Along with honey, propolis is considered one of the most valuable beekeeping products. It happens that traditional medicines are unable to cope with the disease, and then traditional medicine comes to the rescue. Propolis and oils based on it have unique properties, the mechanism of action of which has not yet been fully studied, but, nevertheless, from time immemorial to this day has been giving a positive effect in the treatment of various diseases.

Propolis oil: medicinal properties

Since ancient times, propolis, or bee glue, was prepared and used in the form of oil extracts - because in this form it contains flavonoids that positively affect the immune system and have healing properties:

• anti-inflammatory;
• bactericidal;
• antifungal;
• antiviral;
• antiseptic;
• painkillers;
• wound healing;
• regenerative.

A rather impressive list of healing properties is complemented by the widespread use of propolis oils in cosmetology, gynecology, dentistry, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, etc. Moreover, not so long ago, medical scientists discovered the antioxidant properties of flavonoids, which means that propolis helps strengthen protection organism from external adverse effects. The pharmacological effects of the natural remedy are very diverse, and its use is not limited to external use.

Did you know? The first propolis as a remedy began to be used by the ancient Egyptians, both for treatment and for mummification. Later, ancient Greeks and Romans adopted healing recipes. In Russia, its properties were described in ancient medical books, where it was recommended to use bee glue for colds, skin diseases, muscle and joint pains.

Base Options

There can be many options for the basis of a propolis drug - almost any of the existing vegetable oils and animal fats.

Before preparing such an oil, it is important to properly clean the bee glue for further processing:

1. Chill propolis before processing in the refrigerator for about 9-10 hours. This is done so that later it is easier to grind.
2. Grind the substance to a powdery state using a grater or grind it in a mortar - best of all in a plastic or wooden container.
3. Pour the obtained powder with water and let stand for several hours. Those components that have surfaced - drain. This is the cleaning process.
4. Separate the precipitate and dry it. Once again, you should get a powder already cleared of unnecessary impurities.

Video: How to clean bee propolis from impurities

Butter

Quite popular is butter-based propolis oil. It is taken orally for the treatment of diseases of the throat, tonsillitis, bronchitis, problems with the gastrointestinal tract. The tool has a softening effect on dry cough, helps to eliminate sputum, will also help restore the balance of probiotics and strengthen the immune system.

Sea buckthorn

This miracle cure is allowed to be used both internally and externally. A mixture of crushed propolis and sea buckthorn oil for internal use helps with stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, improves digestion, inhibits the development of inflammation in the digestive tract, and even helps restore damaged liver cells. Also, this combination is used in gynecology and proctology for the treatment of erosive and inflammatory processes.

For external use, the oil has a regenerating effect in case of traumatic and fungal skin lesions, acts as an antiseptic and anesthetic. Propolis oil based on sea buckthorn can be prepared at home or purchased at a traditional medicine pharmacy. The beneficial effect, indications and contraindications, as well as methods of use are usually indicated on the packaging of the product.

Olive

Propolis in olive oil is recommended for use in chronic and viral diseases of the respiratory system, diseases of the stomach and duodenum, to prevent cancer. For external use, it helps to heal wounds and skin lesions. Also aching joints and muscles are rubbed with this mixture.

Vegetable

The most budgetary mixture that can be prepared at home is propolis in vegetable (usually sunflower) oil. If, using a cotton swab, apply it to the nasal mucosa, then rhinitis and sinusitis will begin to recede. With skin diseases, it is smeared on the affected areas. It also strengthens weak brittle nails. DFor internal use, such a mixture is not suitable.

To prepare, take 10 g of peeled bee glue, add it to sunflower oil heated to 70 ° C (40 g), mix well. Maintain this temperature for 1 hour and weld the components, stirring constantly. Then put the solution to stand for several hours, and then pass through cheesecloth to cleanse, if necessary.

Burdock

The easiest way is to buy the finished mixture at the pharmacy. But for those who want to prepare the medicine themselves, there is such a recipe for a medical hair mask:

1. Prepare 1 part chopped propolis in a proportion of 10 parts burdock base. This ratio will give a balanced consistency of the product: not thick and not too liquid.
2. Dilute the ingredients in an enamel bowl and heat to 60–70 ° C, thus melting the mixture.
3. Simmer the mixture over low heat under the lid for half an hour, not forgetting to stir.
4. If necessary, filter the finished product through cheesecloth.

Burdock oil with propolis is most often used to treat scalp, strengthen and restore hair, and get rid of dandruff. Rub such oil into the scalp for 15 minutes every day - and after a few weeks the result will surprise and delight you. It is necessary to distinguish the basis for the manufacture of propolis oil for use inside or outside: if you intend to take it, for example, with a stomach ulcer, then the base should be edible. Burdock oil, for example, in this case will not work because of its non-food basis.

Video: How to make propolis oil

How to soften propolis

We have already told you how to clean propolis before use, and have provided some recipes for a healthy mixture. It is worth noting that for the preparation of propolis oil there are general basic principles, regardless of the base you use:

1. On average, the concentration of the active therapeutic substance, which then dissolves in the oil base, is 10%.
2. In general, in order to properly soften a component, take purified propolis, place in an enamel container and bring to a thick condition molasses in a water bath.
3. Add base oil to the container without removing from the water bath. If the base is solid, it is pre-melted.
4. Constantly stirring, warm the mass in a water bath for 30 minutes, do not bring to a boil.
5. Pass the hot mixture through cheesecloth.
6. Wait for the mass to cool and pour into a container with a sealed lid. It is best to store the finished oil in the refrigerator.

