Bees produce not only honey, but also such a useful product as propolis. Propolis is a resinous substance of yellow-brown color. With it, the bees mummify living organisms, disinfect honeycombs, fill up unnecessary holes in the hives.
With the help of special tools, beekeepers collect propolis from the surface of honeycombs and the walls of hives. People have noticed that the use of this substance has a beneficial effect on health, so they make medicines in different forms from it. The most popular dosage form is propolis tincture, obtained by insisting on alcohol.
Like most drugs, propolis tincture has contraindications:
- individual intolerance to propolis;
- pancreatitis;
- biliary tract diseases;
- liver disease;
- stones in the kidneys.
Important! Propolis tincture is not recommended for people who have ever experienced allergic reactions to bee products. If after taking alcoholic propolis tincture such signs as reddening of the skin, itching, swelling, runny nose, and cough appear, stop taking it and consult a doctor immediately.
For what purposes and how to use propolis tincture on alcohol, you need to understand before starting treatment. After all, the correct application can heal, and the unwise - on the contrary, can aggravate the state of health.
When taking tincture
Due to the fact that the tincture has a degree, only adults can take it inside. For children under 12 years of age, external use is recommended if necessary. Children from 12 years old can make tincture in boiled milk, add honey and a piece of butter. This infusion is given to the child for the night.
Cough and bronchitis
The propolis tincture treats various diseases, from what and how to take it - for different cases its own scheme of application.
Cough and bronchitis are most effectively treated with alcoholic propolis tincture. To this end, drink tincture 2-3 times a day.
Dosage: 10 drops of tincture diluted in half a glass of water. You need to take this medicine for half an hour before a meal, or a half to two hours after a meal.
Also in case of bronchitis inhalation with propolis tincture is very good.. In this form in a finely dispersed state, essential oils and resinous substances of propolis penetrate deeper into the foci of inflammation. 
A well-done overnight compress with propolis tincture will help you with bronchitis. For this diluted alcohol-water emulsion.
Did you know? If a person does not have allergic reactions to honey, then most likely propolis will also not cause allergies. But in order not to harm, it is better to start the application with a minimum dose.
Flu and cold
With flu and cold, it is customary to add propolis tincture to the milk and take it as such. 20-30 drops of alcohol tincture is injected into the milk, and it can be taken 3 times a day one hour before meals.
You can also use inhalation with propolis. To do this, you can make an infusion with milk, breathe in pairs over it, then drink it and wrap up warmly.
If a runny nose appears, you can flush the nose. For this, a tablespoon of tincture is diluted in a glass of water.
Angina
For pain in the throat, it is effective to gargle with propolis in the dosage of one tablespoon of tincture per cup of warm water 2-3 times a day.
When quinsy chewing propolis helps. At night you can take him by the cheek. The daily dose is not more than 5 g. Inhalation also helps. 
- For mild angina You can lubricate the larynx 20% tincture of propolis, which is diluted with honey and water.
- From severe angina best help alcohol tincture of propolis. Take it according to the scheme: 1 tablespoon 3 times a day for 5 days.
- Purulent tonsillitis treated with diluted water tincture of propolis, which is collected in the mouth and kept near the tonsils for some time. This contributes to the leaching of purulent plugs. This procedure can be repeated every 2 hours, and after a couple of days there should be significant relief.
Compress with propolis tincture is also used in the treatment of angina.
Did you know? The compress with propolis can be applied in a dry form. To do this, use pure propolis, rolled into a cake. In this form it is heated and applied as a compress.
Otitis
Propolis tincture rich with useful substances well helps from otitis. Alcohol tincture can be mixed with honey in half and instilled into a sore ear with a few drops 1 time per day.
When pus is released due to inflammation of the middle ear, a gauze pad moistened with 20% propolis tincture can be inserted into the ear canal.
Also in the sore ear, you can put a gauze flagellum, moistened with an emulsion of 10% alcohol tincture of propolis and olive oil. This procedure can be done within 15-20 days, laying the medicine for 3 hours.
