We are often asked whether propolis helps with various ailments. We find that people are often looking for alternative healing options that have been used for centuries.
And here we come quickly to propolis, the wonderful product with which bees have always protected themselves from fungi, bacteria, germs and viruses. And man has also made use of this for time immemorial in the context of apitherapy. We are pleased that Propolis is experiencing a real renaissance.
Due to its many ingredients, propolis has a very broad spectrum of activity and is therefore used in both naturopathy and human medicine. Propolis is said to have antibacterial, fungicidal, cell protecting, antiviral and wound healing properties.
Already in ancient times propolis was used by ancient civilizations, by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans for injuries, for wound healing and for other diseases. However, like many other natural remedies, propolis was long forgotten. Propolis only made a “comeback” in the 1960s, after it was rediscovered by the Danish bee researcher Carl Lund Aargard. His results of research with propolis, as well as his method for the gentle processing of propolis, paved the way to a wide awareness.
Propolis is a completely natural product, the different forms of action of which have been confirmed in numerous studies.
What is propolis made of?
Propolis consists of over 250 identified ingredients. Even if you now know the ingredients very well, propolis is a mystery, because only natural propolis has a balance that no industrially produced food supplement can have. The busy bees produce this “miracle cure” all by themselves in a natural process. Propolis consists of approx. 50% resin and approx. 25% essential oils, pollen, minerals and trace elements, as well as flavones and acids.
The main ingredients are:
- Wax components
- Vitamins A, B, C, E, H or B7 (better known as biotin, the active ingredient for skin and hair)
- Iron, chromium, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, magnesium, silicon
- Enzymes
- amino acids
- Organic flavonoids
- Polyphenols
Does propolis also help with nail fungus?
As already described, bees also protect themselves against fungi with propolis. Fungal diseases affect not only the skin and mucous membranes, but also nails. Fungal infections of the nails can be extremely persistent and uncomfortable. Not to mention the aesthetic reception. It often takes months for the diseased nail to heal, especially with toenails, as these grow slowly.
The change in the nails usually occurs slowly as the nail fungus spreads from the front edge of the nails over the entire nail plate. It is important to treat the nail fungus quickly and effectively in order to avoid discoloration, thickening and brittleness of the nails caused by fungus.
Propolis can very well support to counteract the unsightly changes on the nails.
Treatment of nail fungus with propolis tincture
When treating nail fungus, a varnish or cream is usually applied to the affected nail. These products usually contain the active ingredients amorolfine or ciclopirox olamine.
As a very good alternative, propolis can be applied to the diseased nail. A propolis tincture is particularly suitable for this, which is applied well dosed to the nail. It is important to soak the tincture in and let it dry well. This procedure should be used consistently 3 times a day.
Many of our long-term customers report very good successes with propolis in the treatment of nail fungus. Our propolis tincture with 40% propolis has proven to be particularly effective.
Treating nail fungus requires some patience as the fungus does not immediately go away within 1 week. But with treatment with propolis, a fungal nail disease can usually be treated well and successfully.
However, it is important to implement the therapy as quickly and consistently as possible so that the nail fungus does not attack neighboring, healthy nails. In addition, the affected nail can be permanently damaged.
Incidentally, propolis can also be used preventively and simply on caring for stressed or slowly growing nails. The procedure does not have to be carried out several times a day. It is sufficient to apply propolis to the nails 2-3 times a week to achieve a positive effect.
Disadvantage of propolis in the treatment of athlete's foot
Although propolis is known (even by podiatrists) to be a very effective, natural remedy for nail fungus, some people do not use it for cosmetic reasons. Propolis has a red-brownish color that discolors the nail during treatment. Of course, the color disappears again after successful and completed treatment, but this is the reason why some people only use propolis tincture against nail fungus in winter.
The reason is understandable, but the successful and effective treatment of the nail fungus should still be in the foreground.
Intolerance to propolis
Approx. 1% of all people have an intolerance to propolis, presumably as an allergic reaction to a certain proportion of bee pollen. Anyone who is allergic to bee stings or bee products should refrain from using propolis - both externally and internally through ingestion or addition to food. How to test if you are allergic to propolis: Apply the product to the inside of an arm. If a reaction occurs in the next few hours, you should not use any propolis products.
Be careful when buying propolis
In general, if you want to achieve the best effect, you should only buy high-quality propolis with the highest possible propolis content. In the case of inferior goods, the effect often leaves a lot to be desired. Do not save in the wrong place under any circumstances - a high-quality product cannot be found in the supermarket for a few euros. In addition, one should make sure that propolis is not contaminated.
Our propolis products
In our shop we offer you high quality propolis products in various forms:
• Propolis powder
• Tinctures with or without alcohol
• Raw propolis pieces
• Cosmetics such as cream, balm, lip care, shampoo and much more
Propolis powder, our most popular propolis product, is obtained from gently cleaned and dried raw propolis. Due to its many positive properties, it is ideal as a dietary supplement. Our long-term customers are enthusiastic about the quality of this high-quality propolis.
Propolis tinctures 20%, 30%, 40%:
For the production of our propolis solution, raw propolis is dissolved in pure, non-denatured alcohol in pharmacist quality in a process lasting several weeks. Our propolis solution is of the highest quality and is professionally manufactured. For external use, our propolis solution has been dermatologically tested in an independent institute.
Alcohol-free propolis tincture:
These propolis drops or propolis tincture are made on the basis of vegetable glycerine. It is used to keep the propolis liquid. The vegetable glycerine is obtained from the fatty acids in soy, coconuts and various types of grain. This alcohol-free propolis tincture does not contain any allergenic substances.
Alcohol-free propolis drops can contain a maximum of 10% to 15% propolis due to the poor solubility of pure propolis. This propolis solution contains 10% pure propolis.
All the best for you - the team from Honig-Schmidt
