Pine Needle Medicine
Disclaimer: You should always do your own extensive research before darting off into the woods to wildcraft anything. Take everything with a grain of salt, and if in doubt, don’t do it. Dosages of substances like decoctions and tinctures vary depending on age and weight, as well as the specific plant, so if you are serious about using any of the following information, ensure you have thoroughly researched this aspect before use. Any dosages mentioned in this article are suggestions, not law. Please remember that some herbal remedies can interact with Rx drugs.
Over the years, I have explained pine needle tea (made from various Pinus species) to many people, and every time I get the same astonished look, followed by, “I didn’t know that!” At this point, it feels almost like a secret among the handful of people in society who know anything about wildcrafting teas or foraging for food and medicine.
Today, I'm going to share some of the basics as an introduction to my long-standing Wonders of the Pine Tree Series, which I started on my old website years ago. There will be more articles on pine trees in the future, but I don't want to overload you with all the amazing ways you can incorporate this plant into your life in one post. FYI, there are a lot.
The biggest thing that blows people’s minds seems to be when you mention the Vitamin C content in pine needles. Historically, Native Americans, who were not aware of Vitamin C specifically, knew that consuming pine needles or drinking the tea brewed from them prevented illnesses caused by Vitamin C deficiency, such as scurvy.
Note: The recommended daily dose of Vitamin C for an adult male is around 90-100 mg p/day. The minimum daily dose to prevent a deficiency is 10 mg.
You can't really overdo Vitamin C. If you ingest more than your body can handle, your body will excrete it out the other end, if you know what I mean. It's a good way to clean the pipes, as it were. You may build up bowel tolerance over time, so don't expect it to work forever.
Your average Vitamin C from citrus fruit is as follows:
- 1 Orange: 0.5-0.7 mg/g
- 1 Lemon: 0.3-0.4 mg/g
- 1 Lime: 0.3 mg/g
Weight of fruit in grams x Vitamin C content mg/g = Vitamin C Content
Ex. 150 grams (average orange) x 0.5 mg = 75 grams of Vitamin C
The peel of citrus has much more Vitamin C than the rest of the fruit combined, but it is bitter! These measurements are based on the parts generally considered edible. But if you are like my husband, go ahead and eat that orange peel. Just know, I am judging you, but I'm also slightly jealous...
The Vitamin C content in pine needles varies, depending on many factors like species, location, season, etc., but the highest content could be three times more than that of one orange.
A tea made by pouring boiling water over chopped needles and leaving them to steep for 10-15 minutes will not be nearly as strong, both in flavor and vitamin content, as a decoction made by boiling the needles for 10-20 minutes, but it will taste better than a decoction.
Traditionally, pine needle decoction has been used to treat various human diseases, and medicine doesn't always taste good. You may prefer a simple tea over a decoction if you are merely drinking for flavor purposes and a smidge of wellness. Sweeten with a little honey or other sweetener if you prefer. The lemony citrus flavor will vary depending on the pine species you use to make your tea. Experiment to find what you like better with what you have around you. White pine is generally the preferred for flavorful tea, but it grows further north than I reside.
Please note that pine trees are a source of turpentine. While the needles contain a much lower turpentine content than other parts of the tree, the longer you boil them, the more turpentine that is released, which can make your decoction bitter, but it won't hurt you. Turpentine in itself is a healer.
Only use fresh, green needles to make your tea. Brown leaves will not taste good, nor be beneficial. However, pines are evergreen, so you should have a fresh supply year-round in most places, except the desert or tropical regions, where you will be hard-pressed to find a pine tree.
Pines can be identified by the needles growing in clusters rather than single needles growing straight from branches like Spruce, Fir, Cedar, and Yew.
Avoid Yew trees. They are toxic.
Pines prefer full sun, so when you have a bunch growing close together, they will slowly lose leaves and branches, starting from the ground up, until you have 100-foot-tall trees with bare trunks until the very top, completely out of reach for harvesting.
What do you have?
- 2 leaf clusters = Red Pine
- 3 leaf clusters = Yellow Pine
- 5 leaf clusters = White Pine
White pine will taste better than red pine. Its turpentine and tannin content is not as strong, so you won’t have such a bitter taste when making decoctions, which draws the bitters out of the leaves.
My region in East Texas primarily has Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda), a yellow pine with 3 needles, coveted by the paper industry. But it's also tasty.
PINE NEEDLE TINCTURE
To extract the highest amount of vitamins for medicinal purposes, I suggest a tincture in 100-proof Vodka, but you can also use 80-proof vodka. 100-proof is a perfect balance between alcohol and water to get both alcohol and water-soluble goodness from the herbs you tincture. You can use Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother or Vegetable Glycerin if you want to avoid alcohol, but it won't technically be a tincture.
