Honey with propolis: what is it and how is it useful?

The healing properties of honey are widely known, but you can make these qualities even more pronounced if you add propolis to it.The result is a drug that has a curative, cough and antibacterial, as well as disinfectant action.

Honey with propolis combines the beneficial properties of two bee products at once, and therefore has unsurpassed healing properties.

About what honey is, most probably know. The raw material for the product is nectar of honey plants collected by bees. Being in the goiter of bees, as well as being exposed to their secrets in the process of laying in honeycombs, nectar turns into honey. Of course, this is a rather long and chemically difficult process.

Propolis is a sticky mass (it is called “glue bee”) used by insects to seal the honeycombs, disinfect various cracks, mummify bees that died in the hive.

However, there is also a green product. Moreover, its color is not due to the high content of propolis in the composition, but to the fact that it is not bee pollen (or rather, pollen collected from honey plants) that is used, but pad. It is a sweetish discharge that is usually collected by insects from trees. The pad is usually bitter and has a thicker consistency, but also, like honey, contains a large amount of useful ingredients.

There are about 300 healing elements in the honey, all of which are absorbed by the body and do not burden the liver. Propolis contains about 200 components, most of which repeat those that are present in honey, although there are also unique ones.

As part of honey, there are carbohydrates, proteins, sugars. Honey is a very high-calorie product, but it gives a feeling of fullness, helps rejuvenate. In addition to proteins, amino acids are present in its composition.

It contains ascorbic acid, which is a natural antioxidant and has an immunostimulating effect. In the composition there are also vitamins of group B, positively affecting the central nervous system.

Honey with the addition of propolis demonstrates a powerful immunostimulating, antibacterial, antispasmodic, anti-toxic, antipyretic and analgesic effect.

He is primarily remembered during the flu and colds season, as well as during recovery after suffering ailments and as a preventive measure. The product actively resists viruses and bacteria, as well as fungus, relieves pain and heat, strengthens the body. Honey water with propolis can gargle for colds, sore throats, pharyngitis, which is explained by the powerful antibacterial action of both the honey and propolis.

Components of honey with propolis have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. With regular use, the risk of developing cholesterol plaques on the vascular walls is prevented, blood flow improves, and the elasticity of the vascular walls increases.

This, in combination with a slight diuretic effect, allows the use of a propolis product to lower blood pressure. It gently reduces pressure, stabilizing it and preventing the development of hypertensive crisis.

Returning to the question of the benefits of propolis on honey for the heart and blood vessels, it should be noted that its calcium constitutes strengthening of the heart muscle. In addition, the product contains iron, which maintains a high level of hemoglobin, and therefore sufficient saturation of organs and tissues with oxygen.

Vitamins B improve the conductivity of nerve impulses, which indicates the benefits of the composition with propolis and for the nervous system. It eliminates the signs of chronic fatigue, increases the body's resistance to the effects of stress. A glass of warm milk or water and honey drunk before bedtime will give you a peaceful and sound sleep.

Propolis has a strong antibacterial and disinfecting effect, so its regular use reduces the risk of developing an intestinal infection. Its combination with honey for the oral cavity is extremely useful - it is disinfected, the carious bacteria are destroyed, the enamel is strengthened.

Antibacterial action in combination with a strengthening and wound-healing effect allows the use of honey-propolis mixture for gastritis. Already on day 5-6 of this treatment, the patient is relieved. Full course lasts 14-21 days.

The composition of honey also contains antioxidants, which slow down the aging process, remove unhealthy compounds in the body. In addition, these components can improve skin tone, to ensure the perfect look and condition of hair and nails.

Due to the ability of honey with propolis to remove moisture, it is indicated for diseases of the genitourinary system, problems with the kidneys and liver.

When applied externally, this beekeeping product contributes to the decontamination and healing of wounds and ulcers, and is used for eczema and dermatitis. Having an antifungal and analgesic effect, honey relieves inflammation after insect bites, with furunculosis, psoriasis, contributes to tightening long healing wounds. Found wide use in cosmetology.

Harm from propolis honey threatens first of all those who are allergic to bee products. As a rule, its symptoms are skin rash, cough, choking, as well as nausea and abdominal pain. Checking if you are allergic to honey is pretty simple. It is necessary to apply a small amount of it on the skin in the bend of the elbow or wrist. If after 40-60 minutes there is no allergic reaction (itching, redness, rash), there is no allergy to bee products.

