How many people know that bees make honey? Of course, this is known to all. But not everyone knows about other vital products of these insects. And among them there are many substances useful for human health. This is propolis, bee bread, royal jelly of bees, larva or drone milk, wax, zabrus, bee venom.
This article talks about propolis - one of the most valuable beekeeping products, about which diseases you can fight with it, how to use it, about contraindications, other important and interesting information on this topic is presented.
What is propolis?
This bee glue is a substance that bees produce to putty cracks in the hive and to maintain a special microclimate in it. Propolis is also used by bees to disinfect and polish honeycombs before the uterus lays eggs in them. There is another important function of propolis. If any animal enters the beehive - whose bee corpse is not able to eject from its home (most often these are small rodents or snakes) - propolis is used by insects for mummification, which does not allow the corpse to decompose.
Chemical composition and properties
Propolis in appearance resembles a resinous substance. And by its origin (it still causes controversy in the scientific community) - this is most likely an adhesive substance that bees collect from the buds of trees.
According to another version, a chemical analysis of the composition of propolis allows us to conclude that it is the result of the first phase of digestion of pollen by bees. This view is partly based on the fact that there are areas in which there are few or no woody plants, but only grassy ones. Hence it is clear that the propolis collected in different regions differs in composition - because much depends on what kind of plants the bee visits, collecting nectar.
Propolis contains many biologically active substances, including balms and vegetable resins, wax, essential oils, pollen, trace elements, vitamins, acids and alcohols.
Propolis is collected by scraping it from the walls of the hives using a special grill. For the season, each hive produces a little - a maximum of 150 grams of product.
Propolis melts quite easily, so some beekeepers use a water bath in order to clean the product and rid it of impurities. This process does not deprive propolis of its healing properties. It is interesting that even boiling does not spoil it, this nuance should be taken into account when using bee glue.
Fresh propolis is flexible and flexes easily in the fingers. During prolonged storage, this bee product hardens, sometimes crumbles and becomes like a dark rosin.
Propolis is soluble in alcohol and gasoline, and also partially in vinegar and ammonia.
General indications
Pharmacologists are well aware of the properties of propolis as a medicine. In the reviews of the therapeutic effects of this substance, they are most often called antimicrobial, antifungal, immunostimulating and, as a result, anti-inflammatory and also antioxidant. Since it is a vasodilator, the use of propolis for hypertension is justified. Bee glue is also used as a cardioprotective drug. Relatively recently, in the USA, conclusions were drawn about the antitumor properties of propolis.
Traditional medicine most often uses propolis as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent that slows down or stops the growth of pathogenic flora. It is not by chance that in the people he received the name of a natural antibiotic. This bee product is well known as an anesthetic. In this regard, treatment of toothache propolis has proven itself well.
Ointments for treating wounds, drops for eyes and ears, solutions for rinsing and ingestion are made from this product. Whole propolis plates are applied to sore bleeding gums. And in the old days with tuberculosis, patients were even asked to breathe over a set of bee glue (G. Popov writes about this in his book “Russian folk medicine”, 1903).
Contraindications to the use of all types of medicines from propolis are individual intolerance and the appearance of allergic reactions. With elevated body temperature, headaches of an unclear genesis and weakness, you should also not turn to propolis preparations. You must first consult with your doctor.
A few more diseases in which either it is not worth it to be treated with propolis, or to do this with increased caution. This is eczema, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, urolithiasis, impaired liver function, chronic pancreatitis in the acute stage.
How to use propolis? The following describes the most common forms of using this bee product for medicinal purposes.
How to use propolis in its purest form
Before starting treatment with any propolis preparations, a person prone to allergic reactions should spend a small test on himself. Place a small piece of propolis on the back of the sky. If within 15 minutes this does not cause you any unpleasant sensations, then the use of, for example, candles, will be painless.
One of the simplest methods of treating a number of diseases with this substance is chewing a small piece of propolis.
However, to the question “Can propolis be used inside?”, The answer will always be negative. It is important to remember that you cannot swallow propolis alone. In its chemical composition, it is a complex substance consisting of heavy resins. When taken orally in pure form, this product may interfere with the functioning of the liver and kidneys. When chewing, natural extraction occurs, and all the substances necessary for treatment are released and enter the body with saliva.
Indications for the use of propolis in its pure form (chewing) are as follows:
- Toothache. Propolis as an "ambulance" can quickly help with acute pain, relieve swelling of the gums. After use, the remaining product is discarded.
- Periodontal disease and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity. For these dental problems, daily sucking and grinding of a small piece of propolis with your teeth is recommended. 10-15 minutes will be enough.
- Cold. For all kinds of colds and flu infections, especially in the early days of the disease, traditional medicine recommends keeping a piece of the product in your mouth. The longer the better. You can take it out of your mouth only by eating or falling asleep. It is recommended to do the same when in the focus of infection or when a flu epidemic begins.
