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Pine is a unique plant in which not only needles, buds, resin are useful, but also young cones. They have a rich chemical composition and many valuable medicinal properties. People have long adapted to making jam from pine cones in order to benefit from them for themselves. This is a tasty, nutritious and effective remedy that helps fight colds, vitamin deficiency, chronic fatigue and depression in winter.
The benefits and harms of pine cone jam
All the beneficial properties of pine are concentrated in the cones. They have a powerful biological effect on the body. Their influence on human health is no less than that of pine buds. The greatest value in forest jam is aromatic oils, resinous acids, tannins, as well as vitamins and mineral elements.
The surface of young pine cones is covered with resin, which has antibacterial and antiviral properties. In this way, the plant protects its seeds, reproduces and takes care of its offspring. These properties of resins bring significant benefits to humans.
Pine cones contain substances such as tannins, which are phenol-based compounds that are characterized by anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. They are active against many microorganisms and even Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In addition, tannins help saturate the blood with oxygen. They block the death of brain cells after a stroke. In addition to tannins, pine cones contain many other beneficial substances:
- trace elements (K, Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Fe, I, Na, Se);
- vitamins (C, B1, A, E, H, U);
- bioflavonoids;
- tannins, terpenes, exhibiting antiseptic and analgesic properties;
- phytoncides that have a detrimental effect on fungal and bacterial microflora;
- essential and fatty oils.
Each of these elements makes an invaluable contribution to human health. The B group of vitamins alone is represented by ten varieties. Thanks to this, the nervous system is strengthened, and regenerative tissue processes occur more intensively. Young pine cones are full of vitamin C, which strengthens our immunity. In addition, there is vitamin PP, which strengthens the walls of blood vessels, as well as many other biologically active compounds:
- vitamin C: pine cone jam is beneficial for children and adults because it strengthens the immune system and nervous system, protects against colds, and participates in hematopoiesis;
- vitamin B1: necessary for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular and peripheral nervous systems, digestion;
- Vitamin A: strengthens vision, tone muscle tissue, helps the body resist infectious and inflammatory diseases;
- vitamin E: ensures the health of the genitourinary system, accelerates metabolism, has an antioxidant effect, protects appearance from age-related changes;
- vitamin H: ensures the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, supports the functioning of the nervous and immune systems, affects appearance;
- vitamin U: strengthens, cleanses blood vessels, has an antihistamine effect, maintains water-salt balance;
- calcium: jam made from pine cones is beneficial for men, as it strengthens the musculoskeletal system and the entire body, improves the conductivity of nerve impulses, and serves as the main “building block” for bone and cartilage tissue;
- potassium: plays an important role in the health of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and immune systems;
- phosphorus: strengthens the musculoskeletal system;
- magnesium: affects the functionality of the cerebral cortex and central nervous system, helps the body resist infections, participates in the interaction of phosphorus and calcium.
Despite the fact that the benefits of jam from young pine cones are enormous, there are a number of cases when it can be harmful. Pine jam should be used with caution or completely avoided during pregnancy, lactation, chronic kidney dysfunction, in early or old age.
Collection and preparation of cones for jam
The benefits and harms of pine cone jam largely depend on the quality of the prepared raw materials. Cones need to be collected away from populated areas, where there is no public transport or gas pollution. You should choose a healthy pine tree so that it is not damaged by pests and there are no fungal diseases. Pines that have reached 15 years of age begin to bear fruit. This happens at the end of flowering, which can last May-June. It all depends on atmospheric conditions.And after a couple of weeks, small green bumps appear.
A pine cone is ready for harvesting when it becomes a uniform green color with a smooth and even surface, up to 4 cm in size. It is dense to the touch, but is easy to cut with a knife. There should be no defects on the surface in the form of foulbrood, fungal diseases or traces of pests.
If you split a young pine cone in half, you will see a resinous substance inside, thanks to which the fruit has unique healing properties. That is why it is necessary to collect dense, not yet opened buds. Honey and sugar tinctures and jam are prepared from the collected raw materials. Pine cones need to be processed within the first 24 hours after collection so as not to lose their healing qualities.
Pine jam recipes
The benefits and harms of pine jam will also depend on the technology of its preparation. First, sort the fruits, remove the stalks and be sure to soak them in water for several hours. This is to remove small debris, ants or other insects from the surface of the pine cones. It is better to take a pan from stainless steel rather than aluminum, since the resin that is released during the cooking process settles on the walls and is difficult to wash off.
Classic recipe
Recipes for jam made from green pine cones bring invaluable benefits to human health. Its pleasant taste and aroma make it a favorite medicine for all family members, including the little ones. It is worth considering an example of preparing classic jam for the winter. Rinse the pine cones, drain and dry with a towel. Next you will need the following ingredients:
- pine cones – 100-120 pcs.;
- water – 2 l;
- granulated sugar – 1 kg.
Pour water over the pine cones and simmer over low heat for about 50 minutes.Add sugar and boil for another 2 hours. Roll up in the usual way.
The second method of making pine jam. Pour 1 kg of raw material into 2 liters of cold water and leave for a day. Then drain the infusion, add 1 kg of sugar and boil the syrup, into which, after boiling, drop the cones. The jam is cooked for 2 hours over low heat. At the same time, as it boils, remove the foam. When an amber color appears, a wonderful taste and smell appear, the jam is ready.
