively low absorption. There are many water-soluble propolis that use surfactants instead of alcohol to increase absorption, but the disadvantage is that they must be taken together with surfactants such as polysorbate and glycerin.
There are also some products that appeal to the fact that they are extracted with natural oligosaccharides without surfactants.

Products whose origin and manufacturing method are disclosed
All manufacturers are listed on health functional food labels, but the country of origin is not mandatory and is not indicated in more cases. The country of origin and refining technology are important factors that determine the quality of a product, so it is difficult to judge the quality of a product if there is no indication of the country of origin. ‘Brazilian green propolis is good’, ‘red propolis has a better antioxidant effect’, ‘clean northern Germany or Canada/Australia raw materials are good’, ‘European parent company’s refining technology is good’, etc. There are several claims and some studies to support them, but there is no consensus among experts.
If you still prefer a product of a specific country of origin, you can purchase a product that can confirm the country of origin. However, even if the product of a certain country of origin or a certain manufacturer is superior, the price is often much higher, so cost-effectiveness must also be considered. More than 80% of domestic propolis products are said to come from China.
Although there are many liquid forms of propolis, take the recommended amount for each product, but if you want a local effect for stomatitis or sore throat, you can dilute it appropriately and gargle. It is not recommended to eat propolis liquid to apply to the stomach wall just because it is good for heartburn. Not only has the effectiveness been unproven, but there are many medications that work much faster and more effectively for heartburn. Be aware that propolis is a mixture of several substances, including pollen, and can cause allergies.
In summary, propolis is a complex of compounds with antibacterial and antioxidant actions, and flavonoids are the most important active ingredient. Propolis, recognized as a health functional food, is more reliable. It is impossible to determine which country of origin, manufacturer, or refining method is better, but let’s choose from among the products that help consumers choose by providing such information when purchasing products.