Propolis tincture: what helps and how to take it correctly

Propolis is a real miracle of nature, which is created by small hardworking bees, and mankind has been using its magical properties to maintain their health since ancient times. The medicinal properties of propolis tincture and contraindications to its use are described in detail in this article, as well as specific recommendations and recipes for the use of this valuable substance in the treatment of many diseases.

Is it possible to drink propolis tincture

Since propolis itself, in other words bee glue, is a rather solid substance, practically insoluble in water, its tincture is one of the most common medicinal forms that can be used for medicinal purposes. It can be taken internally or used externally. Aqueous tincture of propolis is quite acceptable for use even in childhood and during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. However, even an alcohol tincture of propolis, if necessary, is allowed to be given to children from 10 years old, dissolving in milk or water.

What is useful tincture of propolis

The benefits of propolis tincture can not be overestimated. After all, this healing agent contains more than 50 diverse elements and substances interconnected. These are resins, and alcohols, and balms, and tannins, essential oils, wax, particles of plant and animal origin. Propolis and its tincture contain about 15 valuable chemical elements (calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, copper, silicon and others) and about 7-8 types of vitamins, including valuable provitamin A.

Its main and most valuable quality is its increased biological activity. Both water and alcohol tinctures of propolis contribute to the activation of protective mechanisms in the human body, neutralize some bacterial poisons, and increase resistance to various diseases. Propolis not only prolongs and enhances the action of antibiotics, but may well serve as a full-fledged replacement for some of them.

The list of diseases in which propolis tincture can help is almost inexhaustible. It is probably easier to pick up examples when its influence is powerless. And the indication for the use of propolis tincture is even the usual seasonal weakness of the body.

Propolis tincture has the following main medicinal properties:

• a pronounced antimicrobial effect (moreover, propolis is able to resist not only bacteria, but also fungi and viruses);
• analgesic effect, which can manifest itself within 8-10 minutes after the start of use and last for several hours;
• antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effect;
• wound-healing properties, by reducing the intoxication of the body, plasma loss and increasing blood and lymph circulation.

Harm of propolis infusion

The use of propolis and tinctures from it is definitely contraindicated only for those people who have a pronounced allergy to honey and bee products. For everyone else, the impact on the body of propolis tincture will be extremely positive if you strictly follow the instructions for use and be sure that it is made from natural products. Unfortunately, in recent years, numerous fakes of various drugs have not been excluded at all. Therefore, it is most reliable to prepare propolis tincture with your own hands at home – this way you can be 100% sure of the effective strength of the drug.

What helps propolis tincture

As mentioned above, propolis tincture can provide effective help in a variety of diseases:

• gastrointestinal tract;
• pancreatitis;
• ENT diseases;
• problems with immunity and colds;
• problems with the cardiovascular system;
• skin infections;
• urological and gynecological problems;
• disorders associated with the work of the endocrine system and metabolism, and others.

How to make propolis tincture at home

From propolis at home, it is possible to prepare tinctures for alcohol, vodka, water, milk, as well as an oil emulsion.

Before making a medicinal tincture according to any of the recipes, propolis must be subjected to mandatory purification from unnecessary impurities. The cleaning procedure consists of the following steps:

1. First, it is crushed – the easiest way is to put the required amount of product in the refrigerator for several hours, and then grate it on a fine grater.
2. Then the crushed propolis is placed in a container with cold water, shaken and left for a few minutes.
   Attention! Waxy particles and other unnecessary impurities will float to the surface, and all the medicinal material will settle to the bottom.
3. It must be carefully collected and dried on a sieve or napkin.

For the manufacture of alcohol tincture of propolis, the crushed material is poured with 96% medical or food alcohol in the required concentration.

Infuse the solution for exactly 2 weeks in a dark glass container with a tightly sealed lid in a not very hot place. Then the product is filtered through several layers of gauze and, poured into dark bottles, stored in a cool room for about 2-3 years. In fact, a long shelf life and the relative ease of preparation are the main advantages of alcohol propolis tincture.

To obtain a 10% alcohol solution, it is necessary to pour 10 g of propolis into 90 ml of alcohol. To get a 50% solution – 50 g of propolis is poured into 50 ml of alcohol.

An aqueous solution of propolis has an even more effective antimicrobial effect and can be recommended for ingestion even by children and pregnant women, but it is stored for a very short time – a maximum of 10 days.

1. For the manufacture of 10% water infusion, 10 g of propolis is poured into 100 ml of purified or boiled water.
2. After that, the vessel with the tincture is placed in a container with warm water, which is placed on moderate heat.
3. Bringing the temperature of the water in the external container to + 50 ° C, steam, maintaining a minimum fire, for about 20-50 minutes, stirring the solution from time to time.
4. Insist about 4-6 hours.
5. Then it is filtered using four layers of gauze, and bottled for storage in dark-colored bottles.

