Willow blossoms begin at the end of April. This tree has fluffy, fragrant flowers and attracts large numbers of bees. Insects prepare willow honey from the flowers of the plant. It is an early variety of fragrant nectar. It is characterized by a unique composition that allows it to cope with a variety of pathologies and improve health. It is important to take into account that the product also has some contraindications.
Description and differences of willow honey
Willow honey is a monofloral variety that has an unusual taste and beneficial properties. During a favorable period, bees collect more than 10 kilograms of product during the season. Just one bee colony can produce this amount.
Some varieties of willows begin flowering at the end of April. Then this happens every May. Bees actively collect nectar from flowers of different types of willow. In total, experts count more than 170 varieties.
The following features are characteristic of willow honey:
- Light yellow or amber tint.
- Unexpressed, barely noticeable aroma.
- Bitter taste.
- Long aftertaste. It has a slight bitterness.
- Slow crystallization. In this case, small grains are formed in the product. In addition, it acquires a light brown tint and a creamy consistency.
Composition and calorie content
Willow honey has a unique composition. It includes the following components:
- 17% moisture;
- 80% carbohydrates - these substances are represented by maltose, glucose, sucrose;
- proteins - these include leucine, arginine, phenylalanine, cystine;
- B vitamins;
- micro- and macroelements - this category includes iron, zinc, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium;
- acids – primarily salicylic;
- antioxidants;
- enzymes;
- bioflavonoids.
Willow honey is considered a very high-calorie product. 100 grams of the substance contains 304 kilocalories.
Useful properties of the product
Willow honey contains many useful components. Thanks to this, it has a beneficial effect on the condition of the human body. With regular use of the product, the following results can be obtained:
- Reduce elevated body temperature.
- Eliminate symptoms of inflammation.
- Calm the nervous system.
- Achieve an analgesic effect. In addition, the beekeeping product helps get rid of spasms in the body.
- Accelerate the restoration of damaged tissues.
- Stimulate the healing of mucous membranes and skin.
- Strengthen the immune system and protective barriers.
- Improve digestive functions.
- Stimulate bile synthesis in the liver.
Uses of honey
This type of honey is widely used in folk medicine. With its help it is possible to get rid of many pathologies:
- Hepatitis. With this diagnosis, you should mix 200 grams of willow honey, horseradish extract, carrot and beet juice. You also need to add 30 milliliters of vodka and 50 grams of lemon juice to the composition. Drink 25 grams 3 times a day.
- Cold. For this disease, it is recommended to mix a decoction of linden flowers, raspberries and elderberries. The resulting composition should be consumed with willow nectar three times a day. It is recommended to drink half a glass of the mixture at one time.
- Pain in the joints. If such symptoms appear, you should mix 250 grams of willow honey, salt and vodka. Additionally, you need to add 2 tablespoons of soda to the composition. It is recommended to apply a bandage with this remedy to the affected joints.
- Headache. In this case, you need to take 25 grams of nettle leaves, pour a glass of boiling water and place in a steam bath for 15 minutes. Then you need to strain the mixture and add honey. Drink 1 tablespoon three times a day.
- Polyarthritis. To prepare a useful composition, you need to take a liter jar and fill it a third with aloe extract. There you need to add the same amount of honey and fill it with vodka up to the neck. Leave the resulting composition for 1 week and take 25 grams once a day.
Contraindications and harm
Willow honey should not be used in the following cases:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- children's age less than 5 years;
- diabetes;
- excess weight;
- exacerbation of chronic pathologies - pancreatitis, gastritis, ulcers;
- excess vitamins in the body;
- stones in the bladder.
Features and shelf life
Willow honey is recommended to be stored in a dark and cool place. It is best to keep it in an airtight dark glass container. The product can also be placed in enamel or ceramic dishes. It is strictly forbidden to keep the composition in a metal container, as it can oxidize.
When storing beekeeping products, it is recommended to follow the following rules:
- Avoid overheating. At temperatures above +40 degrees, the composition loses its beneficial properties. The optimal temperature range is from -5 to +20 degrees.
- Avoid temperature fluctuations.
- Protect the product from moisture, strong odors and sunlight.
Willow honey is a unique product that contains many valuable components. In order for the composition to bring only benefits to the body, it is important to use it correctly, strictly observing the dosage.
