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Propolis

Q: Is Propolis natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Tincture (alcohol extraction) is traditional. CO2 extraction produces more complete product. Composition varies dramatically by geographic origin..

NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC, POPULAR AND WEIRD / balsamic · sweet · warm

Propolis

Category	NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC, POPULAR AND WEIRD
Subcategory	balsamic · sweet · warm
Origin
Volatility	Base Note
Botanical	N/A — resinous substance collected by Apis mellifera from tree buds
Appearance	Dark brown to reddish-brown sticky resinous substance with a warm, balsamic aroma
Odor Strength	Medium
Producing Countries	Argentina, Brazil
Pyramid	Base

Warm, balsamic, waxy-resinous. Propolis smells like a beehive from the inside: tree resin collected by bees, with beeswax warmth and faint honey sweetness.

Scent
Terroir & Origins
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Warm, balsamic, resinous-waxy. The inside of a beehive: tree resin processed by bees, mixed with wax and honey. Darker and more complex than pure honey. A living warmth.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Resinous-balsamic opening, warm

After a few hours

Waxy beeswax warmth, honey undertone

After a few days

Persistent warm-balsamic base, deep

The Molecule — Manufacturers & Variants

Indicative 2025 wholesale prices.

The Full Story

Propolis is resinous substance collected by honeybees from tree buds. Bees mix it with beeswax and enzymes to seal hives. Composition: resins (50-70%), waxes (30%), essential oils (10%), pollen.

Complex scent: balsamic-resinous from tree-derived resins, waxy from beeswax, faintly sweet from honey traces. Key volatiles include cinnamate esters, benzyl benzoate, vanillin, and terpenes.

In perfumery, propolis adds natural-balsamic quality with beehive specificity. Darker and more resinous than honey, warmer than frankincense.

This note in Première Peau. Albâtre Sépia · Simili Mirage. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Related: Alder · Alpha Humulene · Amaranth · Amberever · Ambramone · Amburana Bark · Antillone · Apple Tree

Did You Know?

Did you know?

The word propolis comes from Greek: pro (before) + polis (city). It contains flavonoids with genuine antimicrobial activity, which is why the inside of a beehive is notably sterile.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Tincture (alcohol extraction) is traditional. CO2 extraction produces more complete product. Composition varies dramatically by geographic origin.

↑ See Terroir & Origins for origin-specific methods.

Molecular Formula	Complex mixture: pinocembrin (C₁₅H₁₂O₄), chrysin (C₁₅H₁₀O₄), galangin (C₁₅H₁₀O₅), caffeic acid phenethyl ester
CAS Number	85665-41-4
Botanical Name	N/A — resinous substance collected by Apis mellifera from tree buds
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	bee glue, propolis resin
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	Medium
Appearance	Dark brown to reddish-brown sticky resinous substance with a warm, balsamic aroma
Melting Point	60–70 °C (softens)