Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Healing From The Hive => Topic started by: Jen on December 31, 2013, 07:50:06 pm

Title: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on December 31, 2013, 07:50:06 pm
I make my own propolis tincture, which is wonderful for skin abbrations, eczema, dry itchy spots, cold sores, acne, and so forth.

It's very hard to find an easy recipe online, or the recipe goes into metrics.

Has anyone on this forum made their own propolis tincture, with ground propolis and Ever Clear alchohol?
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Bakersdozen on December 31, 2013, 08:15:22 pm
This is on my to do list for 2014.  Good subject.  Thanks Jaybird for bringing it up.
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on December 31, 2013, 11:08:12 pm
Hey Baker- do you have a recipe or an idea of how your gonna make your prop tinture?
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Bakersdozen on January 01, 2014, 07:57:23 am
Not exactly jaybird.  I have been looking at this web site. http://www.tc.umn.edu/~reute001/htm-files/Propolis%20extract.html (http://www.tc.umn.edu/~reute001/htm-files/Propolis%20extract.html)  I bought a propolis trap in preparation for spring.  They are not expensive.  The rest seems pretty straight forward with the exception of knowing when to put the trap on and how long does it take for the bees to fill it.
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: robo on January 01, 2014, 09:26:23 am
I don't have a tincture recipe,  but will share my favorite use of propolis.

I have one of those tea light powered wax warmers, the kind that takes scented wax cakes and melts them so the smell is released.   But instead of using the commercial scented wax cakes,  I use my scraped propolis.   It usually contains traces of bees wax too.   I think it makes a delightful fragrance in the house.  Who knows, it may  even be purify the air.

It looks something like this

(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs14.postimg.cc%2Fxleb9ay7h%2F28891940884097p.jpg&hash=60bd194a953baee3870e250ebd91205efd1bb4ab) (http://postimg.cc/image/xleb9ay7h/)
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: crazy8days on January 01, 2014, 11:13:50 am
That's interesting Robo.  I'll have to try it.  I have been wanting to make a tincture as well.  How do you clean propolis?  how do you grind it?  Stuff is a sticky mess! 

I've been thinking about making this.  I get cuts and scrapes all the time.  Was thinking about putting ground propolis in the mix.

http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2012/11/healing-boo-boo-salve-a-k-a-homemade-natural-neosporin/

Jaybird,  Everclear is better used in making Apple Pie Moonshine  ;) ;) ^-^ ^-^
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: riverbee on January 01, 2014, 11:31:49 am
"Jaybird,  Everclear is better used in making Apple Pie Moonshine "

lol, we called it hula jula.....great thread on propolis, never thought of the wax warmer, great idea!
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on January 01, 2014, 03:27:29 pm
I would love to sip some apple pie moonshine. Can you secretly through some in the mail to me?   :-X
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on January 01, 2014, 03:29:08 pm
I'll get a pic together of my bottled propolis, and share my recipe, it's very easy, just a bit time consuming, but what part of the bees world isn't right  8)
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: blueblood on January 01, 2014, 03:44:05 pm
Very good topic.  Would love to have a recipe for it.  Robo, I never thought of adding propolis to the warm dish.  I made some blueberry beeswax melts the other day.  The smell great.
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: LazyBkpr on January 01, 2014, 04:10:59 pm
Propolis and Everclear??  Doesnt that taste terrible?     ;D

    sorry......   couldnt help myself           :-[   :-[
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: crazy8days on January 01, 2014, 04:32:29 pm
Yes it does!!!! :P
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on January 01, 2014, 04:36:56 pm
Not if you do it right. See, it's like this. The small propolis bits have been put into the bottle. Get the Ever Clear, take a swig. Pour Ever Clear into prop bottle, take a swig. Put Ever Clear down, put cap onto small popolis bottle tightly, take a swig. Put cap back onto Ever Clear bottle. By that time nothing matters anymore... Bees? Do I have Bees? hic  8) ;)
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Zookeep on January 01, 2014, 09:18:37 pm
I have people asking me for propolis all the time but they talk about dry form, of liquid in small bottles they can add to there tea or coffee in the morning, I have some hives that have soo much in them it looks like some1 spill tar into the boxes, be perfect for harvest if I had a few recipes for making them, hope some1 has 1 or 2
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on January 01, 2014, 10:43:03 pm
Zoo- I get my prop down to say the size of cornmeal, by using a cheap coffee grinder, I'm not sure I can get it finer than that.