- Gastritis, ulceration of the walls of the stomach and other inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract are also indications for the use of propolis, and not only for therapeutic, but also for preventive purposes. The usual daily dose is 5 grams. It is proposed to divide it into several (2-3) servings for a single dose (chewing).
Inhalation
An effective way to use propolis for the treatment of respiratory diseases, including runny nose and tuberculosis, is through inhalation. The stages of the procedure are as follows: 50 g of propolis, 40 g of wax and 300 ml of water are placed in enameled dishes.
This container is placed in a water bath and heated. Inhalation can be carried out up to 15 minutes once a day. The course of treatment is 10-15 days.
Applications
With this method, a piece of propolis of a suitable size is stretched in the fingers to softness and superimposed on the place that bothers. It can be a bad tooth and even a site on the back with radiculitis, osteochondrosis. You can also use this treatment option for lesions of the skin, for example, of a fungal nature.
Propolis water - what is it?
Do not confuse tincture and tincture (in pharmacology). In short, an infusion is a medicine based on water, and a tincture is a medicine in the manufacturing process of which the product is infused with alcohol or an alcohol solution.
Propolis water infusion (also called propolis water) is suitable for those patients who for some reason cannot use alcohol-containing drugs. It is also prescribed usually to pregnant women and children. However, this product is not stored for a long time, and, of course, you are unlikely to buy it at a pharmacy.
There are several ways to make it. Here is one of them.
So, if you are sure that your propolis has been preliminarily cleared of impurities, skip this paragraph. If not, do it yourself. To do this, first put pieces of propolis (or a ball) in the freezer. The time interval is from 30 minutes to an hour (the smaller the pieces of the product, the less time is required). At the end of the period, the bee glue is crushed (it is desirable to have a stone mortar with a pestle), poured with clean cold water and left for an hour at normal room temperature in a dark place. Then, the fraction that forms on the surface of the water is disposed of, and what settles to the bottom is dried. This is the purified ingredient for future water propolis.
It is better to take bottled water that has undergone special treatment. You can freeze water in the freezer (it is left there overnight or for 8 hours, then thawed) or pass through a filter.
Then 10 g of dry propolis is poured into a glass (190 ml) of pure water at a temperature of 50 degrees. Water must first be brought to a boil (but only once). The liquid thus prepared in an enameled or ceramic container is placed in another container, a larger one in a water bath. The temperature in a dish with propolis should be maintained within 50-55 degrees for an hour. The future infusion must be constantly stirred with a wooden spoon. Then it is poured into a thermos and left for 48 hours, stirring occasionally. After this, you need to strain the contents of the thermos through cheesecloth from several layers and pour into a sealed container. Thus, a 5% aqueous propolis will be obtained. It can be stored in a cold place for 30 days.
Indications for use of water infusion
This drug is taken orally in the following cases:
- To increase performance and emotional stability when the immune system is weakened due to overload.
- To prevent and increase the body's resistance to colds of various origins.
- Gargling with water infusion relieves pain and disinfects the upper respiratory tract.
- The use of water infusion inside helps to combat helminth infections of the body.
- Since propolis promotes tissue regeneration, its external use is effective for any wounds and cuts, as well as for generally non-healing, including fungal, skin lesions.
How to apply propolis to children? For small patients with a cold, it would be better, using the general technology for preparing water propolis, mix it with chamomile infusion, and add a spoonful of honey to drink before use.
The same recipe can be applied by all patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including infectious ones.
How to use propolis for sinusitis and colds? To do this, his water infusion is heated and inhaled. The procedure can be carried out 2 times a day for 10 minutes. After inhalation, you should take a teaspoon of 5% propolis solution. In order to strengthen immunity, infusion is usually drunk for no more than seven days. In general, with sinusitis, medicine most often recommends it is an aqueous infusion as a wash for the nose, since it does not burn the nasal mucosa, which is already inflamed.
How to apply propolis tincture on alcohol?
For therapeutic purposes, use alcohol solutions (tinctures) of propolis of different concentrations. Those that are used most often - mostly ten to thirty percent.
Alcohol tincture is quite convenient: it can be stored in a cool place for up to 3 years without losing its healing properties, and can be used in the manufacture of medicinal ointments. With undoubted convenience, one can not ignore the insecurity of this drug - because it contains ethyl alcohol.
Propolis tincture is also used internally (naturally, only breeding in drink - tea, water or milk). Dosage is usually considered dropwise. Take tincture, following the instructions of a doctor either on an empty stomach or after eating.
Indications are almost the same as in general for propolis. Tincture treats acute colds and respiratory diseases in the chronic phase. Gargling for the throat is prepared as follows: 15 ml of tincture is dissolved in 1/2 cup of warm water. Rinse should be 4 times a day for 4-5 days.