Did you know? If you add another beekeeping product to this mixture — honey, the therapeutic effect for colds will increase significantly. For a more interesting taste, try adding a few granules of instant coffee.

How to cook propolis with butter at home

As a raw material for the healing mixture, butter is a very affordable tool that is found in almost every refrigerator. According to the basic recipe, the concentration of propolis should be 10%. Therefore, if you take 90 g of butter, then bee glue will need, respectively, 10 g.

Further cooking instructions:

1. Mix the cleaned shredded propolis with the cream base in an enameled bowl until a homogeneous mass is obtained.
2. Place the dishes on a fire and heat to 80 ° C. The mixture must not be allowed to boil, because at a temperature of 100 ° C the beneficial properties of propolis are destroyed.
3. Within 20-30 minutes stir the melted butter and bee product mixture over low heat.
4. Remove, filter through 2-3 layers of gauze, then cool and place in the refrigerator.

Propolis in Olive Oil

The combination of propolis and olive oil is also one of the most common for self-cooking.

It is worth noting that there is a slight difference in the number of ingredients for internal and external use. If you intend to take the drug inside, make it more liquid (for example, 20 g of propolis per 80 g of olive oil). For external use, it is desirable to increase the amount of bee glue - for example, mix the ingredients in a ratio of 1 to 4.

The method of preparation remains unchanged:

• elements to be placed in enameled dishes;
• dissolve propolis in an oil base, mix well;
• bring to a heating temperature of 70–80 ° C;
• stir constantly for up to 30 minutes on low heat;
• after cooking, clean through cheesecloth.

Video: How to make propolis based on olive oil

Application

Many people choose the independent manufacture of propolis oil as an alternative to pharmacy drugs. This is due to a relatively small list of contraindications, ease of preparation, lack of addiction and intoxication effects on the body, versatility of use in various diseases.

Before using propolis oil, make sure that you are not allergic to this drug. Carry out a simple test: put a drop of the product on your wrist and watch the skin for 10 minutes. A reaction in the form of redness and itching indicates the inadmissibility of using the product for you. We will dwell in more detail on the methods of using propolis oil in traditional medicine and cosmetology.

In folk medicine

Internal use of natural propolis oil:

1. Positive effect on ENT organs, relieves cough. In this case, you can take it simultaneously with milk. After that, the cough becomes not so dry, sputum discharge is facilitated, and if you drink this medicine in the evening, then you will fall asleep quickly and have a good sleep.
2. Regular use of bee medication will help restore the body's defenses with increased physical and emotional stress.
3. Increases the body's resistance to viral, bacterial, infectious diseases.
4. The tool helps fight such troubles as parasites and helminths.

• External use of the mixture will help in such cases:
• regeneration of hard-healing wounds on the skin, burns and frostbite, cuts, etc.
• rapid reduction of scars on the skin;
• decrease in pain sensitivity;
• overcoming hearing problems (apply to the external auditory canal);
• treatment of stomatitis, gum disease;
• relief of hemorrhoids symptoms;
• relieving pain in joints, muscles, bones;
• the fight against fungal diseases of the legs, etc.

In cosmetology

In modern cosmetology, propolis is used mainly by extraction with various oils, with honey. Alcohol-based products are also found. The most popular stems are coconut, peach, apricot, olive, castor, burdock, and cocoa butter.

As therapeutic hair masks, such combinations are indicated for different types of skin - normal, oily and combination. Apply the product along the entire length of the hair, then wrap it with a towel and leave for half an hour. Rinse hair thoroughly after the procedure.

For skin care of the face and body, it is useful to have a jar of propolis ointment in your arsenal of beauty. It helps fight age-related skin changes, heals irritations after shaving, hair removal, maintains skin tone in the neckline, abdomen, arms, hips, prevents stretch marks (striae), and softens rough heels. With regular and proper use, such a tool restores the structure and water balance of the skin.

Video: How to make propolis ointment for the face

Admission Rules

External use depends on the goals you want to achieve and the nature of the disease. For example, to get rid of a runny nose, with diseases of the throat, skin lesions, diseases of the oral cavity, to strengthen nails, relieve pain, it is necessary to apply the drug 3-4 times a day until the symptoms are completely relieved. If to treat a fungus on the legs, corns, cracks in the heels - the oil is used 2-3 times a week for 1 or 2 months.

With internal use for the treatment of colds, diseases of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract, with a predisposition to oncology, with tuberculosis, etc., a mixture should be taken according to this scheme: 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times a day 1 hour before meals until recovery. If the concentration of propolis in oil exceeds 30%, then the dosage is recommended to be reduced to 1 or 0.5 teaspoon.

Contraindications

In addition to individual adverse reactions to this product (allergies, redness, itching, rash on the skin), it should be borne in mind that with liver diseases, propolis oil is contraindicated. Women should be careful to take this medicine during pregnancy and lactation - a mandatory consultation with a doctor is necessary before starting use.A rather extensive list of the beneficial properties of propolis oil, of course, does not make it a panacea for all diseases. Remember that you cannot self-medicate, and if in doubt, ask questions to your doctor.