It seems that everything is useful for bees: not only honey has properties important for health, but also propolis, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which we will consider in detail.
Everyone knows about the health benefits of honey. Although recently it has been questioned on some parameters, nevertheless, it continues to be used as a home remedy for the prevention and treatment of colds, strengthening the immune system, or simply as a delicious dessert . But not everyone knows that another bee waste product, which, although it does not look as appetizing as honey, has tremendous benefits. We're talking about propolis. It is essentially a sticky substance consisting of bee saliva, plant pollen and their particles. In hives, it acts as an insulating material for crevices and disinfection for honeycomb cells. It would seem a very utilitarian purpose, but this product is in no way inferior to honey itself. We will tell you what its benefits are and how to use propolis to get the maximum effect.
Benefit
The composition of the product is very rich. It contains:
- wax;
- floral thumb;
- B vitamins;
- vitamins A, C, H, E, PP;
- essential oils;
- flavonoids;
- aromatic acids;
- amino acids;
- iron ;
- phosphorus;
- potassium;
- copper;
- silicon;
- aluminum;
- titanium;
- vanadium;
- chromium.
Beneficial features
- The product has strong anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties, is a natural antibiotic.
- It promotes the restoration of cells and tissues, and helps in quick healing.
- Eliminates irritations on the skin, helps to treat skin and fungal diseases .
- Tones and strengthens the body, relieves fatigue, invigorates.
- Normalizes metabolic processes.
- Increases immunity, accelerates recovery from colds.
- Reduces the severity of stress, soothes, relieves anxiety, nervous tension.
- Strengthens joints and bones.
- Reduces blood cholesterol levels.
- Improves digestion and blood circulation.
- Helps fight diseases of the respiratory system.
- Strengthens teeth and gums, is a treatment and prevention of stomatitis .
- Cleans from harmful substances and toxins.
- Helps to delay the first signs of aging, is the prevention of cancer.
Pros for women
The tool helps to improve the menstrual cycle , relieves inflammation in gynecological diseases, helps to lose weight, and is also used externally - for the beauty and youth of the skin, better hair growth.
Pros for men
The stronger sex can use it for prostatitis, for the prevention of diseases of the genitourinary system, for hemorrhoids. It also strengthens blood vessels and reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Pros for kids
Children are given this remedy for colds and skin rashes. However up to 6 years old, it is important to dilute it only with water, infusions containing alcohol are prohibited. It is also important to do an allergy test, as this is a strong allergen.
Contraindications
- Propensity to allergies, intolerance to bee products (all of them can cause a very strong allergic reaction), the risk of allergies to pollen , poplar fluff is also dangerous , they can be part of the product.
- Allergic rhinitis.
- Disorders of the stomach, problems with regular bowel movements.
- Bronchial asthma.
- Poor blood clotting.
- Severe diseases of the internal organs.
- Tumors.
- Breastfeeding process. Pregnant women should be taken with great care, but it is better to refuse too.
- It is also better not to give the product to children under 6 years old.
Anyway the product is not recommended to be taken without consulting a doctor and should not be used as a substitute for essential medicines.
Overdose can lead to side effects :
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- vomiting;
- upset stool.
We told what propolis is, how to take it, depends on the form of the product: tincture, tea or ointment - we'll talk about them in more detail.
How to take propolis tincture
One of the most common methods of treatment with a beekeeping product is to take alcohol tincture.
Propolis tincture on alcohol has the same medicinal properties as bee glue itself. It is only important to do it correctly (or buy a quality one) and accept it correctly.
Cooking options:
- Sodium 10 g of raw materials on a grater. Heat 90 ml of alcohol (70%) in a water bath to 50 degrees. Add propolis and bring to a liquid state without letting it boil. Strain and pour into a dark container. You can store such an infusion for 1 year in a cool place.
- Take 30 g of crushed powder, 70 ml of alcohol. Pour the product with alcohol and leave to infuse in a dark place for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally (at least once a day). It is believed that the absence of heat treatment will allow you to preserve more nutrients, and therefore properties.
You cannot drink the infusion in its pure form, it must be diluted with water or milk... The maximum single dosage is no more than 40 drops per 100 ml of liquid.
Tincture on water
This option is suitable for those for whom alcohol is contraindicated. Even pregnant women and children can drink it .
For cooking, take boiled water and propolis in a 2: 1 ratio. Heat in a water bath to 80 degrees, then cool and leave to infuse for 6 hours. Store in a dark container for no longer than a week.
Water infusion is used in the same way as alcohol. The maximum daily dose is 360 drops for adults, for children under 6 years old you can only one tenth of the adult dosage, up to 14 - half.
Milk with propolis
Another useful drink using this remedy. It can be used for colds, diseases of the respiratory tract, disorders of the stomach, problems of the nervous system, diseases of the oral cavity.
Boil the milk , pour 20 g of the powdered product into it, simmer for 25 minutes over low heat, and then strain.
Drink 1 teaspoon 15 minutes before meals. The course is 7 days.
Honey with propolis
Honey enhances the effect of propolis, so their combination is doubly effective.
To prepare the mixture, melt the product in a water bath, mix with liquid honey, heat to 60 degrees. Store in the refrigerator.
Can be used for inhalation or take 1 teaspoon before meals.
However, since honey is a strong allergen, it is important to make sure you do not have a reaction to it.
Can I add to tea
Propolis not only has beneficial properties, but also retains the aroma of herbs, pine needles, wax and honey, so it will be an excellent addition to tea . You can drink it for diseases (stomach or respiratory) or just for prevention.
There are ready-made teas with this product in the composition, or you can simply add natural propolis or its tincture to the drink (20 drops in half a glass). It is important that the tea is warm, you cannot add to hot tea, so the product will immediately lose some of its beneficial properties.
Dosage: 3 times a day, 15 - 20 drops one hour before meals. The course is up to 20 days.
How to use the ointment
The tool is used not only internally, but also externally. For this there is an ointment. To make it at home, you need to mix propolis (10 g) and petroleum jelly (90 g), melt them in a water bath for half an hour, stirring. Then cool the mixture, strain and refrigerate.
The ointment is used for:
- skin inflammations, wounds, dermatitis, eczema, burns, nail fungus;
- runny nose;
- radiculitis;
- diseases of the joints ;
- inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
- erosion of the uterus.
Can I eat it neat
You can even not cook anything from this product, but chew it in its natural form - just not eat it. You cannot swallow, it is a very difficult product to digest. He also has a specific taste and smell, but all this is quite tolerable.
Especially chewing is considered useful for diseases of the teeth and gums (it is not for nothing that propolis is included in the composition of toothpastes), as well as for sore throat, since the agent has anti-inflammatory properties, and also has a beneficial effect on the immune system and blood circulation.
You need to chew for no longer than 10 minutes, otherwise there is a risk of burning the mucous membrane.
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