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Nature offers us effective remedies that can wonderfully complement the home medicine cabinet. One of them is spruce shoot syrup – a traditional natural remedy for coughs, colds and boosting immunity. Spruce shoots contain a wealth of vitamins, antioxidants and essential oils that have beneficial effects on the respiratory and digestive systems.
When to harvest spruce shoots?
The Norway spruce is a commonly found tree in our forests and it is precisely its young shoots, which appear at the end of spring, that are a valuable source of medicinal substances. You can recognize them by their light, bright green color and soft texture – they have only recently left the protective brown tip.
Collect the shoots on a dry and sunny day, ideally away from roads and polluted areas. After collecting, rinse them with water and let them drain thoroughly.
Recipe for homemade spruce syrup
You can prepare the syrup in two ways – without cooking, or by boiling. Both methods are effective.
1. No-cook syrup
Ingredients:
- Fresh young spruce shoots
- Granulated sugar (ideally cane sugar)
Method:
- Layer the shoots and sugar into a large jar. Gently press down each layer.
- The last layer should be sugar.
- Seal the jar and place it in a warm spot.
- Let it stand for 4–5 weeks, shaking daily.
- Strain through cloth and store in bottles in a cool place.
2. Cooked syrup
Ingredients:
- Spruce shoots
- Water (1 part shoots : 3 parts water)
- Sugar (1 kg per 1 liter of decoction)
Method:
- Place the shoots into a pot and cover with water.
- Cook for about 1 hour and then strain.
- Add the sugar and cook until thickened.
- Pour the hot syrup into glass bottles and store in a cool place.
Medicinal effects of spruce syrup
- Vitamin C: strengthens the immune system
- Provitamin A: benefits the mucous membranes
- Vitamin K: important for blood clotting
- Essential oils and flavonoids: have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects
How to take the syrup?
- For colds: 1 teaspoon 3–4× daily
- Preventively: 1–2 teaspoons daily in the morning
The syrup is also suitable for children from 3 years. The most suitable period for use is autumn, winter and spring.
Summary
Spruce syrup is a potent natural remedy that helps with coughs, colds and weakened immunity. Its preparation is simple and the result is worth it. Try the recipe and give your family the strength of the forest in one teaspoon.