I had a hive last year that looked just like the tar image you spoke of, every time I did a hive inspection I would wait until the sun had warmed the hive real good, the prop just scrapes right off like frosting.

You will need:
A hammer
Ziplock baggies - sandwich size or quart size.
Cheap electric coffee grinder from a thrift shop or they are about $10 at Walmart.
A cereal size spoon

This is what you do:

Scrape off all the prop you can, or some people use a prop screen. Put it all in a ziplok bag or several ziploc bags. Freeze it overnight. This is where you have to work in smaller batches and work quickly because the prop starts to get room temp and gets real sticky again.

Have the hammer ready. Take one prop zippy out of the freezer, then promptly wack away at the prop in the zippy until it starts to fracture into smaller pieces, it breaks up like ice. If it starts to stick together put it back into the freezer, for about 1/2 hour. Start on another baggie. Keep doing this until the pieces are about the size of a piece of rice. Freeze it again. Always work with it Frozen!

Then put about 1/4 of a cup of the rice size prop into the coffee grinder, and pulse it often scraping the sides often. You may need to detach the coffee bean canister that's holding the prop and put it back into the freezer for a little while.

Now! Once you've got the prop pulsed down the the size of cornmeal, put it into zippy's and keep it frozen until your ready to use it for a project.

I haven't tried to put this cornmeal size into a cup of coffee or tea, but you got my curiosity up so I'll have to see if it dissolves in my coffee tomorrow.

Have fun!
Title: Propolis tincture recipe
Post by: Jen on January 14, 2014, 02:57:29 pm
To make a 30% solution of propolis tincture, get small bottles like the ones in the photo. Put your propolis that has been ground down to coffee ground size into the bottle. Fill the bottle 1/3 full of coffee ground size propolis. Then fill up the bottle with Everclear alchohol or high quality vodka. Cap the bottle and let steep for one month. Shake the bottle everyday, IMPORTANT.

It is okay to use your tincture in two weeks, it just won't be quite as strong, more like a 25% solution which is still plenty of medicine.

After it's steeping time is done, you will notice some sediment at the bottom of the bottle. That sediment is just wax from the hive. I leave it in, I don't consider it in the way. However, if you don't care for it, just strain the tincture through cheese cloth, or a cotton kitchen towel, not terry cloth.

http://www.apitherapy.org/about-apitherapy/products-of-the-hive-2/propolis/

(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs21.postimg.cc%2Fd90yyyxbn%2FDSCF8554.jpg&hash=70b5d51463c54f629789fb8b398e16e7712d981f) (http://postimg.cc/image/d90yyyxbn/)
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Marbees on January 14, 2014, 10:16:10 pm
Thanks Jen, eventually I'll try to make it.  :)
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: efmesch on January 21, 2014, 04:42:24 pm
Seems to me that you're making a major project of a simple matter.
When I make propolis tincture, I use the strips I scrape from the frames or chunks that I collect from assorted locations in the hive. 
Place as much or as little as you want into a small medicine bottle, add ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, close the bottle and shake.  The propolis disssolves (leaving a sediment) and there you've got it.  Since you won't be using it up all at once, even if it didn't all dissolve on the first day, after a few days it should all be liquified and ready for aplication.  [Obviously, if you've used isopropyl alcohol, it would be for external use only.]
Having said that, I haven't found propolis to be very effective as a tincture. 
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on January 22, 2014, 11:57:44 pm
Ef- That's why I use Ever Clear in the tincture, so that it can be used externally or internally. I have made the tincture with larger pea size prop, but it takes too long to disolve. When I crack the prop down to corn meal size it only takes a week for it to dissolve, then what is left in the bottom of the bottle is beeswax.

