The familiar dandelion is scientifically called the medicinal dandelion. Already in the title is an indication of its healing effect. Especially in medicine, the root of the plant is valued. However, the cooked jam from dandelion flowers is also rich in healthy substances. When collecting raw materials and making dandelion honey, you need to follow a number of simple rules. Then the delicacy will be especially useful.
Composition and properties of jam
The beneficial properties of dandelion jam are due to the presence of various substances that have a beneficial effect on the body. So, 100 g of product contain 190 kcal. Proteins, carbohydrates and fats in its composition are in a ratio of 1: 49: 0.15.
Useful material
Dandelion jam contains a number of vitamins and minerals.
- Phosphorus. Affects bone strength. Maintains acid-base balance. Essential for cell growth.
- Potassium. Normalizes water and acid-base balance. Essential for proper muscle function.
- Calcium. It is important not only for bones and teeth, but also for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Lowers cholesterol.
- Iron. Supports the functioning of the immune system. It is part of hemoglobin, improves blood quality.
- Zinc. Helps to heal wounds. Positive effect on the reproductive functions of men and women. Protects the body from viruses. Increases immunity.
- Manganese. Regulates blood glucose, lipid metabolism. Helps the growth of cartilage and connective tissue. Participates in the work of the brain.
- Vitamin C. Antioxidant, one of the body’s most powerful defenders against disease.
- Tocopherol. Antioxidant, helps to strengthen reproductive function, protects the body from harmful effects.
- B vitamins. This is a number of substances involved in metabolism and providing various functions of the body.
- Vitamin K. Improves the quality of blood. Promotes the growth and development of a young body, in the elderly - the prevention of osteoporosis.
- Vitamin PP. Improves the circulatory system, strengthens blood vessels. Participates in energy metabolism.
Healing action
The benefits of dandelion jam have been tested for centuries. It has a healing effect on various organs and systems:
- stimulates the nervous system;
- normalizes metabolic processes;
- increases muscle tone;
- improves appetite;
- removes toxins;
- strengthens the joints;
- improves skin condition;
- relieves inflammation;
- normalizes digestion;
- reduces the acidity of gastric juice;
- has choleretic properties.
Dandelion-based products are especially valued for their contribution to the treatment of the liver and the prevention of its diseases.
Contraindications
As such, dandelion jam does not have any harm and contraindications. However, a number of warnings exist.
- With gastritis. Dandelion reduces acidity, so with gastritis with low acidity it is better not to use products based on it.
- For problems with the gallbladder. Blockage of the bile ducts, stones in the gall bladder - an occasion to treat dandelion treats with great care.
- Stomach ulcer. As accurately as possible, enjoy dandelion jam with a peptic ulcer. It is necessary to observe your well-being.
- Diabetes. In addition to dandelion extracts, jam contains a lot of sugar. Therefore, for diabetics, there are restrictions on the amount of use of the product. Also, if there is a goal of losing weight, you do not need to eat a lot of goodies.
- Moderation. Overeating a sweet dandelion product is fraught with diarrhea or vomiting.
- Environmental friendliness. No need to collect dandelions for jam along the roads, at high-rise buildings, where there is a lot of dust and harmful city emissions. Raw materials must be environmentally friendly, collected in nature. Then there is no likelihood of poisoning with any harmful substances caught in the jam with flowers.
Collection and preparation of raw materials
Before you cook jam from dandelion flowers, you need to spend some effort on the preparation of raw materials. Gather flowers on forest lawns and clearings, along river banks, in lowlands. Harvest time is sunny noon when the inflorescences are maximally opened. It is necessary to pick flower heads without leaves and stems. Choose biennial plants, they are more medicinal, and you can distinguish them by powerful basal leaves.
At home, the flowers are filled with cold water and left for a couple of hours. Then they act in accordance with the selected step-by-step recipe.
A selection of dandelion jam recipes
Dandelions in recipes are traditionally measured not by weight, but by quantity. A typical serving per kilogram of sugar is 400 flowers.
Quick option
Features. The classic recipe is the preparation of honey from dandelions. A decoction of the flowers is combined with sugar and cooked until thick. It takes a little time. But you will need to take a break so that the flowers infuse in the broth and give it useful substances.
You will need:
- 400 flowers of dandelions;
- kilogram of sugar;
- two glasses of water.
Cooking
- Separate dandelions from the green parts that give bitterness.
- Pour in water and put on fire.
- Cook after boiling for five minutes.
- Leave for three hours, you can at night.
- Strain the broth.
- Add sugar to it and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Pour into banks.
Dual Vitamin C: Dandelion and Lemon
Features. Dandelions themselves are rich in ascorbic acid, and when combined with lemon they give a particularly healing combination. Jam is great for treating colds.
You will need:
- 200 flowers;
- a pound of sugar;
- glass of water;
- one lemon.
Cooking
- Prepare the flowers in the usual way.
- Put in a pan, pour water, put on fire.
- Cut the lemon with the skin into pieces.
- After boiling add lemon and boil for five minutes.
- Cool the broth.
- Strain through several layers of gauze.
- Boil with sugar until thickened.
- In hot form, pour into jars and roll up.
The way with flowers
Features. Usually, dandelion jam is prepared in the form of honey, that is, after boiling, the flowers are removed. However, you can make jam and really, with the pulp of the plant. Of course, the flowers will boil, but many do not mind.
You will need:
- 100 flower heads;
- two glasses of water;
- two glasses of sugar.
Cooking
- Since the inflorescences will remain in the finished product, you need to carefully remove the green dense base. If green sepals fall, this is not critical.
- Rinse raw materials, cover with sugar, let stand for about an hour.
- Put on fire by pouring a glass of water.
- Cook at low boil for about 15 minutes.
- Keep an eye on the consistency; the jam should be liquid, otherwise it will thicken too much after cooling.
- Adjust the density with water.
- Cool the finished dish and transfer to the container, put in the cold.
With coltsfoot
Features. Coltsfoot is similar to a dandelion and also has useful properties. The recipe for dandelion and coltsfoot preserves involves the use of honey instead of sugar.
You will need:
- 200 dandelion inflorescences;
- inflorescences of coltsfoot - in any proportion;
- a glass of honey;
- glass of water.
Cooking
- Rinse the inflorescences, dry them, spreading them on the fabric.
- Put together with water in a pan, boil for five minutes.
- Cool slightly, transfer to jars, filling up to the top.
- Spread honey on top evenly.
- Gently stir the contents of the cans with a spatula.
- If desired, you can grind the product into a jam with a submersible blender.
- Allow to cool, close and clean in the cold.
Cold way
Features. Dandelion jam can be prepared without cooking, then the beneficial substances will be saved even more. This recipe is perfect for cirrhosis of the liver and its other diseases. If desired, you can choose sugar or honey.
You will need:
- 100 dandelion flowers;
- 300 g of sugar or three tablespoons of honey.
Cooking
- Rinse and dry the raw materials.
- Pass through a meat grinder or chop finely with a knife.
- Combine with honey or sugar.
- To stir thoroughly.
- Arrange in jars, cover with parchment and tie.
- Keep only in the refrigerator.
- Shelf life - within six months.
The use of dandelion jam
Taking medicinal jam from dandelions is quite nice. They drink tea with him, spread on bread. It can be used as a filling for baking, if it is cooked with flowers. Dandelion honey is consumed in the same way as regular bee honey: with tea, added to confectionery. You can put dandelion jam in yogurt, porridge. Delicious fruit drinks are made on dandelion honey - just mix a spoonful of sweet product with a glass of water. So there are many options, but how to take jam for the liver or in the treatment of other diseases, choose in consultation with the doctor.