Alcohol tincture of propolis is one of the most popular pharmaceutical products used in the treatment of internal and external diseases by our ancestors. What is propolis, what are its medicinal properties, what is its healing power and how can you use an alcohol extract from it? You will find the answer to all these questions in the material I collected.

What is propolis?

The plant raw materials for the production of propolis by bees are sticky compounds collected by insects from the opening buds of poplar, birch, alder and some other trees. These substances undergo modification in the process of secretion of specific enzymes by bees, turning into a resinous soft substance from green-brown and yellow to light and dark brown. When cooled and stored, the composition hardens, resembling a piece of resin.

Insects use bee glue or propolis to disinfect the honeycomb cells before queen bees settle in them, and also cover up cracks in the hives, creating a special microclimate in them and regulating the permeability of the entrance. Already based on this information, one can imagine how effective propolis compounds are in destroying bacteria, microbes and other pathogenic microorganisms.

Beekeeping products are collected by beekeepers using special grids or by scraping them from the walls of the hives. During a season, you can get up to 0.15 kg of propolis from one “bee house”. The most popular remedy is in apitherapy - a branch of medicine that uses waste products of bees for treatment (honey, drone and royal jelly, wax, bee bread, pollen and, of course, propolis).

Even with prolonged heat treatment, the substance retains all its properties. In folk medicine, there are treatment methods with aqueous and oil solutions, and the substance is also used in its pure form for application to the gums in the form of plates and cakes. The resinous mass dissolves in hot alcohol, and pharmacists use this feature to create a valuable medicine - propolis tincture. Its medicinal properties and contraindications are described in the instructions for use, but I will also describe traditional methods of use.

Medicinal properties and composition of propolis

This tincture can be bought at a pharmacy

Numerous studies of propolis indicating its antiseptic, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, antispasmodic, anesthetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, sanitizing, antitoxic, antifungal, immunomodulatory, antibacterial and antioxidant effects have been documented and confirmed by scientists around the world.

Alcohol tincture of propolis contains all the biologically active compounds included in the beekeeping product (there are more than 200 of them), including:

• 26 amino acids, many of which belong to the group of essential ones;
• 5 types of flavonoids;
• many enzymes;
• fatty acid;
• natural antibiotics;
• vitamins;
• minerals;
• polyphenols;
• enzymes;
• aldehydes;
• essential oils;
• pinocembrin (a substance with a pronounced antifungal effect).

Some components have not yet been studied. Every year, scientists find new compounds in the unique beekeeping product. Due to its natural origin, propolis as a medicinal product is much safer than synthesized medications, and is also effective against infectious agents.

Propolis tincture is used in the treatment of the following pathological conditions:

1. Gastrointestinal diseases (peptic ulcer, gastritis, hepatitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis);
2. Diseases of the ear, nose and throat (sore throat, rhinitis, otitis media);
3. Dental diseases (periodontitis, pulpitis, stomatitis, gingivitis);
4. Respiratory diseases (bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, cough);
5. Skin diseases (diaper rash, bedsores, abrasions, cuts, bruises, hematomas, fistulas, boils, ulcers);
6. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system (fractures, dislocations, other injuries);
7. Decreased immunity;
8. Diseases of the endocrine system (painful menstruation, PMS, menopause);
9. Diseases of the cardiovascular system (circulatory disorders, varicose veins);
10. Diseases caused by fungi (candidiasis, onychomycosis, mycosis).

Recipe for propolis tincture at home

photo of propolis

Despite the availability of alcoholic extracts from beekeeping products on the market, many readers are interested in how to make propolis tincture themselves. To make it, you will need frozen propolis, kept in the refrigerator for some time, and medical alcohol (70%) in a ratio of 1:10.

The resinous solid mass is grated, poured with cold water, the floating fractions are removed, the liquid is decanted, the powder is dried and alcohol is poured into it. You can also use strong moonshine infused with medicinal plants. This product has an even wider range of therapeutic effects.

