Beekeepers of the Vitebsk region will celebrate Honey Spas

Honey Savior's Day, celebrated today, is revered not only by beekeepers (August 19 is Apple Savior's Day, August 29 is Bread or Nut Savior's Day). The folk names of these Orthodox holidays have long been associated with seasonal agricultural work. By Honey Savior's Day, beehives are not only filled to capacity but also completely sealed. This is confirmation that the honey has ripened and it is time for beekeepers to start harvesting. There is even a folk saying for this occasion: "Honey Savior's Day has come – prepare honey for future use!"

Even in ancient times, it was believed that life without honey is a life devoid of many joys. In ancient sources, honey is described as ""the juice from the night dew that bees collect from fragrant flowers". It was believed that it possessed special powers and was suitable for treating many diseases. Fermented honey was drunk at feasts, and many excellent non-alcoholic beverages, gingerbread, and other sweets were made from this product.

Honey is one of the most nutritious among Lenten foods. Its varieties are distinguished by the plants from which the nectar was collected. For our region, three varieties are most characteristic: linden, buckwheat, and floral. Linden honey is collected from linden flowers, it is light, almost white. Buckwheat honey is from buckwheat flowers, dark, slightly greenish. Floral honey is from various wildflowers, amber-golden, distinguished by its extraordinary aroma.

Everyone knows that honey is a source of health. Ripe honey is the basis for hundreds of types of medicines. The Roman physician Galen, who lived in the 2nd century AD, believed that there is nothing more beneficial than honey for health improvement and protection from diseases. And in the manuscripts of the Ancient East, there is information that honey neutralizes many food toxins.

The healing properties of honey are obvious, determined by its chemical composition: B vitamins, K, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, manganese, and zinc. The ratio of macro-, micro-, and ultra-elements in fresh honey corresponds to human blood serum. That is why honey is so easily absorbed. Scientists studying the composition of different varieties claim that honey retains all the healing properties of the plants from which it was collected by bees. Therefore, anyone can benefit from 4-6 teaspoons of honey per day to strengthen their overall health: it will help restore strength quickly, calm the strained nervous system, and strengthen the heart muscle.

In the Vitebsk region, it has become a tradition to hold exhibitions and fairs of various products from local beekeepers during Honey Spas. In the regional center, the celebration will begin with a ritual of consecrating honey of the new harvest and will take place opposite the city hall and on Suvorov Street. Here, you will not only be able to purchase a healthy, environmentally friendly product but also consult with specialists on its use. Based on the tasting results, a winner will be determined in the competition for the best honey, jury members will identify the beekeeper who decorated their trading spot most originally, as well as the most active participant of the celebration. The exhibition and fair will last in Vitebsk until August 20.

For the first time in Polotsk, as part of the eco-festival "Medovyi Spas v Polotske-2014" (Honey Spas in Polotsk-2014), the Academy of Beekeeping Skills will open its doors to everyone today. Master classes in the open air will be conducted by the best beekeepers, who were awarded diplomas for many years of conscientious work based on the results of the past honey festival. Anyone can get advice on the proper keeping of bees, the use of honey and honey products for medicinal purposes in the lessons "Fundamentals of Beekeeping" and "Health". As part of the campaign against imported low-quality products, the tasting competition "Honey Purchase Control" will be held, along with many other interesting events promoting the work of beekeepers.

Good to know:

– 100 grams of honey contain 330 calories, while one hundred grams of sugar contain 390. However, honey is a better source of energy for our body than sugar.

– In hot tea, honey loses most of its medicinal properties, as enzymes and vitamins are destroyed at 50-60 degrees Celsius. Honey should never be added to boiling water! If honey is boiled, only water, glucose, and sugar will remain. However, at temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius, it retains all its healing properties.

Artur Mateyun, "Vitebskiye Vesti"