Propolis is one of the apitherapy products used to treat many diseases. The time it takes to retain its medicinal qualities depends on how it was collected. Propolis should be stored at home in compliance with certain requirements. The method generally depends on what form it has. If the collection of propolis and its storage conditions meet the standards, the shelf life of preparations made from it can reach several years.
How to prepare propolis for storage
After collection, the raw materials should be separated from foreign elements and then crushed. These processes are best done using a centrifuge. This is followed by product purification, consisting of the following steps:
- The resulting mass is ground into powder.
- Fill it with water in a container and mix thoroughly. The mixture should sit for several hours. In this case, the product will settle to the bottom, and pieces of wax and previously unseparated impurities will float to the surface.
- Water with foreign substances is drained.
- The remaining product is laid out on a cloth or napkin to remove residual moisture.
- Small balls are formed from the purified and dried substance.
If the resulting propolis is of high quality, then it has the following properties:
- viscous consistency, reminiscent of wax;
- brown or yellow;
- characteristic honey smell;
- bitter taste.
The resulting substance will be soft under normal conditions, but hard at low temperatures. It is poorly soluble in water.
Signs of a quality product
First of all, you should choose a quality product that will last a long time and not deteriorate.
Structure
When choosing a substance, it is worth considering its purity and homogeneity. The product is usually sold in the form of a ball. Therefore, before purchasing, it is recommended to cut the substance to evaluate its structure. The inside of propolis should be the same as the outside. The consistency should be almost homogeneous. There may be some crumbs and wax inside.
Color
The normal color range is from green-brown to yellow-green.
Aroma
The natural substance is characterized by a spicy honey aroma. It is quite durable and resinous. Over time, the smell does not evaporate.
Taste
The substance should be chewed slowly before purchasing. After 10-20 movements, the product will heat up and begin to stick to your teeth. After 5-10 minutes, a slight burning sensation will appear in the mouth. It is felt especially strongly when swallowing. Minor numbness may also occur. High-quality propolis tastes very pleasant. It may taste a little bitter. After half an hour of chewing, the product disintegrates, and the burning sensation increases significantly. In general, the quality of a product is assessed by the speed at which bitterness appears and its sticky structure.
To evaluate organoleptic characteristics, a sufficient amount of the substance is required. It is advisable to take a piece weighing at least 1 gram.
How to properly store propolis
Shelf life generally depends on compliance with storage rules. There are certain standards under which propolis preparation can retain its medicinal properties for a long time:
- air humidity – no more than 65%;
- temperature – no higher than +23 °C;
- UV protection;
- isolation from the effects of active substances (chemicals, spices, etc.)
During long storage periods, it is necessary to periodically inspect the product and pay attention to changes in its appearance. If necessary, you need to change the conditions in which it is located.
Where should you store propolis?
You can store propolis at home in the following places:
- in kitchen cabinets away from heat sources (radiators, pipes, hoods, etc.), since temperature fluctuations lead to partial or complete loss of medicinal properties;
- in places isolated from contact with the previously mentioned active substances;
- in the refrigerator, where a stable temperature is maintained within + 4-8 ° C, use sealed containers or packaging, since the humidity inside a household appliance can vary widely.
The best storage option is a darkened room with constant temperature and humidity.
Important! Storage near sanitary facilities (water supply or sewerage pipes, garbage chute, ventilation, etc.) is unacceptable.
In what container can propolis be stored?
Propolis should first be wrapped in one of the following materials:
- blank paper;
- parchment;
- polyethylene.
To ensure constant humidity and protection from light radiation, briquettes must be placed in containers made of opaque glass or ceramics. The container must be equipped with an airtight lid. In conditions of constant humidity, solid plywood boxes can be used for storage.
How to store propolis in balls
It is believed that it is best to store propolis in its pure form rolled into balls. Their size is slightly larger than a quail egg (25-30 mm). The remaining conditions are the same as those given earlier: the balls must be tightly wrapped in polyethylene or wrapped in parchment and placed in an airtight container. It should be opaque and stored in a room with constant temperature and humidity.
Black wax production
Collection of propolis
Insects collect sticky substances from all kinds of trees and shrubs. Sometimes they may use completely unusual ingredients, such as cement. The ingredients for propolis are collected near the apiary, and the bees show extraordinary intelligence to combine and prepare the desired substance.
- The color of propolis depends on the composition, and can vary from yellow-brown to greenish-black. The color of bee glue may be different in adjacent hives of the same apiary. This indicates that each bee colony has its own glue recipe.
- It may taste a little bitter. The smell is specific - with light shades of wax and honey.
- When heated, it is soft and sticky. After cooling it becomes hard and brittle.
How long does propolis last?
The beneficial properties of propolis last for 5-7 years. Strict adherence to the conditions can extend the shelf life of bee propolis up to 10 years. Below we consider how long a product prepared in various forms can be stored.
Shelf life of propolis in solid form
This type of propolis is highly plastic and has a sticky consistency. It is usually formed in the form of balls, slightly flattened cakes or oblong cylinders up to 15 cm long and 1-1.5 cm in diameter.
Each individual piece of solid is wrapped in its own package. At the same time, its contents will not be exposed to the environment. Most often, beekeepers store bee products in this form. At the same time, the shelf life of solid propolis is 6 years, which is slightly less than that of dry natural propolis.
Shelf life of dry propolis
The dry product prepared for medicinal purposes usually has a powder structure. It is from it that products for internal or external use are mainly made.
In its natural form, such powder can be stored for a long time: the shelf life of dry propolis is about 8 years. In this case, it is necessary to use hermetically sealed packaging and comply with the requirements for humidity and temperature (65% and + 23 °C, respectively).