Infuse propolis in a place without access to sunlight, in a tightly sealed dark glass container, for 14 days, lightly shaking the liquid with sediment twice a day. The resulting alcohol extract is suitable for obtaining an aqueous solution of propolis, the concentration of which is made depending on the medicinal purposes.

Use of tincture for medicinal purposes

No less relevant is the practical question: how to take propolis tincture? Here are tips from experienced apitherapists on using the universal remedy topically and internally.

Pharmacy instructions for using propolis tincture state that to increase immunity and prevent ARVI, especially in the winter and spring, you should add 30 drops of the product to tea once a day.

Propolis tincture is taken orally to heal the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract: 60 drops diluted in 1/3 cup of boiled or drinking water. Take twice a day before meals.

For liver diseases, apitherapists advise taking tea for a week with the addition of 20 drops of tincture twice a day. After a month's break, the course is repeated.

Abrasions, cuts, minor skin lesions and microtraumas are treated with pure tincture 1 to 3 times a day. The course of treatment ranges from 2 to 12 sessions.

In case of poisoning, before seeking medical help, you can eliminate vomiting and nausea by drinking ½ glass of water with 25 drops of tincture. The same solution helps with hangover syndrome.

Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is treated by applying a cotton ball soaked in pure tincture to the affected plates every evening before bed (for the whole night).

Otitis and inflammation of the ear are treated by placing turundas soaked in tincture in each ear canal for 20 minutes after clearing the cavities of pus. Instilling 2 drops into each passage after removing the gauze flagella also helps.

To treat lesions of the oral mucosa (ulcers, cracks, erosions due to stomatitis, gingivitis, halitosis), rinse with a solution. Take a tablespoon of tincture per 100 ml of water. The procedures are carried out 3-4 times a day for 3-4 days.

For a sore throat, a warm decoction of chamomile, sage and St. John's wort will help (steam a tablespoon of the mixture with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 30 minutes, strain) with the addition of 30 drops of propolis tincture. They gargle 6 times a day until the pain symptoms disappear.

You can get rid of the symptoms accompanying it by taking ¼ glass of water with 20 drops of alcohol tincture once a day.

Propolis tincture with milk helps against gastroenterological, colds, and gynecological diseases. Add 20 drops of the product to half a glass of hot whole milk. Taking the medicine in the evening not only relieves cold symptoms and pathologies of the bronchopulmonary system, but also normalizes sleep, strengthens the nervous system, and has a calming effect. The course of treatment is no more than 10 days.

Contraindications

Like any alcohol-based products, propolis tincture is contraindicated for oral use in children under 12 years of age.

If you are allergic to bee products, treatment with this remedy should be avoided.

It is not advisable to take the drug during pregnancy and the lactation period.

Do not exceed the dosage recommended by the instructions or doctors, since excessive intake of propolis into the body can provoke surges in blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, decline or, conversely, an uncontrolled surge of energy, drowsiness, nausea and other undesirable effects.

How do you use a universal beekeeping product infused with alcohol? Share your invaluable experience in using propolis tincture in the comments. Good health to you!

Propolis is considered a truly unique beekeeping product; only it has the ability to retain all available beneficial substances after heat treatment in the form of boiling.

In a bee hive, propolis acts as a protective shell. It has a similar effect on the human body.

Oddly enough, but scientists today do not have a complete understanding of the composition of propolis.

What is known is that this amazing beekeeping product includes:

Since ancient times, the beneficial properties of propolis have been used by humans as a treatment for various diseases.

And alcohol tincture is the most common remedy that is popular due to the combination of ease of preparation and high effectiveness in combating many health problems.

How to cook at home

Propolis tincture can be bought at a pharmacy, or you can prepare it yourself, especially since the recipe is simple. Propolis, as a result of a natural chemical reaction, easily dissolves in alcohol.

Alcohol tincture recipe

You will need propolis and medical alcohol.

• The ratio of ingredients is 1 to 10.
• For 100 grams of propolis you need to take 1 liter of alcohol.

In order for propolis to combine with alcohol without any residue, it must be crushed to the state of small shavings or crumbs.

To do this, you can put it in the freezer for 8-12 hours, then grate it on a fine grater. You can also grind propolis using a mortar.

In this case, it is advisable to use a ceramic or glass mortar.

Crushed propolis is poured into a dark glass bottle, then filled with alcohol.

A tightly closed bottle is placed in a dark place for a period of 10 days. The bottle should be shaken well every day.

If the tincture is stored in a cool, dark place as much as possible, it will retain all its medicinal properties for three years.

What alcohol to use - 70 or 96%

It is believed that to prepare tinctures that will subsequently be taken orally, it is better to use medical alcohol with a strength of 70 degrees.

Pure, 96 percent alcohol is best used for external use as an antiseptic or all kinds of therapeutic rubbing.

Some sources say that propolis tincture can be made with vodka or wine alcohol.

But in the classic recipe for a tincture, which will retain its beneficial properties for several years, it is 70-degree alcohol that is used.

What can be treated

Due to the large amount of healing substances and oils in propolis, the tincture is widely used as a remedy that can cure or significantly alleviate the course of many diseases.

Internal use of propolis tincture is indicated for diseases such as:

ARI, ARVI, flu, colds, sore throats, including purulent ones. The tincture is added to warm tea (30 drops), which should be drunk every morning. Already, after a couple of days, the positive effect of such treatment will be noticed.

Stomach ulcer, gastritis, duodenitis.
For these conditions, propolis tincture is added to warm boiled milk (25 drops per half glass of milk).
Taken twice a day before meals.

In all cases, external use is carried out by wiping the skin with a cotton swab dipped in propolis tincture.

Gargling and mouthwash with propolis tincture are also found effective for:

• stomatitis,
• gingivitis,
• tonsillitis.
• tonsillitis.

Who is contraindicated for

Absolute contraindications include:

• A person has allergic reactions to any bee products.
• Pregnancy period.
• Breastfeeding period.
• Children under three years of age.

Separately, it is necessary to say about the use of tincture in childhood. Alcohol tinctures are generally never prescribed to children under 12 years of age.

Conclusion

Propolis is considered a strong allergen, so children under three years of age should not use the tincture as an external remedy. After three, use with caution, carefully observing the body’s reaction.

If necessary, the alcohol tincture is replaced with an aqueous extract.

Instructions for preparing propolis tincture with alcohol are clearly shown in the video.

Propolis is a beekeeping product made from various natural components, containing more than 15 groups of organic compounds. For treatment, various products obtained from it are used, including propolis tincture, which has a therapeutic effect for various pathologies.

Composition and action

The composition of the medicine includes:

• aldehydes;
• amino acids;
• aromatic acids;
• enzymes and other proteins;
• polyphenols;
• steroids;
• flavonoids;
• B vitamins;
• essential components;
• trace elements and other compounds.

Made with alcohol. Ethanol concentration - 80%.

Thanks to this composition, propolis has the following effects on the body:

• antibacterial;
• antitoxic;
• antioxidant;
• dermoplastic;
• immunomodulatory;
• anti-inflammatory;
• vasoconstrictor.

Medicinal properties and benefits

The tincture is used in the treatment of diseases caused by:

• biological factors - destroys pathogenic microorganisms;
• vitamin deficiency;
• sociological factors: drug addiction, chronic fatigue, alcoholism - removes toxins and enriches the body with mineral elements and vitamins;
• chemical factors - promotes the removal of toxins formed during poisoning with pesticides;
• physical factors - in case of burns and injuries, it removes infection and the inflammatory process, promotes regeneration.

Propolis contains a number of valuable compounds:

• tannins;
• wax;
• resins;
• essential oil;
• flavonoids (rhamnocentrin, rhamnazin, isorhamnetin, acacetin, kaempferol), which have antimicrobial and wound-healing effects;
• terpene acids with antimycotic effects.

