What does propolis tincture help with and how to take it correctly

Among the people, propolis tincture has found use due to its effective therapeutic effect. The product is a product infused with alcohol or water. It is based on bee glue, a component produced by bees to strengthen the hive. The natural remedy has antibiotic properties. Therefore, it is widely used to treat various diseases. Let's consider the medicinal properties and contraindications of propolis tincture.

What is propolis?

This is bee glue, i.e. a substance produced by worker bees.

Propolis performs certain functions in the hive:

• closes cracks;
• if necessary, closes the entrance - the entrance;
• covers the honeycombs with “lids” - a bar;
• disinfects cells, maintains sterility in the hive;
• envelops foreign, potentially dangerous objects entering the hive.

Propolis is able to glue particles together because bees create it from sticky substances collected in the spring from the buds of black poplar, alder, warty birch, aspen and other trees. Insects additionally process this “harvest” with their enzymes. Scientists still cannot accurately establish the mechanism of propolis production.

Bee glue has a very complex chemical composition. It includes 16 classes of organic substances! Perhaps this is the reason for such a variety of properties of this beekeeping product. It consists of various resins, oils, alcohols, proteins, as well as wax, pollen, vitamins, sugar and other ingredients.

Propolis is an unusual substance in its production method and composition, which has extraordinary properties.

Beneficial and healing properties of propolis

Propolis is a little-studied substance, so the full spectrum of its action has not yet been clarified.

Propolis has the following beneficial properties:

• Disinfectants
• Antibacterial
• Antitoxic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Thermoplastic
• Antioxidant
• Immunomodulatory

Disinfection is the destruction of pathogens of infectious diseases and the destruction of toxins. Propolis inhibits the activity and kills bacteria and viruses, slows down the growth of some of them. In addition, this honey product neutralizes poisons released by decaying cells and accelerates the processes of regeneration and healing. There is debate about the anesthetic effect of bee glue. There is no scientific confirmation of this effect yet.

Analogs

The price of propolis tincture is about 20 rubles per bottle. You can also find more expensive analogues of this medicine in the pharmacy.

A complete analogue of propolis tincture is Proposol; its cost varies from 90 to 140 rubles for 1 aerosol can of 50 ml. Pharmacological action - antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory. Indications for use: inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa: Aphthous and ulcerative stomatitis; Catarrhal gingivitis; Periodontitis.

Propolis tincture

Propolis has a unique quality - even after treatment at high temperatures it does not change its properties. This makes it possible to produce a wide variety of propolis-containing products. The tincture always contains alcohol, and is called so because it is infused, “soaked” without heating for some time. Propolis is difficult to use in its original form, because it is quite dense and becomes soft only when heated. Only alcohol-containing solutions can “soak” it. They allow you to achieve maximum extraction of beneficial substances.

What does propolis tincture treat?

This drug is taken to treat various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, tumors, skin, respiratory tract, circulatory and genitourinary systems and more. This is the versatility of propolis.

A miraculous natural remedy treats almost any disease and has a beneficial general strengthening effect on the entire body. Any illness is caused by a malfunction in the body, which can occur due to the ingress of harmful substances from the outside or internal disorders.

Propolis tincture treats almost all types of diseases, including those caused by:

• physical reasons - injuries, burns. Accelerates regeneration processes, prevents the onset of the inflammatory process, and prevents infection.
• chemical - poisoning. Removes toxins from the body.
• biological – infectious diseases. Kills harmful microorganisms and promotes their removal.
• social – chronic fatigue, alcoholism, drug addiction. Supports the body with a complex of minerals and vitamins, removes toxic substances.
• deficiency of substances - vitamin deficiency. Propolis contains vitamins from most groups.

A number of diseases for the treatment of which propolis tincture is used can be listed endlessly. It is much more difficult to name cases when it does not help.

How to make propolis tincture at home?

