You would first have to collect and extract the propolis but the
following are some ingredients for making your own medicines.

CHAPTER 10
Making Your Own Medicines
From James Fearnley's book `Bee Propolis Natural Healing from the
Hive'
(copyright 2001 James Fearnley)

We have seen that when a product like propolis becomes popular, it
is not always easy to identify which products are the best value for
money or indeed which are the best quality. One way around this
dilemma is to do what man has done for thousands of years, that is
to make your own medicines. This may sound both difficult and
dangerous: in fact it is neither.
First, you will need to get hold of some raw propolis with which to
make your base tincture and from which you can then make all the
other products. Try contacting your local beekeeper, if you know
one, or else contact the British Beekeepers Association (address at
the back) and they should be able to help locate one near you.
Not all beekeepers collect propolis but most should be happy to
extract the small amount you will need for your test batch. If you
do need to pay for the propolis, bear in mind that the current world
price for raw propolis is around $15–$20 per kilo when you are
buying by the ton, so you could reasonably expect to pay up to £5
for 250 grams. But don't be surprised if you are given it for free.
If you are unable to get it from beekeeper, then you could try
contacting one of the principal manufacturers and refiners of
propolis products. You can check to see if the propolis is still OK
by using simple test devised by some Canadian beekeepers. Put half
teaspoon of finely ground raw propolis into small cup of fresh milk
and leave in warm temperature for four days. `If the milk is still
fresh after that time your propolis is OK.' (ref: Krell, R (1996)
Value added products from Beekeeping, FAO Agricultural Services
Bulletin, 124)

MAKING A PROPOLIS TINCTURE
There are two ways of calculating the concentration of propolis. One
way is to calculate the weight of dissolved solids in a given amount
of solvent in the finished tincture. The other, simpler and more
practical method recommended here is based on dissolving known
proportion of raw propolis in your chosen solvent.
Two solvents are most commonly used—alcohol and propylene glycol.
Whilst alcohol provides the most effective and easiest solvent to
use, extracts made from propylene glycol can be more appropriate
when making some particular products, e.g. water-based creams.
To make 25 per cent (1:4) alcohol extract you will need 250g of
propolis plus four times that weight/volume in alcohol, i.e.
approximately 1 litre of alcohol, depending on the strength of the
alcohol.
The kind of alcohol you use is important for two reasons. Firstly,
if you are going to use the end product on yourself or on your pets
then you must use food grade or drinking alcohol. Denatured alcohol,
which is much cheaper to buy, contains chemicals designed to stop it
being drunk. The residues left by denatured alcohols can have
adverse effects if consumed. Secondly, research has shown that you
get more of the active elements out of propolis if you use 70 per
cent or higher proof alcohol. You should be able to buy this grade
alcohol from your local chemist. You can, however, use commercially
distilled drinking alcohol—gin, rum, whisky, vodka etc. Whilst these
products are not as strong and effective extractants as pure
ethanol, they are perfectly adequate for home use.
Take your propolis and remove any obvious contaminants as best you
can, i.e. pieces of wood etc. Cut the propolis into small pieces and
place it in large clean jar. Pour on the alcohol and close with
tight-fitting lid. You should leave the propolis soaking for minimum
of one week, shaking it regularly every day. Keep the bottle in
warm, dark place during this time. This long soak is important.
Research has shown that optimum extraction takes between 7–12 days.
(ref: ibid) Some people find that warming the liquid helps
dissolution but it is best to use as little heat as possible as this
can damage the bioflavonoids. Remember, though, that alcohol is a
highly inflammable liquid and should not be placed anywhere near
direct flame.
The resulting liquid is first filtered through fine cloth or through
paper filters. Muslin is ideal or coffee filters can be used.
Following this first filtration, place the filtered product in the
fridge for day or so and then filter again, using as fine filter as
possible. Store the liquid in clean dark-coloured bottles if
possible and store away from direct sunlight. Propolis tincture made
in this way will last indefinitely. Propolis is, in any case,
bactericidal but alcohol over 30 per cent concentration is also an
effective preservative.
The method is exactly the same when using propylene glycol but it is
probably better to use only 10 per cent raw propolis, i.e. 100g to
litre of glycol, as glycol is not as effective solvent as alcohol.
You may also need to use little heat to help the propolis dissolve
if using glycol.

