Propolis is a sealant used by bees for strengthening the hive interior, making it more air- and water-tight and better-able to resist microbial and fungal attack. The bees make it from anti-pathogenic resins (18-19) gathered from tree buds and bark, which they mix with wax and saliva. The propolis is then collected by beekeepers by scratching the ‘frames’ of the beehive, after which the wax and impurities are removed. The final product is a complex concentrate of phytonutrients from the tree buds and micronutrients from the bees.

In Europe, bees make propolis from poplar trees or conifers. In Brazil, however, where ecosystems are infinitely richer, there are around 13 types of propolis which vary depending on the plant source used by the bees. They include red propolis, recognised as the variety containing the most antioxidant phytonutrients and demonstrating the highest antioxidant activity(20). It gets its red colour from a unique flavonol pigment called retusapurpurine (21).

It is produced from a climbing tree with vine-like branches: Dalbergia ecastophyllum (22-24) which grows in the mangroves (swampy tropical forests) of northern Brazil. In this extraordinary environment, far from intensive farming, the bees collect a bright red, resinous exudate, which is associated with the presence of a local parasite.

Green propolis is produced by bees in southern Brazil from a completely different species called Baccharis dracunculifolia (25).

Royal jelly combines well with other substances available to buy at Supersmart such as ginseng, green propolis, Robuvit®, a French oak extract used for reducing fatigue, and Asc2P 250 mg, a potent and stable form of vitamin C.

Red Propolis is an exceptional, natural and very rare product (annual production in Brazil is estimated to be just 1-2 tons), the manufacture of which relies on high-quality French extraction facilities.

1. It’s the most bio-rich, effective and rarest of all the varieties of propolis.
2. It comes in capsule form and thus leaves no bitter taste in the mouth.
3. The fact that it’s freeze-dried means all the properties of its ingredients are well-preserved with a long ‘shelf-life’. This is not the case with fresh, chewable propolis, the quality of which is often mediocre.
4. It contains much higher levels of isoflavones than other types of propolis, which helps improve symptoms of the menopause.
5. It’s the best natural product for supporting the immune system throughout the winter period and in stressful situations.

There is no need to refrigerate freeze-dried royal jelly.

It’s a good idea to also take the following steps throughout your supplementation with red propolis capsules, for increased benefits:

• Increase your intake of fruit and vegetables to ‘up’ your exogenous antioxidant levels. These external compounds will give your immune defences a boost and complement their activity.
• Make sure you get enough sleep. There’s no doubt that lack of sleep impairs the quality of your immune response.
• Pay attention to your diet. Poor diet is the main reason for a weak immune system: even mild deficiencies in key micronutrients (selenium, copper, vitamin E, vitamin A …) can play a significant role in the daily battle that takes place between the body and pathogens. Taking a good quality multivitamin supplement during periods of fragile health can help optimise immune processes.
• Avoid synthetic cleaning products, cigarette smoke and pesticides. Exposure to these substances damages the immune system.

For synergistic effects, its possible to combine Red Propolis with other supplements available to buy at Supersmart, such as those of barberry extract, a powerful anti-bacterial which also helps lower blood sugar levels, zinc orotate, which has well-documented preventive effects against the common cold, vitamin C, invaluable in winter for boosting white cell numbers, and a medicinal mushroom complex enriched with ginseng and selenium.

Royal jelly, standardised in 10-HDA, is also a good option for boosting the immune defences, ideally at each change in season.

Note: Red propolis is not recommended for those with allergies to beehive products.

Buy Red Propolis capsules to support the immune system.

Everyone can benefit from royal jelly, but it may be particularly useful for sportspeople, pregnant women, the over-40s, delicate individuals and those suffering from fatigue or recurrent illness.

The royal jelly sold by SuperSmart offers at least three key advantages:

1. Its convenient format: royal jelly has a particularly unpleasant taste making it impossible for children to swallow … SuperSmart’s product comes in no-fuss, easy-to-take capsules.
2. It's 100% organic source. Apiculture has become more difficult nowadays due to the fragility of bee colonies and the use of phytosanitary products in the environment. That’s why this supplement is produced without the use of any organophosphates, chemical repellents, paradichlorobenzene or antibiotics near the hives, something which cannot be said of many cheaper royal jelly supplements.
3. Its precise content in 10HDA. This supplement’s content in 10HDA, the most beneficial fatty acid in royal jelly, is guaranteed at 4%. Scientists have shown that the percentage of 10HDA is related to the source of the royal jelly: good quality jelly has a higher level of this fatty acid. Most royal jellies tested contained a maximum of just 2-3.4 % 10HDA.

A dose of 2-3 capsules a day is recommended as a course of treatment that can be repeated several times a year if required.

It is usually taken before breakfast, for between four and six weeks.

This product’s capsules are made of pullulan, a natural polysaccharide obtained by fermenting tapioca or corn. Pullulan contains no animal ingredients and provides an excellent barrier to oxygen, helping to preserve the integrity of the capsule’s ingredients. It is also an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials.

This product’s capsules are made of pullulan, a natural polysaccharide obtained by fermenting tapioca or corn. Pullulan contains no animal ingredients and provides an excellent barrier to oxygen, helping to preserve the integrity of the capsule’s ingredients. It is also an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials.