When purchasing propolis products, consumers must maintain a scientific attitude. While propolis does have health benefits, it is not a panacea that can turn back the clock or bring the dead back to life. Even authentic propolis is not a first-line treatment for diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, or cancer in clinical practice. It must never be used as a substitute for medication to treat these conditions, nor can it be expected to completely cure them through such means.
In terms of health functions, propolis mainly provides a comprehensive regulatory effect on the body, especially in enhancing immune function. It is perfectly feasible to use propolis appropriately, but one must be certain of its authenticity. Be sure to look for the approval number marked as "National Medicine Approval Number" or "National Health Food Approval Number," as the regulation for these two categories of products by the state is much stricter. If you encounter products without approval numbers that are advertised with miraculous claims, or some so-called cheap, bulk imported propolis, you must exercise extreme caution.
A small number of consumers may buy raw propolis directly from beekeepers, believing it to be authentic and use it to steep in wine. However, it is important to know that unprocessed raw propolis contains heavy metals such as lead and many other harmful impurities. It must be processed through professional purification techniques, a task that cannot be completed at home. Consuming such propolis-infused wine can be very harmful to the body, and everyone should refrain from imitating this practice. Furthermore, children, adolescents, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and individuals allergic to bee products should not use propolis-based products.