Before using the knot, it is recommended to first clean it by grating frozen propolis on a fine grater. The crushed bee glue is poured with cold water. Any excess will float to the surface; the top layer with floating particles can be drained off. The purified bee glue needs to be dried. Medical alcohol, vodka or alcoholic infusions of various herbs are used as a solvent for infusion. The latter enhance the therapeutic effect.

To prepare a medicinal composition, you can follow the easy (fast) or difficult path. In the first case, the recipe is as follows: finely grate 10 g of propolis, heat 90-100 ml of 70% medical alcohol in a water bath to 50 degrees, mix everything until smooth, remove from heat without boiling, strain through special paper with cotton wool or several layers of gauze, pour into a dark glass container, seal well. Store in a cool, dark place.

Making a 10% tincture according to the second recipe will take more time, but it is simpler. Pour alcohol or vodka into a glass container, and pour propolis into it. Leave for 2 weeks in a dark, warm place, shaking 2 times a day. Strain and the medicine is ready.

The recipe depends on what concentration of tincture you need to prepare (5-50%). It is better to make a 50% composition, and then dilute it in the required proportions.

Video: recipe on how to prepare propolis tincture correctly:

Active components

The composition of propolis really attracts attention. The study found that it contains the following components:

• 14.5% volatile ingredients;
• 14% mechanical impurities;
• 11% pollen;
• 17% beeswax;
• 10.5% tannin;
• 41.5% resin.

Other ingredients include:

• iron;
• calcium;
• copper;
• boron;
• chromium;
• manganese;
• zinc;
• cobalt;
• silicon;
• aluminum;
• magnesium and other trace elements.

The structure of the beneficial substance depends on the storage temperature:

• at temperatures up to +15°C – hard, brittle;
• at temperatures up to +36°C – soft, plastic;
• at a temperature of 60-70°C it becomes liquid, above +80°C it dissolves.
• Propolis is soluble in alcohol (60-70%).

Storage periods also depend on temperature conditions. The optimal temperature for storage is about +20°C (up to 10 years). On average, at a temperature of 15-20°C, the beneficial substance retains its healing properties for up to 7 years.

How to make an aqueous solution of propolis?

Some people are contraindicated from drinking drinks containing alcohol, so there are recipes for preparing water-based liquid solutions from propolis. The convenience of their use is that there is no need to dilute them. This composition is recommended for children and pregnant women. Its only drawback is its short shelf life. Unlike an alcohol tincture, which can last for several years, an aqueous solution must be used within a week.

The recipe is as follows: stand boiled water, pour into a glass or enamel bowl, add propolis in a ratio of 2 parts liquid to 1 part crushed propolis, heat in a water bath to 80 °C (heat for 1 hour, but no more!), cool and let sit 6 hours, filter, pour into a dark glass container. Storage conditions are the same as for the tincture.

Video: recipe on how to prepare propolis infusion in water:

To wash the mucous membranes, it is usually recommended to dilute the aqueous extract. This is due to the unpredictability of the delicate skin’s reaction to honey products.

Getting rid of harmful bacteria

Many diseases of the digestive system are caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

But folk recipes based on bee glue will help in treating this scourge as an additional remedy.

Prepare the simplest composition:

• Milk - 1 liter
• Finely chopped propolis - 55 g.

How to prepare: combine the ingredients, put on fire, boil for 10 minutes, stirring so that the product does not stick to the walls of the dish.

How to take: drink 100 ml of the mixture 2 hours before meals. It is necessary to conduct 4 courses of 20 days of admission.

Warning : a complete cure of this harmful bacteria with propolis alone is unlikely. This can only be used as an additional treatment.

Watch another short video with propolis treatment recipes offered by the famous folk healer Vitaly Ostrovsky.

Application of propolis tincture

This medicinal drug helps with virtually all diseases that can affect human organ systems.

