Not propolis but not wax

[BjornBee]

I try to keep two cans on the workbench for when I'm scraping frames or boxes in storing them. Sometimes you come across a really big chunk of propolis, and sometimes there is some nice burr comb to collect and melt down.

But every now and then on the inside of the boxes, I come across something that is built like wax comb, but is darkened and looks like propolis.

Someone once suggested that if you try to bend it and it breaks clean...it is propolis. If it bends, then it's wax.

Is there some way to tell that is better than just bending it? And is there a way to process this "middle" stuff to separate the wax and propolis?

Does anyone have any ideas on what this middle stuff could be used for?

Comments?  Thank you.

[TwT]

I always wondered why mostly I see on BB's little domes of cells but this stuff is hard like propolis, always kinda wondered what it was, figure propolis but made into cells, just thought it was some tough wax. never collected it really, just always threw it away. I dont see it but in a few hives a year and not a lot of it.

[Robo]

I usually just boil it in water and then let it cool.  THe propolis will sink to the bottom and the wax will rise to the top.

[Michael Bush]

Sometimes it's a mixture of wax and propolis...

[Pond Creek Farm]

What exactly does one do with propolis?  I gather a lt of it but usually cast it aside while cleaning up.  Should I be saiving it, and if so for  what purpose?

[Michael Bush]

>What exactly does one do with propolis?

Grind it up and take it in capsules.  Mix it with vodka and use for a mouthwash (scientifically proven to help prevent cavities).  Make varnish out of it (all the Stradivarius violins have propolis varnish on them).  Sell it to places who buy it for such purposes at high rates (see the bee journals for ads).  Mix it with wax when you make your own foundation to make it tougher.  Mix it with wax when you dip your hives to make them last better.

[Robo]

Throw it over your right shoulder,  works just as good, if not better than salt. ;)

[BenC]

Put it in swarm traps for a "smells like home" effect on scout bees?  Set bits of it out for bees to gather/recycle on sunny fall days?  Melt it and dunk cardboard for firestarters?

[Michael Bush]

Chew it like gum.

[johnnybigfish]

use it on your fingers to make it easier to turn the pages of a book!

your friend,
john

[Pond Creek Farm]

I am not sure I would spit out the vodka mouthwash, and I am definitely not sure I want to chew it like gum.  I have never tried either, so perhaps I am rushing to judgment. My son saw the varnish thing in the Dummies book and now he wants me to make varnish.  We have not determined on what we would use this varnish as I am no Stradivarius, but perhaps we could make a nice and very well stained birdhouse. 

[BenC]

We have not determined on what we would use this varnish as I am no Stradivarius, but perhaps we could make a nice and very well stained birdhouse. 

or perhaps an observation hive?

[Cindi]

Brian, just been saving that propolis I gather every time I work my colonies.  I have gathered much propolis over the past couple of years.  I keep a small glass bottle of it on my kitchen counter.  The rest I am going to make tinctures to give to my important people in my life for uses for their health. 

Anytime I need to travel with my imagination, through the scents brought through my nasal passages by the aroma of this jar of propolis, to a sunny and warm summer's day, relaxing, near the forest ---I open this jar and take several deep whiffs.  I am right there.  Right smack dab in the middle of the warm sunny day, breathing in the beautiful aromas of the forest trees, relaxing...relaxing...relaxing....this is the scent of the hive, too, that I love so much.  Have a most wonderful and awesome day and life, great health wishes to us all.  Cindi

[charlotte]

Hello-
 Somewhere I read something about propolis and antibacterial and antifungal properties that could be used on atheltes foot as well as open sores, such as you might use tincture of iodine on.  In fact it talked about using it for cuts on people that had topical iodine allergies.  I believe it is diluted half and half with rubbing alcohol, and heated until dissolved.  I have also heard of it being gargled for sore throat relief.
 If you have a lot, I read on Glory Bee's website that they will buy it.  Not sure how much you need or what you have to do to process it..I plan to start one hive with caucasians this spring, so I may have to look into that myself! I am actually looking forward to utilizing it. 8-)

Good luck!
Charlotte :-D 

[Cindi]

Bjornbee.  I took always have two of the containers for propolis gathering.  The propolis in our area (no clue what others' areas type of propolis is) is very auburn coloured and is very shiny.  Usually when I am gathering propolis for the particular propolis container, I only scrape off the propolis that is shiny looking.  This is generally outside, where the sun rays can catch that sheen.  Anything that is not that particular shade of brown, I put into the other container.  I melt it down with my wax when I melt it.  That way the pure propolis can be kept pretty darn pure.  It would be interesting to figure out if there is a way to define if this propolis that I think is 100% is.  I would one day love to know.  Good thread, by the way.  Have a wonderful day and life, love life, great health. Cindi

[johnnybigfish]

 Mine looks like incense.
your friend,
john

[BjornBee]

Thank you for the replies.

And I agree....the smell of propolis is one of the best smells! I love it. :)

[reinbeau]

Yep, I've got a container of it on my kitchen counter, and every once in awhile I open it up, close my eyes, and sniff that nice beehive scent....

[Brian D. Bray]

Mix the propolis in with some Potpourri and get some health benefit from the aroma therapy.

[rdy-b]

Contagious  isnt it  :-D  RDY-B