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How to Make Propolis Tincture

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propolis tincture
My kitchen cupboard bottle of propolis. It contains the leftovers from first extraction, just about covered with alcohol. We do not filter this before use, just pour off the clear liquid from the top. 

The most common way to extract propolis is to soak it in alcohol. The end product is propolis tincture, which is very potent and has many uses. It can be taken as a food supplement or used topically. Making propolis tincture is very straight forward once you have the right ingredients: raw propolis and food grade alcohol. Follow the step-by-step recipe below for how to make propolis tincture.

To make your own propolis follow these instructions:

  1. Mix one part propolis by weight to three parts clear grain alcohol, by weight. (65-80% alcohol.) Food grade alcohol (un-denatured alcohol or ethanol) of this strength can be hard to obtain but do not be tempted to use rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol as it should not be ingested. If such high proof alcohol cannot be found, use the highest proof available. The solution will not be as concentrated as some of the propolis will not be dissolved.
  2. Place the alcohol and propolis in a glass jar or wide mouthed bottle. Fasten the lid and shake the mixture vigorously.
  3. Store the propolis tincture mix in a dark place. Not too cool, room temperature will suffice but a hot-press or heating cabinet set at hive temperature is even better.
  4. Shake a couple of times daily for up to three weeks. 
  5. Strain the mixture through muslin, coffee filter or a sieve. Pour into a food grade jar or bottle (preferably dark glass) and store in a dark place. The solution should be clear and dark.
  6. The propolis that is left in the filter can be kept and reused to make another propolis tincture if not all has dissolved. Either replace into the glass jar and cover with alcohol straight away or freeze.

Cautions

  • Propolis will stain both clothes and skin.
  • Do not use propolis tincture if you have an allergy to honey or other bee products. Test a drop first if sensitive. Discontinue if allergic reactions occur.
  • Propolis has a strong flavour. It can be unpalatable to some so is best ingested with honey, bread, or in a liquid.
  • Keep out of reach of small children.
  • Gluten and lactose free. Suitable for vegetarians.
  • Store in a cool place, not in direct sunlight.

I hope you enjoyed reading this short step by step recipe guide for how to make propolis tincture. For more on propolis, please see the following Blogs: 

What is Propolis? an introduction to propolis.

What are the health benefits of propolis?

Why is propolis important for bees?

You can also purchase Irish Propolis Tincture in our online shop.

/Hanna

Hanna Bäckmo

Hanna Bäckmo is an award-winning beekeeper, entrepreneur, hobby gardener and internationally published writer. Originally from a small island in Sweden, she now lives in East Cork with her son, two dogs, a flock of rescue chickens and lots of bees. Hanna is the founder of Hanna’s Bees, producing a unique range of natural and sustainable honey, propolis, and beeswax products sold in Ireland’s leading Gift & Artisan food stores and select US outlets. With 70 colonies of Native Irish honeybees, she is a passionate bee-advocate and educator and is an Ambassador for the Native Irish Honeybee.
Posted in Beekeeping, Beekeeping Tutorials, DIY & Tutorials, DIY Projects, For beginners, For Improvers, Harvesting & Processing, Home & Kitchen, Honeybee Products, Practical beekeeping & Tutorials, Propolis, Sustainable Living.
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7 replies to “How to Make Propolis Tincture”

  1. Pingback: How to Harvest Propolis - Hanna's Bees

  2. Pingback: Best Alcohol for Propolis Tincture - How to Source - Hanna's Bees

  3. Pingback: Why do Bees Make Propolis? - Hanna's Bees

  4. Hi. Is is say 3 oz of propolis and 9 oz of alcohol? Is that 9 oz volume or do you actually weigh out 9 oz of alcohol. Want to be precise. The chemist in me

    • Hi Steve, Thanks for your question. I always weigh mine, both propolis and alcohol so I know that I get the right proportions. The exact ratio of the finished product is hard to gauge as it depends on how pure the propolis is (there’s often an amount of wax in there also), and how well it dissolves in the alcohol. Hanna

  5. Thank you. I thought that’s what it would be.

    • You’re welcome. Best of luck with it! Hanna

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