Many bee products are actively used to treat various diseases for more than a hundred years. One of these products is propolis, which is rather inconspicuous in appearance, but has a lot of useful properties. Consider in more detail what it is and how it can be used.
What is propolis
Propolis, or, as it is also called, ouza or bee glue, is a product of beekeeping. It is produced by bees from the gummy substances of spring buds and is used by them to plug gaps and other isolation from drafts. They also disinfect the honeycomb before laying eggs, cover up foreign objects. A large amount of it goes to the processing of the entryway - the "gate" of the beehive. 
The higher the temperature of the air behind the beehive, the wider the branches, during cooling with the help of propolis it is narrowed. In general, this tool is used by bees as a building and disinfecting material to create a microclimate in the hive that is suitable for them.
Did you know? Bee glue was used for medicinal purposes in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome. And the ancient Egyptians used it not only for treatment, but also for mummification. He was mentioned in his writings by the ancient Greek healer Dioscorides in a hundred years before our era. The famous medieval physician Avicenna also used it, as noted in his "Canon of Medicine".There is also a version that bees still produce it from plant pollen, since even bees living where trees do not grow, they still produce it. When collecting, propolis is usually simply scraped off the frame and from the entrance or used to obtain a mesh.
Learn how to properly prepare propolis on alcohol, what is the use of milk with propolis, how to take bee pollen, adsorbed royal jelly, and propolis tincture.
What is contained and how rich is the composition
In this bee glue sixteen classes of various organic substances are found, which include two hundred compounds, among them one hundred are identified as bioactive.
The approximate composition of propolis in percentage is as follows:
- vegetable resins - 38-60%;
- beeswax - 7.8-36%;
- pollen balm - 3-30%.
In turn, the balm of pollen has the following composition:
- tannins - 0.5-15%;
- essential oils - 2-15%.
Familiarize yourself with the types of bee products.It contains organic acids, steroids, fatty acids, esters, ketones, lactones, quinones, and other bioactive substances, many of which inhibit pathogenic microorganisms and viruses. In propolis, and now continue to find new substances that are natural antibiotics. Antifungal ingredients such as pinocembrin and coffee ester were found in it.
What is useful and what treats
The diverse bioactive composition of this bee glue gives it a whole range of useful properties: antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, healing, analgesic, immunostimulating, reducing, cardioprotective, anti-cancer, anti-radiation, deodorizing, anti-toxic and others. Such a natural remedy has found itself in the treatment of many human ailments:
- various lesions of the oral cavity, inflammation of the gums;
- infectious diseases (influenza, ARVI);
- runny nose, sinusitis;
- gastrointestinal tract diseases;
- liver disease (including jaundice);
- problems in the genitourinary system;
- skin diseases;
- rheumatic lesions;
- hemorrhoids;
- phlebeurysm;
- eye diseases of an inflammatory nature;
- some spinal injuries;
- otitis;
- neuralgia
Can I chew clean
Propolis in its pure form can and should be chewed during various epidemics, or already ill. Too fresh to chew the product will not succeed - it is too sticky and stick to the teeth. In this case, it is best to stick it to the sky and slowly dissolve. To do this, take a very small piece, about one or two match heads. Children from three years who do not want to take such a bitter medicine taste, it is better to mix it with honey and zabrus, but first you need to make sure that the child does not have allergic reactions.
How to use for medicinal purposes: recipes
Propolis is used in folk and traditional medicine. They can treat a wide range of human ailments, mainly of an inflammatory nature.
Gum disease
Dilute 50 ml of 30% alcoholic tincture of bee glue in 250 ml of warm water and rinse three times a day after meals. With periodontal disease, applications on the gums from a 4% solution of this tincture will be helpful. It will be enough to make 3-10 applications. At the very beginning of the inflammatory process, it will be useful to chew a little propolis for 20 minutes three times a day. 
Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose
When rhinitis of any etiology (except for allergies), a few drops of the solution in propolis water 4-5 times daily drip into the nose. This tool is prepared as follows: 10 g of propolis is poured 100 ml of boiling water and infused in a thermos, or wrapped, 24 hours. Periodically it is necessary to stir or stir the solution. Every day, prepare a new infusion. In cases of rhinitis and sinusitis, it is also useful to inhale with propolis by adding its powder or tincture to boiling water.
Important! Bee glue with long-term use can harm, as it leads to inhibition of natural immunity. It should be taken by treatment and not used constantly.
