Propolis

Propolis is Greek for "before the city". The bees make this for several reasons, one of which is to seal off their hive from attack. It's made from a number of things, mostly resin from trees, but they mix it with other products that they make and gather. It has been used for millenia for various things, for instance it was an ingredient in the sealent Strativarious used on his violins. In Eastern Europe it was used to treat deep puncture wounds during WW2, as it is has properties which are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. It is an ingredient in modern medicine also, and used often when treating oral wounds.

I'm pointing to an area which the bees are sealing up a hive with propolis. It is usually reddish in color, and has a pungent, medicinal smell very unlike the other products of the hive.

Propolis is something I usually collect by order, and runs for about 40 dollars per pound.

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