USING THE TINCTURE

We have seen how you can use alcoholic tinctures for variety of
purposes. Take few drops day to stay well, to boost your immune
system or prevent coughs and colds. It is best to put the drops in
warm liquid—juice or tea—as the resin in the tincture tends to stick
to the container. You can also mix the tincture with honey or place
few drops on bread.
The tincture can be used to treat cuts, grazes, burns, dermatitis,
wounds and infections. (ref: Kall, J. (1991) Natural Medicine from
honey bees) Less than one per cent of people are allergic to
propolis so remember to apply small amounts to the affected area to
start with and discontinue if significant allergic reaction is
observed. The resinous part of the tincture forms membrane over
wounds, avoiding the need for dressing. As we have seen, it assists
the regeneration of tissue, and reduces bleeding and pain.
Propylene glycol tinctures can be used in the same way. Indeed,
external use on wounds and burns may be more appropriate because the
liquid does not sting as much as the alcohol-based product. Bear in
mind, though, that it is not advisable for humans to consume more
than 1.5g of glycol per day so if you are taking the tincture
internally on a regular basis, it is probably better to use one that
is alcohol-based.

PROPOLIS SPRAYS

Both alcohol and propylene glycol propolis solutions can be mixed
with appropriate alcoholic herbal extracts to produce spray suitable
for treatment of mouth and nasal problems. A five per cent extract
of either propolis solution is mixed with 1:20 extract of regalis,
anis, eucalyptus or mint, according to taste. The solution can be
further diluted and bottled in small mechanical spray. The solution
is sprayed on the affected areas and has been found to be effective
in treating mouth ulcers and nasal congestion as well as for
treating halitosis (bad breath) If you prefer, you can use propolis
solution on its own. Glycol solutions are sometimes preferred for
this use as the liquid does not evaporate as quickly as the alcohol
solutions and does not sting as much when applied to sore and
affected areas.
The spray has also been found to be useful way of delivering
propolis to burns, wounds and skin infections as it delivers fine
film of propolis to the affected area without the potential for
further damage. Propylene glycol solutions are again preferred for
the same reasons mentioned above.

PROPOLMEL

This recipe, developed by Jacob Kaal, (ref: Kaal, J (1991) Natural
Medicine from honey bees) has been used principally to stimulate the
glands and as preventative against infection and inflammations of
the stomach and intestine as well as for the treatment of prostate
conditions.
One part of 25 per cent propolis extract weight (produced as above)
is mixed with seven parts honey and two parts fresh pollen where
available. According to Kaal, the pollen tends to raise blood
pressure whilst the honey restores the balance. You may wish to
experiment with different proportions of honey, propolis and pollen.
Mix the propolis and pollen with small amount of honey before
integrating it with the balance of honey.
Using the propolmel as base you can also add other bee products and
herbs designed to achieve specific effects. For example, add royal
jelly and a dash of ginseng and lotus extract to produce nourishing
and invigorating tonic for older people suffering from chronic
illness or convalescence following illness or an operations. (ref:
ibid)

PROPOLIS AND HONEY

Adding propolis to honey is an excellent way of masking the taste of
propolis and combining the complementary function of honey and
propolis. It is also an excellent way of getting children to take
propolis. Products of this kind should be stored in dark jars in
cool place.
A mixture of honey and propolis has been used to treat burns
successfully. The burned area is covered in honey and propolis,
bandaged and left for number of days.

PROPOLIS VASELINE OINTMENT

For this ointment you will need to evaporate the alcohol or glycol
from the tincture to produce concentrated extract. You can do this
by gently warming the tincture in water bath until the liquid is
reduced to sticky consistency. You will not be able to get the
liquid down to dry powder. Slowly mix the thick reduced extract with
Vaseline in the ratio of one part propolis extract to 20 parts of
Vaseline if using the alcohol extract, and one part to 10 if using
the glycol extract. Again, little heat applied via water bath may be
useful here. Mix well by hand or with an ordinary electric mixer
until the ointment takes on uniform and darker colour.
You can use this ointment externally, with the same provisos as
mentioned above, to treat ulcers and burns in humans, and abscesses
and festering wounds in animals. Where wound is open, it is
advisable to apply the ointment around the outside of the wound
first. This encourages the tissue to heal progressively towards the
centre of the affected area over time. Continue to apply until the
wound is completely healed.

