Content
- 1 Benefits of dandelion honey
- 2 How to make dandelion honey at home
- 3 How to make dandelion honey according to the classic recipe
- 4 How to make dandelion honey from 400 dandelions
- 5 How to make dandelion honey with lemon
- 6 How to make dandelion honey without cooking: recipe No. 1
- 7 Dandelion honey without cooking: recipe No. 2
- 8 An original recipe for making honey from dandelions with mint and cherry leaves
- 9 Homemade honey from dandelions, oranges and lemons
- 10 How to use dandelion honey
- 11 Restrictions and contraindications
- 12 How to store dandelion honey
- 13 Conclusion
Dandelion honey is considered one of the rarest bee products. This is due to the fact that the nectar of the plant has a bitter taste. Therefore, bees do not tend to collect it. Despite this, the product contains a lot of substances beneficial to the human body.
Benefits of dandelion honey
Dandelion is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. There are more than 2000 varieties of the plant. The most common species in Russia is the common dandelion. Plant height can vary from 10 to 50 cm.Dandelion is considered unpretentious, so it can be found on roadsides, flower fields, in parks and forests.
Dandelion honey comes in two types: natural and artificial. In the first case, the product is made by bees by digesting the nectar of a plant. Artificial honey is prepared at home using available materials. In this case, there is no need to resort to the help of bees. The benefits of dandelion honey lie in its rich composition. It includes the following components:
- sodium;
- phosphorus;
- copper;
- manganese;
- zinc;
- iron;
- potassium;
- selenium.
There is a lot of controversy about the benefits and harms of dandelion honey. The plant is often used as the main ingredient for the preparation of medicines. For skin diseases, the honey product is applied locally. If it is necessary to eliminate diseases of internal organs, it is taken orally. Often, a medicinal product is used as an additional agent to the main drug therapy. The benefits of the healing product are as follows:
- lowering blood cholesterol levels;
- cleansing the body of toxins;
- restoration of respiratory function in the presence of asthma;
- removal of mucus from the lungs;
- reduction of pain in joints;
- providing a rejuvenating effect on the condition of the skin and hair;
- normalization of the nervous system;
- strengthening the immune system;
- improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- blood pressure stabilization;
- reducing the likelihood of developing urolithiasis;
- choleretic effect;
- normalization of liver and gallbladder function;
- strengthening the walls of blood vessels.
It is especially beneficial to take dandelion honey for people with weakened immune systems.The product contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. Due to its phosphorus content, it has a strengthening effect on the skeletal system and muscles. Due to the presence of magnesium and potassium in the composition, the product prevents electrolyte disturbances in the body. This helps normalize sleep, eliminate cramps and muscle pain.
In addition, honey has the ability to restore hormonal levels and stabilize the respiratory system. The manganese content eliminates drowsiness and restores the functioning of the nervous system. The presence of zinc in honey helps accelerate skin regenerative processes. Therefore, the product is often used for cosmetic purposes.
Doctors advise including dandelion syrup in the diet of children and the elderly. It promotes the active development of important organs and prevents the formation of chronic diseases. Regular consumption of honey can be an alternative to vitamin complexes. To achieve the desired result, it is enough to eat a couple of tablespoons of dandelion honey a day.
In some cases, synthetic dandelion honey is used to prevent cancer. This is due to the high content of selenium. The mineral is able to cope with decreased appetite, symptoms of anemia and nervous disorders. Men need it to regulate reproductive function.
How to make dandelion honey at home
Making honey from dandelions is quite a troublesome task. But it is completely worth the effort. It is important to take a responsible approach to the collection and procurement of raw materials.Honey is prepared from both stems and flowers.
It is advisable to collect the plant in places located away from factories and highways. The most optimal places for collecting are flower meadows and river banks. It is not recommended to collect flowers in rainy weather. They need to stand in the sun for at least a day. Plants with half-opened buds should not be picked. It is advisable to use a knife during the collection process.
What parts of the plant are dandelion honey made from?
Most often, dandelion flowers are used to make dandelion honey. Pollen accumulates on them, which contains a large number of useful components. Some recipes also involve the stems of the plant. The root part is used to make decoctions and infusions with medicinal effects.
Collection and preparation of raw materials
Collection is carried out in the second half of May, when flowering occurs. Preparation of raw materials involves thorough cleaning under running water. Before this, the flower part is separated from the stems. It is important not to rub vigorously so as not to remove pollen along with the dirt. There is no need to chop the flowers. The exception is when it is required by prescription.
How to make dandelion honey according to the classic recipe
The easiest way to prepare dandelion honey is according to the classic recipe. It involves the use of the following components:
- sugar – 900 g;
- filtered water – 500 ml;
- dandelion flowers – 500 g.
Cooking process:
- After cleaning with water, dried flowers are poured into a glass container and covered with sugar. The ingredients are placed in a jar in layers.
- Water is poured to the edge of the container.
- Close the jar with a lid and put it aside in the sun. The fermentation process will take place within 2 weeks.
- After the specified time, the product is distributed into small jars.
How to make dandelion honey from 400 dandelions
A recipe for dandelion honey in the amount of 400 pieces has become widespread. Its secret lies in the strictly controlled volume of ingredients. Thanks to this, beneficial substances that have a positive effect on the human body are preserved. For preparation you will need the following components:
- 400 dandelion flowers;
- 500 ml water;
- 1 kg sugar.
