"SANGASTE" Taruvaik 20 g

SANGASTE Taruvaik (propolis) 20 g is raw bee propolis collected by beekeepers in the Sangaste region of southern Estonia. Propolis is a resinous substance that honeybees gather from the buds and bark of trees and then mix with their own enzymes and beeswax. Inside the hive it serves as a natural sealant and antiseptic — bees use it to protect the colony from microbes, moisture and intruders. People have valued this "bee glue" for thousands of years: it is mentioned in records from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, and folk healers across Northern Europe have long kept a small piece of it at home.

The interesting part of propolis is its complex chemistry. It naturally contains flavonoids (such as pinocembrin, galangin and chrysin), phenolic acids, aromatic resins, essential oils, beeswax and trace amounts of vitamins and minerals. The exact composition depends on which trees the bees worked on — in the Baltic climate this is mostly birch, poplar and conifers, which gives local propolis its characteristic dark colour, balsamic aroma and slightly bitter, resinous taste. Because SANGASTE propolis is unprocessed, the active plant compounds and bee enzymes remain in their original form.

People usually choose raw propolis for several reasons:

• as a traditional natural product to keep at home during the cold season;
• as a base for making homemade tinctures, ointments or chewing pieces;
• as a source of bee-derived plant resins and flavonoids in the diet;
• as an interesting addition for those who already use honey, pollen or royal jelly.

The 20 g format is convenient — a small but long-lasting amount, since propolis is used in tiny quantities. A common way is to break off a piece the size of a grain and chew it slowly, or to dissolve crushed propolis in strong alcohol (70%) for several weeks to make a tincture. It can also be melted into a carrier oil on a water bath for cosmetic use. Store it in a cool, dark place; in the fridge it becomes hard and easier to grate.

Please note: propolis is a bee product and can cause allergic reactions, especially in people sensitive to bee stings, honey, pollen or poplar resins. It is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding or for small children without consulting a specialist. This is a natural food product, not a medicine, and it does not replace a varied diet or medical advice.