When using the medicinal product in an inhalation nebulizer, it helps eliminate irritating dry cough. An aqueous solution of propolis is mainly used. Carry out for bronchitis, bronchial asthma, sinusitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

Application of propolis

treatment with propolis

Propolis. How to prepare and use.

Tincture against hair loss - Everything will be fine - Issue 38 - 09/04/2012 - Everything will be fine

What does it help with?

The tincture is used for the following diseases, except those listed earlier:

• pharyngitis;
• otitis;
• superficial damage to mucous membranes and skin diseases;
• tonsillitis;
• prostatitis;
• pain in the stomach and intestines;
• nail fungus;
• sore throat;
• ARVI;
• pancreatitis and other diseases of the pancreas;
• gastritis caused by the Helicobacter bacterium, other gastrointestinal diseases;
• hypertension;
• uterine fibroids;
• thrush;
• microtraumas.

For prostatitis, you can use dead bees containing the bodies of dead bees. They contain a large amount of chitin, poison - a source of vitamins and amino acids, fat. Chitin has regenerating and anti-inflammatory effects.

The drug is also used:

• for weight loss;
• with high cholesterol;
• to improve immunity;
• to improve potency.

The product is also used for dental problems:

• flux;
• gum pathologies: stomatitis, periodontal disease.

The medicinal product is used at home for hair:

• strengthening the hair follicle;
• anti-dandruff;
• for preparing masks that prevent hair loss.

Externally used in the following cases:

• after burns;
• for psoriasis;
• for hemorrhoids;
• presence of bedsores;
• from fistulas;
• for treating wounds;
• from eczema;
• from bone calluses;
• with atherosclerosis;
• against acne.

How to make propolis tincture?

The medicine is prepared on a water or alcohol basis. The first retains more amino acids and vitamins. Most methods of folk treatment involve making your own tincture. With any method, propolis is purchased and placed in the refrigerator before preparation.

Water infusion

The propolis ball has a small contact area with water, so it is crushed to a fine-grained fraction and frozen in the refrigerator for 1 hour, after which it is ground on a grater, turning it into dust.

If you purchase crushed propolis, then it is placed in the freezer, after which it is ground to a powder with a mortar or rolling pin.

To clean it from foreign impurities, pour it with water, place it in a dark place for 1 hour, after which it is mixed or shaken. The floating particles are discarded. The sediment that has settled to the bottom is high-quality propolis. The water is drained and the powder is dried.

To prepare a high-quality infusion, it is better to infuse water in the freezer in 2 stages:

1. The container with the liquid is placed in the freezer for 5-6 hours to get rid of the deuterium found in the average sample of tap water. After this period, the formed ice is thrown away.
2. Freeze the remaining portion for 10-12 hours. The water becomes ice, the salt solution remains in a liquid state. The last fraction is removed, the ice is melted, and the resulting water is used for tincture.

It is done in 2 ways:

• hood in a thermos;
• by keeping in a water bath for several hours without bringing to a boil.

Alcohol tincture

To prepare, you will need 40 g of propolis, 150 ml of medical alcohol and a dark container. The initial steps before the propolis settles and the water is drained are the same as when preparing a water infusion.

Further steps:

• after drying the raw material, fill it with alcohol and leave in the prepared container for 2 weeks;
• shake it every day;
• filter and pour into a dark bowl.

By observing the proportions, you can prepare a larger volume of tincture.

An alcohol tincture is also prepared with vodka. For this:

• take 80 g of propolis;
• place it in an opaque dark container;
• pour 0.5 liters of high quality vodka into it (moonshine cannot be used);
• place the container in a dark room;
• Shake the contents periodically.

It must be kept for at least 2 weeks. Used primarily by adults.

Vodka tinctures of calamus and propolis are used for dental treatment. The latter is prepared by adding 10-20 g of propolis to 0.5 liters of vodka and infusing for 1 week. The first one is infused for the same period, for the preparation of which 0.5 cups of plant roots and a half-liter bottle of vodka are used. 1 tbsp. This tincture is mixed with 1 tsp. propolisnaya, after which they rinse the teeth for 2-3 minutes.

