In different regions of the world, depending on climatic conditions (mid-May – late June), sainfoin grass blooms in the fields with pale pink, purple and yellow inflorescences, whose aroma attracts bees. Under natural conditions, a perennial plant from the legume family grows in Asia, Latin America and southern regions of Europe. In Russia, herbaceous culture is sown for animal feed, and it is also a good honey plant, which is highly valued by beekeepers.
What is sainfoin honey
Not every lovers of a sweet product know what sainfoin honey is. Sainfoin honey is full of useful biological compounds that strengthen the immune system, normalize cholesterol and glucose levels, has an anti-inflammatory effect and stabilizes the metabolism in the human body. The natural product is appreciated by gourmets for its pleasant taste, and its beneficial properties help to cope with a number of diseases without resorting to drug treatment.
What does sainfoin honey look like?
After the honey harvest, the color of sainfoin honey varies from golden to rich amber color. The nectar crystallizes quickly (3-4 weeks). After that, sainfoin honey acquires a fine-grained structure, resembling cream in consistency, and shades of white colors (boiling white, vanilla, creamy).
What is sainfoin honey made of?
Bees begin to collect medicinal white honey at a temperature of 25 – 30 ° C. At the beginning of summer, depending on the growing region of Esparzeta, delicate pink flowers bloom, emitting a fragrant smell that attracts bees. If climatic conditions permit, then from one hectare of sowing, up to 350 – 400 kilograms of useful sainfoin honey are obtained.
Where is sainfoin honey collected?
In Russia, the conditions for collecting exparcet honey fall on the beginning of May and the end of June. This is the most favorable period for the “harvest”, especially for Altai. The cultivated plant blooms during the period when the spring honey plants have already bloomed, and the time for the summer honey plants of nectar has not yet come. Therefore, Esparcet becomes the main source of honey collection.
For an elite bee product in Europe, fields are specially sown with Esparcet grass. It grows well in Tuscany (Italy) and Gitina (France). In Europe, Canada is considered the main supplier of sainfoin honey. In Russia, fields in the Caucasus and in the middle lane bear fruit well. Bees are attracted by the Siberian, sowing, Transcaucasian and vicolor plant varieties.
Important!
The flowers of the plant have a tendency to wilt from 12 to 14 days. Experienced beekeepers with a moving apiary set up hives from 6 in the morning. Insects collect the largest amount of nectar from a blossoming bud.
Sainfoin does not always give a high “yield”. During the dry season, the large and bright inflorescences of Esparcet give bees a high percentage of sucrose, which affects the wax glands of insects. During the period of collection of exparcet nectar, bees manage to create a useful foundation.
Esparcet honey taste
Esparcet honey has a distinctive taste and aroma. The main note in the armature is a pleasant floral scent. Mostly roses. Delicate and at the same time tart aftertaste distinguishes it from its “brothers”. The delicacy is useful and pleasant both as an independent ingredient and when added to drinks.
Composition and calorie content
Esparcet nectar contains a large amount of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin B 5 (calcium pantothenate), as well as trace elements and minerals. Sucrose increases the absorption of iron, copper, manganese, phosphorus and iodine in the human body. The calorie content of the product corresponds to most types of honey. It is calculated as 315 Kcal. for 100g. nectar.
Useful properties of exparcet honey
The beneficial properties of sainfoin honey, in addition to amino acids, vitamins and minerals, are the presence of phytoncides in the composition. In 1928, a group of scientists led by BT Tokin discovered that volatile biologically active substances are capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth and development of pathogens and bacteria that cause a number of inflammatory processes (ARI, ARVI, Staphylococcus aureus). The medicinal properties of bee products are used for internal and external (masks, lotions), use.
The benefits of sainfoin honey also lie in “masculine strength”. Phytohormones have a positive effect on male potency.
A balanced composition of hydrocarbons, but at the same time containing a high percentage of sucrose in the beekeeping product, requires the advice of a nutritionist. If the beekeeper does not feed the bees, then glucose and fructose add sweetness to the product, in a percentage of 50 to 50%. This useful property of the variety allows the product to be used as a sugar substitute.
At what diseases is applied
The medicinal properties of honey have been used since the days of beekeeping, when people used the products of wild bees. The healing antibacterial qualities of sainfoin honey help in wound healing and skin tissue repair. Nectar is especially effective:
- With an increase in immunity in the season of colds;
- Increases concentration and improves vision.
