What is a cold?

A cold is a worldwide known, temporarye Disease that affects the whole body and usually the respiratory system in particular. Viruses are a factor in 97 percent of all cases. It is an infection with a high risk of infection. The triggering rhinoviruses (less often coronaviruses, adenoviruses, para-influenza viruses or respiratory syncytial viruses) can cover a distance of one meter and are transmitted by droplets. However, experts are arguing over whether the most common transmission path is droplet infection or hand contact. The latter is not limited to shaking hands, but also to contaminated objects.

The so-called “incubation time” for an infection is usually between 24 and 72 hours. A cold usually begins slowly with increasing symptoms. It starts with chills, the throat scratches, the nose clogs up little by little, there is an urge to sneeze and the runny nose is not long in coming. Sometimes headache and body aches occur, and after about four to five days there is a cough. An old popular saying speaks of a cold coming for three days, staying for three days and going for three days – it actually does it quite well.

The conventional forms of treatment for cough and cold

The way to the doctor makes sense with a cold, leaving the doctor’s office with an antibiotic prescription, on the other hand, is mostly harmful rather than useful. Antibiotics are an effective remedy for bacteria, but viruses cannot be impressed by them. Since antibiotics kill everything that is of bacterial origin, “good” bacteria are also eliminated, which means that the therapeutic agent is actually counterproductive.

A common reason for medical professionals to use antibacterial drugs is the patient’s statement that the nasal mucus or coughing is discolored. This may actually indicate a bacterial infection, but is mostly a way for the body to deal with the viral infection. Only in around two percent of all afflicted people does a cold become a “super infection”, in which antibiotics are then indicated.

How could propolis help with a cold or cough?

If one assumes that both experience medicine and the first examinations are coherent, propolis is able to inhibit germs – like the rhinoviruses – from growing. A cold usually starts from the nasal mucosa. The viruses multiply and penetrate into the deeper respiratory tract. If the virus replication is already reduced, a cold is significantly reduced. Numerous voices even speak of the fact that a cold can be completely prevented by the timely, preventive use of propolis, but this has not (yet) been scientifically proven. But here, too, one could logically conclude: Those who provide their body with an agent that has an antiviral effect make it difficult for an infection to spread.

Which dosage form of propolis is recommended?

Propolis is a powerful remedy for viruses, bacteria and the like in the beehive. But comparing it with culinary delights is unthinkable. Propolis does not necessarily taste good – but while our ancestors had to switch off the taste buds to swallow the bee putty, today it is very convenient to use.

There are propolis capsules (e.g. this one from the provider “Propoliswelt”), mouth spray with bee putty, propolis syrup or a combination of all of these.

At the beginning of the cold season, the prophylactic use of propolis can make sense. When taking tincture or drops, you should avoid dropping the bee product on sugar – a popular form of taking liquid medication. But propolis and industrial sugar do not get along, which is why a small piece of bread is ideal for this – perhaps even coated with honey. But be careful: alcohol is often contained in tinctures, so this variant is excluded in children, liver patients or dry alcoholics.

Speaking of: Allergy sufferers also better use other products to get rid of their cold or cough. In addition to resin, flavonoids or vitamins, propolis also contains pollen, which is not necessarily good for a pollen allergy sufferer. Hay fever sufferers should always seek medical advice before consuming a bee product. Patients with an allergy to bee products in general should better refrain from taking them entirely, since propolis is a highly allergenic substance and an allergy can have fatal effects.

Quelle: https://www.honigplus.de/blog/erkaeltung-husten-mit-propolis-der-bienen-lindern-wirkung-anwendung/