How to properly store propolis at home, methods and expiration date

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

Preparation for storage

In order for propolis to be stored for years without losing its beneficial characteristics, it is necessary to prepare for this immediately after receiving the product. The collection of bee glue continues from June to August. The slats are disassembled and the bond is cleared from them. Briquettes are formed from the resulting substance and packaged 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. Grind the composition into powder.
2. Pour into container.
3. Fill with cold, clean water.
4. Leave for 2-3 hours.
5. Natural propolis will settle to the bottom, and light debris will remain on the surface.
6. Carefully drain the water and debris.
7. Place clean 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 an impeccable product and store it in the right conditions. Healing propolis is waxy, viscous consistency, brownish with a gray tint; in the presence of an excess amount of bee bread, the composition is colored yellowish. This propolis is of poor quality.

The beneficial substance has a pronounced bitter taste and a resinous honey aroma. It is extremely slightly soluble in water and becomes hard in the cold. If it is frozen in the freezer, it will become brittle and fall apart into individual components. You cannot use such a tool.

How to properly store at home?

To ensure that propolis does not lose its healing qualities and has a long shelf life, it must be stored correctly. 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 level, humidity, etc.

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, and contact with other products. In order for it to last as long as possible, it is necessary to provide it with the right conditions:

1. Stable temperature without jumps, especially frequent and sudden ones.
2. Uniform average humidity.
3. Protection from penetration of sunlight and artificial light.
4. Keeping away from strong-smelling, toxic products and goods that emit volatile components or essential oils, especially medicines, food, household chemicals, and so on.

By ensuring the knot is 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 food products. This method is not suitable for dry propolis.

Lighting

The healing substance is destroyed under the influence of ultraviolet rays, so propolis must be kept in a dark place.The product must be tightly packed in a light-proof shell or placed in a glass container made of dark brown or green glass.

Humidity

Propolis does not tolerate both strong humidity and excessive dryness. If the humidity level is high, the cord may begin to mold, which means it will deteriorate. Too dry air will also cause irreversible changes in the composition of bee glue, so the optimal humidity level 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 tightly packed for long-term storage, protected from light, moisture, aromas and volatile substances.

Wax paper

Paper impregnated with special compounds, for example, waxed or parchment, is well suited for propolis. It is dense, flexible enough to create reliable packaging, and does not allow odors and moisture to pass through. You need to place a small amount of propolis in such bags or bundles so that you can take it as needed without unpacking large supplies.

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

Landscape sheets

Only clean paper, without dyes or inscriptions, is suitable for storage. You cannot take newspapers, magazine pages or 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 they get wet easily and transmit odors, so packages made from them must be placed in a more durable container.Tightly closing wooden or plywood boxes or glass jars equipped with airtight lids are suitable for this.

Food foil

This is a plastic material that does not allow light and moisture to pass through and creates stable conditions for preserving all the healing qualities of propolis, so foil for food purposes can be used to create small packages. It is convenient to hold small portions of the product, rolled into sticks or balls.

Plastic bag

To package bulk substances or wax balls, you can use cellophane products, such as cling film or practical zip bags. However, this type of plastic is transparent and easily transmits light, so propolis packaged in cellophane must be placed in an opaque container.

Darkened glass containers

Dark glass is an ideal method for storing propolis tinctures or oils, as well as ointments, creams and emulsions. Such containers do not transmit light well and, provided there is a strong sealed stopper, do 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.

Selecting a location

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

Closet

You cannot keep propolis and its derivatives in a regular kitchen drawer, especially if it is located next to or above the stove. It is impossible to ensure stable temperature and humidity levels in the kitchen.You can briefly put a small amount of propolis in the bottom drawer of a kitchen cabinet, as far away as possible from the stove, radiator, other heating electrical appliances and windows.

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

Fridge

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 alcoholic and creamy, oily solutions of propolis are more suitable for it. It is important to ensure tight sealing, darkening and no temperature fluctuations.

Pantry

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

Best before date

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

Dry

Propolis in its pure dry form is stored for an average of 5-6 years; if sealed in glass and maintained according to all the rules, it can last up to 8 years.

In solid form

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

On alcohol

An alcohol solution of bee glue when kept at a temperature of no more than +15 degrees Celsius will be valid for 3 to 5 years.The drug should be poured into dark glass bottles, sealed tightly and protected from the 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 refrigerated in a dark glass container for no more than 3 months.

In the form of an ointment

Propolis ointment is prepared using Vaseline or fish oil. It can also be stored indoors, it is only important to protect the drug from exposure to light and moisture. If it gets in, the composition may “ferment”, or microorganisms harmful to humans will settle in it.

How to know that propolis is unfit for consumption

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

1. Changes in color, texture and odor.
2. Crumbled bee glue is not suitable for treatment.
3. The separation of propolis oil with the appearance of an unpleasant odor means its spoilage.
4. If mold appears on the surface of the ointment, cream or emulsion, the product should be thrown away.

A properly stored substance will preserve for years the beneficial qualities inherent in it by nature.

Is it possible to use spoiled propolis?

If you are convinced 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 be beneficial and can seriously harm your health.

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