It is very easy to prepare an infusion of propolis in milk at home – the so-called propolis milk.

1. To do this, boil fresh milk.
2. After removing it from the fire, add 1,5 g of crushed propolis to 100 liters of the product.
3. Stir until possible homogeneity and strain through several layers of gauze.
4. Wait for the milk to cool completely and carefully remove the formed wax particles from its surface.
5. Pour into an enamel or glass dish and store in the refrigerator for several days.

How to take propolis tincture

Propolis tincture can be used in a variety of ways: ingested, diluted in milk or water, as a course of treatment, prepare inhalations, instill in the nose, lubricate the internal and external parts of diseased organs, including mucous membranes.

With angina

The remedy made according to the following recipe can be considered one of the most effective for the treatment of angina.

You need:

• 1 st. l. crushed plantain leaves;
• 1 a glass of boiled water;
• 40 drops of 20% alcohol tincture of propolis.

Manufacture:

1. The crushed leaves are poured with water and boiled for about 12-15 minutes.
2. Insist under the lid for an hour and filter.
3. Add propolis tincture.

Use for gargling as often as circumstances permit, but at least 5-6 times a day.

Equally important in the treatment of angina is the maintenance of a weakened immune system. And this task is perfectly handled by a drink made from 200 ml of warm milk, mixed with 3 tsp. 10% alcohol propolis tincture.

With atherosclerosis

Propolis tincture is the most effective remedy for helping patients suffering from atherosclerosis. You can take it separately, an hour before meals 3 times a day, diluting 30 drops of 20% tincture in 50 ml of warm water.

There are also no less valuable and time-tested recipes in which propolis is combined with medicinal herbs.

1. Tincture of hawthorn fruit from a pharmacy is combined in equal proportions with 20% alcohol tincture of propolis. Drink 2-3 times a day, 20-30 drops of the mixture, diluted in a small amount of water before meals.
2. Elecampane tincture (15%) is combined with an equal amount of 20% propolis tincture. Use in the same way as in the previous recipe, 25-30 drops of the mixture.

For gynecological diseases

In such diseases, formulations in the form of ointments, suppositories, tampons soaked in a healing solution are most often used.

Cotton swabs for insertion into the vagina can be impregnated with 3% alcohol or 5% aqueous propolis infusion. Usually the course consists of 10 procedures that are carried out at night. Douching is allowed with the same solutions.

These procedures allow you to relieve pain syndromes, normalize the menstrual cycle, stop blood loss, and most importantly, avoid a course of hormone therapy, the effect of which is sometimes completely unpredictable.

Effective bee glue and in the treatment of uterine fibroids. Tampons can be moistened in a mixture of 10% aqueous propolis solution. And at the same time take herbal infusion orally according to the following recipe:

• 20 g yarrow;
• 20 g of pine buds;
• 20 g of celandine;
• 20 g of calendula;
• 20 g of wormwood;
• 20 g of Mary root;
• 20 g of crushed propolis.

All components are mixed, 500 ml of alcohol are added, infused for 2 weeks in a dark place, shaking the contents every day. After straining, drink ½ tsp. half an hour before meals three times a day.

With diseases of the digestive tract

The healing properties of propolis are especially well manifested in the fight against numerous diseases of the stomach and intestines.

So propolis tincture is indispensable in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers due to its antibacterial properties. It is better to start treatment with 5-10% tincture and, if there is no pain in the stomach within a week, move on to using a more concentrated 20% liquid.

40 to 60 drops of the tincture are diluted in ¼ cup of water and taken 1,5 hours before meals 3 times a day for several months.

The positive effect of such treatment usually appears already 5-10 days after its start. Many painful symptoms, heartburn, nausea disappear, and overall well-being improves. Since propolis relieves spasms and inflammation by enveloping the ulcer with a protective shell. In addition, it promotes bile secretion and reduces acidity.

For the treatment of chronic and acute colitis, erosive gastritis and other similar diseases, the use of propolis milk, made according to the recipe described in detail above, is perfect. It is usually taken in half a glass before meals 3-4 times a day for 4-6 weeks.

Propolis milk is able to neutralize pathogenic bacteria, including pathogenic staphylococcus aureus, heal the intestinal mucosa, stimulate local blood flow and generally increase the body’s defenses. Therefore, they are especially recommended for treatment for the elderly and for those who have low tone and there is a general weakening of the body.

When coughing

Cough can be a symptom of many diseases, and the method of using propolis tincture depends on the specific disease.

For example, for adjuvant therapy in the treatment of bronchial asthma, a 20% alcohol tincture is taken 3 times a day, diluting 20 drops in half a glass of milk or water, half an hour before a meal. The course of treatment is 2 months.