Some diseases for which alcohol infusion of propolis is effective:

• Skeletal system. Osteochondrosis, periodontal disease, arthritis.
• Nervous system. Radiculitis, otitis media, conjunctivitis, migraine.
• The cardiovascular system. Vegetative-vascular dystonia, leukemia, hemorrhoids, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, rheumatism, arteriosclerosis, arterial hypertension.
• Respiratory system. Tonsillitis, influenza, acute respiratory infections, ARVI, tuberculosis, bronchitis, rhinitis, bronchial asthma, tonsillitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, diphtheria.
• Digestive system. Stomach and duodenal ulcers, colitis, stomatitis, caries, gastritis, Helicobacter, pancreatitis, gastroduodenitis, hepatitis.
• Reproductive system. Impotence, fibroids, prostatitis, endometriosis, cervical erosion, candidiasis (thrush), mastopathy, endociritis, colpingitis, syphilis, trichomoniasis, cystitis, chlamydia, mastitis, infertility.
• Integumentary system. Eczema, burns, chickenpox, herpes, foot and nail fungus, acne, seborrhea, frostbite, allergies, psoriasis, furunculosis, carbuncles, calluses.

These are not all pathological conditions in which taking the tincture will be indispensable.

How to take propolis tincture?

The method of taking the drug depends on its concentration and disease. The composition can be used internally or externally. Orally 20-60 drops in half a glass of warm milk, tea or water.

For rinsing, use a 3% aqueous-alcohol solution. The tincture is also used externally in the form of compresses, rubs, ointments and sprays for irrigation directly on sore spots. For otitis media, a cotton or gauze swab is soaked with the drug, which is then inserted into the external auditory canal. Lotions usually need to be changed several times a day. The medicine can also be taken in the form of inhalations, in the proportion of 1 drop per 5 ml of saline solution (sodium chloride). For children under 10 years of age, the dosage is calculated as follows: for each year of the child’s age, a drop of tincture.

The duration of treatment is usually about a month. We must not forget that honey products sometimes cause allergies. It is better to start taking the tincture with small doses, carefully monitoring how you feel. Side effects may include itching, redness, swelling, rash, shortness of breath, general weakness, headache, fever.

Is it possible for children

Pediatricians of the highest category do not recommend using the medicine for patients under 3 years of age. Subsequently, the dosage is calculated based on the child’s age: 1 year - 1 drop. For example, 5 years - 5 drops, 6 years - 6 drops, etc.

If after taking red spots, rashes, itching and peeling appear. The product should be abandoned.

Honey with propolis

Despite the powerful positive effects that consuming bee glue has on health, it is enhanced when combined with honey. This is the so-called propolis honey. This “symbiosis” makes honey more healing, and propolis acquires a pleasant taste and smell. The healing mixture can easily be prepared at home. The result will be bitter-tart honey with a specific smell.

Honey with propolis is taken one teaspoon at a time, in the form of inhalations or douches with boiled water, warm compresses, or added to tea or milk. Usually the course of treatment is limited to 2 months. It is better not to wait until the disease strikes, but to carry out timely prevention with medical products. Their use improves immunity and promotes overall strengthening of the body.

Propolis honey is a combined preparation based on bee products, the use of which provides a unique healing effect.

How to prepare honey with propolis?

The preparation recipe depends, as in the production of uzia tincture, on the goals and the required level of concentration (3-20%). Honey is a fairly liquid product, but propolis needs to be melted in a water bath, having first cleaned and crushed it. Without removing the container from the heat, add honey, stirring continuously. The mixture must be heated to 60 degrees (this will take about 20 minutes) until all the propolis particles dissolve. It is recommended to store the mixture in the refrigerator.

There is another recipe for cooking. After straining the propolis tincture, a viscous mass remains. You need to let it stand for several days so that the alcohol is released; it is drained until it stops coming out of the porridge. The remaining propolis mass is added to honey, mixed until smooth and placed in a warm place. Ready propolis honey is stored in the cold so that the resinous bee glue does not rise to the surface and the mixture remains uniform.

Beekeepers are constantly experimenting with recipes for preparing honey products, trying to create new tasty and healthy compositions.

Male diseases

Treatment of male diseases with propolis tincture in alcohol includes, first of all, prostate diseases - prostatitis and prostate adenoma.

