A huge number of ways to use propolis have been invented, because this product has been known for its healing properties for a long time. Propolis is a substance obtained by bees in the processing of resins collected by contact with plants. The main feature of this substance, which explains its relevance in medicine, is a pronounced bactericidal effect. The composition of natural propolis contains only natural resins and enzymes from bee glands.
How is everything going?
Propolis is obtained by the following sequence of actions:
- Bees receive tarry discharge.
- They are delivered to the hive, where they are transferred for processing to other family members.
- Excretion of the glands of bees gets into the resin, a process of mixing, interaction takes place.
Initially, the product was not created at all for humans: the use of propolis is relevant inside the bee family. It is used to close cracks and embalming pests found and killed inside the hive. The substances contained in propolis evaporate, making the atmosphere healing, suitable for the life of the inhabitants of the hive. Doctors admit: the air inside the hive has healing qualities, therefore it is useful for humans. Already developed methods for its use.
The use of propolis is due to its antimicrobial properties. The substance effectively fights pathological viruses, bacteria, protozoa. This is an antibiotic of a completely natural origin, characterized by a wide spectrum of effectiveness.
How will it help?
The use of propolis is based on the following product qualities:
- Microscopic pathological life forms do not receive immunity to it.
- There is no harmful effect on the beneficial intestinal microflora of a person.
- The use of a natural antibiotic does not provoke dysbiosis.
You can use pharmaceutical antimicrobial agents and propolis at the same time. Natural substance makes medicines more effective, lengthens their effect. Studies have shown that propolis goes well with the penicillin series, erythromycin. It can be combined with strepto-, mono-, neo-, oleandomycin, tetracycline and polymyxin.
History and Practice
The first instructions for the use of propolis (if you can call them that) were developed by the ancient Incas. In those days, the remedy was used to relieve fever and reduce fever. Mention of him is in the works of Avicenna, who spoke about the unique healing qualities of black wax. Propolis has been recognized in official medicine since the 19th century. In the last century, around 60-80, propolis attracted the attention of leading minds in the field of medicine. It was then that they began to study the features of the product and seek methods for its improvement, application in the pharmaceutical industry.
The use of an aqueous extract of propolis, alcohol tincture, ointments based on the product is currently a widespread practice around the world. At first, it became popular in the eastern European powers, from where it quickly spread throughout the world. Propolis in our time is an object of scientific research. Doctors want to learn as much as possible about the qualities, properties of the substance, the possibilities of its use in medical practice.
The use of propolis in alcohol (tinctures), an aqueous extract, was first officially written in 1964. It was then that the famous scientist Kivalkina published a work devoted to the ability of a product to activate human immunity. Under the influence of the substance, phagocytes become more active, the concentration of properdine in the circulatory system increases, and the biological synthesis of agglutinins is accelerated. Based on this work, it is safe to say that propolis is an extremely promising product for the manufacture of immune compounds that will suit both people and animals, and can be used not only for the treatment of diseases, but also for their prevention.
Officially and verified
The use of propolis extracts is completely legal - at present the product belongs to the number of medicines, is included in the register of substances that are allowed to be used in medicine, accepted on the territory of our country. A lot of research has been done to identify what its properties are. It is well known that propolis:
- inhibits the processes of decay;
- suppresses the vital activity of pathological life forms;
- supplies biologically active substances to the body;
- relieves pain;
- stimulates the immune system.
And if more?
The instructions for use attached to the pharmacy product with propolis necessarily indicate that this substance stops inflammation and inhibits the vital activity of microbes and bacteria. Since phagocytosis is activated under the influence of propolis, the patient’s body is faster cleared of waste products of harmful life forms, dead cells.
It is known that the use of propolis (alcohol can make an effective tincture) allows you to defeat a variety of life forms, including tubercle bacillus. Propolis is effective when infected with Trichomonas, helps patients with candidiasis, and shows itself well when infected with herpetic viruses. Propolis is effective for hepatitis. The product inhibits the growth of pathological microorganisms, prevents the development of infection.
From the instructions for the use of aqueous propolis (as well as alcohol tincture or ointment, any other medication based on the product), you can find out that various acids are present in the composition, preventing the multiplication of bacterial colonies. Ferulic acid, for example, is effective for infection with gram-positive, gram-negative forms. It has an astringent effect, stimulates the rapid healing of ulcers, helps with wounds. Recent studies have shown that drugs on propolis strengthen the walls of blood vessels, are moderate diuretics.
Use: wisely and profitably
As many note in their reviews, the use of propolis tincture is possible for gastric diseases. People who used the product for such purposes agree that propolis is effective, safe, and shows a pronounced effect. Persons with heart and vascular diseases of the face also use propolis tinctures. It is believed that after a heart attack such a product helps scars on the heart muscle to resolve faster. In addition, propolis has a positive effect on the health of the vascular walls, reduces tissue fragility, and normalizes the level of fluid coagulability. Preparations with propolis are prescribed for varicose venous expansion, thrombophlebitis.
