Scientists have developed a method for making an extract from pine cones

It has high antioxidant activity

A method for obtaining an extract from fir cones, which has antioxidant activity and solubility in water, was developed by specialists from Perm State National University. Recently they received a patent for their development.

Photo: Global Look Press

The healing properties of fir cones have been known for a long time, however, now the most common method of preparing medicines from them — These are tinctures made with alcohol, vodka or even moonshine. According to many herbalists, such tinctures strengthen the immune system, help prevent and treat general loss of strength, hypertension, diarrhea, and vitamin deficiency. But since such medicines are based on alcohol, they are still a little harmful.

In accordance with the recipe developed by the Permians, first the cones are crushed to a particle size that passes through a sieve with a hole diameter of 2 mm. Then the resulting mass is mixed with water at a temperature of 80-85 degrees in a ratio of 1:30 and boiled for one and a half hours. Then the extract is separated from the raw material using a filter and concentrated under vacuum at a temperature of 80-85 degrees to 1/10 of the original volume. At the next stage, the liquid is cooled at a temperature of -18 degrees. A precipitate forms, which is also thrown away. What remains is dried in a special dryer.

The resulting powder is easily dissolved in ordinary water, so medicine can be prepared from it without the use of alcohol-containing liquids.