PROPOLIS OIL-BASED OINTMENT

For this ointment use two parts by weight of the propolis extract
produced in the method above to one part beeswax, seven parts
lanolin and 10 parts butter of palm, cacao or similar.
First, melt the beeswax in a water bath, slowly stirring in the
lanolin. When the mixture has cooled, blend in the pre-mixed butter
and propolis to produce homogenous mixture. This soothing ointment
can be used for variety of skin problems by being gently massaged
into the affected areas.

PROPOLIS CREAM

Rather than make your own, you can add propolis to most base creams.
You may need to experiment little to find the right proportions—
usually somewhere between one–five per cent. Most creams are water-
based and therefore you may find that the propylene glycol solution
mixes more effectively with the cream.
Jacob Kaal (ref: ibid) tells us that the `contractile strength of
propolis combats the formation of wrinkles on the face and causes
liver spots to disappear.' Most base creams, whether they be
designed as moisturising, rejuvenating or curative, can be improved
with the additions of relatively small proportions (one–two per cent
by weight) of propolis. In particular, these fortified creams can be
useful in treating fungal diseases of the skin as well as psoriasis,
particularly when taken in conjunction with propolis internally.
Patients who find stronger propolis ointments irritating because of
an allergic response can often benefit from using the milder creams.
PROPOLIS FACIAL MASKS
Dr Murat (ref: Murat, F. (1982) Propolis – The Eternal Natural
Healer) tells us of patient whose face `was so seriously wrinkled
that it looked like sponge.' Apparently, after few months of
propolis facial mask left on overnight, `she looked twenty years
younger and her face had lovely youthful appearance.' Sonowski (ref:
Sonowski, sited in Krell, R (1996) Value added products from
Beekeeping) devised the following recipe for propolis facial mask.
Five parts filler (this can be fuller's earth, china clay, kaolin,
bentonite or mixture of all of them), four parts 50 per cent
glycerol solution, five parts 50 per cent propolis solution, and an
appropriate amount of perfume or essential oils. The propolis
extract is mixed with the glycerol. This mixture is then mixed with
the filler and the perfume. This recipe may be varied with the
addition of other appropriate herbal mixtures with a reputation for
cleansing. The mixture is then applied thickly to the face and left
on overnight.
Krochmal (ref: Krochmal, cited in Krellm R (1996) Value added
products from beekeeping) has slightly simpler recipe for cleansing
mask for oily skins. This mask should not be mixed until immediately
prior to use, as it does not contain preservative and would
otherwise deteriorate quickly. The ingredients are in parts per
volume: four parts fuller's earth (or similar product), one part
rose water, one part lemon juice, two parts honey, one part 5–10 per
cent propolis extract, either in ethanol or glycol. Whether in
ethanol or glycol the propolis solution should be diluted, enabling
water to be added more easily. Prepare the rose water by adding few
drops of the essential oil to water or by preparing an infusion of
rose petals. Once again, this recipe can be varied by the additions
of differing appropriate herbal tinctures or essential oils, and
once more the mixture is spread over the whole face and left to
carry out its work for number of hours, preferably overnight.

PROPOLIS MASSAGE OIL

To produce propolis massage oil, Felix Murat (ref: Murat, F (1982)
Propolis – The eternal natural healer) suggests mixing one part
propolis extract with two parts of base oil (this may be sunflower,
sesame, grape seed, olive or sweet almond oil) and 20 parts of any
traditional massage oil. This produces regenerative and invigorating
effect when massaged into the skin.

