Vegetarian
How we decidePropolis is vegetarian under this site's method: bees make it as a hive material, and collecting it does not require slaughter. It remains a bee product because plant resins are mixed with beeswax and bee secretions.
Vegetarian and vegan status
The vegetarian answer concerns how the hive material is obtained. The vegan answer concerns its bee origin, so propolis is not vegan. An extract still comes from propolis; a plant resin formula made without hive products is a different ingredient.
Propolis is not vegan. Bees collect plant resin and turn it into a hive material containing beeswax and bee secretions, so it is more than a botanical extract.
What it is
- Comes from
- Honey bees make propolis by collecting plant resins and mixing them with beeswax and bee secretions for use in the hive.
- Animal route
- honey bee
- Slaughter in the animal route
- Collection does not require slaughter
- Where you meet it
- Lip products, creams, serums, oral-care products, lozenges and supplements.
- What replaces it
- Plant resin or botanical extract formulas made without hive products.
Sources
- Plants: Sources of Diversity in Propolis Properties (Plants via PubMed)
Frequently asked questions
Is Propolis vegetarian?
Vegetarian. Propolis is vegetarian under this site's method: bees make it as a hive material, and collecting it does not require slaughter. It remains a bee product because plant resins are mixed with beeswax and bee secretions.
Is Propolis vegan?
Not Vegan. Propolis is not vegan. Bees collect plant resin and turn it into a hive material containing beeswax and bee secretions, so it is more than a botanical extract.