Propolis has a large amount of nutrients. Beginning beekeepers need to know where propolis is, how to collect it, how to get a quality product, what device to collect it. You also need to know about its useful properties and storage technology to obtain and increase its quantity. You will learn about all this from this material.

What is propolis

Propolis, bee glue, and bond are the means by which bees process cracks in the hive. It relates to beekeeping products. It is produced by mixing sticky matter obtained from bees from leaves, flower pollen with its own saliva, due to which they obtain a black product. In the apiary, a large number of bonds can be obtained in August, because at this time the bees are preparing for wintering. When gluing unnecessary holes in the hive, the bees thoroughly disinfect, disinfect the air, since propolis has antibacterial properties. Processing honey glue allows them to keep beehives sterile throughout the winter.

Did you know? In ancient Egypt, propolis was used to mummify the bodies of the pharaohs.

What is contained and what is rich in composition

The composition of propolis has about 280 substances and compounds, among which:

• terpenic acid, which has an antifungal effect;
• flavonoids, which contribute to the rapid healing, and also have antimicrobial effects;
• organic acids that do not allow bacteria to develop and are an anesthetic;
• resins, essential oils, waxes that help fight viruses;
• tannins that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Bee honey also contains the following minerals and vitamins:

• magnesium;
• potassium;
• sodium;
• iron;
• phosphorus;
• calcium;
• vitamins B1, B2, B6, A, C, E, H and P.

What is propolis useful for

Propolis includes many beneficial substances that have medicinal properties.

• With its help you can cure:
• tuberculosis;
• candidiasis;
• ARI;
• viral hepatitis.

This product is useful in that it has anti-inflammatory properties, improves immunity.

Important! The analgesic effect of propolis begins to act after 5–10 minutes after administration and lasts up to 2 hours.

At home, it is used as local anesthesia, using in such cases:

• with inflammation of the gums, toothache;
• with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• with inflammatory processes in the ears;
• with burns or frostbite.

Propolis is useful for capillaries, as it strengthens their walls. Medicines made with its addition contribute to the treatment of abscesses, accelerate the healing of purulent wounds.

The product is widely used in cosmetology as an antibacterial, antifungal, regenerating agent. On its basis, hygienic lipstick, shampoos, hair balms, face masks, skin creams, as well as toothpastes are made. Bee glue is also part of the mascara.

However, it must be used sparingly, as it is a strong allergen. Do not use the product and use products with its addition to people who are allergic to beekeeping products, as well as if they are prone to allergic diseases such as hives, eczema, bronchial asthma, etc.

Important! If you have an allergic reaction after using the product, you should immediately stop taking the medicine and take an antihistamine.

Medical propolis collection devices

To obtain propolis, you must use the right device for this. Its collection is carried out from the buildings, also a special frame, a grill are used for this. About other devices and collection methods - further.

Shield

The shield is considered the best way to collect the bond, since it is a pre-prepared special shield on which bee glue is collected. Most often it is made of plywood, because this material is lightweight and does not enter into a chemical reaction with the collected product.

Apiary chisel

This tool resembles a steel plate, one end of which is expanded and sharpened on both sides, and the other is bent at a right angle and sharpened on one side. The handle of such a chisel can be made of any material, the main thing is that it rests comfortably in the hand. This tool is used not only for extracting bee glue, but also for expanding the frames and cleaning the hive.

Optimal collection time

The collection of propolis is best done during the period of migration of bees into clean hives. Before the start of winter, it is not worth collecting bee glue, since it is necessary for insects to prevent their death in the cold season.

Propolis collection technology

It was found that most of the cracks in the hives (more than 83%) are filled with propolis, the rest with wax or a mixture of these two components. The best time to gather is from late May to late August. To increase the amount of propolis collected, use a special ceiling grill, liner, mesh for collection.

Did you know? If a dense layer of bee glue is applied to raw meat, it will be fresh for several months, even if it is in the sun.

The amount of substance produced directly depends on the following factors:

• climatic conditions;
• bee breeds;
• the structure of the hive and its ventilation;
• the presence of propolis raw materials in the natural environment.

The best in the production of propolis are considered to be Caucasian, Central Russian, Italian and Far Eastern bees. Often, in one hive with the frames placed in it, you can collect about 200 g of propolis. It is possible to increase the production of bee glue with the help of additional tools and methods: to strengthen the ventilation of the hives, use cork liners, create ribbed, stepped surfaces on the ceiling and walls, and also use physical and chemical irritants.

Researchers came to the conclusion that using special devices with one bee family can produce 1-2 kg of this product, thus increasing its amount by 10 times.

The technology for producing propolis consists in the following actions:

1. First, you need to purchase or make your own hands a special lattice of wooden or plastic battens, with the help of which cracks are formed in the hive. It is best installed on the ceiling and covered with a net.
2. The holes must be filled with cotton wool wrapped in a bandage and pre-soaked with peppermint or dill oil, as these substances act as irritants on bees, as a result of which they produce more propolis.
3. Within 7 days, the gaps will be filled with a drug substance.
4. After the specified time has passed, the grill must be replaced with a new one.

Video: propolis collection

How to store bee glue so that its healing properties do not decrease

To bee glue does not lose its healing properties, it is necessary to store it in the right conditions. To do this, first of all, you need to choose the storage capacity and location.

As storage material use:

• blank paper;
• plastic bag;
• paper bags.

The bond is placed in them, and then it is transferred to a glass container with tinted glass, which must be tightly closed. The storage place must be dry and clean. The temperature in the room in which the bond is located must not exceed + 25 ° C. Do not store this product next to products that have a sharp aroma.

If you follow the storage rules, you can extend the shelf life of the medicinal product to 5-6 years. When choosing a storage location, the fact that it should have good ventilation should be considered. The best option for storing bee glue is considered a pantry. But you can’t store propolis in the refrigerator, because it is too wet in it, which can lead to crumbling and loss of healing properties.

Propolis is considered a medicinal product that is used for various purposes. Knowing some tricks with which you can increase the amount of extracted product, and the ways in which it is best to collect it, you can get a quality product. Observing the storage conditions, it will be possible to preserve all the healing properties of bee glue for a long time.