Pinus spp.
Pine is a easily available and much under utilised herb. It is not so much edible except for in teas but is rich with useful medicinal properties. Easily recognisable, just think Christmas tree, and those ‘pencil pines” (Italian cypress) that are so common in gardens. These pencil pines have an especially lovely flavour in my opinion and a favourite tea of mine.
When the pine resin is tinctured it makes for deep reaching, deep cleaning lung medicine. This is something you would use after a course of mullein leaf, which works in the upper lung and chest. Pine gets down and dregs up any residual, blocked up crap. Perfect for long term smokers who have quit. Be prepared for serious hacking and coughing, its not enjoyable but is effective and there’s not really any other way for your body to get it out. You will breathe much deeper and clearer after a week course of pine resin. When you tincture the resin add extra pure alcohol and have a layer of greaseproof paper between the lid and your jar, otherwise the lid will glue itself shut and you will never open it again! Infuse the resin into oil by heating carefully in a waterbath or slowcooker, or on the back of a woodstove. Its a stubborn process so experiment to see what works best for you. When the oil is ready combine with plantain oil and wax and make a drawing balm for pulling out splinters and other foreign matter. Drop the needles and chunks of resin into hot water and inhale the steam to help open up blocked airways. An infused oil of various sorts of conifer needles would make a lovely muscle massage oil. Throw in some birch leaves too.
Below is a few listed benefits of pine needle tea from forestholiday.co.uk:
- Pine needle tea has a pleasant taste and smell (always a good start).
- It is rich in vitamin C (5 times the concentration of vitamin C found in lemons) and can bring relief to conditions such as heart disease, varicose veins, skin complaints and fatigue.
- Vitamin C is also an immune system booster which means that pine needle tea can help to fight illness and infections.
- Pine needle tea also contains high levels of Vitamin A, which is good for your eyesight, improves hair and skin regeneration and improves red blood cell production.
- It can be used as an expectorant for coughs and to help relieve chest congestion; it is also good for sore throats.
- It brings you clarity and mental clearness.
- It can help with depression, obesity, allergies and high blood pressure.
- Pine needles contain antioxidants. These reduce free radicals, which are harmful to humans and can cause disease.
- Taoist priests drank pine needle tea as they believed it made them live longer. There is researched evidence that pine needle tea can help to slow the ageing process.
- Pick some pine needles and let them soak in boiling water on your stove and it will add a crisp pine smell all over the house. Perfect for Christmas.
Stay away from using pine or conifer teas if you are pregnant.