The third version of the classic jam recipe. First wash the pine cones, then chop them. Fill with water so that they protrude slightly above the surface. Add the same amount of sugar for 1 kg of pine cones. Cook in 3 stages like any apple or strawberry jam. Boil for 15-20 minutes, then turn off the gas, let it brew until completely cooled for about 4 hours, and so on several times.
Jam without cooking
Cut the well-washed pine cones into small pieces, roll in sugar and lay out in layers of 1.5 centimeters. Additionally, sprinkle each layer of fruit with granulated sugar. Cover with a towel and place in direct sunlight. From time to time, at least 3 times a day, shake the container with pine cones well. After the granulated sugar has completely dissolved, the jam can be eaten.
Quick recipe
It is worth considering a recipe for jam, which resembles honey in taste and consistency. Ingredients:
- pine cones – 1 kg;
- granulated sugar – 1 kg;
- water – 1 l;
- star anise – 1 pc.;
- cardamom – 5-10 pcs.;
- cloves – 2-3 pcs.
Prepare the syrup, add pine cones and simmer over low heat for 2 hours, collecting the foam. Place spices in a gauze bag and place in jam for a quarter of an hour. Turn off the gas, strain and pour into jars.
The second option for quick jam.Prepare pine cones and grind them in a meat grinder. You can even do this 2 times to make the mass fine-grained. It is allowed to grind in a blender. As a result of all manipulations, the result should be a brown-green mass, because pine cones slightly oxidize when crushed.
Then mix the resulting mass with honey or sugar in a 1:1 ratio. Give enough time to infuse. If jam with sugar is prepared for the winter, you can boil it a little, this way it will be better stored.
With lemon
To make jam for 100 g of young pine cones, you will need 200 g of sugar and half a lemon, crushed and pitted. Combine the ingredients, add a glass of water and bring the heat to 100 degrees. Keep on moderate heating for 15-20 minutes, stir, skim off foam. As soon as the jam has acquired a pinkish color, you can turn it off. Pour into dry, clean jars.
The second version of pine jam. Mix 1 kg of raw materials with 3 liters of water, cook slowly for 4 hours, do not forget about the foam. Then cool the broth, strain, discard the cones. Add 1.5 kg of sugar and cook until thick. Add lemon juice obtained from one fruit and simmer for a few more minutes. Pour the finished jam hot into jars.
With pine nuts
You can enhance the taste and healing properties of forest jam by adding pine nuts to it. They contain healthy fats and many substances that strengthen the immune system and improve metabolism.
Cut the pine cones into 4 parts, mix with the same amount of sugar, add water. Boil for 15 minutes and turn off the gas. Let it brew for several hours and boil the jam again for 20 minutes.After steeping until completely cooled, add pine nuts, previously fried in a hot frying pan and peeled. Boil everything together gently for 15-20 minutes, turn it off and, after cooling, pour into prepared containers and roll up.
Use of jam for medicinal purposes
Pine cone jam is closed for the winter in order to strengthen the immune system against infections and viruses during the cold season. It contains substances that help cure coughs, throats, colds, support the body during winter-spring hypovitaminosis, as well as in many other cases:
- insomnia;
- metabolic disorders;
- any inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract;
- heartache;
- high temperature (has a diaphoretic effect);
- post-infarction condition;
- hypertension;
- weakened immune system;
- cerebrovascular accident;
- noise in ears;
- dizziness;
- anemia;
- disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract;
- giardiasis;
- thyroid diseases;
- weakening of the body.
Pine jam is stocked for the prevention of strokes, sclerosis, and other pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Its components have a beneficial effect on the condition and functionality of brain vessels and the viability of nerve cells. When taken regularly, jam helps increase the elasticity of capillary walls and helps reduce blood pressure.
People who have experienced a stroke may benefit from pine jam. The result of treatment is somewhat reduced if the disease is severe. In any case, you need to take into account that the effect will not manifest itself instantly. You need to be patient to undergo long-term treatment.
Contraindications
Sweet pine cone jam has not only benefits, but also contraindications.Large quantities should not be consumed by people suffering from obesity, prediabetes and diabetes. In such cases, it is better to use decoctions, tinctures of mature or green cones for treatment. Pine cones should not be taken if you have kidney disease or hepatitis. You should not feed jam to babies under 1 year of age, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Coniferous tree components often cause severe allergic reactions. People with a predisposition to such diseases should treat pine jam with caution. You need to start trying sweet medicine with small quantities, gradually increasing the portion.
Terms and conditions of storage
Pine jam can be stored in the refrigerator, basement, cellar or pantry. Any dark and cold place will do. If the container in which the finished product is stored is glass and transparent, it is better to put it in the refrigerator to avoid direct sunlight. Can be stored on the balcony in a box.
Conclusion
Pine cone jam is a natural remedy for treating and maintaining many body functions. The composition compares favorably with synthetic drugs in that it does not harm health. The rich chemical composition determines the healing properties of jam against many diseases. It is important to use the product regularly and in moderation, then the body will receive only benefit and not harm.
