How to store propolis at home

Propolis is considered to be a unique product. It represents the production of bee glue, on the basis of which medicinal tinctures, warming emulsions, ointments and creams, alcohol compositions are prepared. The product is widely used in cosmetology and traditional medicine, as a result of which it requires proper storage conditions. Many experienced housewives are engaged in collecting propolis at home. Later, they wonder about the choice of a suitable place for aging and shelf life of the composition.

The duration of storage of propolis

1. If you follow practical recommendations and strictly comply with the requirements for storage,propolis can lie in the home for about 5-8 years. Of course, this feature is extremely relevant in the industry, but to know it is necessary.
2. The shelf life of propolis depends on the form of preparation of the composition as the final product. For example, dry propolis is more convenient to store than tincture.
3. If we are talking about the composition prepared in water, the storage time should not exceed 10 days. In the case of alcohol tincture, the shelf life is 4 years under all conditions.
4. To determine the freshness of bee glue before use, assess the structure and texture. If propolis begins to crumble in the hands, then it's time to throw it away. It is impossible to use the fragile and spoiled structure.

How to collect propolis and prepare it for storage

1. Many people prefer not only to collect honey, but also to get propolis from a home apiary. To properly carry out the procedure, line the ceiling with a rail over the frame. It is important to observe a distance of about 2-3 mm. between the slats, so that the bees lay glue in the cracks.
2. It is necessary to prepare propolis for long-term storage immediately after collection.As a rule, the optimal conditions for carrying out such manipulations are the period from the beginning of June to the end of August. Harvesting is as follows: disassemble the lath ceiling, peel off the glue with a chisel piece or spatula.
3. The ideal option for storage is propolis coarse fraction. It is important to ensure that foreign substances, such as sawdust, dust, etc., do not stick to the glue. To grind large pieces, it is sufficient to use a beehive centrifuge. The device includes 2 cylinders with blades located at the bottom of each of them. The output of finished products is carried out by means of a hole in the wall; in advance, cover the window with a plastic bag.

Practical storage guidelines

There are basic recommendations that must be considered in the processing and storage of raw materials. Consider the main aspects in order.

1. To ensure propolis long-term preservation, do not allow foreign elements to fall into the glue. This may be dust, chips, filament. During harvesting, avoid contact with the glue table, be sure to line the surface with parchment paper.
2. Storage of propolis should be carried out in a place with complete absence of any odors. This means that the composition can not be in contact with spices, dried fruit, fragrant sweets, coffee, tea, etc. It should be clarified that propolis is not stored in the garage or storeroom with fertilizers.
3. Since propolis is heavily dried under the influence of direct ultraviolet and light in particular, keep the product only in a dark place. In this case, the relative humidity of the air should not exceed 55%. As for temperature, choose a room with a mark of about 35 degrees.

The choice of packaging for the storage of propolis

An important aspect of propolis storage is the choice of packaging. Even if you have correctly harvested, the final product may deteriorate due to an incorrect procedure.

1. The ideal option is parchment paper, you can also use blank album sheets. It is categorically not allowed to wrap propolis in old newspapers, colored napkins and other materials treated with chemical pigment.Some experienced housewives prefer to store propolis in a tight plastic bag, this technique is not forbidden.
2. After you wrap the bee product in the selected material, place it in a glass container and seal it. It is important that the vessel is perfectly dry and clean, otherwise the mold will start to develop in the cavity. If desired, you can replace the glass jar with a ceramic or use a box made of natural wood.
3. For easy storage, crush the propolis with a centrifuge, then roll balls / cubes out of it. As a rule, a suitable ball size is about 3-5 cm in diameter. It all depends on your preferences and future use.

Choosing a place to store propolis

1. Many beekeepers believe that propolis should be stored in a refrigerator or other room with a temperature range of 3-7 degrees. However, this statement is extremely erroneous.
2. As a result of exposure to cold and high humidity, the composition loses its sticky properties, as well as its dense structure. All this leads to a loss of medicinal properties, because of which the propolis is so valuable.
3. Kitchen cabinets located near radiators and electric / gas stoves are not considered the best storage space. As a result of a sharp temperature difference, the propolis dries out and begins to sweep.
4. If it is not possible to choose another place, place the bee glue in the boxes located in the lower part (closer to the floor). Make sure that the place was located in the distance of the bin, battery, sewage, gas wiring, sink.
5. The best option for long-term storage is a pantry (a separate small room in the apartment). In this room all conditions regarding light, humidity and temperature are met. It is enough to ventilate the pantry once a week, and also make sure that it does not have extraneous odors.

How to store propolis in the form of oil

1. Many people prefer to store propolis not in pure form, but in the form of a recycled composition - medicinal oil. This product perfectly heals the wounds, they warm up the chest with bronchitis and colds, sore throat. The shelf life of the composition varies within 1 year, for this reason it is often harvested for future use.
2. To properly prepare the oil for long-term storage, melt 60 g in a water bath. propolis, bring it to a uniform consistency. Melt the butter, add 600 grams. product to propolis, keep languishing. Boil the mixture until it is completely homogeneous.
3. When the bee oil is ready, move it into a glass jar (it must be sterilized beforehand). Cork tightly with a lid, wrap with cling film to prevent air from getting inside. Place the container with the composition in the door of the refrigerator. Eat per month no more than 800 grams. product.

How to store propolis infusion

Infusion on alcohol. To prepare the composition, take a container of dark glass, wash and sterilize it. Place 100 gr. propolis in the freezer until complete solidification, to further grind it.

Pour the chips into the tank, pour with medical alcohol (70%), mix and seal. The first three days shake the bottle, then hold the mixture for another 9 days (total time is 12 days).

When the liquid acquires a brown-red hue, strain (you can not do this), put the container in a cool and dark place.Make sure that the temperature regime does not pass the mark of 15 degrees. Storage time is quite long - 4 years under all conditions.

Infusion on the water. Pour into a saucepan 2 liters. water, bring to a boil, add 200 gr. crushed propolis. Tom the composition for 20 minutes, turn off the burner and cover the container with a lid.

Wait 24 hours, if possible, pour the composition in a thermos for better infusion. After the time, filter the composition, pour it into a dark glass jar and seal it. Store the infusion for no longer than 8 days at a temperature of 16-20 degrees.

How to store propolis ointment

1. Propolis based ointment is used to heat the airways, heal wounds and serious inflammations. In order to properly store the product, select for it a dry and dark place with an optimal humidity level (about 55%).
2. The most favorable conditions are considered to be the temperature in the range of 15-21 degrees. Keep out of direct sunlight. Under these conditions, the ointment will stay about 8 years intact and intact.
3. Choose a suitable dark glass jar that has a tightly closable silicone cap.It is important that the air does not penetrate into the cavity of the tank, otherwise the composition will quickly become unusable.

Depending on the form of propolis, its terms and storage conditions vary greatly. You can withstand the composition in the form of oil, ointment, tincture or initial state. Carefully monitor the temperature and humidity of the room, do not allow the penetration of UV rays. Before applying propolis, make sure that there is no mold or other foreign matter on the surface of the ointment, oil or glue. Use the composition throughout the shelf life.

Video: how to cook and use propolis