Shelf life of propolis tincture with alcohol
Since essential oils have a high degree of solubility in ethyl alcohol, it is often used as the basis for most medicinal tinctures. The resulting preparations are light brown in color, in some cases reddish. Containers with medicines must have airtight lids.
Storing propolis in alcohol at home in a glass or ceramic container with a tight-fitting lid is 4 years. In this case, the ambient temperature should not exceed + 15 °C.
Attention! Glass storage containers should be opaque.
How long does propolis ointment last?
Propolis ointment is an antibacterial drug for local external action. Typically, a thick substance - fish oil or Vaseline - is used as the base of the ointment. The shelf life of propolis in the form of ointment can reach 2 years.
The main requirement for preserving the healing properties of the ointment is air humidity. It should be slightly lower than the standard value indicated earlier (no more than 55%). In this case, storage temperature does not play a special role. Another important condition is the absence of direct sunlight, since under the influence of ultraviolet radiation the ointment will lose its properties. That is, it is advisable to use a vessel whose walls are opaque.
Important! If the ointment shows signs of mold or mildew, it becomes unfit for use.
What is the shelf life of propolis oil?
Propolis oil used for skin therapy can be used both internally and externally. It is used in such cases:
- for the treatment of ulcers of the digestive system;
- as an adjuvant for the treatment of bronchitis;
- to reduce inflammation in tuberculosis, etc.
The medicine should be stored in a tightly closed container at low temperatures. The shelf life of propolis oil in the refrigerator is about 3 months.
Alcohol tincture
This is another way to prepare bee glue. To obtain it, 1 part of the product is poured with 9 parts of a 70% ethyl alcohol solution. The aging period is 12 days, during which the tincture is shaken several times.
To store the drug, use only dark brown glass containers. The optimal place is the refrigerator. Shelf life - 48 months. To prevent the medicine from absorbing odors, make sure the container is tightly closed.
The tincture should not be taken in significant quantities. This is due to the fact that it is not intended to be taken in large quantities. So, it is allowed to take 20-30 drops of tincture at a time, maximum half a teaspoon. Moreover, you need to drink it diluted, otherwise there is a risk of internal burn.
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How to know that propolis is unfit for consumption
Whether a product is fit for consumption or not is determined by visual signs, as well as by its mechanical characteristics. A natural remedy that has lost its medicinal properties becomes darker and its characteristic “bee” smell disappears. Forms with a plastic structure become brittle, turning into powder at the slightest physical impact. For dry and hard structures, the opposite process is observed; they become amorphous and are easily crushed by fingers.
Typically, propolis spoils before its expiration date for the following reasons:
- the product was initially of poor quality;
- humidity or temperature requirements are not met;
- During the storage period, sudden changes in temperature were observed (even within acceptable limits);
- the product was exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
In any case, you should regularly not only monitor the condition of the product, but also monitor its storage conditions.
Is it possible to use spoiled propolis?
Regardless of the external state of propolis, smell and taste, if its shelf life has exceeded the permissible shelf life (for a given form of the drug), its use is not recommended. It is best to simply throw away such a product so as not to accidentally confuse it with other types of similar products.
Important collection and cleaning instructions
Before ready-made propolis is prepared for storage, it is necessary to properly collect it and carry out some procedures. During product processing, rough and fine cleaning of the canvas will be required. After sifting, large fractions are selected and foreign impurities are eliminated. For additional crushing, you can use a centrifuge. After purification, propolis is used for a variety of purposes. It is actively used in cosmetology and pharmaceuticals. The optimal collection period is mid or late summer.
If the beekeeper has a goal of collecting this product, then slatted ceilings are placed on the frames, between which a 2 mm gap is left, in which glue will be placed. It is important to carefully disassemble the ceiling to clean the products. The soaked canvases are removed in November. Then the product is stored in a dry and clean room until frost. So that it can be easily separated from the fabric, you can keep it in the refrigerator for thirty minutes. The shelf life depends on how correctly this manipulation is performed.
Collection of glue
Methods for collecting propolis
A responsible beekeeper collects bee sealant every time he inspects the hive. He scrapes it off with a beekeeping chisel from the top bars of the frame, and from the grooves of the body. You can also collect it from ceiling canvases by pre-cooling it.
In preparation for winter, bees cover up excess holes with propolis. Using this feature, beekeepers create conditions for them to collect more substances, increasing the gaps between the ceiling boards, or using special gratings.
When the glue is collected, it must be cleaned, because it contains a certain amount of wax. To do this, place it in a cool place (refrigerator or freezer) for several hours. This makes him fragile. After cooling, it is ground on a grater into a dusty state and filled with cold water. All impurities float to the surface, and pure bee matter sinks to the bottom.
The floating wax is collected and the water is carefully drained. The clean bee sealant remaining in the container is dried. After this, it is ready for storage or processing.
Ointment
homemade propolis ointment
Bee glue ointment is used to treat burns, dermatitis, and also for cosmetic purposes. This remedy is easy to prepare at home, preserving all the healing properties of propolis.
The most common way to make an ointment is to melt black beeswax in boiling vegetable olive, sunflower or flaxseed oil. The liquid is filtered through several layers of sterile gauze and poured into glass containers treated with alcohol. After thickening, the ointment has a soft consistency and a pleasant smell.
The storage conditions for such a product do not differ from the principles for storing natural propolis. Place the jar with the product in a dry place, protected from bright sunlight. But the shelf life of such medicinal ointment is much shorter. Depending on the conditions, it retains its healing properties for 8-12 months.
