How to store propolis: rules and methods at home, expiration date

Propolis is a product of beekeeping, one of nature's wonderful gifts to mankind. For centuries, it has been used as a medicine in folk medicine for use in its pure form or as part of ointments, creams, emulsions, and alcohol tinctures. Its effectiveness has been proven, so today the popularity of the remedy does not fall. It is important to know how to properly store propolis so that it retains its medicinal qualities.

Preparing for storage

In order for propolis to be stored for years and at the same time not lose its useful characteristics, it is necessary to prepare for this immediately after receiving the product.The collection of bee glue lasts from June to August. Reiki are disassembled and the bond is cleaned from them. Briquettes are formed from the obtained substance, which are packed in plastic bags.

Noticeable fragments clogging the product are removed by centrifugation. But this is not enough. To obtain pure propolis, the following step-by-step processing is carried out:

1. Pulverize the composition.
2. Pour into container.
3. Pour cold clean water.
4. Leave for 2-3 hours.
5. Natural propolis will settle to the bottom, and light rubbish will remain on the surface.
6. Carefully drain water and debris.
7. Put pure propolis on an absorbent surface and leave until the water dries.
8. The finished product is rolled into balls or "sausages".

Only fresh propolis brings benefits to the body, so it is important to choose the perfect product and store it in the right conditions.Healing propolis is waxy, viscous, brownish with a gray tint, in the presence of an excess amount of perga, the composition is colored in yellowish hues. Such propolis is of poor quality.

Useful substance has a pronounced bitter taste and resinous honey aroma. It is extremely slightly soluble in water and becomes solid in the cold. If it is frozen in the freezer, it will become brittle and crumble into individual components. You cannot use this tool.

How to store at home?

In order for propolis not to lose its healing qualities and have a long shelf life, it must be properly stored. At home, it is quite possible to provide him with the necessary conditions. It is important to regularly check the condition of the product during storage, if necessary, adjusting the temperature, light levels, humidity, and so on.

Favorable storage conditions

Propolis is sensitive to temperature changes, does not like bright light, low and high humidity, and is also afraid of dust, absorption of foreign odors, contact with other products. In order for it to serve as long as possible, it is necessary to provide it with the right conditions:

1. Stable temperature without jumps, especially frequent and abrupt.
2. Uniform average humidity.
3. Protection from sunlight and artificial light.
4. Keep away from strong-smelling, toxic, volatile or essential oil-producing foods and goods, especially medicines, food, household chemicals, and so on.

Getting the bond in a good place, you can use natural medicine for many years.

Temperature

Propolis can be stored in the refrigerator, but not frozen, but placed in the compartment for fresh fruits and vegetables. At the same time, it must be protected from the penetration of odors and direct contact with prepared food or foodstuffs. This method is not suitable for dry propolis.

It is better to store the product at room temperature, provided that it does not exceed 23 degrees Celsius. It is important to achieve a uniform temperature for the entire storage period, since propolis suffers the most from temperature fluctuations.

Lighting

The healing substance is destroyed by ultraviolet rays, so it is necessary to keep propolis in a dark place. The product must be tightly packed in a light-tight container or placed in a dark brown or green glass container.

Humidity

Propolis does not tolerate both high humidity and excessive dryness. With a high level of humidity, the knot may begin to mold, which means it is spoiled. Too dry air will also cause irreversible changes in the composition of bee glue, so the optimal humidity is 65%.

What to store in

Propolis actively absorbs various odors and volatile components, which can not only make the substance useless, but also give it negative qualities. To prevent this from happening, it must be stored for long-term storage tightly packed, protected from light, moisture, aromas and volatile substances.

Wax paper

Propolis is well suited for paper impregnated with special compounds, such as waxed or parchment paper. It is dense, plastic enough to create a reliable package, does not allow odors and moisture to pass through.In such packages or bundles, you need to put a small amount of propolis in order to take it as needed without unpacking large supplies.

Uza does not like changes in temperature and humidity, so when packaged in small batches, you can achieve higher quality bee glue and long-term preservation.

Album sheets

Only clean paper is suitable for storage, without dyes and inscriptions. You can not take newspapers, magazine pages and any other printed products, because the lead and other harmful components contained in the paint can be absorbed into the valuable composition.