I use it like Neosporin. I dip a Qtip into the bottle and apply. I have shortened the length of a cold sore. Helped ease a cancor sore. Swabbed a patch of itchy excema. Took the itch and heat out of nasty bug bites and stings. I know of some people who put a couple of drops or so into their hot tea every morning for immune enhancement.

http://www.apitherapy.org/about-apitherapy/products-of-the-hive-2/propolis/
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on February 10, 2014, 12:12:36 pm
Keeper ""I don't know about this Jen Character.  She sounds like an engineer with her attention to detail!!!   I was going to comment, but I may as well reiterate one of your points.  Use a freezer & a spice grinder, or sit the propolis outside to freeze it.""

Yup! I am a lot of things, but a character above all ~

I loove the idea of propolis under the armpits for deoderant, But Of Course! Why didn't I think of that!????

I just had this visual that I could scrape fresh soft propolis off of the hive box, smear it on my underarm hair AND WAX MY UNDERARMS FOR THE SUMMER!!!! BRILLIANT!

Hark????  What was that I just heard???? I do believe it was the sound of flinching men   
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on February 10, 2014, 03:06:04 pm
Keeper- ""Not propolis!!! Propolis tincture, then foot powder so it's not sticky.  You didn't think of it because you're not a guy lol""

Ya ya! Oops! I know..  propolis tincture, I forgot to put the 'tincture' word in there.

Can't comment on foot powder, don't know what it smells like....

Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on February 10, 2014, 08:49:45 pm
Hmm! Okay. I did put some propolis tincture on my underarms today, we'll see how long I can go before smelling like a guy  :D
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: LazyBkpr on February 11, 2014, 01:20:41 pm
LOL!! And of course pictures!
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on February 11, 2014, 02:21:55 pm
Pretty sure I would get kicked off the forum  :o
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on February 11, 2014, 03:55:50 pm
Keeper - Results for the twenty four hour test for propolis tincture deoderant are now available~

Just did a sniff test. It appears that the propolis tincture application to underarms is odor free for twenty four hours. As well as no propolis stickiness to worry about. Just a drop or two in the fingertip applied to the underarms is all that is neccessary.

Now as far as perspiration.. I don't worry about that.. because we as animals are supposed to perspire. It's healthy

Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Bakersdozen on February 11, 2014, 09:53:10 pm
Keeper - Results for the twenty four hour test for propolis tincture deoderant are now available~

Just did a sniff test. It appears that the propolis tincture application to underarms is odor free for twenty four hours. As well as no propolis stickiness to worry about. Just a drop or two in the fingertip applied to the underarms is all that is neccessary.

Now as far as perspiration.. I don't worry about that.. because we as animals are supposed to perspire. It's healthy


Jen!!!  Testing for perspiration in February is cheating!  Get back with us in July and August.  8)
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on February 12, 2014, 12:16:52 am
Okay, I'll hold a promise to do another sniff test in July. That's when we are at about 105 degrees.
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: efmesch on February 12, 2014, 03:24:26 am
Jen, we need objective reporting.  Don't tell us if YOU were able to smell underarm odor.  Let's hear from those who had to stand in the bus or sit in the theater next to you.  ;D
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: iddee on February 12, 2014, 09:01:45 am
"Okay, I'll hold a promise to do another sniff test in July. That's when we are at about 105 degrees."

Yep, if that stuff is still holding up in July, it is great stuff, but what about the rest of your body between now and then?   :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on February 12, 2014, 02:09:20 pm
Good One Ef  :D  let's see.. hmm.. how would I hold my womanly composure and raise my arm up to the person next to me on the bus? I suppose their sour face or no sour face would tell me.

But of course in our neck of the woods just standing in line at Walmart can make ya turn pretty green. Especially when the mountain folks come to town from Down River. Yeeeeah a sniff test wouldn't work on them. I'll stick with the bus  :D
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: LazyBkpr on February 12, 2014, 05:12:01 pm
mountain folk...  you said this is made with everclear right??   So, if they lick your armpit your GOOD, if they dont it smells!!!
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on February 12, 2014, 06:27:50 pm
OMG - YOU WIN!
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: LazyBkpr on February 12, 2014, 07:59:53 pm
 :laugh:  I just laughed so hard I was crying...
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Bakersdozen on August 10, 2014, 10:56:26 am
Okay, I'll hold a promise to do another sniff test in July. That's when we are at about 105 degrees.