Sore throat and cough
In sore throat and sore throat, coughing propolis can be used in different types and in different ways:
- dissolve propolis pea;
- with purulent forms of sore throat make water tincture in a ratio of 1: 1. The resulting product is taken in the mouth and kept near the tonsils, as far as possible, then spit out. This is repeated 5 times approximately every 2 hours. Such procedures are performed for about five days until the disease recedes;
- internal reception of bee glue - give a child 1 tbsp. spoonful of the solution on the water, adding to it a little milk 3 times a day. Adults can use the hood on alcohol;
- You can relieve a strong cough and sore throat by sucking in your mouth a piece of refined sugar previously soaked in pharmaceutical propolis tincture;
- in the form of inhalation: throw a few spoons of any solution of bee glue into boiling water and breathe this vapor, covered with a large towel on top for 20 minutes;
- mix alcohol tincture with softened butter 1: 1 and lubricate with this ointment almonds.
Did you know? Scientists have concluded that propolis is a natural antibiotic that is produced by bees to form a sterile atmosphere in the hive. Moreover, in the ongoing studies have not yet been observed addiction of pathogenic bacteria to this drug.
Warts
Getting rid of warts with this beekeeping product is easy:
- soak the affected area in hot water for 20 minutes;
- chew a piece of bee glue in your mouth before it softens and form a cake;
- put the obtained cake on the wart and fix it with a plaster or a bandage;
- This cake can be worn for up to 4 days, and you can, if possible, change every day until the wart disappears.
Start beekeeping.
Nail fungus
For the treatment of nail fungus is usually used 20% tincture of propolis (can be purchased at the pharmacy). A piece of cotton is soaked with this tincture and applied to the patient's nail, then fixed with a plaster or a bandage. Every day they change to a new piece of cotton soaked with tincture. To enhance the effectiveness of the treatment of a fungus, propolis may be added to the tincture, increasing its concentration. 
It is also possible to apply a flat cake from the bee glue itself on the nail plate, after chewing its piece in the mouth. Usually, before applying the treatment with propolis, the affected nail is well steamed and cleaned. You can also soar the affected nail in the bee glue trays, then clean and stick the cake. For the bath in a liter of hot water, add a teaspoon of tincture. This procedure is best done at night. It lasts 10-15 minutes.
Important! Separate manicure tools should be used to treat nail-affected nails to avoid contamination of healthy nail plates.In severely neglected cases, a balm from this beekeeping product can be rubbed into the affected area. To do this, propolis tincture is mixed with antiseptic oil (tea tree oil, celandine, black cumin and others) and applied daily, after steaming a sore spot in a warm bath.
Hemorrhoids
When hemorrhoidal nodes bee glue can be used in different ways:
- in the candlelight. Moreover, candles with this beekeeping product are sold in a pharmacy, but they can be made independently. To do this, in a water bath, melt 80 g of petroleum jelly and the same amount of beeswax, add 20 ml of propolis tincture and stir until ethyl has evaporated for 5 minutes. Then poured into molds and put for better solidification in the refrigerator. Such candles are put on the night of 15 days;
- it is possible to make microclysters with bee glue at night before bedtime. To enhance the therapeutic effect, a decoction of strawberry leaves is first made: 1 tablespoon of herbal raw materials is poured with a glass of boiling water and kept in a water bath for ten minutes, occasionally interfering with the solution. It is allowed to cool to an acceptable condition, filtered and 1 teaspoonful of 10% propolis alcohol tincture is added. Inject 30 ml before bedtime and keep for at least half an hour, but preferably longer. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the disease and is usually a month or two;
- with external manifestations of hemorrhoids from the above solution make lotions, wetting in it a soft cotton fabric and applying to the nodes for 40 minutes during the month. Before the procedure, the place of application is thoroughly washed with soap, and during it the patient lies on his stomach;
- external nodes can also be lubricated with such an ointment: chop 15 g of bee glue and mix well with 100 ml of vegetable oil, heat it on a water bath until it melts, preventing boiling. Used for lubrication units month.
Otitis
For the treatment of ear inflammation using the following recipes:
- in case of otitis, tampons from gauze should be inserted into the ear canal, having previously moistened them in a 30% tincture on 70% alcohol, which was infused for 2-3 days. This procedure is done for 10-15 days, and each time new tampons are used;
- in case of purulent inflammation, a tampon is inserted into the ear, moistened with 20% tincture on 96% alcohol, which was drawn on bee glue for 7 days. The procedure is done 20-25 times daily;
- Instill 3-4 times a day with a pharmaceutical tincture of propolis. Two drops is enough.
Treat the otitis with saxifrages and kalanchoe.
Burns
For burns, it is best to make an ointment:
- mix 20 g of crushed bee glue and 100 g of sunflower oil;
- Heat the mixture in a water bath and mix until smooth. You should not overheat the oil too (up to 50 ° C).
This mixture is moistened with gauze cloths and applied to the site of the burn, fixed with a bandage. Change daily. The ointment is stored in the refrigerator for about one month.Candidiasis
If there is an inflammation of the vagina and cervix douche 3% aqueous solution of bee glue, taking the pharmaceutical tincture. This is done once daily 7-10 procedures.