Is it possible to take the tincture for hemorrhoids?

Bee glue tincture can be used as an external or internal remedy for hemorrhoids.

Chronic

In the chronic form of the disease, the tincture is taken orally, added to decoctions of medicinal herbs or tea.

During exacerbation

In addition to internal use, the tincture is added to medicinal baths to relieve burning and itching, and compresses are used. If hemorrhoids are present, a cotton swab soaked in a water infusion is inserted into the anus.

How to take propolis tincture for hemorrhoids?

Inside

Alcohol tincture is consumed 3 times a day on an empty stomach 1 hour before meals. 1 tsp diluted in boiled water.

The water infusion is diluted in a glass of tea or clean water and consumed 50 drops.

External use

The medicinal infusion is used in sitz baths, for rubbing and compresses.

The alcohol tincture is used as a smoke bath, dripping a few drops onto a hot brick placed at the bottom of a bucket, on which they sit and wrap themselves to prevent the escape of vapors.

Tampons are treated in a water infusion and applied to the location of the cones, changing several times a day. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks.

Contraindications to the use of propolis tincture

It should not be used by people suffering from eczema and hypersensitivity to propolis or alcohol.

Use as a medicinal product for no more than 1 month.

The alcohol tincture must be diluted with water or milk before use. When used without dilution, propolis is quickly absorbed from the stomach into the blood, where alcohol is replaced by water, and propolis forms a resinous emulsion, clogging small capillaries, which can cause microinfarctions, necrosis of internal tissues, and microthrombosis.

Side effects of propolis tincture

When using the product, allergic reactions may occur, manifested by:

• redness of the epidermis;
• itching;
• rash;
• short-term burning sensation when applied topically.

Overdose

Information about overdose is unknown.

special instructions

There is no reliable information about the effect of the drug on the ability to concentrate attention and the speed of psychomotor reactions. If allergic reactions develop, discontinue use.

During pregnancy and lactation

Special studies on the effect of tincture on the development of the fetus and newborn have not been conducted. Use is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Use in childhood

Alcohol tincture is used for external use as prescribed by a doctor. The dosage of propolis orally is calculated taking into account the patient’s age, i.e. 1 drop corresponds to 1 year of a child’s life.

Drug interactions

It is not advisable to combine it with other beekeeping products and antiseptics. There are no complete data on interactions with other drugs.

Analogs

Preparations containing bee glue:

• Propoceum;
• Propoline;
• Ambassador;
• Apropol;
• Propomizol;
• Propolis extract is thick;
• Propolis is a phenolic hydrophobic drug;
• Propolis milk.

Terms and conditions of storage

The product is stored in a dark, dry, cool place out of the reach of children. Pharmacy alcohol tinctures are stored for 2 years.

For homemade aqueous tincture, it is assumed that the percentage of concentration corresponds to the number of days of storage. In most cases, it does not exceed 7-10 days.

The bee family, in addition to the well-known honey, brings many useful products. One of them is propolis. This healing substance is useful both in its raw form and in the form of tinctures, which will help you easily get rid of all kinds of diseases.

The glue produced by worker bees serves the entire bee swarm as a substance for closing cracks in the hive or as a kind of “lid” on the honeycomb.

Propolis is also a means of maintaining cleanliness in a bee house, which means it has a huge amount of useful substances, like other bee products.
Propolis is a unique substance that retains its beneficial properties even after heat treatment. This ability allows you to prepare various tinctures from bee glue.

The beneficial properties of propolis tincture have not yet been fully studied, but there are a number of problems that this remedy can easily cope with:

• harmful bacteria (antibacterial properties);
• toxins;
• inflammation;
• decreased immunity;
• other problems both inside and outside the body.

How to prepare alcohol tincture at home

It is quite easy to prepare a medicinal potion from bee glue; it requires a minimum of products and time. First you need to get high-quality propolis, and also prepare a dark bottle for storing the product.

Important! A tincture of propolis and water will not give the desired result, because water cannot completely dissolve the bee product. For a complete product you will definitely need alcohol, which is an excellent solvent.

