Medicinal recipes for unusual dandelion jam

Medicinal properties

Dandelion is widely used today in folk medicine to prepare infusions that help with various gastrointestinal and liver ailments. It has the following beneficial properties:

• removal of toxins and cleansing of the body;
• increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood;
• mild laxative effect;
• anti-inflammatory action;
• normalization of appetite;
• improves the condition of the skin;
• stimulation of metabolic processes;
• reduction of irritability, elimination of stress and insomnia;
• choleretic and antiparasitic action;
• treatment of gout and arthritis.

Besides its benefits, the plant can cause allergies if consumed in excess. Dandelion can also be harmful if there are contraindications to its use.

Video: "Healthy Dandelion Jam"

This video will show you how to make healthy dandelion jam.

Instructions for use

To improve health and boost immunity, dandelion jam is recommended to be consumed no more than 3 spoons per day. Keep in mind that if you have liver problems, the jam should be consumed at least 5 times a day with warm tea. Add 3-5 teaspoons of preserves to 1 cup of green tea.

The main contraindications for use are: hypersensitivity to iodine, gastritis in the acute stage, gallstones, diarrhea and nausea.

Preparation of products

To ensure the plant possesses only medicinal properties, it should be harvested in the forest, away from roads. Only large, biennial flowers with robust rhizomes are selected. The inflorescences should be a clear golden color. The flower is cut just below the cap.

Cut flowers are covered with gauze and dried in the sun. Then they need to be frozen in the refrigerator.

Step-by-step recipes

To make delicious jam, you need to know not only where and how to pick the plants, but also how to preserve them properly. There are various ways to make dandelion jam. Each dandelion jam recipe has its own unique characteristics that need to be kept in mind. Let's look at the most popular and interesting recipes for creating this unusual jam.

Classical

This is the simplest recipe that won't take much time or effort. It's suitable for both beginners and experienced cooks. To make classic dandelion jam, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 400 flower inflorescences;
• 700 g sugar;
• 0.2 l of water.

The step-by-step cooking instructions look like this:

1. The collected flowers are washed and dried well.
2. Next, they are poured with two glasses of water and placed on the fire.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
4. Next, strain the resulting semi-finished product through a sieve or cheesecloth.
5. Sugar is added to the drained solution. Then the mixture is brought to a boil again. Now it should simmer for 8 minutes.

The resulting jam is placed in jars and sealed for the winter. Store the jam in a cool place.

With lemons

You can use lemon when making dandelion jam. To make this tart dessert, you'll need:

• 400 dandelion inflorescences;
• 3 lemons;
• 500 ml of water;
• 1.5 kg of sugar.

First, rinse the dandelion flowers thoroughly with water. Then, pour cold water over them. Leave the mixture in this state for 7–8 hours. Then, squeeze the flowers and pour 500 ml of water over them. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.

Next, the lemons, rind included, are cut into wedges and added to the mixture. Let everything simmer for another 3 minutes. Then, sugar is added to the mixture. Simmer for another 15 minutes.

The procedure is repeated three times. The key is not to overcook the florets. Afterward, the jam can be eaten or jarred.

With oranges

Another delicious dandelion jam recipe is made with oranges. The jam is not only very healthy but also delicious. The main ingredients are yellow dandelion flowers (0.5 kg) and oranges (5). You will also need 3 liters of water and 1.5 kg of sugar.

All harvested dandelions should be thoroughly rinsed with cool water. Remove any bugs or dirt from the inflorescences.

Next, wash the oranges and cut them into wedges. Place the oranges and flowers in a bowl. Then add water.

Cook the jam over medium heat. Don't do anything until the dandelion and orange mixture comes to a boil. Once it starts to boil, remove the lid and let the jar sit for an hour. Next, strain the mixture through cheesecloth and add sugar. Discard the pulp. Cook the remaining juice for another 40 minutes. Then pour the jam into sterilized jars and seal.

With coltsfoot

Dandelion jam, to which coltsfoot is added, has pronounced medicinal properties. This recipe differs from others not only because it includes another herbal ingredient, but also because it lacks sugar. Honey is used instead.

To make jam according to this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• 200 dandelion inflorescences;
• Coltsfoot flowers. They can be taken in any proportion;
• a glass of water;
• a glass of honey.

The collected inflorescences of the two plants should be thoroughly washed and dried. They are placed in a saucepan and covered with water. The resulting mixture should simmer for 5 minutes.

Then the mixture is cooled slightly and placed into jars. Be sure to leave some space on top of the dandelions. Honey is spread on top of the jam. The contents of the jar are then gently mixed.

The inflorescences can be pre-blended. This will give the mixture a jam-like consistency. Allow the resulting mixture to cool. Only then should the jar be sealed with a lid and stored in a cool place.

Making dandelion jam isn't very difficult. Just follow the instructions above, and you'll be fine.