Unpropolis

Unpropolis is a term sometimes used to describe a substance that resembles propolis but is not produced by bees. True propolis is a resinous mixture that honeybees produce by mixing their saliva and beeswax with exudate gathered from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. It is used to seal small openings in the hive, to protect against invaders, and to embalm carcasses of foreign organisms that die within the hive. Unpropolis may arise from various natural or artificial sources and can be found in environments where bees are present, but it is not a product of their specific collection and processing activities. For example, naturally occurring resins or sticky plant exudates could be mistaken for propolis if they are found in proximity to a beehive. In some instances, artificial substances with similar textures or appearances might also be referred to as unpropolis, particularly in contexts where they are being investigated for properties similar to those of genuine propolis, but their origin is definitively non-bee related. The distinction is important in scientific and commercial contexts where the specific composition and biological activity of true bee propolis are of interest.