Candidiasis is also treated with nasturtium and marijuana.
Gastritis
For the treatment of gastritis, you can use different recipes:
- chewing the glue itself on an empty stomach for a whole month, with a gradual increase in dose from 0.5 g to 5-8 g;
- Add 20-30 drops of 25% propolis tincture in alcohol to 100 g of water or milk. Consume before meals (for 1 hour);
- 10% of the pharmaceutical tincture mixed with sea buckthorn oil in a ratio of 10: 1 and drip 20-30 drops into water or milk. Consume an hour before meals.
Effectively, such infusions will be dripped not just into the water, but into the decoctions of herbal preparations, which you can buy at the pharmacy (for example, Elecasol) or do it yourself.Pancreatitis
Treatment of pancreatitis is carried out only in the period of remission, with exacerbations of inflammation of the pancreas receiving propolis will not give the desired effect. In chronic pancreatitis, the following treatment options should be used:
- within 2 weeks chew 3-4 grams of bee glue 4 times a day one hour after meals. For prevention in this way, propolis can be consumed for several days every 2-3 months;
- Take on an empty stomach in the morning and evening 40 drops in a third glass of water 20% alcoholic tincture of propolis for 21 days.
Learn how to make honey with dandelions, watermelon and pumpkin.
Stomach ulcer
For the treatment of gastric ulcers, you can use the same tools as for gastritis, and you can apply the following:
- take 40-60 drops of 20-30% alcoholic propolis tincture in 1/4 cup of water (milk or broth) three times a day for 1.5 hours before meals. The course of treatment is from 1 to 2 months;
- for acute exacerbations accompanied by severe pain, mix 1 teaspoon of 10-20% bee glue tincture with alcohol and 50 ml of a 0.25% solution of novocaine and take 1.5 hours before meals 3 times a day for 1-2 months.
Important! In the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract must comply with their respective diet.
Application in home cosmetology
Bee glue, due to the complex of useful substances included in its composition, has gained wide popularity in home cosmetology. It is used to make creams, lotions, cleansers, masks for hair and face. It has a rejuvenating, cleansing, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect.
Rokambol, safflower, marigold, walnut, hops, turmeric, tomato, evening primrose and melon are very useful for the skin.
For skin
This product of beekeeping is well suited for all skin types, especially oily, as it helps to fight acne and improves the complexion. This tool well smoothes wrinkles and nourishes the skin. 
Acne and Acne
Thanks to amino acids (cinnamon, benzoic, coffee and others) that make up propolis, cosmetics with its content have an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect, which helps to eliminate excess greasiness of skin, acne and acne.
It will be interesting to learn about such types of honey as: honey comb, acacia honey, buckwheat honey, chestnut honey, linden honey, rapeseed honey and may honey.At home, you can easily and quickly prepare a face mask against acne and acne: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of mud diluted with water, add 1 tbsp. a spoonful of honey, half a teaspoon of pharmacy propolis tincture, 1-2 drops of tea tree and rosemary essential oil, and then rub the mixture well until smooth. We distribute the mask on the skin of the face, bypassing the area around the eyes and lips. After 20 minutes, wash the mask with warm water.
From wrinkles
For smoothing even deep facial wrinkles and age wrinkles, such a mask would be perfect: beforehand we melt 1 tbsp in a water bath. spoon of honey, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil, half a teaspoon of propolis tincture. All carefully fray and apply on face. After 20 minutes wash off with warm water. 
Moisturizing mask
To moisturize, you can prepare a mask that is suitable for all skin types, especially dry: 1 tbsp. a spoon of white clay, 5 drops of essential oil of Hypericum, half a teaspoon of bee glue, 2 tbsp. spoons of yogurt in pure form and without preservatives - all mixed. Apply to face skin for 20 minutes and then rinse. This mask perfectly moisturizes and eliminates peeling of the skin.
It is interesting to read about the role of the drone in the bee family.
Nourishing mask
At home, you can quickly make such a nutritional mask: steam 20 grams of cottage cheese with hot milk and grind to obtain a homogeneous mass, add 1 gram of propolis, 20 drops of rice oil, and then mix everything. Apply to clean skin of the face and neck. Wash off with warm water after 30 minutes. 
Cleansing mask
Для глубокого очищения кожи лица рекомендуют следующую маску: 25 капель аптечной настойки, 10 граммов соды, 5 граммов морской соли смешивают, а затем аккуратно наносят на чистую влажную кожу лица, минуя область глаз и губ. Через 5-7 минут смывают тёплой водой. Данную маску рекомендуют делать примерно один раз в месяц.
Did you know? In Europe, beekeeping spread with the advent of Christianity, because during the religious ceremonies used a large number of candles, and they needed wax. Moreover, it required so much that the Roman Church even granted absolution in exchange for this product.