1. Prostate diseases - 1 tsp. 3 per day with a glass of water or warm herbal tea.
2. Impotence - this problem, important for men, has different origins, usually resulting from an internal disease. For treatment, take 1-2 tsp. natural remedy with warm water or tea, 1-2 per day.

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Propolis in gynecology

This branch of medicine has become a separate science, because The female body is so complex that any disease of the reproductive system affects many other organs. Propolis-containing preparations with their universal therapeutic effect are irreplaceable in this case.

Most often, women use propolis compositions in the form of suppositories, ointments, tinctures, solutions for douching and preparing drinks. Sometimes turundas are used - gauze strands soaked in a medicinal solution or lubricated with ointment. Before inserting a tampon, the vagina must be cleared of discharge. Recipe for preparing the ointment: mix 50 g of lanolin, the same amount of petroleum jelly, 5 ml of propolis tincture.

Bee glue is also indispensable during pregnancy. A drink with rose hips is useful. It is prepared like this: pour water over 80 crushed rose hips for 2 hours, bring to a boil, let it sit for an hour on low heat, pour into a thermos, add a propolis seed, close tightly and leave to brew overnight.

Women should be careful because... Propolis is a potent drug and sometimes the body’s reaction to it is unpredictable.

Is it possible to chew propolis?

You can get all the beneficial substances contained in this bee product by simply eating it. But it’s unlikely that anyone will like the taste and smell. The consolation is that this medicine is rich in vitamins and beneficial microelements.

Propolis is quite dense, and when chewed, saliva dissolves it. The therapeutic effect will primarily be on the oral cavity and teeth. For a sore throat, it is usually enough to suck propolis twice to feel relief. The chewed ouse can be applied to diseased areas of the skin.

Whole bee glue is difficult to digest, so it is not recommended to swallow it. In its composition, it is close to wax, which means it may not dissolve at all, even inside.

You can and should chew propolis. It improves blood flow and lymph circulation, kills harmful microorganisms, and strengthens the immune system.

How to chew propolis correctly?

It is important to follow the dosage. Usually this is several grams per day, but they cannot be taken at once. You need to start with a drop, carefully monitoring your well-being. The procedure should last no more than 20 minutes, otherwise the mucous membranes of the oral cavity can be burned. For some diseases, it is allowed to repeat it several times during the day, and for sore throat, even all day long. We must not forget, however, that this potent drug is not to be trifled with.

After a few weeks of such procedures, gum and tooth disease should disappear. During pregnancy, the dosage should be reduced to 1-2 g every other day. Children should be tested for an allergic reaction before taking propolis. It can be done at home. A small piece of propolis is briefly applied to the inside of the elbow. If there is no redness or itching, there is no allergy.

It is correct to chew propolis little by little, not forgetting about the danger of allergies.

Healing effects

Traditional medicine has been using the healing properties of propolis since the times of the Egyptian pharaohs. Over the past fifty years, its significant anti-infective effects have been identified. Since then, the substance has become firmly established in the medicine cabinets of healthy lifestyle supporters.

This is a natural antibiotic that destroys bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus. It supports the body's defenses, reduces pain, has an anti-inflammatory effect, accelerates wound healing, treats inflammation in the oral cavity, cares for hair, and eliminates skin diseases.

After chemical purification, the product is used to make many cosmetic and medicinal products; pharmacies sell propolis paste, tincture, ointment...

Scientists have confirmed the antibacterial effect of the bee product and the ability to inhibit the growth of Enterococcus bacteria. These bacteria cause meningitis, an inflammation of the urinary tract. Let's see what propolis tincture helps with. Its main health effects:

1. Expressive disinfecting effects.
2. Stabilizing and regenerative properties.
3. Fighting bacteria and viruses.
4. Acceleration of wound healing.
5. Resistance to mold and mildew.
6. Elimination of aphthae and other painful signs in the oral cavity (inflammation of the throat, gums).
7. Strengthening the immune system.
8. Antitoxic effect - eliminating the effect of certain poisons.
9. Anesthetic properties – pain relief.