White album sheets do not contain paint, but easily get wet and let smells through, so bundles made from them must be placed in a more durable container. For this, tight-fitting wooden or plywood boxes or glass jars with airtight lids are suitable.

Food foil

This is a plastic material that does not transmit light, moisture and creates stable conditions for the preservation of all the healing qualities of propolis, so foil for food purposes may well be used to create small packages. It is convenient to hold small portions of the product, rolled up in the form of sticks or balls.

Cellophane bag

Cellophane products such as cling film or practical zip bags can be used to pack bulk solids or waxy balls. However, this type of plastic is transparent and easily transmits light, so the propolis packed in cellophane must be placed in an opaque container.

Shaded glass containers

Dark glass is an ideal storage method for propolis tinctures or oils, as well as ointments, creams and emulsions. Such a container does not transmit light well and, provided there is a strong hermetic cork, does not allow foreign odors and volatile substances, as well as moisture to be absorbed. You can store propolis preparations in glass in the refrigerator and in a dark pantry.

Choosing a seat

Ensuring long-term preservation of bee glue is quite difficult, because you need to take into account possible negative factors. Finding such places in a modern apartment is a difficult but feasible task.

Closet

It is impossible to keep propolis and its derivatives in an ordinary kitchen drawer, especially if it is located next to or above the stove. It is impossible to ensure stable indicators of temperature and humidity in the kitchen. You can briefly put a small amount of propolis in the bottom drawer of the kitchen cabinet, as far as possible from the stove, radiator, other heating electrical appliances and windows.

For long-term storage, a closet located in an unheated room in a dwelling, for example, in a dark corridor, dressing room, is more suitable.

Refrigerator

It is believed that keeping propolis in the refrigerator is not the best solution. It is always humid, there are various strong and pungent odors, so glass jars and bottles with alcohol and creamy, oily solutions of propolis are more suitable for it. It is important to ensure tight sealing, darkening and no temperature fluctuations.

It is strictly forbidden to place propolis in the freezer, as the substance loses its qualities and begins to crumble.

Pantry

The best place for propolis is a pantry without windows and heating devices. A uniform temperature is created here, there are no drops in humidity and the negative effects of sunlight. All types of propolis can be stored in the pantry if the right packaging is provided.

Expiration date

Propolis is a biologically active substance, the shelf life of which is limited even if the correct storage conditions are provided. Each type of product has its own expiration dates that must be observed.

Dry

Propolis in a clean, dry form is stored, on average, 5-6 years, when sealed in glass and kept in accordance with all the rules, it can last up to 8 years.

Solid

The shelf life of natural propolis in balls or "sausages" is 6 years.

On alcohol

Alcohol solution of bee glue when kept at a temperature of no more than +15 degrees Celsius will be good for 3 to 5 years. Pour the drug into dark glass bottles, tightly stopper and protect from sun and light.

On the water

The aqueous solution is more sensitive to external influences than other drugs, so its shelf life does not exceed 10 days at room temperature and 30 days in the refrigerator in a closed container.

Propolis oil

This medicine can be stored in a dark glass container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

As an ointment

Propolis ointment is prepared on a vaseline basis or fish oil. It can be stored at room conditions, it is only important to protect the drug from exposure to light and moisture. When it enters, the composition may “ferment”, or microorganisms harmful to humans will settle in it.

How to know if propolis is unusable

The expiration date of propolis means that the period of its biological activity has ended, and as a medicine it can no longer be used. The following factors also indicate unsuitability:

1. Change in color, texture and smell.
2. Crumbling bee glue is not good for healing.
3. The separation of propolis oil with the appearance of a foreign unpleasant odor means its deterioration.
4. If mold appears on the surface of the ointment, cream or emulsion with a bond, the product must be discarded.

A properly stored substance preserves the beneficial qualities inherent in nature for years.

Can spoiled propolis be used

If it was possible to make sure that a pure substance or any medicinal composition based on propolis has deteriorated, it must be mercilessly thrown away. This is due to the fact that an expired or spoiled drug will not bring benefits and can seriously harm your he alth.

Toxins can form in it or pathogenic microbes can settle. Also, bee glue that has lost its useful qualities can cause an allergic reaction.

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