- Properties and efficacy of propolis for colds
- Propolis usage for colds
Propolis is a unique product of beekeeping, which contains a large number of biologically active compounds of different spectrum of action. Due to its ability to suppress the growth and development of microorganisms and viruses, the sterility inside the bee hive is maintained. Propolis treatment of colds has been used in folk medicine since ancient times. It helps in a few days to get rid of cough, sore throat, runny nose and other cold symptoms, and also helps to strengthen the immunity of a person during illness.
There are various recipes for internal and external use of propolis for colds. Most often for their preparation used purified raw materials or alcohol tincture, which you can do yourself or buy in a pharmacy. This bee product helps not only in the treatment, but also for the prevention of many diseases. At the same time, it has a minimum number of contraindications compared with the traditional medicines prescribed for colds.
Properties and efficacy of propolis for colds
Propolis from colds depending on the severity of the condition can be used as a primary or auxiliary remedy. Improvement of the patient's well-being can occur immediately or after a few days. High efficiency of this bee product for colds and infectious diseases of the throat, nose, ears and mouth is due to the fact that:
- is a natural antiseptic and antibiotic;
- has an anti-inflammatory effect;
- suppresses the development of viral, bacterial or fungal infection in the body;
- promotes the acceleration of regeneration of damaged tissues;
- shows an analgesic effect when applied topically;
- stimulates the immune system and enhances its own protective ability of the body.
Such a complex action when applied for the treatment of colds propolis gives good results in many chronic and acute diseases of the upper respiratory tract and ears: sinusitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, otitis, pharyngitis.
. All of the above biological properties are determined by the unique composition of bee glue that has been studied for many years and has not yet been fully established. It found 16 different classes of compounds, including:
- proteins;
- vitamins( PP, B1, B2, E, C, provitamin A);
- amino acids( including and irreplaceable);
- enzymes;
- flavonoids;
- polyphenols;
- organic acids and their esters;
- alcohols;
- aldehydes, etc.
Important: Propolis is a valuable source of human minerals. It contains large amounts of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, sulfur, sodium, zinc and other important elements for the body.
Use of propolis for colds
When using propolis for colds, its use is possible both locally and internally. The common cold is usually accompanied by a lesion of the nasopharynx and upper respiratory tract. For their treatment apply ointments, decoctions and tinctures of bee products. Preparing these tools takes a little time and is not particularly difficult. With some diseases, the effective use of the product in its pure form.
The most famous and available in any pharmacy means is an alcoholic tincture of propolis. It is used for the preparation of solutions for inhalation, internal and external use. To get a 20% alcoholic tincture of your own preparation you need:
- Mix 20 g of ground propolis and 100 ml of alcohol in a dark glass container.
- Close tightly the container and leave at room temperature for two weeks, shaking vigorously from time to time.
- After expiration of time tincture strain and pour into bottles of dark glass for storage.
In the absence of alcohol tincture similarly can be done on vodka. But it should be borne in mind that the concentration of nutrients in the product will be smaller in this case.
You can make and water tincture of propolis with a cold. This remedy is used mainly for the treatment of children, pregnant and lactating women. To obtain an aqueous tincture, it is necessary:
- Mix one part of the ground bee glue and two parts of warm water.
- Place the container with the mixture on a water bath and cover.
- After 1 hour the solution is filtered, the resulting solution is cooled and poured into a sealed container.
Recommendation: The bee glue used for cold treatment should be well cleaned and free from foreign matter. For medicinal purposes, fresh propolis having a soft consistency is more prized. Over time, it dries up and gradually hardens.
Propolis inhalation
Inhalation with propolis is effective in rhinitis, sinusitis, cough and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Solutions for steam inhalation can be prepared from alcohol tincture or from pure propolis. In the first case 1 tsp.tincture is added to 1 liter of boiling water and breathe the resulting vapors for 15 minutes, covered with a towel. The procedure is preferably carried out twice a day. Inhalation can be done with the addition of beeswax. To do this, 60 g of bee glue and 40 g of wax are placed on the water bath and the vapors are inhaled for 10 minutes.
Inhalation with propolis can be performed with a nebulizer. To do this, 0.5 ml of pharmacy tincture of the bee product is mixed with 10 ml of saline. The required amount( 2-4 ml) of the obtained mixture is placed in a drug reservoir and breathes.
Internal use of propolis for colds
For sore throats, the easiest, but very effective treatment, is the slow chewing of small pieces( up to 5 grams) of propolis several times a day. To conduct such treatment is necessary after meals and at night.
Adults with colds are recommended to drink 3 times a day warm milk with 1 tsp.alcohol tincture of propolis. You can also prepare a tasty medicine for colds using honey. To do this, take propolis and honey in a ratio of 1 to 5, melt with mixing their mixture in a water bath, cool and put in the refrigerator. Every morning on an empty stomach to resolve 1 tsp.such a facility.
For the treatment of colds, it is possible to add an alcoholic tincture of a bee product( 5 ml) to black, green or herbal tea. The use of propolis tincture and the use of warm teas from the leaves of lime, chamomile flowers, wild rose, currant or cranberry will help to speed up recovery and strengthen the weakened organism.
To treat propolis of colds in children, the following recipes with milk are suitable:
- Mix 50 g of ground bee glue with 1 liter of warm boiled milk, drain and take 1 tbsp.l.3 times a day;
- 5-10 drops of water propolis tincture stir in 100 ml of warmed milk and drink overnight, if desired, you can add a little more honey to this drink.
The use of such drugs will help to quickly improve the condition and forget about the common cold.
Topical application of propolis for colds
Local application of propolis for colds is performed with:
- rinses for sore throats;
- rinsing and instillation of the nose with a cold;
- rubbing the chest with a cough.
For the preparation of solutions for rinsing the nose and rinsing the nose, dilute 10 times with water or physiological solution of propolis tincture. Throat rinses are performed three times a day. When inflammation of the tonsils effectively lubricate them with a 10% tincture of propolis, diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 2.
Pharmaceutical tincture of propolis is used for instillation in the nose with a strong runny nose. It will help to improve breathing and remove the stuffiness of the nose remedy, prepared from a diluted 4 times water tincture with the addition of calendula oil. Droplets in the nose apply up to 10 times a day. With a cold, it is also recommended to apply warm cakes from propolis to the bridge of the nose. To do this, warm up the tool with kneading in hands. Keep such a cake should not more than 5 minutes, so as not to get a small burn.
When coughing, treatment of colds with propolis is also carried out with the help of ointments. For its preparation, mix 1 part of the bee product and 5 parts of fat( butter, pork, goose, badger fat).Then the resulting mixture is put on a water bath and mixed to achieve uniformity. Before going to bed, rubbing the chest, and then covered with a blanket.
Important: Before using to treat colds of propolis, it is recommended to consult a doctor! This remedy is contraindicated for people with an allergy to bee products and having previously allergic reactions to anything.