With a common cold cough, a glass of warm propolis milk with the addition of 1 tsp is best of all. honey and a little butter.

For skin diseases

Skin diseases are also very diverse. Most often, they combine the use of alcohol tincture of propolis inside to boost immunity and lubrication of painful places with a therapeutic mixture with propolis.

To treat, for example, such a common disease as weeping eczema, the following mixture is prepared:

1. 1 part of crushed oak bark is diluted with 5 parts of water and boiled for 20 minutes.
2. Cool and strain.
3. 1 cup of the resulting broth is mixed with 1 tsp. 20% alcohol tincture of propolis.
4. The healing mixture is applied several times a day to damaged areas of the skin for 12-15 days.

From blackheads, acne and other skin rashes, masks according to the following recipe help well:

• 1 st. l. cosmetic clay;
• 2 tbsp. l. warm boiled water;
• 1 tsp lemon juice;
• 1 tsp olive oil;
• ½ tsp propolis tincture.

All components are thoroughly mixed, applied to problem areas, held for 15 minutes, washed off with warm water.

For colds and flu

The best remedy for both the treatment and prevention of influenza and colds is propolis milk, the method of making which at home was described in the previous chapter.

They usually drink it at night, one glass in a slightly warmed form.

This excellent remedy can be given even to children of almost all ages during seasonal epidemics.

With rhinitis

For instillation into the nose, both in acute and chronic rhinitis, drops with propolis tincture, made according to the following recipe, perfectly help:

• 1 part alcohol tincture of propolis;
• 3 parts olive oil;
• ½ part freshly squeezed horseradish juice.

All parts are thoroughly mixed with each other and the resulting mixture is instilled into the nose, 3-4 drops in each nostril.

With tonsillitis

The remedy described in the chapter on the treatment of angina does an excellent job with tonsillitis. It allows you to stop the inflammatory processes in the tonsils, remove the infection of the respiratory tract, relieve pain in the throat.

You can easily prepare effective “lollipops for sore throats” by dropping a few drops of propolis tincture on pieces of refined sugar.

To strengthen immunity

In order to strengthen the immune system, the easiest way is to use propolis milk at night. In addition to making this healing drink using traditional technology, you can simply add 200 tsp to 3 ml of warm milk. alcohol propolis tincture.

In dentistry

Propolis tincture is a recognized remedy for the treatment of many diseases in dentistry. In particular, the following medicinal collection with the addition of propolis tincture is perfect for helping with periodontitis, gingivitis, caries and stomatitis.

You need:

• 30 g of eucalyptus leaves;
• 25 g of chamomile flowers;
• 25 g lime blossom;
• 20 g of flax seeds;
• 1 glass of water;
• 40 drops of 20% alcohol tincture of propolis.

Manufacture:

1. 1 st. l. herbal mixture is poured with 1 cup of boiling water and heated in a water bath for 15 minutes.
2. Then insist 40 minutes and filter.
3. Add propolis tincture, stir.

Use to rinse your mouth at least 3 times a day.

Propolis tincture is no less effective for relieving toothache. To alleviate the painful condition, it is necessary to add 1 parts of purified warm water to 20 part of a 3% alcohol tincture. Soak a cotton swab in the resulting solution and apply to the aching tooth.

Propolis during breastfeeding and pregnancy

For any colds and other ailments during pregnancy and lactation, recipes with the use of water infusion of propolis, instead of alcohol, are perfect.

To improve the general condition of the body during these difficult periods for a woman, it is recommended to regularly drink a drink according to the following recipe:

1. 500 g of rose hips are poured into 1 liter of water, heated to a boil, steamed over low heat for about an hour.
2. Pour into a thermos, add a piece of propolis on the tip of a knife and leave to infuse overnight.

Contraindications to propolis tincture

The main contraindication to taking any preparations from propolis is an allergy to honey and bee products. Therefore, it is advisable to start treatment with small doses and carefully monitor the possible appearance of symptoms such as redness, itching, headache, shortness of breath, fever, swelling, rash and general weakness.

Subject to the recommended doses, propolis has no contraindications even with severe damage to the kidneys, liver and biliary tract.

But alcohol tincture in any degree of dilution is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women, children under 3 years old and drivers.

Terms and conditions of storage

Alcohol tincture of propolis can be stored in cool conditions without access to light for 2-3 years. Water infusion is stored on average for about a week. Propolis milk (that is, milk infusion) is best stored in the refrigerator for no more than 3-4 days.

Conclusion

The medicinal properties of propolis tincture and possible contraindications have been studied by scientists and physicians from different countries for many years and centuries. However, it cannot be said that this process is completed, since more and more new properties of this mysterious substance are constantly being discovered, which make it possible to cope with many human health problems.