To prepare a 10 percent healing agent we will need:

• 400 ml medical pure alcohol (96 °);
• 200 ml purified water;
• 60 g of crushed fresh or dry propolis;
• liter glass jar;
• lid;
• machine for rolling up preserves.

The water can be any: purified from a filter or purchased in a store (clean, without gas), well water, but in no case should you use tap water, because it contains a large number of harmful impurities.

Cooking recipe with photos and videos

In order to prepare a high-quality propolis tincture, you must strictly follow all the steps below:

Video: how to prepare propolis tincture with alcohol

Important! It is necessary to mix alcohol with water only in this order: alcohol is added to water, and in no case vice versa.

The tincture, prepared at home, has an impressive number of useful and healing properties; such a substance should be in every home: both for the treatment of diseases and for prevention.

Pharmacy products made from propolis give the same effect as homemade ones, the only difference being that it is more expensive.

For gastrointestinal diseases

For problems with the gastrointestinal tract, the use of bee glue is what you need. For abdominal pain, you need to dissolve 2 ml of tincture in 1 glass of hot water and add a spoonful of honey. Drink in small sips before bed.

For gastritis, take 20 drops of tincture for 1/3 glass of warm milk or water. Stir and drink one hour before each meal.

For colds and flu

For colds or flu - 30 ml of bee medicine is dissolved in 100 ml of warm water. The resulting product should be gargled or taken orally, a few drops by dropping them on a piece of sugar (dissolve).

For problems with blood pressure

To combat hypertension, it is necessary to use a mixture of tincture of bee substance and hawthorn (1:1). You need to take the mixed solution three times a day, 25-30 drops, on an empty stomach for 10-14 days.

Did you know? A bee is able to recognize the smell of a flower that is more than a kilometer away from it.

For pancreatitis

For pancreatitis, dissolve 10 drops of propolis tincture in half a glass of warm water and mix well. This medicine should be taken 3 times a day an hour before meals. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.

To treat ear inflammation, you need a 30% propolis tincture, which you can purchase at a pharmacy or make yourself by correctly calculating the proportions of alcohol, water and bee glue itself.
It is used as follows: a cotton swab is moistened in the tincture and inserted into the ear once a day for 30-60 minutes. The course of treatment is 7-14 days. Every day you need to insert a fresh tampon.

For dental problems

To treat toothache with propolis, it is customary to rinse. You need to mix 20 drops of tincture with 150 g of warm water. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with the resulting mixture. Repeat the procedure no more than 3 times a day.

Important! Separately, it is worth noting that if there are no problems with your teeth, you can rinse your mouth once a week with a diluted tincture of bee material to prevent the appearance of tartar.

To treat periodontal disease, you need to take small pieces of gauze, soak them in bee medicine and apply to the sore gums for 5 minutes. Apply once every 3 days.

To treat skin diseases, you need to soak a cotton swab or gauze in the tincture and gently treat the damaged areas of the skin in the morning and evening. Carry out the procedure until complete healing.

To treat acne and pimples, you can prepare a mask:

1. To do this, you can take a regular cosmetic mask or prepare a homemade one (based on sour cream, kefir, etc.).
2. Add a teaspoon of bee remedy to it. Mix well and apply to face for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse off with warm water. You will be amazed by the quick results.

Contraindications for use

Despite the huge number of advantages, there are categories of people for whom the use of propolis tincture is highly discouraged:

• allergy sufferers (and with allergies not only to propolis, but also to other products produced by bees);
• pregnant women and nursing mothers;
• children under 3 years old;
• people for whom alcohol is contraindicated.

Did you know? Propolis retains all its healing properties even during the boiling process. True, only for an hour.

So, bee glue is a pure substance, because it contains exclusively natural components collected by bees.

This product is an excellent way to combat problems that have arisen in the body, it has anti-inflammatory properties, is used for the general improvement of a person’s condition and is used both to treat internal organs and to improve the condition of the skin.