Alcohol base → Tincture
Vinegar base → Herbal vinegar (or acetum, in older texts)
Honey + vinegar base → Oxymel
Glycerin base → Glycerite
Fill a jar with clean pine needles (I usually cut off the brown part that holds the leaves together, but it isn't necessary), and cover with vodka or vinegar. If you use vinegar, avoid a metal lid, or put some barrier between it and the vinegar, like parchment paper. Oxidation can affect your remedy. Let it soak for about 4-6 weeks, strain, and store in a cool, dark place. Alcohol based tinctures can last indefinitely (for the most part), while unpasteurized herbal vinegar should be good for a year or so. Sometimes it can go rancid, depending on storage conditions. Putting a six-month expiration is your best bet for top quality, but shelf life can vary.
Note: You can use this same process with white vinegar to make a freshly scented cleaning vinegar.
Pine Needle Tincture can be taken once or twice a day as a dietary supplement and taken at intervals during the day when combating illness. Constituents in the needles help with circulation and are anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, as well as being high in Vitamin C. Pine Needle Tincture may help with heart disease, heart ailments, varicose veins, muscle fatigue, sclerosis, kidney ailments, respiratory infections, strengthen nerves and muscles of the eyes, and much more.
I offer a ready-to-use Pine Needle Tincture if you aren't comfortable wildcrafting yourself, or don't want to wait a month to try it.
EXTRA BONUS TID-BIT: Pine Sap Tincture, which is pine sap covered in 190-proof alcohol, like Everclear, that has very little water content, and left to dissolve into the liquor for six to eight weeks, is a boon for the winter months. Pine sap medicine can be slightly irritating to the lungs, therefore increasing the effectiveness of coughing, improving breathing, and killing bacterial infections. The dosage is about 10-15 drops. *Avoid use in small children. It is potent!
PINE NEEDLE SODA
Love Sprite but hate all the sugar and additives? Pine needles, with their natural lemony flavor, can be turned into a healthy and bubbly drink similar to Sprite. All you need to do is harvest a handful of pine needles. Pick clean needles so that you don't have to wash them, and leave the brown bits on the ends that hold the leaves together. This supplies natural yeast that is needed to make your brew bubbly.
If you have an actual bottle with a tight-fitting flip-top lid, they work best, but a mason jar will work just fine.
Fill your jar or bottle with clean pine needles, add 1 tablespoon of sugar, and fill with filtered water. Seal and let sit for three to five days on the counter. Any longer and they may start to taste funky. Also, be prepared for the pop and fizz when opening for the first time. You can stick it in the fridge to slow the fermentation process.
You can add lemon or lime juice to make it more Sprite-like, but you should end up with a fizzy, slightly fermented lemony drink that boasts both medicinal benefits and flavor, whether you add juice or not!
The following is a general overview of pine medicine, of which will be expounded on in future posts:
Respiratory Health
-Pine needle tea has been traditionally used to ease coughs, colds, bronchitis, and congestion.
-The essential oils (rich in pinene) act as expectorants, helping to clear mucus and open airways. Generally used topically and diluted (for sensitive skin) unless otherwise stated by your healthcare provider.
-Steam inhalation with pine oil can reduce sinus inflammation.
Immune Support & Antioxidants
-Pine needles are high in Vitamin C (historically used to prevent scurvy).
-They also contain flavonoids and polyphenols, which combat oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of chronic disease.
Anti-Inflammatory & Pain Relief
-Pine bark extract (notably Pycnogenol®, from French maritime pine) is studied for reducing joint pain, arthritis symptoms, and muscle soreness.
-Resin has been used topically for wounds, burns, and skin irritation due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cardiovascular Health
-Pine bark (the softer under bark, not the hard exterior) extract may improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and enhance blood vessel elasticity.
-It has been researched for reducing risk factors of heart disease and improving recovery after exercise.
Cognitive Function
-Some studies suggest pine bark extract may improve memory, focus, and protect against age-related cognitive decline by enhancing blood flow to the brain.
Antimicrobial Properties
-Pine resin and essential oils are naturally antiseptic and effective against bacteria and fungi.
-Historically used for wound dressings and in disinfecting salves.
Stress Reduction
-The scent of pine (aromatherapy) is believed to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase alertness.
-Forest bathing (“shinrin-yoku” in Japan) in pine forests has documented benefits for lowering stress hormones.
Precautions
-Not all pine species are safe. For example, Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and some others can be toxic, especially to pregnant women.
-Pine essential oil should be diluted before topical use to avoid skin irritation. You can use carrier oils such as coconut, olive, avocado, etc.
-Pine needle decoctions should be consumed in moderation because of the turpentine content caused by excessive boiling.
-Not recommended for use while pregnant or breastfeeding. Some pine needles can contain phytoestrogens, which can cause miscarriage in cattle, and in turn, possibly humans.
I have gathered much of this information over the years, so my sources are broad and have been lost to time. Please do your own research before wildcrafting and using herbal medicine. Feel free to reach out if you believe any of my information is wrong or if you would like to add to it! The more we all know, the better.
Many Blessings