For hair
Bee glue is an excellent tool for strengthening hair. This tool eliminates excess fat, fights loss, fights dandruff well, promotes faster hair growth, gives it shine and smoothness. For cosmetic purposes, hair is usually used alcohol tincture, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. 
Anti-dandruff
To forget about such troubles as dandruff, recommend the following recipe: one teaspoon of alcoholic propolis tincture is mixed with two teaspoons of burdock oil and heated in a microwave to a warm condition. This mixture is distributed through the hair and scalp. After 15 minutes, wash your hair with shampoo.
Against greasy hair
For oily hair, it is recommended to wipe the scalp with a swab dipped in propolis tincture. This procedure is carried out within one month. If necessary, it can be repeated in 2-3 weeks. 
For shine and density of hair
For shine and density of hair, the following mask is recommended: carefully rub one tablespoon of pharmaceutical tincture, one tablespoon of burdock oil, one tablespoon of brandy, one yolk to a smooth mass. This mixture is distributed along the length of the hair, not forgetting the roots. Then they put a cellophane cap on their heads and warm them with a towel. After 40 minutes, wash off with shampoo.
Buying quality propolis
When buying propolis, you must definitely pay for the degree of its softness. A softer and more liquid bee glue also has higher quality indicators, since it is collected close to honeycombs. It consists of 70% resin of the buds of trees and secretions that the glands of bees secrete, therefore they contain less impurities and wax, unlike the more solid propolis in structure. 
The taste of the product is bitter and slightly hot. Holding it in your mouth for a bit, you can feel a slight numbness. If you place the propolis in a container with water, then a high-quality soft product will sink to the bottom, and a solid, lower quality will pop up. Propolis is brown, red, gray and greenish. By smell, it is tarry and resembles the scent of buds of poplar, honey and wax.
Storage rules
Propolis does not lose its healing properties for 5-7 years. And with good storage conditions, it saves them up to ten years. This product is harvested during the summer, when the bee's pollen collection activity for honey is most active. Propolis is carefully removed from the frame, and then for further storage is formed into small-sized briquettes, wrapped in foil and plastic bags.
Check the honey for naturalness and melt it.It is important that this beekeeping product is not exposed to sunlight, as well as air. For this purpose, it is recommended to form small briquettes for ease of use so as not to draw out propolis piece by piece from the package many times. This briquette should be enough for no more than three times of use. Then packs with propolis are placed in a wooden box or glass container.
Dark glassware is good for this purpose. Store further need in a dry dark place. Room temperature should not exceed +23 ° С. The storage place must be clean so that dust, dirt and other substances cannot get into the briquettes with propolis. Improper storage leads to a decrease in its beneficial properties.Important! It is forbidden to store bee glue in the refrigerator. The cold has a negative effect on the product, it freezes and starts to crumble. In addition, excess moisture in the refrigerator and the smell of food helps to reduce its beneficial qualities.Do not store near strong chemicals (detergents, washing powder, poison for insects and other pests). It also reduces the quality of the product. Best suited for storage pantry or closet.
Read also the benefits of beeswax, bee pollen, zabrus and bee venom.
Is it possible
There are conditions in which the admission of such a means is undesirable, or it is recommended to be especially careful when taking it.
During pregnancy
For pregnant women, propolis is well suited not in pure form, but in the form of drugs and products with the presence of propolis. For example, propolis milk has a calming effect and strengthens the body. Such a tool well enhances the immunity of the future mother, helps in the treatment of viral and colds (which is important given the fact that many drugs are prohibited for women in the position). 
Propolis, like any product, can cause intolerance and allergic reactions on an individual basis, so expectant mothers should be treated with this drug with extreme caution.
Important! It is not recommended to take this remedy in the last months of pregnancy, since an already well-formed fetus may have allergic reactions to it, even if the expectant mother does not have them.To avoid possible trouble, a pregnant woman must necessarily seek advice from your doctor about the use of propolis and the recommended doses.
With HB
When breastfeeding is not recommended to take propolis in food - it can provoke an allergy in the baby. But it is not forbidden to apply it externally in the form of ointments or candles. 
With asthma
Some traditional asthma treatments suggest the use of propolis. If this disease does not have allergic manifestations and the bee glue allergy test is successfully passed, then you can try to cure it with the help of this beekeeping product. Especially if asthma is caused by complications after an infection. But such treatment should be carried out under medical supervision. Indeed, in the event of a complication, urgent medical care will be necessary.
We advise you to read about the beneficial properties of different types of honey: hawthorn, clover, white, espartsetovy, phacelia, coriander, boiling, and acacia.
Contraindications
The main contraindication to the use of this drug is individual intolerance to bee products. Care should be taken to receive propolis in the following cases:
- with kidney stones;
- with exacerbation of liver disease;
- with pancreatitis;
- with diabetes.
