With the arrival of spring, the flora and fauna awaken, and bees are among them. As soon as the first honey plants bloom, hungry, hardworking insects begin to actively collect nectar and pollen, which by the beginning of summer turn into tasty and healthy May honey, which is especially valuable. What an early beekeeping product looks like and how it is useful, we will look into the details further.
What should May honey be like?
The timing of spring nectar collection directly depends on the weather and climatic characteristics of the region where the bees are kept.If in southern latitudes the active flowering of honey plants begins in mid-April, then in areas with a temperate and northern climate this period occurs in the middle or end of May.
The spring bee product consists of nectar and pollen from many plants, and is therefore considered polyfloral. At this time, fruit trees and shrubs, bird cherry, primroses, acacia, forest berry plants, fragrant herbs, as well as deciduous trees from which insects collect pollen bloom.
To accurately determine the quality of a medicinal product, you need to familiarize yourself with the external description of the May sweetness:
- the consistency of spring nectar is plastic, but rather liquid;
- The aroma and smell of fresh honey are very weak, with floral, fruity and menthol notes, which intensify after crystallization;
- The spring delicacy tastes sweet, with a pleasant aftertaste of fruits and herbs;
- The color of May bee honey varies depending on the varieties of plants prevailing in the area, and can be transparent, yellow, amber or golden in color.
Important! If there are deciduous or coniferous trees in the place where nectar is collected, the delicacy may acquire a greenish tint, which appears if their pollen gets into the honey.
Composition and calorie content of the product
The spring beekeeping product is valued for its unique composition, which includes more than 300 compounds and various elements:
- carbohydrates are presented in the form of fructose, glucose, sucrose and other healthy sugars;
- the composition of macro- and microelements is comparable to the periodic table and includes all mineral compounds necessary for the functioning of the human body;
- a full line of vitamin B, ascorbic and nicotinic acids, vitamins K and E;
- essential oils, organic and amino acids;
- aromatic and biologically active substances;
- water, tannins.
The calorie content of the treat varies depending on its condition. Fresh, liquid nectar contains up to 310 energy units, and candied honey – up to 330 kcal per 100 g of product.
Important! In its liquid state, May sweetness is used in preparing a dietary regimen and during the period of losing excess weight.
Beneficial features
The healing qualities of the spring beekeeping product have been known since ancient times. To this day, May nectar is used to prevent and treat many diseases.
The main healing properties of the bee gift:
- has general strengthening, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects;
- promotes the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system, reduces the risk of thrombosis, heart attacks and strokes;
- has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive and genitourinary systems;
- removes harmful and toxic accumulations from the body;
- takes part in metabolic processes;
- improves blood counts;
- has regenerating properties;
- has a beneficial effect on the hormonal levels of female and male bodies;
- helps improve the condition of the skin, hair and nails, and is used for the production of anti-aging and nourishing cosmetics.
Important! May natural honey helps with colds and viral infections of the body, promotes rapid recovery and recovery from illness.
Features of application
This healing delicacy, beloved by many people, has found its application in traditional and folk medicine, cosmetology and cooking.
Due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, the gift of bees is used in folk medicine in the following cases:
- to eliminate headaches;
- during colds and viral diseases, to lower the temperature and alleviate the patient’s condition;
- as a sedative for severe nervous system disorders, helps get rid of depression and insomnia;
- in the complex treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system;
- for chronic respiratory diseases.
May nectar is actively used in cooking, for preparing various meat, fish, vegetable dishes and sauces. The delicacy is also added to baked goods, desserts, fruit salads and drinks.
Advice! If you add spring nectar to milk porridge or cottage cheese, the dish becomes not only tastier, but also much healthier.
Contraindications and harm
In some cases, the gift of bees has some restrictions and contraindications for use. With great caution, the product is introduced into the diet during exacerbation of chronic ailments of the digestive system, urolithiasis and high blood sugar.
The use of spring nectar is not recommended for people prone to allergic reactions to pollen, children under 3 years of age, pregnant and lactating women.
Important! Before using a beekeeping product, it is necessary to take into account individual intolerance to individual components of the natural gift.
How to distinguish from a fake
You can distinguish a natural delicacy from a counterfeit one by the following signs:
- Natural spring nectar should be transparent, light yellow, golden or amber in color, without sediment, flakes or other impurities uncharacteristic of honey.
- May honey has a faint floral smell and aroma that intensifies after candiing. Fake sweets do not have a specific honey smell at all.
- The consistency of a real bee gift is viscous and viscous. Fake honey is more liquid and spreads quickly.
Advice! The presence of starch or flour in the nectar is determined by adding a drop of ordinary iodine. If the treat takes on a blue tint, it means there are excess impurities in it.
Storage rules
Store this valuable natural gift in glass, porcelain or ceramic opaque containers. To prevent the nectar from starting to sugar ahead of time, it is placed in a cool, dark, well-ventilated room.
Under the right conditions, the shelf life of May bee honey is very long, without loss of healing and nutritional properties.
