Propolis expiration date

Propolis or ouza is a product of bee production. Organic glue is used by bees to seal the hive and comb to keep the temperature inside constant. Bees collect a special substance from the buds and branches of birch, coniferous trees, chestnuts, and flowers. The glue consists of essential oils and resins that have an antibacterial effect. In order for the bee product not to lose its medicinal properties, it is necessary to store propolis at home in compliance with certain rules.

Preparing propolis for storage

Preparatory work for storage of bonds is carried out immediately after collecting the bee product from the frames. Remove bee glue from June to August. The slats are pre-disassembled, the substance is cleaned from them. Small briquettes are formed from propolis, placed in plastic bags.

The raw materials are separated from foreign fragments, large fractions are crushed using a centrifuge. Propolis ready for storage at home is obtained by cleaning using the following technology:

1. The mass is ground to a state of powder.
2. Pour into a container, pour cold water, mix.
3. Leave for several hours to settle.
4. The bee product will settle to the bottom of the tank, small fragments of wax and foreign matter will remain on the surface of the water.
5. Water, along with impurities, is carefully drained.
6. Lay out the raw material on a napkin to evaporate the remaining moisture.
7. Small balls are formed from the purified organic matter for further storage.

Only fresh propolis has healing properties. The quality of the bee product is determined according to the following criteria:

• the substance looks like wax, viscous;
• color – brown with a dark gray tint. If bee bread predominates in the composition, propolis will be yellow, the quality of such a product is lower;
• the smell of resin, essential oils, honey prevails;
• bitter taste;

How to store propolis

The shelf life of bee propolis depends on compliance with the rules of storage at home. The substance will not lose its biological properties if a number of recommendations are followed:

1. The storage place must be protected from ultraviolet radiation, the container must be dark, not transmitting light, as part of the active components are destroyed under the influence of sunlight.
2. The optimum air humidity is 65%.
3. Organic matter retains its properties at low temperatures, but does not tolerate a sharp change in temperature, a stable value of no higher than +23 is recommended.⁰ C.
4. Insulation from chemicals, spices, household chemicals is required during storage. Ouse sorbs odors and vapors, healing properties are reduced due to toxic compounds. The quality deteriorates significantly.

Where to store propolis

The main task during storage at home is to ensure that the substance does not lose its active components and structure. It is not recommended to store the bond:

1. In kitchen cabinets close to radiators and stoves. Temperature fluctuations during storage of organic glue lead to a partial loss of ether compounds.
2. In the department of the kitchen table, located near the sanitary point (garbage chute, sewerage).
3. On the shelf next to household chemicals.
4. In the freezer. The properties of the substance will be preserved, but some of the adhesive substances will be lost, the structure will become brittle, it will crumble.
5. The refrigerator has high humidity, and this factor is unacceptable during storage. Shelf life of propolis in the refrigerator at +4⁰ C will not increase, but there is a risk of temperature drop.

The best option for storage at home is a dark pantry with a constant temperature and normal humidity.

Where to store propolis

Properly selected packaging plays an important role in storage at home. Suitable material:

• clean album sheets or parchment;
• foil;
• baking paper;
• packing bags.

Do not use newspapers or magazines for storage; printing ink contains lead.

Organic glue in the form of a powder is placed in a bag or envelope; a ceramic container with a tight lid is also used to store the bulk mass. Propolis is often stored in the form of a small ball or stick, individually packaged. The packaged bee product is stored in a cardboard or wooden box, a dark plastic container. Close the lid tightly and remove. The bee product in liquid form is stored in a bottle with dark glass. To prevent ultraviolet radiation, the surface of the container is wrapped with a dark cloth or painted over.

How long does propolis last

The highest concentration of essential oils in the knot harvested in the fall. Bee glue retains active substances for up to 7 years. After 2 years, the vitamin composition changes, passes into other compounds, bee enzymes cease to be active, but the substance does not lose its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties.

The medicinal qualities of alcohol tinctures, ointments also persist for a long time. The exception is water-based products. The shelf life of bee propolis in such compounds is no more than 30 days when stored in the refrigerator.

Shelf life of propolis in dry form

Raw materials are harvested for medicinal purposes. The powder is used to make products for internal and external use. The shelf life of natural dry propolis at home is about 8 years when stored in a hermetically sealed package and maintaining the required air humidity. The bond is stored longer than other forms of bee products.

Shelf life of propolis in solid form

The solid form has a plastic sticky texture. The medicine is formed in the form of rounded balls, cakes or short small sticks. Each fragment must be wrapped in a package. Solid propolis is more exposed to the environment, the shelf life does not exceed six years. This method of harvesting is used by beekeepers in private apiaries.

Shelf life of propolis tincture on alcohol

Essential oils dissolve best in ethyl alcohol, so it is taken as the basis for medicinal tinctures. The product is light brown with a red tint. At home, they are stored in a glass or ceramic container with a hermetically sealed lid. Glass must be dark. The shelf life of alcohol tincture is 4 years, provided that the temperature is not higher than +15⁰ C.

How long does propolis in the form of an ointment last?

To prepare the ointment, Vaseline or fish oil is taken as the basis. Means of local antibacterial action. The ointment lasts longer without loss of medicinal qualities, subject to the permissible humidity of the air (55%). The temperature regime does not play a role, the main condition is the absence of ultraviolet radiation. The shelf life of home-prepared products is no more than 2 years. If signs of mold appear on the surface, the ointment is unsuitable for use.

Shelf life of propolis oil

A mixture of butter with propolis is used for skin therapy, it is used orally in the treatment of ulcers and erosions of the digestive system, to stop inflammation in tuberculosis, and added to hot milk for bronchitis. The oil in a hermetically sealed container is placed in the refrigerator for storage for no more than 3 months.

How to understand that propolis has deteriorated

After the expiration of the shelf life of propolis, it is not recommended to use it. A bee product at home can deteriorate much earlier than the shelf life for the following reasons:

• poor quality product;
• high humidity in the room;
• temperature changes;
• bright sunlight falling on propolis.

Unsuitability is determined by the composition of the texture and visual signs. The bee product darkens, loses its characteristic smell, the plastic mass becomes brittle, easily kneaded to a powder state. The substance has lost its medicinal value, it is thrown away.

Conclusion

It is necessary to store propolis at home in compliance with certain standards, then for a long time the bee product will not lose its therapeutic composition. Ouse has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties, the active substances that make up the composition are involved in the process of hematopoiesis. Apply in the form of ointments, alcohol tinctures, oils. Each dosage form has different shelf life.