What is pine shoot honey and how to use it
The healing properties of pine and its resin are well known to all. And what is the use of honey from pine shoots, because with its help, in ancient times, various ailments and ailments were treated? Even in the coniferous air there are many phytoncides, volatile biologically active substances that kill and suppress the growth of pathogenic plants. Tea, jam, tinctures and ointments from pine contain many substances valuable for the human body. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at the advantages of pine honey.
Why are young shoots of pine trees useful?
In ancient times, in Russia, twigs and needles were chewed - in this way they cleaned the oral cavity, and at the same time strengthened the gums. Due to the antiscorbutic properties of pine needles, many travelers and sailors survived on long journeys.
Pine branches contain a whole complex of compounds and trace elements necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. Including:
- vitamins B, K, C, ascorbic acid, carotene;
- iron, selenium, potassium;
- essential oils that have a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system;
- tannins, necessary for the normal functioning of the heart, stomach, intestines;
- tannins that suppress many inflammatory processes.
Pine phytoncides contained in the air where these trees grow, not only protect the body from various bacteria, improve the functionality of the entire circulatory system, but are also detrimental to the causative agent of tuberculosis.
Valuable properties of pine honey
Pine syrup, honey or jam is an effective natural remedy that is used to treat tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, vitamin deficiency, acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections. The tannins contained in it contribute to the longer life of neurons, which is an important factor in the treatment of strokes, as well as support for vigorous brain activity. Pine syrup should be included in the diet for people who want to keep good memory and attention as long as possible.
Bees do not participate in the preparation of honey from pine shoots, but this does not reduce the value of the product.
Pine honey resembles ordinary honey, but its taste has a noticeable coniferous, slightly resinous aftertaste with a slight bitterness. The sweet tip shoots boiled in sugar syrup are also quite edible, they are soft and juicy. It is not allowed to use pine honey as jam. You cannot use it haphazardly, just at will. First of all, it is a valuable remedy that has been successfully used to combat many diseases.
It is often used as a diuretic and choleretic, as well as for:
- respiratory diseases, including viral;
- low hemoglobin levels;
- vitamin deficiency, to speed up metabolism;
- severe physical exhaustion, general fatigue;
- tuberculosis;
- spasms and pain.
Since selenium and iron are found in honey, it is used for blood diseases, as a means of stimulating hematopoiesis and iron deficiency anemia.
Contraindications to the use of honey from pine shoots
Pine honey from pine cones and shoots is not a strong allergen, but it has a significant effect on the body. Therefore, the first time they try it very little. Then take on an empty stomach, one spoonful in the morning and evening, washed down with boiled water. Children should consult a doctor before giving honey from pine shoots. If the child is less than five years old, you do not need to use this remedy for him. Children are given one teaspoon each, along with herbal tea or milk.
Since pine honey from young shoots contains sugar, it should not be consumed by people over 60 years old or suffering from diabetes.
This remedy is not suitable:
- while pregnant or breastfeeding a baby;
- with existing obesity, high blood pressure, chronic alcoholism;
- with thickening of the blood, causing an increased risk of blood clots;
- after strokes, heart attacks;
- with individual intolerance, gastric diseases, chronic pathologies of the liver, kidneys, during an exacerbation.
With moderate consumption of pine honey, the antioxidants in its composition help to partially slow down the aging process of the body.
Honey from pine shoots: features of the collection of raw materials
Exact adherence to the basic rules of procurement guarantees a high-quality and most useful product:
- The pine forest site should be located away from highways with heavy traffic and large industrial enterprises.
- Trees should be vigorous with a well-formed crown.
- Young pine twigs are harvested in early spring. For Non-Black Earth Region, this is the second half of April and the first decades of May.
- The upper buds should be still closed, with scales tightly pressed against each other and filled with resin. Their taste is coniferous, with bitterness. Inside, the buds are greenish-brown.
Pine shoots are collected with gloves so as not to stain their hands in the resin. They're just ripped off, cut off secateurs or scissors. If the kidneys have time to open, then they are no longer suitable for making honey.
Cut shoots are laid out in a cool, well-ventilated place. They must be in the shade. Only in this case all valuable substances will be preserved in the shoots. The dried raw materials are stored in paper bags and boxes and can be used for two years.
Cooking method
Healing pine honey from shoots is easy to prepare. There are different ways. The main thing is that the raw materials are of high quality. Here's one of the easiest.
Young pine shoots are cleaned of needles and washed, and then:
- placed in a saucepan and poured with clean cold water;
- boil for 20 minutes over low heat;
- put in a dark place for a day to obtain a more concentrated infusion;
- a day later, the pine broth is filtered and poured into another pot, of a larger volume, where sugar is added in a 1: 1 ratio;
- put on the fire again and boil, stirring and skimming off the foam, until the liquid begins to thicken;
- remove from heat and leave to cool completely.
As a rule, 1 kg of sugar and 1 liter of water are taken for 0.5 kg of shoots. In order to prevent honey from becoming sugared over time, add juice from half a lemon or a little citric acid (about 2 g) to it.
This gives additional flavor to the finished product and prevents sugar from becoming sugared. It will also allow you to keep honey for a long time.
Why is pollen added to pine honey?
Often, the pollen of this tree is added to honey from pine shoots, which significantly enhances its effect on the body. Pine pollen is added to many medicinal mixtures, but the use of such an "improved" composition for tuberculosis is especially useful. The use of honey from pine shoots, in this case, should be combined with drug treatment and carried out under the supervision of the attending physician.
The healing effect of pollen depends on the time of collection. Pine begins to bloom in the first decade of May.Its inflorescences look like tiny green ears of corn. They turn yellow as they ripen. The inflorescences are carefully picked and laid out neatly on clean paper. When they are dry, they are removed. And the pollen remains on the paper. It is sieved and stored in a tightly closed glass jar.
Mix pollen with honey from pine shoots as follows:
- add 1 tablespoon of pollen to 150 g of honey;
- mix thoroughly until a homogeneous mass is formed.
Honey with the addition of pollen is used as a medicine, half an hour before meals, 3 times a day, 1 tablespoon, for two months, with a two-week break. But you can just add to tea instead of sugar. However, the doctor may give other recommendations. You cannot exceed the dosage, this disrupts the entire course of treatment.
Moldy pine shoots cannot be used to make honey. They should not be cleaned, since they not only do not have any medicinal value, but they will simply spoil the entire prepared mass.