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In spring I make syrup from dandelion flowers and plantain leaves. It is excellent for asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia, for coughs and helps with digestive problems.
The syrup is rich in vitamins and nutrients, and is also an excellent aid for inflammations and sore throats.
Health effects of dandelion syrup
- helps with pneumonia and bronchitis
- eases expectoration
- treats inflammations in the oral cavity
- helps with angina pectoris
- relieves digestive problems
- helps with diarrhea and intestinal issues
- helps with colds and viral infections
- boosts immunity
You will need:
- dandelion flowers
- plantain leaves
- 1.5 kg of granulated sugar, cane sugar or acacia honey
Instructions:
Make sure to collect both ingredients of this syrup in clean places away from roads. It is ideal to collect after rain so you don’t have to wash the ingredients — especially the dandelion, which contains most of its nutrients when freshly picked and unwashed.
- Mix the dandelion with the plantain leaves and begin layering into one larger or smaller container.
- Alternate layers of plants and sugar and continue like this until the container is full. The last layer must be sugar.
- Place cellophane over the top of the container, pierce the top several times and secure with a rubber band. Put it on a windowsill in the sun behind glass and let it ferment for 2–3 weeks.
- The sugar will slowly turn into syrup.
- The syrup will settle at the bottom of the container and the herbs will be pressed into the top of the container.
- Therefore you need to press them back into the syrup every day, perhaps even 2–3 times a day. Otherwise they may start to mold on the surface and will not leach sufficiently.
- After 14 days strain the syrup, squeeze well so you don’t lose the valuable syrup, pour into a jar and store in the refrigerator.
- When poured into jars and stored in the fridge the syrup can continue to ferment and gradually leach.
- Sediment at the bottom of the jar is not harmful, but after some time you can re-filter the syrup.
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During illness adults take one teaspoon three times a day, children half the dose.
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In the refrigerator it lasts six months to a year.