How to use propolis for sinusitis, if you only have tincture? With this disease, 10 parts of saline (isotonic sodium chloride solution) are taken per part of alcohol propolis. This mixture is used to rinse the nose no more than 2 times a day. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.
Propolis tincture will also help with inflammatory processes in the intestines and stomach - it promotes the healing of the mucosa, but nevertheless, treatment should be approached with extreme caution, realizing that too much concentration can damage the mucosa.
How to use propolis for gastritis? Usually, alcohol tincture is used to treat this disease, but not more than 30 drops. With low acidity, the medicine is drunk before meals, with high acidity - an hour after. To heal erosion, 20 drops are taken per glass of milk.
In acute and chronic inflammation of the ear (otitis media), propolis tincture will also help: insert a swab dipped in the medicine for 1-2 minutes into the sore ear. Or you can dig in the tincture - no more than 2 drops in the ear 3 times a day.
Reception of diluted propolis for alcohol is indicated for depression, insomnia, headaches, since it has a general calming effect on the body.
Tincture is used locally - for the healing of trophic ulcers, a number of skin diseases, nails. And also in the treatment of joint and spinal diseases. But in any case, the treatment of each specific ailment with tincture must be discussed with the doctor.
There is general averaged data on how to apply propolis to alcohol. Depending on the type and course of the disease, drops at a time are prescribed from 20 to 60. From one to three times a day with a maximum course of treatment of 30 days. But sometimes a five-day course is enough.
Propolis tincture cannot be recommended for use by children under 3 years old. There is a general scheme according to which, at an older age, they usually advise a dose not exceeding 1 drop per year of life and only once a day. That is, a five-year-old baby, for example, can drink no more than five drops once a day.
It should be borne in mind that alcohol tincture, as well as propolis itself (and even any bee product) in general, can cause allergic reactions. Children, as well as pregnant and lactating women, can feel them especially acutely. Therefore, for children under 12 years old, it is better to replace the alcohol-containing tincture with water propolis. Well, and of course, at the first signs of an allergy (redness, skin rash, itching), as well as intolerance to the drug, you should stop taking it and consult a doctor.
Propolis tincture is perfect for those who care about their appearance. For example, it helps a lot with hair loss, strengthening them and giving them a healthy look. Helps to get rid of dandruff. It is recommended to lubricate the tincture of the hair after washing the hair. True, it is better to use this method for a long time.
Propolis tincture with uterine myoma
How to apply? With uterine fibroids, not only medicines are effective, but also traditional medicine. In particular, propolis preparations can stop the growth of the tumor, since they help restore and strengthen the body's immune defense. They also normalize the endocrine background. Propolis, in addition, contains many phytoncides, which helps with inflammatory processes with benign tumors. True, the effectiveness of this bee product is observed only at the initial stage of the disease.
How exactly it is necessary to apply propolis tincture to alcohol for uterine fibroids, doctors have no consensus. Some doctors give their votes for taking tinctures only in the form of drops, since the alcohol included in its composition can cause some harm to the uterine mucosa. Others argue that the maximum benefit can be achieved only with the introduction of cotton swabs soaked in tincture, deep in the vagina. Moreover, in parallel with this, the patient should additionally take 10 ml of tincture diluted in water, shortly before bedtime. The optimal duration of this method of treatment is a ten-day period.
You can moisten tampons in tincture of medicinal herbs and propolis before administration. For its preparation, 20 g of celandine, pine buds, yarrow, pine forest and propolis are taken. All this is poured with pure medical alcohol (0.5 l). Insists in a dark place for about two weeks. It is recommended to take herbal tincture with propolis inside - within 10 days, 1 tablespoon.
Candles with propolis
For the same purpose, you can use candles with propolis. How can I cook them at home?
Propolis (200 g) is crushed, and then pour 300 ml of medical alcohol, previously slightly heated over low heat. The container with the mixture is removed for 12 days in a dark place. It is recommended to shake propolis tincture daily. After 12 days, the mixture is put on low heat and boiled until a homogeneous mass of brown color with the consistency of fresh honey is obtained. At the end, 50 ml of tea tree oil and 150 g of cocoa butter are added to the mixture. All are thoroughly mixed and warmed for another 25 minutes.
The mixture was allowed to cool at room temperature, after which oblong shaped candles were formed from them. Suppositories should be stored in the refrigerator.
Suppositories with propolis are recommended to be inserted into the vagina twice a day. The duration of the course is set individually, but, as a rule, does not exceed ten days. If necessary, repeat the course after a short break.
Doctors advise cleansing the intestines with an enema before starting such treatment. To improve the absorption of medicinal substances, it is desirable to diversify your diet with fresh fruits or dried fruit compote.
Similar candles can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Reviews on propolis preparations are most often positive. With the proper use of this medicinal raw material, side effects and allergic reactions are rare.
The article describes how propolis can be used in the treatment of various diseases.