Among a wide variety of honey varieties, a peculiar and extremely rare milkweed nectar stands apart. The uniqueness of the variety is associated with the honey plant itself, and more precisely, with the locality of its growth, the biological and chemical composition of its pollen. Read more about the characteristics of the variety, its chemical composition and valuable properties in this material.
Origin
Euphorbia honey is a beekeeping product obtained from milkweed pollen. Being weed, wild euphorbia grows in arid desert areas where it is difficult to find other honey plants. The habitat of the popular milkweed species among bees (Segier and Boissier) is South Africa, Madagascar, Europe, Asia. This common and unloved by gardeners weed can reach a height of 50–70 cm.
The plant has strongly branched and densely leafy stems, and the root system goes down to a depth of 11-12 meters. Due to these botanical features, euphorbia obscures and crowds out other plants. The deep root allows the weed to receive water and other elements important for its development from environmentally friendly layers of the soil. In this regard, in the nectar from the flowers of milkweed there are no other impurities, it is considered the least allergenic.
How is this honey extracted?
Milkweed and bees collect pollen from the middle of June to July. Milkweed pollen is poisonous to insects, so it is believed that only strong bees can process this plant. If there are no other honey plants nearby, the number of swarm decreases significantly. Therefore, the beekeeper should stock up 6 kg of bees and 4 frames of bee brood (including 2 frames of mature).
Important! Collecting honey in unsealed honeycombs is not the best solution, as it is a sign of immaturity. Such a product is not sufficiently enriched with enzymes. In addition, it has a high moisture content.
Honey sampling is carried out at least 10–11 days after bees collect pollen. The procedure is preferably carried out in the morning - in the heat of the day the bees in the hives are much smaller. The frames are taken with the help of a smoker, a tool for opening the home of bees, a brush, an apiary knife and reserve frames. Having removed the framework from the hive, honey is immediately removed. Pumping is carried out manually or using a special device (honey extractor).
How to recognize euphorbiace honey among other varieties?
Milkweed flower honey is a very rare and unusual organoleptic variety. Among all the varieties, it is distinguished primarily by color - it should be amber-dark. The aroma of nectar is soft, without pronounced notes. When tasting, you should feel a bitter, tart taste.
The presented variety crystallizes slowly (within 1.5 years), therefore it is desirable that it has a liquid consistency. If the honey you purchase is quickly sugared, you can forget about its naturalness. Most likely, you got a fake. It is worth noting that the beneficial properties of euphorbia delicacies do not disappear with time, only bitterness decreases.
Chemical and vitamin composition
The calorie content of 100 grams of a natural product is approximately 316 kcal. Over time and in the process of sugaring, calories increase, due to loss of moisture.
100 grams of aromatic and healthy goodies contain:
- proteins - 0.9 g;
- carbohydrates - 81 g;
- water - 17 g;
- monosaccharides and disaccharides - 74 g;
- starch - 6 g;
- ash - 0.4 g.
Vitamin content (mg / 100 g of product):
- thiamine - 0.3-0.55;
- riboflavin - 0.15–0.35;
- pyridoxine - 0.02;
- folacin - 0.03;
- nicotinic acid - 0.2-0.8;
- ascorbic acid - 45;
- Biotin - 0.0006.
Euphorbia honey also contains a large amount of iodine, fructose, iron and various enzymes.
Did you know? Most of all honey per capita in the world is produced in Ukraine - 1.5 kg.
Properties of milk from milkweed
Euphorbia honey has a lot of healing properties. But besides useful, there are several harmful properties that must be considered.
Useful and healing properties
- The regular use of natural goodies has a positive effect on the body, namely:
- relieves chronic fatigue, strengthens the nervous system;
- activates mental activity, improves memory;
- struggling with insomnia;
- reduces the likelihood of a heart attack and stroke;
- recommended for the treatment of sclerosis, gastritis, urogenital diseases, varicose veins, pathologies of the liver, thyroid gland, stomach.
Nectar helps with iodine deficiency - it normalizes the thyroid gland and is directly involved in the synthesis of hormones. In addition, an iodine-containing food product strengthens the body's defenses, activates metabolic processes, promotes body rejuvenation, gives vigor and energy, improves overall well-being. Valuable qualities include increased muscle tone and hemoglobin production.
Compresses and tinctures are prepared from milk of milk to help relieve sore throat with bronchitis and colds. Also, the sweet mass is suitable for inhalation with pharyngitis and helps to heal wounds. A beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, hair and nails was noted. At home, it is used for the preparation of masks and scrubs.
Contraindications
Euphorbia nectar is forbidden to eat in case of intolerance. To determine if you are allergic, apply a few drops of sweet mass on the inside of your elbow. Do not wait for an instant reaction, give the body a couple of days. Allergy is manifested by blisters on the skin, itching, swelling. Anaphylaxis is even possible. To avoid unpleasant consequences, before using nectar for medicinal purposes, consult your physician in advance.
Important! It is forbidden to consume honey during the rehabilitation period after operations on the stomach or gall bladder. It is necessary to exclude a treat for dermatosis, as well as at the time of exacerbation of chronic ailments.
Overweight people with uncontrolled intake may develop diabetes. Try not to consume nectar on an empty stomach. Doctors also advise pregnant and lactating women to be careful with this treat. It is not recommended in any form for children under 2 years of age, since it increases the risk of developing food allergies and caries in the future. It is advisable for older children not to abuse the natural dessert, and after taking it, it will not hurt to rinse the oral cavity.
How to choose a quality product?
Before making a purchase, you should pay attention to several important points. In order not to stumble on a fake, ask the seller for relevant honey documents. Also remember the characteristics that are specific to the milkweed variety (they were discussed above in the article). If possible, order a small amount of product per sample.
Already at home, the quality of honey treats can be determined in the following ways:
- Light a match and bring it to the nectar. The natural product does not immediately melt and hiss.
- Dip a small piece of browned bread into the treat. After 10 minutes, check if the bread is softer. In this product, bread does not lose hardness.
- Add a few drops of vinegar to the honey dissolved in water.. If the composition foams, you have a fake. And when you add a few drops of iodine, the solution should not turn blue.
- Put a sweet mass on paper. Damp spots should not form around honey.
Duration and storage conditions
The expiration date of nectar from milkweed flowers largely depends on storage conditions. Natural delicacy should be stored exclusively in glassware with a hermetically sealed lid. Keep the container in a dark, dry cabinet, away from preservation, at a temperature not exceeding + 15 ° C and humidity not more than 75%. Honey stored under these conditions can be consumed for 2 years.
In case of violation of the optimal conditions, the shelf life of the product is reduced, and is no more than 1 year. Collection time is also important. Worse will be stored sweet mass, collected in late autumn or on a dry summer day.
Did you know? In 1985, a batch of cocaine-containing honey was detained in Peru. To obtain such a unique product, drug dealers released bees directly to cocaine plantations.
With the right choice, application, as well as reliable storage, honey will never become a tar spoon for you. Do not underestimate the milk of milk - it is an excellent product for maintaining beauty, health, vitality.