Ok Jen, it's August.  How is the propolized arm pits doing now?

I couldn't let this rest.  It's too good.  ;)
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on August 10, 2014, 01:12:11 pm
By Golly my propolis tincture is still at work! In the winter I can get it to last about 2 days. In the summer while working the hives And during my cut out this year when it was 105, No Odor Whatsoever! but I still perspired, wet arm pits... But I don't mind that, I think I've mentioned before that I believe it's natural to perspire, those glands need to do their job. If you supress those gland from doing their job, your looking at cancer. MHO  :) 8)  Thanks for checking in on that Baker  :) 8)

Also I might add, that I can get an eczema outbreak on my hands once in a great while. Felt the itchiness coming on early this morning, poured about 1/4 tsp of tincture into my palm and wiped hands thoroughly with the tincture. All Itchiness Gone!

Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Bakersdozen on August 10, 2014, 01:14:15 pm
Is that tincture the one with Everclear and propolis?  Sister has a little of that on her hands.
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on August 10, 2014, 02:38:01 pm
Yep! It helps take down the itch and the little pesky bumps. After applying the prop to her hands they will feel a bit tacky because prop is very sticky stuff, but not sticky like glue, I'm able to do whatever I want to do thru the day with it on my hands, unlike if it was oil based ~

   As well, if she wants to give prop tinc a try, it would be a good idea to put 1 or 2 drops in her morning drink. Getting the prop inside and outside in a nice medicine

Baker, I have some to share with you if you want to get her started on it. Or, you can make the recipe on Products Of The Hive, but it will take 2-3 weeks for it to be ready to use ~

    If you want to make some on your own, be sure to crack the frozen prop down to cracked pepper size, it will steep and dissolve much sooner  ;) 8)

Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: brooksbeefarm on August 10, 2014, 06:19:55 pm
Sweat glands you say Jen? ???, i'm over loaded with them. I've been picking sweet corn for the past two weeks and when i come to the house every stitch of clothing i have on is dripping with sweat,T- shirt,pants, underwear. socks, even dripping off the bill of my cap. Been this way all my life, don't think i would put tincture on my whole body though :D, unless it's a woman repellent, i get tired of them chasing me down at the feed store. 8) Jack :laugh:
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Jen on August 10, 2014, 06:31:15 pm
    Hi Jack!  LOL  Now see, if you're a healthy 'sweater', the kind that drips off of your body, not the kind you get for christmas... That's a good thing. Sweating is very healthy, it's the odor that most find offensive. Propolis kills the under arm odor.

     Keep sweating baby! It's good for you! just keep your fluids in, water, gatorade, coconut water...  ;D

Jack- "Unless it's a woman repellent, i get tired of them chasing me down at the feed store. Jack"

    MmHmm, Suuuure  ;) 
Title: Re: Propolis tincture
Post by: Bakersdozen on August 25, 2014, 11:37:09 am
I came across some notes I took at a bee club meeting.  The presentation  included making a Propolis Healing Ointment.  I haven't tried this, but do plan to.
1 T. beeswax
4 T. mineral oil
1 T. propolis granules
1 T. honey
Combine all in a double boiler.  Heat until melted.  Stir until contents cools.

To make propolis granules:
1. Collect propolis in a disposable heat proof container.  Add enough water to cover.  Heat in oven at 200 degrees.  The wax will float and the propolis will stick to the bottom.  Stir often and maintain the heat for at least 2 hours.  Remove from oven and let cool.
2. Remove the waxy layer on the surface.  Pour off the water.  Save the colored mass beneath it.
3. Place the container in the freezer.  When brittle, chip the granules from the container.  Spread granules on a paper towel to dry.  Store in a sealed container.