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All beekeeping products are actively used in human life. Fireweed honey is no exception. This unique product is of immense benefit. In terms of useful properties and color, it has no equal. Let's figure out what fireweed honey is, and why it has earned such popularity.
Fireweed honey - what is it
This type of honey is obtained from narrow-leaved fireweed (popularly also called ivan tea), which grows in Europe and Asia and looks like a purple-pink flower. In Russia, it is usually found on the territory of coniferous forests in Siberia and the European part of the state. Prefers open spaces, closer to roads, grows in places of fire.
Cypress drains a strong, pronounced scent that attracts with great success. A large amount of pollen is formed from fireweed, so it is an excellent honey plant - from 1 kg bees can make about 700 grams. honey. It turns out an interesting delicacy, which is called Cyprian honey.
Main characteristics
Once you see this sort of honey, you will not confuse it with anything else. Fresh honey is almost transparent, with a slight shade of green. The consistency resembles sour cream or cream. After 5 months, the color of real honey from Ivan tea becomes completely white. For this, the people call him "snowy".
The product has a pleasant floral aroma and specific taste, reminiscent of a combination of spices and herbs.
The composition of fireweed honey
Honey is extracted from ivan tea, which determines what the product consists of:
- Glucose.
- Fructose.
- Enzymes.
- Vitamin C.
- Antioxidants
- Tannins.
- Tannin.
- Calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc.
- Flavonoids.
- Highly digestible carbons.
- Vitamins of group B, P, E and PP.
- Micro, - and macronutrients.
Color and nutritional value
For 100 g of the product there are:
- Proteins - 0.80 g - 1% of the daily value.
- Fat - 0.00 g - 0% of the daily value.
- Carbohydrates - 81 g. - 30% of the daily value.
Beneficial features
It is difficult to overestimate honey from Ivan tea. It has a number of useful properties that are used in 2 areas of life:
1. In the treatment and prevention of diseases:
- Coating and bactericidal to relieve sore throat and inflammation.
- Mitigates symptoms of prostate diseases.
- Ointment for ulcers, burns and purulent wounds.
- Cleans the blood from toxins.
- Effectively treats flu and colds in combination with pharmaceuticals.
- It will help normalize blood pressure.
- Has an anticonvulsant effect.
- Prevents the formation of tumors and malignant cells.
- With regular use, it contributes to a surge of strength, vivacity, a more balanced state.
- Calms the nervous system.
- Strengthens and tones the body.
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Helps in the prevention of blood diseases and anemia.
- Strengthens the heart muscle and blood vessels, making them more elastic.
- Used for diseases of the digestive system (heartburn, constipation, duodenal disease).
- Normalizes sleep.
2. In cosmetology:
- Stimulates collagen production for firmness and wrinkle reduction.
- Cleans from toxins.
- Kills pathogenic fungi and bacteria, therefore it is included in ointments and creams.
- Improves the complexion of the face and body.
- Helps the skin during recovery.
- Nourishes and strengthens the skin.
How to choose the right Cypriot honey
But for those who know the characteristics of real honey, it is not difficult to distinguish fresh and natural honey from counterfeit.
Maturity is the main indicator
- If honey is scooped up with a spoon, and it quickly begins to drain, then the product is immature, therefore it will not be stored for a long time, it is less useful.
- If you drop a drop of honey on a saucer, and the shape remains - mature. This will be stored for a long time.
Scent
Taste
- Be sure to try the honey before purchasing. Sellers usually provide samples to buyers. A good product has a very sweet and pleasant taste without caramel, fermentation, acid, or chemicals.
- Consider the presence of a slight herbal flavor when choosing.
Color and consistency
- Check with the seller when the item was collected. After that, pay attention to the color of the fireweed honey. If it is stored for no longer than 1-2 months, then it will be almost transparent, liquid consistency, reminiscent of heavy cream, without viscosity and lumps.
- If stored for more than 2 months, it begins to crystallize, small grains form, the shade becomes pure white closer to 3 months. If the product has been heated, the color will be yellow.
- It is worth distinguishing between fireweed honey and linden honey. The second has a more intense amber hue.
How to distinguish fake fireweed honey
During the spring-summer period, it is much more difficult to recognize a fake product:
- The frozen and sugared product never crunches on the teeth. If the honey crunches, then the bees were fed sweet. It is not worth purchasing such a product, since there are no useful properties in it.
- How to distinguish fake fireweed honey, plasticity will tell. The thickened honey flows from the spoon in a continuous stream. If it drips or does not drain at all, then there are clear signs of artificial origin by eye.
Contraindications
The product is prohibited for people with obesity and diabetes. For people with pancreatic disease, it is best to limit consumption to a minimum. Hypertensive patients should be treated with caution. After taking it, a decrease in pressure is often observed, especially with a complex of other herbs.
Asthmatics should refuse any intake of cypress honey, as it can provoke asthma attacks.
It is also necessary to check for individual intolerance, allergies to beekeeping products. The chemical composition can exacerbate the disease.
At high temperatures, fireweed honey can worsen the condition.
Rules for the use of honey from fireweed
Beekeeping products are good for the body, but they can also cause serious harm. To prevent this from happening, you must follow the general rules:
- The use of honey can be useful only if you observe the proportions and do not violate the daily dose - 50-80 g.adults, children over 6 years old - no more than 40 g, up to 6 - 10 g.
- For maximum effect, it is recommended to monitor the acidity of the stomach. With normal acidity, honey is best taken 30-40 minutes before meals. At reduced - in 15 minutes, dissolving in cold water.
- The product should be taken in the morning and evening before meals. Eating with other foods will add a few extra pounds and slow down the digestion process.
- Taking a spoonful of honey in your mouth, do not write off immediately swallow it. Try the product, hold it for a couple of seconds. In the oral cavity, beneficial enzymes and antioxidants are secreted, which promote the absorption of food and sugary substances.
- After taking, it is recommended to rinse your mouth.
Storage conditions
Honey from fireweed quickly crystallizes (for 2 months), but at the same time its beneficial properties are preserved.
To avoid acidification, store the product in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container at a temperature of 3 to 10 degrees Celsius. Air humidity - no higher than 60%.
If you put a product in the freezer, it will retain its sweetness and taste, but lose its beneficial properties.
Honey retains its beneficial properties for 1 year; you can store it as a sweetness for no more than a year and a half. At room temperature, the shelf life is reduced to 6 months.
For long-term storage, glass dishes are suitable, for shorter ones - plastic or metal.
Fireweed honey is a unique product that has many beneficial properties. The main thing is to choose a quality natural product and follow all the recommendations written in this article. Then the product will become a real find.