In reviews of the use of propolis in alcohol, many note the effectiveness of the product for respiratory diseases. Even those people to whom the effect of propolis seemed weak recognize that it was useful, and they recommend using formulations with this product to enhance the effectiveness of the main drug program.
For skin diseases, propolis can be used for local topical treatment. A particularly good effect is noticeable in the treatment of psoriasis. You can combine the external application of the ointment with propolis and taking tablets with it. The tool helps with eczema, stimulates the healing process of wounds, burns. The use of water propolis is justified for frostbite. If the processes are accompanied by suppuration, the substance disinfects the area and inhibits the production of pus.
With inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, you can rinse your mouth with tincture of propolis in alcohol. Instructions for use of the pharmacy product contain recommendations for instillation in the ears if otitis media is concerned. With suppuration of the mucous membrane of the eye, it is possible to wash the organs of vision with an aqueous tincture. If cataract begins, with the help of propolis you can slow down the destructive processes, restore transparency to the lens.
Many modern drugs contain propolis. This substance increases the ability of the skin to pass useful components, which means that the effect of drug compounds becomes stronger. However, doctors urge: despite promising instructions for the use of propolis tinctures and ointments based on it, you should not expect that they will heal any disease. The tool does not replace antibiotics or other drugs, but only enhances their effect. In addition, an average of 3% of the world's population is hypersensitive to bee products, which means that propolis is contraindicated for them.
Why does it work?
In the instructions for the use of propolis tinctures, manufacturers generously share information about which compounds are part of propolis - this allows a better explanation of why product-based drugs really work. In total, propolis is more than five dozen different useful compounds, conditionally divided into 4 groups:
The first group is organic acids. Cinnamon found in propolis. Some acids are the guarantor of the bactericidal qualities of the product. The average resin content in natural propolis is 40-55%.
Balsams account for about 6% of the volume. These are complex compounds, including essential oils, aldehydes, tannins, terpenoids.
Up to 10% of the total mass of propolis is a variety of healthy oils. The smell of the product depends on them, to a certain extent - its taste. Oils are complex compounds, semi-solid, yellowish in color. The composition of this component of propolis varies greatly: it all depends on the region, the plants that the bees contacted.
Finally, wax is about a third of the total mass. It provides ductility, durability, and product storage capabilities. Without it, it would be impossible to prepare propolis ointments.
There are a huge number of varieties of propolis, so this description is very generalized. There are options in which flavonoids are only a vanishingly small percentage. However, studies have shown: despite the variability of formulas and proportions, the result of human exposure to the product is preserved.
Physical qualities
The natural shade of propolis varies significantly: from brownish green to gray. The product may be brown, greenish, yellow. As time passes, it darkens, and color transformation to black is possible. At room temperature, the substance is viscous, hardens at approximately 15 degrees heat. It gains elasticity if you stretch it with your fingers.
When frozen, it becomes brittle, crumbles. Thanks to this, it became possible to prepare propolis tincture for alcohol (the use of this medication is currently relevant for a wide range of diseases). The frozen product is ground on a grater, and the resulting chips are dissolved in the main liquid. Oil solutions are similarly prepared.
It is customary to isolate hard, soft types of propolis. Soft - a higher quality product. It is mined between the frames of the hive. It forms near cells and contains a small percentage of impurities, including wax. There are more waxes and other components in hard grades, so the quality is lower. Such propolis can be taken from the bottom of a bee’s house or at the entrance.
Although not a panacea, it will help!
If you study the instructions for the use of aqueous propolis, alcohol, as well as ointments and other drugs on this substance, you will probably have to be surprised - there are so many cases where the drugs are effective. Currently, propolis has proven itself in the treatment of diseases of the gums and gastritis, is effective when it is necessary to restore the integrity of fibrin tissue. The product allows you to cure hepatitis B, alleviate its consequences. If a person suffers from toxicosis, the use of propolis helps cleanse the body of toxic components.
The product enhances immunity, stimulates memory and normalizes the functionality of the digestive system. Propolis is effective against foci of inflammation, relieves mental stress if stressful factors affect a person, and also improves the quality of the chemical composition of the blood. Propolis medicines are believed to help you feel better. The use of propolis inside, as experts assure, helps prevent the formation of neoplasms.
Even when heated, the product retains useful qualities, which means that you can use it by mixing with hot tea, milk.
How to be treated?
It can be concluded from the reviews: the use of propolis is effective regardless of the form of the drug based on it. Many note the positive effect of using ointments and creams with the product, while others say that tinctures and solutions helped them recover. Someone believes that the best option is to use the product in its pure form in food. However, as doctors say, this method is not the most reasonable. If a person is prone to an allergic reaction, there is a high probability of its occurrence after ingestion of pure propolis. But to chew a piece is quite possible - just do not need to swallow.
