Jam from pine cones: original taste, forest aroma and healing properties

In domestic latitudes, pine grows almost everywhere. But for some reason, the hostess does not prepare jam from her cones not so often. But residents of forest areas always have several cans of this miraculous remedy in their pantry, which protects the whole family from colds and a number of other diseases.

The benefits and harms of pine cones and jam from them

In folk medicine, pine cones dessert is known as a powerful anti-cold, antipyretic and disinfectant. Having studied the whole range of useful properties of jam, you probably want to cook it. But do not forget about the presence of contraindications.

Cones jam. Healing properties

The beneficial properties of jam from pine cones are not limited to a cold effect. In fact, its action is much wider and affects almost all body systems.

• Strengthens the immune system. Phytoncides, which are part of the essential oil, actively fight against microbes and make the body more resistant to infections and colds.
• Heals the stomach. Green cones have a beneficial effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, relieve the condition with exacerbation of gastritis and ulcers.
• Saves from anemia. The use of unusual jam helps increase hemoglobin levels.
• Soothes the nervous system. Helps fight depression, improves mood and improves overall body tone.
• It fights respiratory diseases. Quickly relieves a cold and soothes a cough. Facilitates the condition with tuberculosis and bronchitis.
• Cleanses the body. The chemical composition is rich in antioxidants that bind harmful substances and remove them from the body. Also dainty prevents the occurrence of edema.
• Stimulates brain function. Helps increase efficiency, facilitates the storage of information. Also, coniferous jam helps to restore speech after a stroke.
• Eliminates parasites. Giardia and worms die under the influence of components of essential oils.
• It treats diseases of the oral cavity. Thanks to the disinfecting and regenerating properties of jam, ulcers in the mouth heal quickly, bleeding gums decreases.
• Strengthens the heart and blood vessels. With the help of B vitamins and tannin, the work of the heart muscle improves and blood vessels become stronger. Also, the use of jam contributes to the treatment of hypertension.

Contraindications

Do not forget that edible cones can be beneficial, and in some cases a pine dessert can be harmful. Make sure that you have no contraindications to the use of this treat:

• children's age up to three years;
• old age over 60 years;
• acute hepatitis;
• pregnancy;
• the period of breastfeeding;
• impaired kidney function;
• tendency to allergic reactions;
• diabetes;
• chronic liver disease.

How and where to collect cones: 4 tips

To cook tasty and healthy jam, you need to know some of the subtleties that relate to the collection of raw materials. There are four key points to remember.

1. Where to collect raw materials. It is best to go for cones in a pine forest or landing, remote from dusty roads and industrial enterprises. This is due to the fact that all the dirt from the atmosphere “sticks” to the resin, which is present on the surface of the cones.
2. When to collect cones. Residents of the warmest regions can begin collecting pine cones at the end of May. In general, the best time is the end of June.
3. The quality of coniferous shoots. Small green cones, the length of which does not exceed four centimeters, are suitable for jam. But the most tender and tasty in the process of cooking are those that do not reach a length of two centimeters.
4. How much raw material is needed. In order to prepare jam, which is enough for a family of three or four people for the entire cold period, one kilogram of cones is enough.

Pine cone jam: a selection of recipes

Caring for family health, you should definitely master the recipe for jam from pine cones. This pleasant delicacy with an unusual aroma for jam protects you and your loved ones from insidious infections, and also brings new shades to your usual menu.

Recipe number 1: classic

Features He will need a minimal set of ingredients. At the same time, the taste and healing properties of pine cones are fully revealed in such a simple jam.

You will need:

• young pine cones;
• sugar - in equal amounts;
• water - to cover the cones two centimeters above their level.

Cooking

Wash cones several times in cold water to rid them of dirt and impurities of needles.

Transfer the raw materials to a large pot or basin and fill it with water. The liquid should be about two centimeters above the cones.

Turn on the gas and place the flooded cones on the burner.

1. Cook the broth 30 minutes after boiling.
2. Cover the container with gauze or a towel and leave it for 12 hours in a dark place. For example, in the closet. As a result, the broth will acquire a greenish tint and pronounced aroma of resin.
3. Strain the broth. In a separate pan, combine the liquid with sugar, put on a fire and heat until the granules are completely dissolved.
4. Send a third of the total cones to the syrup and boil the composition for another seven to ten minutes.
5. It remains to roll up the jam on the banks and send for storage in a cool place.

