How to make a propolis tincture
A 2-ingredient recipe and a set-it-and-forget-it process.
Propolis, a nutritious substance created by honey bees from tree and plant resins, provides hundreds of beneficial compounds. For a closer look into how the bees benefit from propolis, how it helps humans, where to find it in the hive and how to harvest it, check out my earlier post:
Over the next few weeks I’ll offer propolis for sale for the first time. I have a very limited amount of raw propolis that will be available. One of the new perks for paid subscribers is early access to honey sales, this includes propolis too. As a subscriber, you’ll know when order forms go live before anyone else. If you’re a paid subscriber, you’ll have access to the order form 2 days before it opens to the public.
I’m fortunate to run my hives in areas with high densities of poplar. According to RAISING RESILIENT BEES by Eric and Joy McEwen, “Poplar propolis sets the standard in that it always appears to have the same or even superior antimicrobial activity or higher concentrations of known active ingredients when compared with other propolis from different parts of the world.”
Tinctures are a great way of extracting beneficial compounds. Tinctures also allow for multiple doses/uses. For example, if you ate a spoonful of raw propolis you get the benefits from it that one time. If you use a spoonful of raw propolis to make a 1-ounce tincture, you could get the benefits over weeks, months, or years by having just a few drops of your tincture when needed, or on a regular basis prophylactically.
Make your own propolis tincture
Raw propolis
Vodka, 80-proof (or higher) and I opt for organic
As for the amounts, it depends on how much of a finished product you’d like and how much propolis you have. I follow the practice of adding propolis to a glass jar and adding vodka so that the vodka surface rests 1” above the propolis.
Combine both ingredients in a glass jar with a lid closed to make it air tight.
Keep it in a dark place (kitchen cabinet works fine) and shake it every few days. It will need about 2-to-8 weeks to extract. (The first time I made a propolis tincture I forgot about it and it sat for 6+ months. That’s OK!)
Some of the propolis will dissolve, but you’ll likely have sediments leftover. Strain with cheesecloth or your preferred strainer.
Pour your strained propolis tincture into a clean vessel. I prefer dark amber glass containers to prevent light from degrading the tincture. I also prefer dropper bottles to make it easier to take a dose on it’s own or to add to smoothies and drinks. I’m sharing my affiliate link for Mountain Rose Herbs. I source all of my dropper bottles from MRH. If you buy your bottles through my link, I make a small commission from purchases at no cost to you. It’s a simple way to support my work. I share products that I know and use.
For a little peek into how I harvested propolis and made a tincture for the first time a few years ago, watch these videos: