Fir is a close relative of pine, although it looks more like spruce. It differs from them in that it has cylindrical or ovoid cones growing vertically upwards. It grows mainly in ecologically clean areas, due to which it has very valuable medicinal properties that are useful for the human body. From raw materials of fir, oils, decoctions, infusions, teas, and jam are prepared. How to cook yourself a healthy dessert - later in the article.

The chemical composition of jam

Fir contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals that have a beneficial effect on humans and contribute to various diseases.

The composition of needles, cones and young branches from which jam is prepared includes:

• essential oils;
• tannins;
• volatile;
• proteins, carbohydrates;
• vitamins: C, E, groups B, A, P, D;
• Minerals: sodium, zinc, barium, strontium, iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, calcium, potassium, selenium, silver, etc.

Important! Taking fir jam for medicinal purposes, you must always consult your doctor.

Useful and healing properties

Medicines made from fir raw materials are widely used in folk medicine. They effectively help with a variety of diseases due to the presence of beneficial properties.

• Namely:
• increase and strengthen immunity;
• possess antibacterial qualities;
• have regenerative abilities;
• relieve inflammatory processes in the body;
• cleaned of toxins and toxins;
• stimulate the work of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and respiratory system.

What helps

Given all the useful and medicinal properties of fir and a medicinal product (jam) based on it, it can be used in such cases:

• decreased immunity, vitamin deficiency;
• anemia;
• weakening after illness;
• colds (runny nose, SARS, cough, tonsillitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis);
• viral and fungal infections;
• diseases of the oral cavity (stomatitis, periodontal disease, caries);
• toothache or headache;
• angina pectoris, hypertension;
• neurosis, insomnia;
• joint inflammation (arthritis, rheumatism, radiculitis, osteochondrosis);
• gastritis, stomach ulcer, dysbiosis;
• genitourinary tract inflammation.

Collection of ingredients

To prepare healthy fir jam, you need to collect the appropriate ingredients.

Did you know? Phytoncides, located in fir needles, perfectly disinfect indoor air.

This procedure has some specifics, consisting in the following:

• collection of raw materials should be carried out at a certain time: young shoots are removed in late March - early April, needles from June to August or from October to February, cones in September and October;
• fir trees should be healthy, without signs of disease, with a height of 1.5–2 m and above;
• It is recommended to collect raw materials in places remote from cities where there is no strong gas contamination;
• Do not pluck ingredients in large quantities.

How to cook

Fir jam is made from cones, needles and young shoots. Cooking it is very easy and simple. It is only necessary to adhere to the advice of specialists and the result will justify itself. Such a remedy is most often used for colds, with reduced immunity, vitamin deficiency.

Of cones

The most common is jam from young fir cones.

It is prepared according to this recipe:

1. It is necessary to rinse 0.5 kg of cones thoroughly in cold water to flake up the flakes.
2. From 1 cup of water and 0.75 kg of sugar, boil the syrup.
3. Syrup pour the cones, leaving them overnight.
4. Bring to a boil in the morning, boil for 5 minutes, leave to cool until evening.
5. Repeat this procedure 3 times.
6. For 4 times, boil the mixture for 10 minutes, pour into sterile jars, roll up.

For medicinal purposes, this jam should be taken 3 times a day for adults, 1 tbsp. spoon, children 1 teaspoon. As a prevention, it is enough for an adult and a child, respectively, for 1 tbsp. and 1 teaspoon 1 time per day.

From the needles

To make jam from fir needles, it is recommended to cut several branches in the forest and at home they should already be carefully cleaned of dry needles and small debris.

Important! It is not recommended to harvest fir jam in large quantities. It is better to cook a fresh product every year.

Then you need to do the following:

1. Rinse coniferous branches with boiled water.
2. Tear off the needles from the branches and grind through a meat grinder or blender.
3. In a pan, put 2 cups of fir raw materials, 0.5 cups of dried rosehip berries and pour all this with 1.5 liters of boiling water.
4. Cover tightly, wrap, leave to insist for 10-12 hours.
5. After this, strain the tincture.
6. Pour 1 kg of sugar into the filtered liquid and put on fire.
7. Bring to a boil, constantly removing the resulting foam, reduce heat and simmer until volume decreases by 3 times.
8. At the end, add juice from 1 lemon.
9. Pour jam into clean jars, cover with lids, can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

From young branches

Young green fir branches are also successfully used for making jam.

The medicine is prepared in this way:

1. Washed coniferous shoots in the amount of 1 kg pour 3 cups of water.
2. Put on a small fire and cook for 20 minutes.
3. Then cover and leave for 1 day for insisting.
4. Strain the infusion, bring to a boil, pour 4 cups of sugar.
5. Cook for 15 minutes.
6. Pour jam into jars, cover with nylon covers, and store in the refrigerator.

Limitations and contraindications

Despite the great benefits brought by fir jam for various diseases, it can cause harm in certain cases.

• The coniferous drug is contraindicated in taking:
• if the patient suffers from epilepsy or is prone to convulsions;
• with gastritis and peptic ulcer during exacerbation;
• in the presence of individual intolerance;
• should not be taken by children under the age of 1 year;
• not recommended for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Did you know? Fir needles do not prick or scratch the skin.

Fir jam is very useful to use as a medicine, and especially for prevention. Its exotic coniferous taste is liked by adults and children. The most important thing is not to take in large quantities and remember contraindications.