Recipe number 2: without heat treatment

Features This recipe without boiling is less time-consuming and allows you to save maximum nutrients cones. In addition, if you do not like to stand at the stove for a long time, this option is ideal for you.

You will need:

• a kilogram of cones;
• one and a half kilograms of sugar.

Cooking

1. Sort and wash the cones well. Each of them is cut into four parts.
2. Roll each dice in sugar.
3. Put a layer of candied cones tightly on the bottom of the can. In height, it should be about two centimeters.
4. The next layer is sugar. Its height should be about one and a half centimeters.
5. Continue to layering the ingredients until you fill the jar. Sugar must be on top.
6. Cover the container with gauze and place it on a windowsill or in another bright place, accessible for sunlight.
7. As the sugar melts to form a syrup, shake the jar. And when all the granules dissolve, the jam can be considered ready.

Recipe number 3: with lemon

Features If your goal is to strengthen the immune system, combine pine cones and lemon in one jam.This will increase the concentration of ascorbic acid. In addition, the citrus supplement will eliminate the bitterness inherent in needles.

You will need:

• pine cones - 120 g;
• kilogram of sugar;
• half a glass of lemon juice;
• a teaspoon of vanilla sugar;
• water - to cover the cones.

Cooking

1. Rinse the pine cones. Transfer the raw materials to the pan and pour so much water that it completely covers the raw materials.
2. Cover the container with a lid and put on a slow fire. Strain the cones for half an hour, after which let them stand for a day.
3. Spill the broth through cheesecloth. Add lemon juice, vanilla and sugar to it, then put on fire. You need to cook the mixture until it turns into syrup.
4. Add the cones to the syrup, and boil ten minutes after boiling.

Recipe number 4: from pine needles

Features If you do not have time to collect the cones, this does not mean that you will be left without a healthy treat. In the autumn-winter period, you can well make jam from pine needles.

You will need:

• pine needles - two glasses;
• large lemon;
• sugar - 300 g;
• water - six glasses.

Cooking

1. Wash the needles and fill them with three glasses of boiling water.
2. After a couple of hours, when the raw materials soften, kill the mass with a blender.
3. Add three more glasses of boiling water, cover the container with a towel and leave for 12 hours.
4. Fold the cheesecloth in several layers and pour the infusion through it. Squeeze the coniferous mass well so that all the essential oils are in the water.
5. Put the liquid on the fire, add sugar and simmer for about one hour. Do not forget to mix constantly.
6. Squeeze the juice from the lemon, add it to the boiling syrup and boil for another ten minutes.

Little tricks

In the preparation of any treat, there are tricks and subtleties that help facilitate the work and make the taste of the dish more sophisticated. Regarding coniferous jam, there are three basic recommendations.

1. Training. Before you start cooking, remove needles and impurities from the raw materials. You will also have to sort out the cones to remove the damaged ones.
2. Dishes. During cooking, the cones actively emit tar, which is not easy to wash from the surface of the pan. Therefore, for making jam, it is not recommended to use white enameled dishes.
3. Storage. It is advisable to store jam in a dark room. The optimum air temperature is 12-14 C.

How to take jam

If you have no contraindications to the use of coniferous goodies, you can safely use it for preventive or therapeutic purposes. How to take jam from pine cones depends on what problem you want to solve with it.

• To increase the tone of the body. In half a glass of water, dilute a teaspoon of jam. Such a drink should be consumed in the morning on an empty stomach and before bedtime.
• From cough and sore throat. To soothe a cough and sore throat, eat a small spoonful of jam with a cup of warm tea three times a day. For children, the dosage is reduced to a teaspoon. Treatment is carried out for one to two weeks.
• From bronchitis. Three times a day, eat a tablespoon of sweet coniferous syrup, slowly washing it down with warm water.
• From parasites. For a half to two weeks, eat a tablespoon of pine jam whenever you drink tea. For this period, other sweets should be completely excluded from the diet.
• From asthma. Eat a couple tablespoons of syrup daily. Divide this amount for the whole day.At the same time, it is not recommended to drink jam with either water or tea.
• For the joints. During an exacerbation of diseases, add a small spoonful of jam to tea. Continue treatment until the pain subsides.

If you still doubt whether it is advisable to make jam from pine cones, just refer to the experience and knowledge of the ancestors. Pine was held in high esteem not only in Russia, but also among representatives of other cultures. So, the Chinese considered this tree a symbol of longevity, and the Japanese thought at all that it could give a person immortality. The real cult of pine cones was among the ancient Greeks. They believed that the secret of good health and fertility was hidden in them.

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