Milkweed honey is considered a rather specific product. It is very rare and has unique organoleptic properties. Such characteristics of the product are due to the honey plant from which it is made. The plant is characterized by special growing conditions and a non-standard biochemical composition of pollen. To choose a quality product and not encounter a fake, you need to know its main features.
Description of milk from milkweed flowers
Bees extract milkweed honey under rather difficult conditions.This plant is a weed that is found exclusively in dry steppe areas. At the same time, the weed has poisonous properties and provokes the death of the weakest bees.
The value of milkweed lies in the fact that its pollen has a unique composition. The plant is distinguished by a powerful root system that goes into the deep layers of the soil. Thanks to this, he manages to extract rare substances.
The main features of the substance include the following:
- dark brown color - it is characterized by nut or chocolate shades;
- pronounced tart taste with a bitter aftertaste;
- a floral aroma that resembles the smell of milkweed;
- liquid consistency - the composition crystallizes only 1-1.5 years after collection.
If you strictly follow the recommendations of beekeepers, milkweed honey retains its beneficial properties for a long time. At the same time, it is important to seal the container with the product hermetically to avoid evaporation of iodine, which is contained in large quantities.
Composition and calorie content
100 grams of milkweed honey contains approximately 315 kilocalories. Thus, 1 tablespoon of the product contains 110 kilocalories, and a glass - 630. These are quite high figures. Therefore, you should not consume the substance in large quantities.
A distinctive feature of euphorbia honey is its high content of iron and iodine. Other useful substances that are included in the product include:
- carbohydrates – the product contains sucrose, fructose, maltose;
- vitamins of group B, A, PP, C;
- minerals – honey includes calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium;
- amino acids;
- enzymes;
- antioxidants;
- pollen.
All substances that are present in the composition are easily absorbed by the human body and provide nutrition at the cellular level.
Useful properties of the product
Milkweed honey has many health benefits. This is due to the high iodine content. This substance is of great importance for the regulation of processes occurring in the human body. To a greater extent, this element is required by the nervous system, endocrine organs and brain cells.
Also, using the product helps achieve the following results:
- accelerate tissue restoration processes;
- cope with viruses and bacteria;
- normalize hormone balance;
- strengthen nails and hair;
- improve sleep and get a calming effect;
- slow down the aging process and rejuvenate the skin;
- improve the functions of the liver, gall bladder, stomach;
- improve the health of the intestines and excretory organs.
The product also successfully copes with fatigue and saturates the body with energy. Its regular use helps improve your mood.
Methods of application
It is best to consume honey in its pure form, without subjecting it to heat treatment. Already at +60 degrees, most of the vitamins and microelements disintegrate. In confectionery products, honey is practically devoid of medicinal properties. Therefore, the product is recommended to be consumed fresh and cold.
Many doctors advise drinking a mixture of water and honey. It is recommended to use it on an empty stomach. This drink helps awaken the body and set it up for work. In addition, the composition helps to increase hemoglobin levels. Systematic use of honey solution strengthens the immune system and reduces the tendency to catch colds.
Contraindications and harm
Milkweed honey should not be consumed if you have an intolerance.To identify allergies, apply a few drops of nectar to the inside of the elbow. If blisters, swelling or itching appear, you will have to stop using the product.
Also, milkweed honey should not be eaten during the recovery phase after surgery on the stomach or gall bladder. If you are overweight, uncontrolled consumption of the product can cause the development of diabetes.
Doctors advise pregnant and breastfeeding women to be careful. The product should not be eaten by children under 2 years of age, as it increases the risk of food allergies and dental caries. For older children, it is important to observe moderation when consuming bee nectar.
How to spot a fake
Natural euphorbia honey has a dark chocolate hue. It should have a liquid consistency and contain barely noticeable pollen inclusions. If the honey is solid, it has been stored for at least 1 year.
The product has a special tart taste, in which a slight bitterness is felt. Some unscrupulous sellers mix the mass with water to increase volume. To check this, you need to drop a little of the substance onto the paper. If a wet spot appears around the drop, it means that water was added after collection.
Terms and conditions of storage
It is recommended to keep milkweed honey in a glass container with an airtight lid. It should be stored in a dark, dry cabinet. In this case, the room temperature should not exceed +15 degrees, and humidity – 75%. If the storage rules are followed, the product can be used for 2 years. If they have been violated, this period is reduced to 1 year.
Milkweed honey is a unique product that contains many valuable components.In order for the composition to benefit the body, it is important to use it correctly and take into account contraindications for use.
