Dandelion: The Spring Medicinal Plant Queen
Detox Powerhouse: Dandelion reigns supreme among spring medicinal plants, boasting extraordinary detoxifying capabilities. By purifying the blood of toxins, dandelion enhances overall health.
Versatile Benefits: It’s beneficial for individuals with tired livers, kidney and intestinal issues, glandular imbalances, and poor blood circulation.
Ingredients:
- 300g of dandelion flowers
- 1 liter of cold water
- 1 kg of raw sugar
- 1 lemon (optional)
Harvesting and Preparation:
- Harvesting: Collect the flowers from unpolluted areas at noon, during sunny weather.
- Cleaning: Rinse the flowers with cold water and lay them on a towel to air dry. Place them in a sunny spot until thoroughly dried. Remove the petals by hand or cut them close to the green base.
- Infusion: Place the petals in a pot and pour water over them. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from heat. Cover the pot with a lid and let the dandelion infuse overnight in a cool place.
Straining and Boiling:
- Straining: The next day, strain the infusion through a sieve. Use the back of a spoon to press the flowers in the sieve to extract all the liquid.
- Second Boil: Pour the infusion back into the pot. Add the sugar and lemon juice, then mix well. Boil over low heat for about an hour and a half, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.
- Checking Consistency: Remove from heat when the liquid reaches the consistency of syrup (which won’t spread after cooling).
Cooling and Storage:
- Cooling: Once cooled, pour the syrup into a glass jar and seal it tightly. Store it in the refrigerator.
Usage and Variations:
- Versatile Usage: This wonderful syrup can be consumed as is, on bread, used in pancakes, or desserts. It can also be diluted with water, serving as a fruit syrup.
- Taste and Benefits: It has a pleasant taste and beneficial effects on the liver and blood, acting as a tonic and detoxifier.
- Alternative Sweeteners: Instead of sugar, you can use honey or a mix of 1 part sugar to 1 part honey.
Contraindications and Precautions:
- Caution: Dandelion is not recommended for individuals with digestive conditions (gastric ulcer, gastritis, reflux esophagitis), or those allergic to this plant.