Honey is not recommended for those who have serious diseases of the heart and blood vessels., has an increased blood viscosity or an increased risk of blood clots.

Because of the high sugar content, honey with propolis should not be consumed by people with diabetes, as well as those who are overweight.

The acute phase of diseases of the digestive tract, pancreas, urinary organs should also be a reason to refuse to use this product.

In uterine myoma, as well as oncological diseases, propolis on honey can exacerbate the symptoms of the disease and cause deterioration of the condition, so eating it is not recommended.

It would seem that honey with its rich composition is useful in the period of bearing a child. However, it is necessary for pregnant women to eat it with caution, since phytohormones that are part of can cause a change in hormonal levels, which can negatively affect the state of the mother and fetus.

Reduce the amount of honey consumed with propolis, or to abandon its use will have during lactation. The biologically active components of the product coming from mother's milk are not digested by the intestines of the infant.

Do not give honey with the addition of propolis to children younger than 3-4 years. Before you first offer a child a treat, you should test for allergies.

Finally, even in the absence of allergy, it is important to use the honey product with propolis in moderation. Daily dosage is not more than 40 mg.

You can make honey with propolis yourself by mixing the two components. If the preparation of a prophylactic agent is intended, the volume of propolis should not exceed 3% of the total volume of the composition.If you are preparing a remedy, the amount of propolis should be increased to 10%. It is better to use lime or flower honey.

One method of preparation involves the pre-freezing of propolis, for which it for half an hour should be put in the freezer. Thanks to this, propolis can be easily crushed, and this should be done after a specified time. It can be finely chopped with a knife or grated.

Add crushed propolis to honey and put it in a water bath. Due to this, the ingredients will become more liquid, and propolis will be able to easily be mixed with honey. The important point is that the temperature of the mixture should not exceed + 40 ° C, otherwise the honey loses its beneficial properties. Cool the resulting composition and pour into containers.

The second method also involves grinding propolis after a pre-freeze. Then it should be placed in an enameled pan, which is sent to a water bath. When heated, propolis will begin to melt, at which time the main ingredient should be added to it in small portions with constant stirring.

Propolis contains wax and other impurities from which it would be good to free it. To do this, grind with a grater propolis should be rolled with a rolling pin to obtain smaller suspensions. This powder pour water and leave for a couple of hours, stirring occasionally. As a result, all unnecessary components will float out, and pure propolis will remain on the bottom. It and mixed with honey, pre-dried.

Honey must be stored in a glass or birch container, the shelf life is not more than a year. Do not store honey with propolis in a metal or plastic container. During storage, the honey component may crystallize, which is not a spoilage of the product.

For storage, choose a dry place protected from direct sunlight. Suitable for these purposes kitchen cabinet (most importantly, remote from the gas stove). To keep the product in the refrigerator is not the right decision, because it is hygroscopic, which means that changes in temperature will contribute to the formation of condensate in the bank. Honey actively absorbs extraneous odors, so you should not have it next to fragrant products.

Propolis on honey is characterized by high biological activity, which must be taken into account when using it. In order to prevent it, you should eat 1 tablespoon, preferably before bedtime, dissolved in water or milk. If there is an increased acidity of the stomach, take the drug after a meal. The optimal recipe of the mixture to increase immunity stability and prevent colds involves mixing 4 parts of honey with 1 part of propolis.

Treatment with honey differs significantly from its use as a prophylactic agent. So, for stomatitis, gingivitis and other inflammatory processes in the gums and mucous membranes, it is recommended to slowly dissolve a teaspoon of the composition until it is completely dissolved. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times a day. The proportions of honey and propolis look like 2: 1 or 1: 1.

For the treatment of sinusitis will help propolis honey (it is taken in an amount of 3 parts), in which you need to add cooled boiled water (1 part). The resulting composition should be interspersed alternately with one or the second nostril, conducting the procedure 2-3 times a day. A similar composition can be made for gargling with pharyngitis and laryngitis.

A similar composition is recommended to be instilled into the eyes with conjunctivitis, used as hygienic baths and douching liquid.

The composition is widely used as a compress for old cough and bronchitis. To do this, apply a layer of the product on cotton fabric or folded gauze and cover it with a second layer. The resulting compress put on his back, cover with a shawl, and on top - a blanket. The exposure time of the compress - at least 2 hours, you can leave it at night.

To learn how to make honey with propolis, see the next video.