Chewing propolis is advised for foci of inflammation localized in the mouth. A piece is kept in the mouth for a quarter of an hour, chewing carefully, then spitting out. You need to use it in this way daily until the patient begins to feel better. Incidentally, this method can relieve toothache.
The use of propolis tincture inside is indicated for colds, inflammatory purulent processes in the throat, pathologies of the respiratory system, flu. You can combine the use of tinctures and raw propolis for chewing. In addition, tinctures and solutions of the product are effective for gastritis, pancreatitis, ulcerated, inflamed foci of the gastrointestinal tract. On a day, propolis is used up to three times, the total dosage is 5 g. Tinctures, solutions are used between meals.
Recipes and Application
To make the effect of using propolis more significant, you can mix the product with honey - four times more sweetness is taken on one part of propolis. The mixture is used as a teaspoon in the evening, shortly before bedtime. The medicine has a positive effect on the immune system, therefore it is possible to maintain health in this way during the changing seasons. This will help prevent flu and colds. Another option for stimulating immunity is to dilute propolis in warmed milk. On a glass of liquid take half a teaspoon of the substance. The entire volume is drunk at a time, shortly before bedtime.
Propolis to the taste of others seems burning, unpleasant. To prevent taste buds, you can prepare milk tincture. A liter of milk is taken per 100 g of product, the liquid is heated, propolis is mixed and boiled for 10 minutes, constantly stirring the mass. Then the liquid is decanted and allowed to cool. A thin wax layer forms on the surface. It is removed, the milk is poured into a jar - the medicine is ready for use. It is advisable to drink it for at least five weeks in a row. In addition to eating, you can rinse their mouth. Milk infusion is stored in a cold place.
There are many options
Propolis can be used as a product for inhalation. The procedure will help to quickly get rid of a cold, sore throat. With the help of inhalation, you can cure bronchitis, flu. It is believed that such a recipe can improve the condition of a patient with tuberculosis.
For inhalation, 60 g of propolis need to take a third less wax and 300 ml of water. All mixed in a saucepan, put in a water bath and inhale the rising steam for a quarter of an hour. Such treatment should be practiced regularly for at least 10 consecutive days.
Propolis tinctures are another way to cure the flu, colds, and many other diseases. They can be used externally, taken as food. It is believed that drugs cleanse the body of toxins, poisons, toxins, inhibit foci of inflammation, and show a general strengthening effect. External use allows you to get rid of itching, pain. Propolis tincture is simultaneously an antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory agent. Under its influence, skin lesions heal faster, regeneration at the cellular level is activated.
Surprisingly, propolis helps even with adenoids. Use it to flush the sinuses. Propolis is mixed with calcium chloride: one part of the product is ten times more liquid. The duration of the treatment program is 14 days, the frequency is twice every day.
Respiratory and other diseases
If a person is sick with tonsillitis, pneumonia, inflammation of the bronchi, trachea, you can try to relieve the condition by inhalation with propolis tincture diluted with salt water (saline). 5 ml of liquid is taken per drop of tincture.
If the throat becomes inflamed, propolis can be used, previously diluted in warm water. The resulting fluid is gargled. Optimal proportions - one part of propolis is ten times more water.
With a runny nose, tonsillitis, inflammation in the ear, throat, tincture is used to lubricate diseased areas. For example, it is treated with a tonsil product diluted in water. To do this, take one part of the tincture, twice as much water. To rinse your mouth for one part of propolis infusion, you need ten times more physical solution. With a runny nose, the same remedy is used, washing the nose.
If a cough bothers, 20 drops of propolis tincture are diluted in a glass of milk and drunk in the evening, shortly before bedtime. The product must be warm. With an unproductive cough, compresses with propolis can be made. A towel soaked in liquid is placed on the chest, covered with a film, wrapped in a shawl. The liquid is prepared as follows: a glass of alcohol tincture - 12 times more pure water.
What else to try?
If erosion of the cervix is detected, propolis can be used for local treatment of diseased sections of the mucosa. The medicine is prepared by stirring the alcohol tincture of propolis in water. Components are taken in equal proportions. A tampon is moistened in the liquid and the diseased areas are treated with it. This eliminates inflammation and promotes rapid tissue regeneration.
For skin diseases, chickenpox, herpetic viral diseases, propolis is used as a concentrated solution. Cotton wool is moistened in it, applied to a diseased area of the skin. Thus, it is possible to treat sores, inflamed foci, rashes.
In case of gastric ulcer, the treatment course may include the use of water tincture. At first, a highly diluted drug is taken, gradually increasing the concentration. With a gastric ulcer, you can not take the drug in an amount of more than 40 drops per glass of milk.