Pine Needle Tea – Nature’s Healers
January – we are in the deep grip of Winter. Coughs and colds abound! But there are many things we can do to keep ourselves and our families well though the Winter months.
As a hedgerow herbalist, I look to nature to provide healing and well-being. I have already made a good supply of Hedgerow Berry Tincture and Syrup as I do every year.
Lots of advice can also be found on my Tips On Staying Well In Winter blog. However, this year, I have added another powerful healer into my well-being tool kit – Pine Needles! On a cold January morning I went out foraging to my local woods for pine needles!
Benefits Of Pine Needle Tea
Here are 10 things to know about why pine needle tea is so good for you!
- 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, and for killing airborne germs!
How To Identify Pine
Below are a couple of great links to help with pine needle identification, and which ones are ok to use:
IMPORTANT!
Always be 100% sure about what you are foraging and identifying the plant you are working with! Most species of pine and spruce are ok, BUT there are some that are VERY TOXIC, so always make sure before you try any herbal remedy out on yourself or your family. If in doubt, seek advice from an experienced herbalist, forest or park ranger or witch! Also, if you have any health issues, or are on medication, always check with your GP before implementing any herbal remedy. If you are allergic to pine or pine products, then do not try this remedy.
How To Make Pine Needle Tea
This is super easy! Once you have your needles and are 100% sure they are safe! Use about a handful per cup, cut or tear them up a little, place them in a cafetiere or teapot and pour in boiling water, leave to infuse for 5 or 10 mins, pour and enjoy! You may add a little honey to taste, but I really like the clean, crisp and slightly citrusy taste on its own!
If you don’t own a cafetiere then just throw the needles in a pan, cover with boiling water, simmer for a couple of minutes and allow to infuse for a few more. Pour through a tea strainer.
Magical Associations with Pine
All plants, trees, herbs and flowers have magical correspondences, which you can use when working with them to increase the potency of whatever it is that you are doing! With pine the associations are abundance, purifying areas of new homes, cleansing, keeping bad vibes and negative luck away, lifting dark moods, and protection. The pine, being evergreen and associated with life is often brought into our homes at Christmas. More information on this can be found in my Yule blog!
Because of its strong antiseptic qualities pine oil is great for disinfecting homes and spaces around you. So what are you waiting for? Get out in nature and start learning about the healing gifts Mother Nature provides for us. The being out in the fresh air alone will make you feel better!
As with all foraging, tread lightly and be respectful of the environment and other people’s property, never over harvest from one plant or tree, only take what you need. The pine, being evergreen is planted in many spaces, but never forage near roadsides or areas of pollution.
Keep an eye on my Up and Coming Workshops page for exciting news on herbal and magical workshops that I will be putting together in the near future!
Happy foraging, keep well, and green blessings!
Sam xxx
