I didn't read the URL...
I make a propolis tinture for my own and families health. Yep, I don't mine proplis in my hives. Well, not too much. LOL makes HARD work for us beeks. Although I do scrape and save fresh propolis when I clean off my frames and frame rests.
I melt down the propolis in the oven on low for a few hours to melt any wax residue from it. I just use a tin pie plate.
Then remove the wax, and then put the propolis in the freezer to harden. If you don't live in the north, I am here to tell you it gets very brittle in cold weather.
Then bring it out and break it into very small pieces, powder is better. Put it in a canning jar or any throw away bottle.
Then add as close to 100 proof alcohol as It canbe to it. 80 proof works. Let it set in a dark cupboard for 5-7days. Shaking a few times a day. Strain out the propolis, and put the tincture in small dropper bottles, label and store. If a cold starts to come on. take a few drops by mouth.
I have actually headed off some serious lung infections using propolis tinture and other herbs, essential oils. I make a propolis salve, for cuts. works Like Neosporin.
I BELIEVE, the bees truely have something with the proplis, and I truely do not wish to Eliminate it. The Minnesota Hygenic bees, make lots of propolis, more than any other bee genetics I have had. I am not saying only Minnesota HYs are the only HYGENIC bees. I have had some New World Carniolans that were pretty Propolis involved also. The Russians I have had make more than usual. I think its more of a genetic trait, than any single race of bee. Any race could be selected over time to have those traits.