Terms and rules of propolis storage at home

Creating optimal conditions for medicines is one of the basic rules for their use. Unfortunately, many supporters of homeopathic treatment do not even suspect how to store propolis and what is its expiration date in general. By tradition, the product is simply put in the refrigerator, not even the clean instructions on the label, and discarded when the texture of the product begins to change. Experts say that bee glue is able to maintain its properties for at least five years, if you provide it with the appropriate environment at home.

Average propolis shelf life based on product shape

With the regular use of propolis-based preparations, it is necessary to study what shelf life for which product is considered optimal. Ignoring the indicators in the best case will lead to the absence of a positive effect, in the worst - it can provoke an allergy or poisoning.

• Water tincture, prepared at home from a dry product, should not be stored for more than 10 days. At the same time, do not put it in the refrigerator, the composition will better save its properties at room temperature.
• Alcohol tincture will delight with its qualities for 3-5 years. But for this, it must be put in a dark and dry place, the container must be airtight and absolutely clean.
• Dry propolis, following the recommendations, will lie for a very long time, but experts do not recommend the use of a drug that is 6-7 years old. Checking the quality of the product is very simple, you need to try to break it. A fragile, crumbling drug should not be used.

When using propolis for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, it is best to independently prepare all the medicines, acquiring a dry product. In this case, it is worth asking the seller how much you can store the workpiece. If an unusually short or vice versa impressive period is called, it is better to refuse the purchase. Most likely, the glue contains additional components, which should not be there.

Rules for storing the product at home

Compliance with the following recommendations will allow you to maintain a pleasant taste and useful properties of the product:

1. The propolis storage location should be dry, warm and clean. Air temperature should not exceed 25ºС.
2. It is forbidden to place products with a sharp specific smell near propolis. In such a neighborhood, the glue not only absorbs unnecessary aromas and volatile substances that shorten its shelf life, but also attracts the attention of insects, rodents, pathogenic microorganisms.
3. The bars and pieces of glue should be wrapped with parchment or polyethylene, and then put in a clean and dry glass container (a wooden box will also work). It is better if the glass is dark and the lid is ground.

Tip: It is strictly forbidden to store propolis in the refrigerator. Low temperatures lead to a change in the density and composition of the product, which is rapidly losing its beneficial properties.

4. At home, the pantry will be the best place to store glue. Too often, differences in humidity and temperature occur in the kitchen, which will not benefit propolis.

If for some reason the rules for keeping the product have been violated and propolis has lost its original form, but its shelf life has not yet expired, do not dispose of the substance. It is not necessary to apply it inside, you can do with medicinal lotions, compresses and baths.

Features of storage of propolis alcohol tincture

This form of the drug is by far the most common, due to the versatility of exposure and increased effectiveness. It can help with external wounds and internal diseases, prevent the development of pathology.

The presence of alcohol in the composition ensures the preservation of the therapeutic properties of the drug for a long time, but in this case, you will have to remember a number of important rules:

1. The glass of the container for storing tinctures should be dark, especially if the product is on a shelf that regularly receives sunlight or artificial light.
2. The temperature of the medium should be kept within 10-15ºС.
3. High humidity, signs of dampness and mold are unacceptable.
4. You should not think that alcohol wears out over time and the strength of the composition decreases. The product must be used strictly according to the instructions, without experimenting with dosages.

Even if it seems that propolis does not emit a pungent odor, you do not need to hope for its safety from various parasites. Regardless of the shape of the product, it should be checked regularly for signs of exposure to rodents and insects. If necessary, the storage location will have to be cleaned and ventilated regularly.