Carefully! Despite the significant health benefits, bee glue can cause harm, because is a strong allergen! Therefore, the main contraindication to its use is an allergy to bee products. Intolerance manifests itself as a skin rash or digestive disturbances.

Before using propolis extract for the first time, an allergy test is required. It is done by applying the product to a small area of ​​skin (for example, on the elbow). If redness or other signs of hypersensitivity appear within 24 hours (or even earlier), it is not advisable to use the product.

Treatment with propolis, recipes

The uniqueness of this medicine is that a wide variety of preparations are made from it: tinctures, aqueous extracts, ointments, pastes, creams, oils, tablets, sprays, suppositories, masks; it can be used for inhalations, compresses, rinses. Ouzu is consumed even in its original form - chewed.

There are many recipes for preparing propolis compositions, but there is no organization that would issue them a safety certificate. Even if the recipe is correct and effective, no one can vouch for the quality of the ingredients that ordinary people use. It is important not to be lazy and clean propolis of excess impurities before preparing the medicine. This will lengthen the cooking procedure, but will improve the quality of the final product. Bee glue in its pure form is softer.

Treatment with propolis is a powerful adjuvant in the treatment of many diseases. There are a large number of ways to use it. They are usually slightly different for pregnant women and children.

Note on dissolving propolis in water and oil (fats)

In order to dilute propolis more strongly in water or oil, you have to heat this product. However, open fire is contraindicated for it, because already at 85 C the substance becomes useless, as it loses its healing properties. That is why they use a water bath, which protects propolis from high temperatures.

The peculiarity of this technology is to place a container (porcelain or heat-resistant glass, but in no case metal or plexiglass) in which the heated composition will be located, inside another with water. The outer container is placed on fire, and the water layer serves as a kind of thermal barrier. There is no need to heat alcohol mixtures, as they quickly evaporate, and, moreover, they have properties that do not require an increase in temperature to dissolve the bee glue. The only thing that is required in this case is to shake it occasionally.

Cooking method:

• All ingredients should be mixed in a container that is placed in a water bath.
• It costs at least twenty minutes to heat the mixture, although it is better to spend half an hour to prepare it well.
• All this time you need to stir the slurry with a wooden spoon or stick. Do not forget that using metal objects is harmful to obtaining a high-quality final product.

After the specified period has expired, the solution should be filtered with a triple layer of bandage or gauze to remove heavy sediment. The bee glue extract can be stored for two weeks in the regular section of the refrigerator. It can be used both externally and internally, as well as gargling, but the norms cannot be neglected. The prepared liquid can be used in the treatment of various diseases, from the runny nose to stomach ulcers.

Angina

For sore throat, take 1 tsp. alcohol extract with warm water 2-3 times a day. You can also relieve the symptoms of tonsillitis with the help of wraps: soak a handkerchief with the medicine, apply it to your neck, wrap it with a scarf, leave for 1 hour (the procedure is best done before bed).

Rinsing helps well - 1 tsp. Stir the beneficial liquid in a glass of warm water. Pay attention to exactly how to dilute the tincture for gargling - if it is too strong, you risk getting a burn! Carry out the procedure 3-4 times a day.

These treatment methods will help relieve sore throat of other origins. Before gargling, make sure that the liquid is at an acceptable temperature - it should not be cold or hot!

Propolis contraindications

Bee glue can only be dangerous for people prone to allergies. In all other cases, the main thing is to maintain the correct dosage. Even with diseases of the liver, kidneys and biliary tract, propolis can speed up recovery. You just need to remember that in a very concentrated form it is difficult to digest.

Propolis is a universal remedy, the effectiveness and safety of which have been tested by time.

Author of the article:

Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna |
Herbalist Education: Diploma in General Medicine and Therapy received from the University named after N.I. Pirogov (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Herbal Medicine at the Moscow People's Friendship University (2008). Our authors