How to store propolis at home

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

Propolis Storage Duration

1. If you adhere to practical recommendations and clearly comply with storage requirements, propolis can lie at home for about 5-8 years. Of course, this feature is extremely relevant in industry, but you need to know it.
2. The shelf life of propolis directly 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 a composition prepared on water, the duration of storage should not exceed 10 days. In the case of alcohol tincture, the shelf life is 4 years, subject to all conditions.
4. To determine the freshness of bee glue before use, evaluate the structure and texture. If propolis begins to crumble in your hands, then it's time to throw it away. Do not use a fragile and damaged composition.

How to collect propolis and prepare it for storage

1. Many people prefer not only to collect honey, but also to receive propolis from a home apiary. To carry out the procedure correctly, line the ceiling with a rail over the frame. It is important to observe a distance of the order of 2-3 mm. between the slats so that the bees lay glue in the cracks.
2. Prepare propolis for long-term storage immediately after collection. As a rule, the optimal conditions for such manipulations are considered to be the period from early June to late August. The collection takes place as follows: disassemble the rack ceiling, clean off the glue with an apiary chisel or spatula.
3. A large fraction of propolis is considered an ideal option for storage. It is important to ensure that foreign substances such as sawdust, dust, etc. do not adhere to the glue. To grind large pieces, it is enough 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 an opening in the wall, in advance, line the window with a plastic bag.

Storage Practices

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

1. To ensure propolis long-term safety, do not allow foreign elements to get into the glue. It can be dust, shavings, threads. During the harvest, avoid contact of the glue with the cutting table, be sure to line the surface with parchment paper.
2. Storage of propolis should be carried out in a place with a complete absence of any odors. This means that the composition cannot be in contact with spices, dried fruits, aromatic sweets, coffee, tea, etc. It is worthwhile to clarify that propolis is not stored in a garage or pantry with fertilizers.
3. Since propolis dries very much under the influence of direct ultraviolet light and in particular, keep the product only in a dark place.In this case, the relative humidity should not exceed 55%. As for the temperature regime, choose a room with a mark of about 35 degrees.

Selection of packaging for propolis storage

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

1. Parchment paper is considered an ideal option; you can also use blank album sheets. It is strictly forbidden to wrap propolis in old newspapers, painted napkins and other materials treated with chemical pigment. Some experienced housewives prefer to store propolis in a dense plastic bag, this technique is not forbidden.
2. After you wrap the beekeeping product in the selected material, place it in a glass container and seal. It is important that the vessel is perfectly dry and clean, otherwise mold will begin to develop in the cavity. If desired, you can replace the glass jar with a ceramic one or use a box made of natural wood.
3. For convenience of storage, grind propolis with a centrifuge, then roll balls / cubes from it. As a rule, a ball of about 3-5 cm in diameter is considered a suitable size. It all depends on your preferences and goals for 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 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 adhesive properties, as well as its dense structure. All this leads to the loss of medicinal properties, because of which propolis is so valuable.
3. Not considered the best place to store kitchen cabinets located near radiators, electric / gas stoves. As a result of a sharp temperature drop, propolis dries and begins to whirl.
4. If it is not possible to choose a different place, put the bee glue in the boxes located in the lower part (closer to the floor). Make sure that the place is located away from the bin, batteries, sewage, gas wiring, sinks.
5. The best option for long-term storage is the pantry (a separate small room in the apartment). In this room, all conditions with respect to light, humidity and temperature are observed. It is enough to ventilate the pantry once a week, and also make sure that there are no odors in it.

How to store propolis in the form of oil

1. Many people prefer to store propolis not in its pure form, but in the form of a processed composition - medicinal oil. Such a product perfectly heals wounds, they warm the chest with bronchitis and colds, tonsillitis. The shelf life of the composition varies within 1 year, for this reason it is often procured 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, mix in 600 g. product to propolis, continue languishing. Boil the mixture until it is completely homogeneous.
3. When the bee oil is ready, move it to a glass jar (it must first be sterilized). Seal it tightly with a lid and wrap it with cling film to prevent air from entering. Place the container with the composition on the refrigerator door. Use per month no more than 800 gr. 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 into the freezer until it solidifies, so that it can be crushed in the future.

Pour the chips into the container, add medical alcohol (70%), mix and clog. Shake the bottle for the first three days, then hold the mixture for another 9 days (total period is 12 days).

When the liquid gets a brownish-red tint, strain (you can not do this), put the container in a cool and dark place. Make sure that the temperature does not go over the mark of 15 degrees. Duration of storage is quite large - 4 years under all conditions.

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

Wait 24 hours, if possible, transfer the composition to a thermos for better infusion. After the time has passed, filter the composition, transfer it to a dark glass jar and seal. Keep the infusion no longer than 8 days at a temperature of 16-20 degrees.

How to store propolis ointment

1. Propolis ointment is used to warm the airways, heal wounds and serious inflammations. To properly store the product, select a dry and dark place for it with the optimal humidity level (about 55%).
2. The most favorable conditions are considered to be temperatures within 15-21 degrees. Avoid direct sunlight. Subject to these conditions, the ointment will stand for about 8 years intact.
3. Choose a suitable dark glass jar that has a tightly sealed silicone lid. It is important that the air does not penetrate into the cavity of the container, otherwise the composition will quickly become worthless.

Depending on the form of propolis, its terms and conditions of storage vary greatly. You can withstand the composition in the form of oil, ointment, tincture or the original condition. Carefully monitor the temperature and humidity of the room, do not allow the penetration of UV rays. Before applying propolis, make sure that the surface of the ointment, oil or glue is free of mold and other foreign inclusions. Use the composition throughout its expiration date.

Video: how to cook and use propolis