Treatment of purulent sore throat with propolis tincture

Propolis is also called bee glue, which they obtain by converting pollen from birch, poplar, alder and other tree buds when interacting with their own enzymes. It is a viscous substance used to seal cracks and the hive entrance. It is also used to disinfect the honeycomb cells where the queen bee lays her eggs. The latter fact indicates its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Propolis contains more than 100 biologically active substances, 16 classes of organic substances, and about 200 compounds. It contains flavonoids, fatty acids, alcohols, esters, various amino acids, vitamins, and many micro- and macroelements. All of this is ideal for treating tonsillitis, an acute infectious disease caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi that affects the tonsils.

Indications propolis for sore throats

Angina in translation from Latin means "to squeeze". This is the sensation that appears when an infection (usually streptococci) gets into the throat. In this case, the temperature rises to high values, pain occurs when swallowing, the palatine arches, uvula, tonsils become inflamed, there is aching in the joints, weakness, malaise, headache, and enlarged lymph nodes. White-yellow plaque or pustules on the tonsils indicate purulent tonsillitis. All these symptoms are an indication for the use of gargles, lubrication with solutions containing propolis. For purulent tonsillitis, propolis is used in the form of propolis water, i.e. alcohol tincture is diluted with water.

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Release form

In folk medicine, various recipes for medicinal compositions with propolis are described, which you can prepare yourself. But, as a rule, the disease always comes unexpectedly and does not leave time to purchase all the components of the remedy. Fortunately, pharmacies also sell propolis in the following forms:

• propolis tincture for sore throat - 25 ml of transparent brownish liquid with a specific smell. 80% ethanol is used as an extractant. The ratio of it to propolis is 10:1. Propolis in alcohol for sore throat is used locally as gargles, washes, lubrications, inhalations;
• Propolis spray for the throat - there are options "Proposol", "Proposol-KM", "Proposol-N", "Proposol-Zdorovye" - cans with a capacity of 20 to 60 ml. They contain propolis, ethyl 96% alcohol and glycerin. Designed for irrigation of the throat and oral cavity.

Pharmacodynamics

The pharmacological action of propolis is aimed at pathogenic microorganisms, including strains resistant to antibiotics. In addition to the antimicrobial effect, it increases local immunity, improves metabolism, and accelerates tissue regeneration. Due to the phenols in its composition, blood vessels are strengthened, their pathological fragility and permeability are reduced. The product has a pronounced astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anesthetic effect. The pharmacodynamics of ethanol, present in tinctures and spray, is based on its antiseptic effect, as a result of which the cytoplasmic and membrane cells of microorganisms are denatured. Its high concentration does not irritate tissues and is not absorbed into the local bloodstream.

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Dosing and administration

There are several ways to use propolis tincture to treat tonsillitis: effectively lubricate the mucous membrane of the throat and inflamed tonsils with it 2 times a day for a week. Another method is to do inhalations using a water-alcohol solution, to obtain it, take one part of the tincture to 20 parts of water. The procedure can be done in the morning and in the evening. And of course, gargling with propolis is very effective for tonsillitis. How to dilute propolis tincture for this? For gargling, 15 ml of the product is diluted in half a glass of water. They can be repeated 4-5 times a day for 3-4 days. Purulent tonsillitis requires gargling with a more concentrated solution. Having combined water and tincture in equal proportions, you need to take the liquid in your mouth, “roll” it so that it gets on the tonsils and spit it out, do this 5-6 times.

The most convenient way to use aerosols is to remove the cap from the can, attach the sprayer and insert it into the oral cavity. After that, you need to press the head and hold it for 1-2 seconds, while inhaling air. Before putting everything back in its original position, the sprayer is washed under running water. At the beginning of the disease, it is recommended to use the spray at least 2-3 times, with the improvement of the condition, switch to 1-2 times for a total course duration of 4-7 days.

Propolis helps well with angina, if you just chew it undissolved. They say that if you do this for 3 hours a day, then angina goes away in 2-3 days.

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Application for children

Propolis tincture for sore throat is used for children starting from the age of three. Spray is indicated after 12 years.

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Use propolis for sore throats during pregnancy

Only a doctor can decide on the advisability of using propolis preparations during pregnancy. Only he can compare the benefits for a woman with the potential risk to the future child. If a decision is made in favor of the product, then the use of minimal doses for no more than one week is allowed.

Contraindications

Not all people perceive bee products equally well. In case of increased sensitivity to them, manifestation of an allergic reaction, the described products are contraindicated for use. To understand how the product works, you need to resort to a preliminary test. To do this, the skin on the bend of the elbow is lubricated with tincture or sprayed with an aerosol. A skin reaction indicates that the use of the product is inadmissible.

Side effects propolis for sore throats

An allergy to bee products may manifest itself as itching, redness, swelling, and hives. Other side effects include dry mouth and burning tongue. Nausea and dizziness are also possible. Such symptoms are a signal to stop using the drugs and consult a doctor.

Overdose

Signs of an overdose include decreased body tone, loss of appetite, and skin rashes. This happens rarely, but is a reason to immediately stop using the drug and rinse your mouth and throat with warm water. If necessary, direct treatment to the symptoms of overdose.

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Interactions with other drugs

Propolis preparations should not be used simultaneously with other bee products or local antiseptics.

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Storage conditions

The spray bottle should not be near fire or exposed to high temperatures. It should also not be subjected to impact, so as not to provoke an explosion. The temperature for the tincture should not exceed 25ºС. Like all medicinal products, preparations with propolis should be kept out of the reach of children.

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Shelf life

Depending on the manufacturer, the shelf life of products containing propolis is 2-3 years.

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Analogues

Medicines that have a similar effect in the treatment of angina include Hexoral, Hexosept, Stomatidin, and Stomolik.

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Reviews

Beekeeping products and preparations with their participation have always enjoyed people's trust. Against the background of numerous facts of counterfeiting that have flooded the shelves of pharmacies, propolis is natural and you can make a medicinal potion from it yourself. Reviews about it are always positive, its medicinal properties are not in doubt and testify to the effectiveness of gargling and irrigation in accelerating the treatment of sore throat.