How to make spruce shoot syrup and what is it good for?

Recipe # 1

1. Boil 1 kg of spruce shoots in 2 liters of water for 15-20 minutes.
2. After cooling, add 1 kg sugar dissolved in 1 liter of water.
3. Boil the mixture for 5-10 minutes more.
4. Strain and pour the hot mixture into hermetically closeable jars or bottles.
5. Keep the recipients in a cool and dark place.

Recipe #2

1. Fill up a glass jar with layers of shoots and sugar.
2. The last layer has to be a finger-wide layer of sugar.
3. Close the jar hermetically and keep it in a sunny place for 7-10 days.
4. Strain the resulting syrup and boil it for 5-10 minutes.
5. Pour the hot syrup inro jars and keep the jars in a cool and dark place.

How to use the syrup and what it is good for

1. Spruce shoot syrup can be used in a cure by drinking 2-3 teaspoons mixed with water before meals.
2. It can be used as a sweetener in hot tea; it has beneficial effects in cases of chronic bronchitis, persistent coughs, tracheitis, pharyngitis, flu, sinusitis and even tuberculosis.
3. The syrup stimulates appetite and digestion, treats mental fatigue and strengthens the immune system.
4. The syrup reduces excessive craving for sweets in children.

Good to know

1. To make spruce shoot syrup, you may use youg shoots or branches that still have a light color.
2. The shoots can be collected in April and May.
3. To obtain a more interesting color, use brown sugar.