Our Review Methodology

The Apitheo Review Methodology

At Apitheo, credibility is our single most valuable asset. Because bee-derived products (such as raw honey, propolis, royal jelly, and pollen) operate within a largely self-regulated wellness space, the product labels are often confusing or misleading. Our mission is to strip away marketing hyperbole and explain what is known about these products in plain language.

What We Actually Do

We compile, read, and explain public documentation and standards:

• Reading Documentation & Product Labels: We inspect brand packaging, product labeling, and ingredient lists to verify ingredient contents and potential warnings.
• Reviewing Certification Schemes: We check for standard independent certifications such as Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) or specified MGO concentrations.
• Consulting Regulatory Notices: We monitor FDA warnings, FTC guidelines, and import alerts regarding honey purity and dietary supplement claims.
• Reading Published Literature: We consult published scientific literature and studies where relevant to describe what the current scientific consensus does and does not support. We aim to point readers directly to primary sources so they can evaluate the science for themselves.

What We Explicitly Do NOT Do

To maintain absolute transparency, we want to be clear about what we do not do:

• No Laboratory Testing: We do not operate a laboratory, and we do not conduct chemical analyses, chromatography, or purity tests of our own.
• No Product Purchases for Testing: We do not purchase products for physical or lab testing.
• No Clinical Research: We do not conduct clinical trials or medical studies.
• No Numerical Scoring or Rankings: We do not grade products with a mathematical or numerical scoring system. We present descriptive evaluations based on label claims and manufacturer transparency.

How We Make Money

Apitheo is supported entirely by affiliate commissions. When you purchase a product through outbound links on our site, we may earn a referral fee from the retailer at absolutely no extra cost to you.

To protect our editorial voice:

• Affiliate commissions never determine which products are covered or what is said about them.
• We do not accept paid product placements, sponsored review articles, or paid promotional tiers.
• Our product evaluations are based entirely on the published specifications, labeling transparency, and standards detailed above.