Bees are truly unique insects. Almost all products of their vital activity are used by humans. Since ancient times, the medicinal properties of honey and other substances obtained in the process of beekeeping have been known.
Especially significant is the fact that the benefits of these products are recognized not only by folk, but also by official medicine. The effect of bee “drugs” on the human body and the methods of their application (in other words, apitherapy) will be discussed in this article.
Honey
About 75% of the carbohydrates in honey are glucose and fructose, which are the most easily absorbed energy sources.
In addition, the product contains organic acids and enzymes that have a beneficial effect on the digestion process, as well as vitamins and microelements that strengthen the body. In combination with decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs, honey is widely used in the treatment of coughs of any origin, acute respiratory diseases, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract (in particular, for removing sand and stones from the kidneys and bladder), lungs and bronchi.
Its aqueous solution helps against insomnia caused by neuroses or psycho-emotional arousal. The bactericidal properties of honey make it possible to successfully use it for external and internal infections. It is indispensable during the recovery period of the body after illnesses. Recently, there have been studies proving the effectiveness of this product in the fight against malignant neoplasms.
Beeswax
Bee wax is produced by special glands located on the belly of worker bees. It is the building material from which the honeycomb is made. The composition of the wax is extremely complex: it contains more than 300 chemical substances (including esters, fatty acids, aromatic components, carotenoids). Pure beeswax has a strong healing and anti-inflammatory effect. Since ancient times, it has been considered one of the best remedies used to treat skin ailments.
Warming up with wax is prescribed to relieve the symptoms of ENT diseases, and applications and massage are prescribed for restorative therapy (to accelerate the healing of bone fractures). In addition, beeswax is the basis of many perfumery and cosmetic products.
Bee bread
Bees not only collect nectar from flowers, from which honey is subsequently obtained. They use pollen from flowering plants for their food. Freshly collected pollen (“pollen”) is transported to the hive, where it matures for some time under the influence of bee saliva added to it and turns into bee bread (“bee bread”). The bee bread contains more than 40 biologically active substances. It has a powerful tonic and tonic effect on the body. Its reception leads to an increase in hemoglobin, contributes to the recovery of a person after infectious diseases, neuro-emotional overstrain and physical fatigue.
Zabrus
Honeycombs for storing honey are made by bees from pure wax, but the substance with which each cell is sealed has an independent composition and unique healing properties. Zabrus is obtained by mixing pollen, bee saliva, propolis and wax.
It is removed from the hives while pumping out the ripened honey. Let us note two circumstances: firstly, unlike other beekeeping products, zabrus is a hypoallergenic substance, and secondly, pathogenic microorganisms do not develop addiction to it.
The bactericidal properties of the zabrus are very strong, it can and should be used for medical purposes. It is used in the treatment of bacterial and viral infections, as well as to optimize metabolic processes in the body, improve the functioning of the digestive tract and circulatory system, increase overall tone and performance.
Experts say that regular chewing of pieces of a bead leads to a healthier mouth and stronger gums, that is, a bead is an excellent natural substitute for chewing gum.
Propolis
Propolis, or bee glue, is a fermentation product of resinous plant juices collected by bees. Insects use propolis as a building material: they cover up the cracks in the hive with it, repair the honeycomb.
The use of this substance for medicinal purposes is based on its bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, regenerating and analgesic activity.
Propolis is recommended for both outdoor and indoor use. Helps to treat skin lesions, poorly healing wounds, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (including peptic ulcer), hemorrhoids, diseases of the female genital area, neuralgia and many other ailments.
There is information that propolis is effective for tuberculosis.
Royal jelly
Young worker bees secrete a special product necessary to maintain a normal breeding cycle in the hive – royal jelly. The complex of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, trace elements and enzymes contained in it helps to quickly activate metabolic processes in the human body.
Taking medications that include milk leads to an increase in tone, an increase in mental and physical activity, optimization of the cardiovascular system, and normalization of blood pressure. Treatment with royal jelly is indicated for hypertension, angina pectoris, bronchial asthma, pathologies of the endocrine system.
Bee venom
It has long been noted that beekeepers rarely suffer from inflammatory diseases of the joints and muscles, for many years they maintain physical vigor and high mental activity. Some experts believe that the reason lies in their periodic contact with bee venom. This substance has a beneficial effect on muscle and joint tissues, has a strong tonic and anti-inflammatory effect. Unfortunately, there are many contraindications for treatment with bee venom. It is dangerous for patients suffering from tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular insufficiency, kidney and liver pathologies, any purulent processes, malfunctions of the central nervous system and pancreas, anemia, sexually transmitted diseases.
Medicines containing bee venom can harm children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those who have recently had acute infections.
Die bee
Dry Bee bodies (well preserved, dry and not yet decomposed) are also used for medicinal purposes. This beekeeping product is less demanded by medicine than the rest, and it is completely in vain. It has been proven that infusions and decoctions increase immunity, relieve pain in the joints and spine, have a beneficial effect on vascular tone (used for varicose veins), help cleanse the liver (for example, with giardiasis), and improve blood composition.
Apitherapy should be done very carefully. All beekeeping products contain strong allergens and can lead to the development of severe forms of intolerance. Do not forget that most of the substances produced by bees are biologically active. Beekeeping products have a powerful effect on the human body, and therefore the intake should be carried out under constant medical supervision.
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