Cooking algorithm:
- The flowers are immersed in a deep pan and filled with the required amount of cool water.
- The container is placed on the fire, after which the composition is brought to a boil.
- After boiling, the flower mixture is boiled for 2 hours.
- Using gauze, filter the liquid.
- Sugar is added to it and put back on the fire. After boiling, leave the sugar mixture on low heat for 10 minutes. It is necessary to stir it constantly to avoid burning.
- The readiness of the product is determined by its thickness. The consistency should resemble bee honey.
How to make dandelion honey with lemon
A recipe for dandelion honey with the addition of lemon is suitable for use during the cold season. It is rich not only in minerals, but also in vitamin C, which is found in large quantities in citrus fruits.
Components:
- 300 g dandelions;
- 500 ml water;
- 1 lemon.
Cooking process:
- The flowers are washed with cold water and then dried.
- Raw materials are poured 1 tbsp.water and bring to a boil, then cook for several minutes.
- Squeeze lemon juice into the resulting mixture.
- The liquid is infused under the lid for 7 hours.
- In a separate container prepare syrup from 1 tbsp. sugar and 1 tbsp. water.
- After infusion, the liquid from the dandelions is filtered and combined with sugar syrup.
- The resulting mixture is heated over low heat for 10 minutes.
- The resulting honey is rolled into small jars.
How to make dandelion honey without cooking: recipe No. 1
A simple recipe for making dandelion honey, which does not involve boiling the ingredients, is no less in demand. In terms of its effect, it is in no way inferior to honey prepared under high temperature. The recipe uses the following ingredients:
- 3 tbsp. honey;
- 200 dandelion flowers.
Recipe:
- The flowers are thoroughly washed and passed through a meat grinder or crushed using a blender.
- Honey is added to the resulting flower paste.
- After mixing the components, the product is rolled into small jars.
Dandelion honey without cooking: recipe No. 2
Ingredients:
- 1 kg sugar;
- 350 g dandelion inflorescences;
- 500 ml of drinking water.
Recipe:
- Dandelions are poured into a pan and filled with water. Boil honey over low heat for 3 minutes.
- After cooling, the solution is filtered. The dandelion pulp is disposed of.
- Pour sugar into a clean container and fill it with dandelion liquid.
- The composition is brought to a boil and left over low heat for 10 minutes. The resulting syrup is poured into jars.
An original recipe for making honey from dandelions with mint and cherry leaves
To make honey from dandelion flowers more tasty and healthy, unusual ingredients are often used in its preparation.The recipe with the addition of cherries and mint is especially popular. It involves the following components:
- 500 ml water;
- 300 dandelions;
- 1.3 kg sugar;
- 4 g mint leaves;
- half a lemon;
- 6 g cherry leaves;
- 4 buds of cloves;
- 5 g currant leaves.
Cooking steps:
- Syrup is made from sugar and water.
- The next step is to add dandelion flowers to the syrup and cook the mixture for 25 minutes.
- Squeeze lemon into the resulting syrup, add berry leaves and cloves.
- The mixture is re-boiled for 5 minutes.
- The finished product is filtered through cheesecloth and poured into jars.
Homemade honey from dandelions, oranges and lemons
Citrus syrup with dandelions can easily replace any dessert. In addition, it effectively copes with diseases of the digestive system. To make honey you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 oranges;
- 1.5 kg sugar;
- 500 g dandelion flowers;
- 2 lemons;
- 3 liters of water.
Cooking method:
- The flowers are washed with cold water and the oranges are cut into quarters.
- Place the ingredients in a saucepan and add water.
- After boiling, the mixture is left to simmer for another hour.
- After removing from the stove, the dandelion liquid is filtered and mixed with lemon juice and sugar.
- The honey is put back on the fire for an hour. Its readiness is indicated by its darkening.
How to use dandelion honey
The healing properties of dandelion honey will manifest themselves to the maximum if the product is consumed correctly. Most often it is used as a remedy for various diseases. It is not advisable to expose honey to high temperatures.In this case, its beneficial qualities are neutralized. In such situations, dandelion syrup is taken according to a specific regimen selected by the doctor. It is also acceptable to eat it as a dessert. The product is added to tea and baked goods. To avoid developing an allergic reaction, it is important to limit the amount you eat.
Restrictions and contraindications
Before eating dandelion honey, you need to study its beneficial properties and contraindications. Under certain conditions, the product can have a negative effect. It is not recommended to take it in the following cases:
- diabetes;
- period of breastfeeding and childbearing;
- low pressure;
- obesity;
- age up to 3 years;
- intestinal disorder.
It is also advisable to limit the consumption of honey for people who are prone to obesity. Due to its high sugar content, it is considered high in calories. Excessive consumption of honey product contributes to excess weight gain. Reviews of dandelion honey indicate that it is not suitable for dietary nutrition. It is equally important to remember that the product has a laxative effect. Therefore, it should be used with extreme caution.
How to store dandelion honey
It is recommended to roll medicinal dandelion syrup into pre-sterilized jars. They are stored in a cool place, protected from light. The best option is to store the product in the basement, on the back shelf of a closet or in the refrigerator. The shelf life is several months. Unlike bee products, dandelion honey spoils faster.
Conclusion
Dandelion honey is a healthy and tasty treat that anyone can prepare.Its benefits will be more pronounced if the product is consumed in limited quantities and only in the absence of contraindications. Before introducing it into the diet, it is advisable to consult a specialist to exclude the possibility of side effects.