Description.
Propolis, or as it is also called, bee glue is a resinous sticky substance formed in the body of a bee during the processing of sticky substances that it collects in the spring from unblown kidneys of trees. Enzymes act on this substance, and as a result, a product unique in its properties, which has found wide application in medicine, is obtained. Bees, in turn, propolis fill up the cracks in the hives, due to which a special microclimate is created. Useful essential oils, which are part of propolis, create a protective barrier to the inhabitants of the hive from harmful and pathogenic organisms.
The value of propolis depends on the location in which the hives are located. If a lot of trees grow near the hives, then propolis will be much more useful due to the high content of plant substances. If beehives are located in the city, bees as a starting material for propolis will collect oil paint, industrial resin and so on. Accordingly, such a propolis can not be useful.
The propolis is collected by scraping it from the walls of the hive. One hive can give no less than 100 grams of this substance.
Propolis has the appearance of a thick sticky mass with a greenish-yellow color and a very burning taste, which becomes thick after time passes. The medicinal properties of propolis are very durable and persist even when heat treated. Propolis readily dissolves in hot alcohol, and after a certain treatment - in plain water or oil, both in plant and animal.
Chemical composition.
Propolis has the following composition:
- wax, essential oils, resins - are distinguished by antimicrobial, antiviral and wound-healing properties;
- hydrocarbons extracted from resinous trees and certain plants, which are an integral part of essential oils, have excellent antifungal properties;
- flavonoids - biological assets also possess wound healing and antimicrobial action;
- organic acids (benzoic, cinnamon, etc.) - they also kill bacteria and can reduce pain;
- tannins - responsible for astringent taste and have anti-inflammatory effect, promote tissue regeneration;
- amino acids (tryptophan, leucine, methionine, cystine, histidine, lylysine, arginine, tyrosine, alanine and others) - are the main element in the process of building animals and vegetable proteins;
- vitamins A, E and group B promote the activation of metabolic processes in the human body;
- minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, zinc, iron, manganese, cobalt, copper, silicon, selenium, fluorine and others) - replenish the composition in human cells.
Properties of propolis.
Propolis is famous for its many useful properties. It kills viruses, fungi, bacteria, has wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, analgesic and antioxidant properties, strengthens the cartilaginous tissue of the joints and the walls of the blood vessels.
A negative indicator of propolis can be called that it contains substances that can sensitize the body or, in other words, increase irritability of the organism to foreign substances, causing allergic diseases. In addition, it contains irritants, which can cause on the mucous membranes and skin the appearance of various eruptions.
Application of propolis in medicine.
Propolis treatment is used in apitherapy, that is, treatment with bees and beekeeping products. It is prescribed for oral administration for stomach diseases, cardiovascular diseases, for example, after myocardial infarction - it helps with resorption of scars in the area of the heart muscle, to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, to stabilize blood coagulability, which is observed with thrombophlebitis and varicose veins .
Extremely propolis excellently helps in the treatment of skin diseases, such as psoriasis, eczema, etc., wounds, in particular, purulent, frostbite and burns. Propolis rinse the mouth with inflammation of the tissues near the teeth, instill in the ear canals with otitis, in the form of an aqueous solution, wash the conjunctiva of the eyes with purulent stasis and burns. With cataract disease, propolis helps restore the normal transparency of the lens.
Recipes for the preparation of propolis.
Propolis is prepared in the form of aqueous, oily and alcoholic solutions.
- Propolis in the form of an alcohol solution:
2 tablespoons propolis (if it is hard, then break it with a hammer, after wrapping it in a napkin) and pour in vodka in the amount of 10 tablespoons. After insisting in a dark place for 10 days, then strain and take 15 drops per quarter of a glass of milk twice a day for colds. You can gargle with tonsillitis, but instead of milk, water is added.
- Propolis in the form of an oily solution:
a teaspoon of ground propolis is dissolved in 100 ml of vegetable oil, after it is heated in a water bath for half an hour, filtered and applied externally.
Propolis is a unique natural substance with excellent medicinal properties. Nevertheless, it is recommended to use it for medical purposes.