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All of the claims for these products are anecdotal. The research that has been done is largely from Europe and the old Soviet bloc. Yes, propolis has interesting qualities, but you cannot stress the need for verifiable evidence too much when people's health is concerned. As a result, I actually act as something of a critic of these products event though I produce, process and sell them.

Propolis can be varied in composition, but the usual major component is taken from the resinous materials sheathing young buds on trees. Other waxes, resins, saps and exudate's can be also present.

Royal jelly is a fat and protein rich excretion that bees make to feed the developing queen larvae. It is synthesized solely from pollen and honey which the bees consume and utilize to produce this product from hypopharengeal glands (near their mandibles). The young queen consumes a tremendous amount of this specialized material and it is this nutritional advantage alone that separates her from her underdeveloped and sterile sisters.

Despite the widespread claims for royal jelly, little has been done to quantify or analyze any factual claims in its favor. Nutrient rich, yes, but I tend to think of it on par with panaceas. The great mystique seems to be its relative scarcity since a single queen cell may only contain a gram or so. Thousands of Chinese beekeepers are needed to slave for the world's supply since swarm conditions must be induced and maintained in the colony thus needing constant supervision and management or the loss of the productive colony and the production of the royal jelly.

Interesting info, thanks.

But in respect to natural remedies, Europe is ahead of the US. Here they brainwash everyone, that only the FDA knows what's best for them.

There are many medications ( not just natural products) that are helping, healing people in Europe and they are not allowed in the US, because of the FDA.

PS. Evidence is NOT only anecdotal.

Propolis has tremendous anti-infection qualities, I just came across an article that at the Univ of Minnesota they are studying it against AIDS and are getting promising results.

http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Propolis_an_ancient_remedy_may_fight_AIDS.html