Runny nose and sinusitis
For the treatment of rhinitis, you can prepare a mixture of propolis, butter and sunflower oil. The proportion is taken 1: 2: 2. The obtained medicinal mixture can lubricate the nostrils inside, lay the tampons in the nose.
Also, when the head cold and sinusitis can be instilled into the nose with 20% aqueous infusion of propolis 5 drops. Propolis based ointments are also used in the treatment of sinusitis.
But alcoholic propolis tincture for instillation into the nose is prohibited. It can damage the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx. The mucosa in this case is dried, there are discomfort, the skin in the nose may begin to exfoliate.
Thrush
The healing qualities of propolis are used in gynecology for infections and other diseases. Anti-inflammatory antibacterial elements contribute to the effective treatment of diseases in a female.
For the treatment of thrush need to prepare the following tincture: 15 g of propolis is combined with 500 ml of vodka. The resulting composition is well shaken and insist 2 days, after which you can apply.
Propolis tincture with thrush inhibits the growth and reproduction of fungi. You can use it in the form of douching - 3 tablespoons of the above tincture per cup of boiled water. The use of such douching in a couple of days will relieve the fungus that causes thrush. 
Ulcer
Apply propolis alcohol tincture for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers. To do this, prepare the infusion: 40 g of propolis finely chopped, pour 100 ml of 70% alcohol. The mixture is infused for 3 days, the first half hour of which the bottle with the mixture must be shaken well.
Propolis tincture for an ulcer has such instructions for use orally: Take 20 days orally for 20 drops of tincture 3 times a day one hour before meals.
Wound healing and acne removal
Propolis tincture on alcohol has strong disinfecting properties that, when applied externally, helps remove acne and promotes healing of wounds.
For the treatment of acne is applied 15% propolis ointment, it also helps in healing wounds, from pruritus, inflammation of the eyelids.
30% propolis tincture will relieve acne by rubbing it into problem areas up to 3 times a day. 
For hair
In addition to medical purposes, propolis is used in cosmetology. Propolis is used to stop hair loss and resume their growth.
For oily scalp, you can use the tincture in its pure form. This will contribute to the normalization of sebum. The course can be carried out for a month, after which a break for 2-3 weeks is made and the treatment is repeated (if required).
For healing and strengthening hair, you can make weak solutions - 2 glasses of water and 2 teaspoons of propolis tincture. This composition is rinsed hair after washing. Also, the tincture can be added to the mask from the egg and oil-based. 
Fungus
Propolis is a universal remedy that also helps with nail fungus. The first application in an unhealthy area already contributes to relieving itching and inflammation. Further spread of the fungus to healthy areas is blocked.
The principle of action on the fungus is the ability to destroy the disease-causing structure from the inside. 20% alcohol tincture is applied to a cotton pad and applied to the affected fungus. Tighten the compress and wear for 24 hours or until dry, and then repeat the procedure.
Application for prevention
Propolis tincture has many beneficial properties and can help to cope with many health problems. Its reception and use is possible as in the presence of the disease, and for the prevention of problems. 
For the prevention of propolis tincture is used in the following cases:
- as a sedative;
- sleep improvement;
- increase the overall tone of the body;
- increased appetite;
- immunity strengthening.
Alcohol tincture of propolis is able to suppress the reproduction of various bacteria, has antiviral activity and is a natural antibiotic. During outbreaks of colds and flu prevention with propolis can save the body from the disease.
Can I take propolis tincture during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the female body needs vitamins and minerals in large quantities. This may help the reception of propolis. However, it is imperative that you consult with your doctor about this.. It is also worth remembering about individual intolerance and allergic reactions.
Not every doctor will give the nod to the reception of propolis during pregnancy. This is due to the lack of knowledge of the effects on the child's body of propolis. There is also a risk of allergies, which is extremely dangerous for both mother and child. 
If the doctor sees no reason to prevent the use of propolis during pregnancy, the form in which it can be taken orally is an aqueous extract, but not alcohol.
Important! During pregnancy, you must be very careful in the use of various drugs. Especially when it comes to possible allergens. Sometimes it is better to refuse to use the drug in order not to provoke the occurrence of negative reactions of the body.