- It has the property of balancing the nervous system due to its mild sedative function.
- Cleans the blood from toxins and promotes the resorption of blood clots.
- Normalizes bowel function. Helps fight constipation and enterocolitis.
- Increases androgen levels (improving erectile function in men).
- Lotions mixed from a bee product and aloe juice relieve pain in burns and psoriasis, heal the affected skin.
- In gynecology. Honey collection is used for douching and baths.
- Useful for women during menopause.
Esparce honey is recommended for gastrointestinal (gastrointestinal) ulcers. The biological composition of nectar, together with therapeutic drugs, heals erosion. Natural enzymes that make up honey improve the regeneration of internal tissues.
Important!
When using sainfoin honey in tea, do not mix nectar with boiling water. The temperature of the liquid should not exceed 50 – 60 degrees, otherwise honey will lose its beneficial properties.
The property of nectar helps to cope with dental diseases. Gargling relieves inflammation in the oral cavity (stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease). To do this, 1 tablespoon of honey is diluted in 200 ml. warm boiled water and rinse your mouth three to four times a day.
In case of colds, if there is no allergy to the ingredients of the bee product, it is better to dissolve the drug slowly under the tongue, and then drink it with warm water or tea.
A tablespoon of nectar taken on an empty stomach is a good prevention of many ailments, especially in late autumn, winter and early spring, and the most useful properties are supplied by the “mature” mixture (a tablespoon of honey is turned around its axis. If the liquid does not drain, then the nectar is ripe) …
Used in cosmetics
The beneficial properties of bee products are actively used in the beauty industry. Apiotherapy based on honey picks improves complexion, tightens the skin, removes fine wrinkles. In folk medicine, there are collected effective recipes for face and body masks.
Face Mask Recipe
For a rejuvenating procedure, you will need 20-30 grams of sainfoin honey, 15 grams of grape seed oil and two leaves of young aloe.
- Sainfoin is mixed with grape oil (grape oil can be replaced with lavender, cornflower or olive oil);
- in a mixer, beat aloe leaves to a state of gruel;
- mix the ingredients.
With the help of a cosmetic sponge, the composition is applied to problem areas of the face (nasolabial folds, T – zone, cheeks and chin), and rubbed into the skin with fingertips. After 30 minutes, the mass is washed off. After the procedure, the face is treated with a tonic suitable for the skin type, and then lubricated with a nourishing cream.
The medicinal properties of the substance have been described since ancient times. The recipe for a milk bath with the addition of a bee product was very popular among Roman matrons. The high temperature of the composition expands the pores through which the body is cleansed of toxins and toxins, and at the same time nourishes the skin with healing substances, especially when the dermis is dehydrated.
A cream with a bee product has healing properties during massages. Extensive osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, scoliosis are amenable to “aspartic” therapy.
Противопоказания
The medicinal benefits of a sainfoin product, if consumed in excess, can cause a severe allergic reaction, up to anaphylatic shock. The bee product is also contraindicated for persons suffering from:
- Overweight, since the calorie content of nectar is quite high due to the content of a large amount of natural sugars (sucrose and fructose).
- Individual intolerance to any component of bee activity.
- Diabetes.
- Pregnancy and the period of feeding the baby.
Important!
Therapists recommend adding bee components to the diet from 3 years of age in small doses.
How to distinguish sainfoin honey from fake
The elite product has a high market value, so unscrupulous beekeepers add starch or flour. A simple chemical analysis, with the addition of a few drops of iodine to the composition, will help identify a fake, the solution will turn blue.
Checking the mixture “for sugar” is carried out by adding silver nitrate (HNO3) to the mixture of honey and water. If, after shaking the liquid, a white precipitate settles, then the bee product is of poor quality.
Terms and methods of storage
To preserve the beneficial properties of honey in the early stages, when it has an amber color, a sterilized glass or ceramic container with a tightly closed lid is placed in a cool place protected from sunlight (t + 15 – 20 ° C). In metal containers, the bee product is oxidized, while releasing hazardous substances.
When the product crystallizes and turns white, the degree is lowered. The optimum storage temperature for the “creamy treat” is + 5 – 7 ° С.
Like any product with beneficial properties, sainfoin honey can cause negative reactions (allergies) if consumed in unlimited quantities. And also for people with contraindications to any of the ingredients that make up the fruit of hardworking bees.