PROPOLIS TABLETS

Again the recipe is in parts by weight. You will need one part gum
arabic, one part water, one part propolis extract (ideally reduced
from propylene glycol) and 10 parts powdered sugar, pollen or
wholewheat flour, and flavouring if required.
First, mix the water with the gum arabic until it forms homogenous
mass. Then slowly stir in the propolis extract and the pollen, sugar
or flour. You may have to experiment a little with this recipe. What
you are aiming for is well-mixed but stiff consistency, which you
can roll into ball-like pastry. Then spread surface with powdered
sugar and roll out thin layer. You can then cut this
propolis `pastry' into small squares or circles, placing them on
sugared board to dry and go hard. You can finish them off in low
oven if you prefer.
The resulting tablets may not look too much like today's
professionally-made tablets but they will work just as well. You can
use them like lozenges after dental treatment or if you have mouth
ulcers, by allowing them to slowly dissolve in your mouth.

PROPOLIS TOOTHPASTE AND MOUTHWASH

A number of commercial propolis toothpastes are now available on the
market. They often have very low proportion of propolis in them.
They are used to help maintain everyday oral hygiene and prevent
dental decay via the antibiotic anti-plaque properties of propolis.
Rather than make your own toothpaste, from start to finish, it is
probably easier to buy natural toothpaste, already on the market and
mix in extra propolis. You can do this by undoing the folded end of
the tube, pushing out the paste and mixing it with one–five per cent
by weight of the propolis extract you are left with after you have
evaporated either the glycol or ethanol liquid.
simple mouthwash can also be produced by adding 10–15 drops of
propolis liquid to glass of warm water and using it to rinse the
mouth instead of using chemical preparation. Unlike traditional
mouthwashes you can finish off by swallowing it and getting the
added benefit of the propolis internally.

ANAESTHETIC PROPOLIS PASTE

Propolis has gained substantial reputation for treating dental
problems, including mouth ulcers, gingyvitis, and pericorinitis. As
well as addressing the inflammatory nature of these conditions,
propolis also acts as an anaesthetic, reducing pain in the mouth.
The following recipe has been designed to bring out the anaesthetic
properties of propolis. (ref: Sonowski, cited in Krell,R (1996)) The
ingredients (in parts by weight) are 10 parts lanolin, 10 parts
unbleached beeswax, 10 parts petrolatum (Vaseline), two parts ethyl
aminobenzoate, three parts clove oil and 15 parts propolis (50 per
cent concentration ethanol extract).
Melt the beeswax and the Vaseline in a water bath and, as the
mixture begins to cool, stir in the lanolin. When the mixture has
cooled to around 40°C (104°F) then add the propolis and the other
ingredients.
Apply the paste to the affected area and encourage the patient to
try and keep it there. Alternatively, if you can find some clean,
raw propolis, chew it until it has the consistency of chewing gum
and mould it round the affected tooth or area if possible.

PROPOLIS SUNTAN LOTIONS

Add between two–five per cent by weight of reduced propylene glycol
extract to your chosen suntan solution. In this way you can add the
tissue-regenerating properties of propolis to the sun-blocking
effect of the lotion. Dr Murat (ref: Murat, F. (1982)) confirms that
propolis `acts as screen against the ultra-violet rays of the sun
and prevents sunburn and sores.'
Apply first to small area to be sure that you are not one of the few
people who have an allergic skin reaction.

PROPOLIS HAIR PREPARATIONS

In the manufacturers' survey of propolis users mentioned earlier,
number of people referred to the improved quality and texture of
their hair as result of taking propolis. Dr Murat (ref: Murat, F.
(1982)) tells us that massaging propolis oil into the hair `makes
the hair more natural-looking.' He also tells us that it `stops
itching and often eliminates dandruff.'
You can make your own anti-dandruff lotion in the following way.
(re: Lejeune, quoted in Krell) The ingredients you will need (in
parts by weight) are: one part of 10 per cent ethanol propolis
solution (made as above), five parts laurylsulphate, 37 parts 100
per cent ethanol, 57 parts rain water or boiled water.
First, mix the one part propolis with the 37 parts ethanol and then
mix the five parts laurylsulphate with 57 parts of boiled or rain
water. Finally, mix the two solutions together. Use like a shampoo,
leaving on the hair for five minutes before rinsing.
You can make conventional shampoo by adding around one– two per cent
parts by weight to shampoo base of your own choice. Depending on
what is in the shampoo you use, some may lose their viscosity when
mixed with alcohol. Also, take care not to put too much propolis
extract in the shampoo because propolis can stain the skin.