Pine has long been used in folk medicine to treat the airways, as well as to treat coughs and lung diseases.
The healing properties of the pine tree can be used all year round, and it is best to collect and use the cones while they are young and large up to 5 cm, because as they grow they lose their healing properties and become woody. May is the best month for picking young cones (in Macedonia).
While young, cones are rich in vitamin C, which is unfortunately lost through heat treatment, but also contain essential oils, healing resin and many antioxidants that are preserved, and the overall action on the body is alkaline, which reduces the body's acidity with regular use.
While I was making the syrup, my home smelled like I was in the middle of a huge pine forest.
The preparation is simple, this amount is for 1 unfull jar of syrup.
- 50 young cones
- 2 liters of water
- 900 g brown sugar
Preparation:
- First, soak the cones in water overnight.
- The next day pour the water, and put them in clean water just to boil.
- Pour that water, pour 2 liters of cold water, add the sugar and let it boil at low temperature for about 4 hours until the mixture starts to thicken and turn into syrup. Stir occasionally. Consider using a non-stick pot or an old pot that you won't regret destroying as it creates a sticky layer on the walls that is difficult to remove.
- Strain and store the syrup in a glass jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator.
- In case of cold or cough problems, take 1 tablespoon in the morning.
