A mystical tree worshiped in many past civilizations, the Pine tree represents immortality in the Far East due to its long life span and its peculiar sap.
It usually grows atop rocky mounts, in dry and poor soil that are acidic and sandy. The pine tree can grow to gigantic sizes, and its circumference is impressive.
Its spongy bark renews itself and falls off like scales. Needles land on the soil and take a long time to break down, thus preventing underbrush growth.
In this quick overview, this article will reflect which medicinal properties pine tree shares as well as those much appreciated in gastronomy.
All the pine trees belong to the Pinaceae family. “Pine” is the generic, common name for all the trees belonging to the “Pinus“ genus. There are at least 111 different species in this genus. Sometimes it is called “pinewood”. This tree’s name goes back to ancient Greek, Celtic and Sanskrit with the root word “Pitu“ which means “drink” or “food”.
The story of pine goes back a long time.
Indeed, in Japanese culture, cypress and pine trees play a part in specific ritual implements and portions of temples in Shinto beliefs.
As for the Roman empire, the fertility goddess Cybele inspired devotions to pine trees to symbolize eternal renewal in the cycles of Nature.
The famed oriental taoists would have pine seeds, needles and sap as their favorite diet since they said it “made their bodies light and capable of flight”!
In Europe, there are several different pine tree species: maritime pine, Scots pine, Swiss pine, eastern white pine, black pine, Aleppo pine, Pinus uncinata, stone pine, loblolly pine, mugo pine…
But now, what are the properties of this very famous tree?
In North America and in Europe, young growth of Scots pine trees have long been an ingredient to prepare herbal tea. Indeed, its benefits are known to treat:
Century-old traditional medicinal baths are an integral part of what the German people believe in. The hygienist doctor Kneipp used his influence to help medicinal baths become a common treatment for many ailments in Germany.
Indeed, pine tree is particularly recommended to treat diseases resulting from nerve malfunction, neuralgic disorders and rheumatism.
Relaxing in a bathtub with pine tree extracts is for sure beneficial to your health.
To best appreciate its health benefits, keep the least tender shoots from your collection of fresh young shoots, and add them to the hot water. Use a cloth pouch to make it easy to pick the leaves out later and throw them to the compost.
It is possible to bathe in water infused with pine as described above, but inhaling the raw power of a pine tree forest in nature is another experience altogether.
Indeed, if you’ve got the chance, go for a walk in a thick pine tree forest, and gulp the air into your lungs. It is loaded with pine extract, a lemony camphor-like fragrance.
Previously, white pine young stems were very much appreciated in cooking by the Iroquois American Indians. They snacked and ate them raw. This dietary habit was also familiar to the American Indians of British Columbia who would also chew on raw shoots from other pine tree species.
Some have found different ways to cook young pine tree shoots, and when you add them to vegetables at the end of cooking or toss some in mixed salads, their taste will make you ooh and ahh in wonder.
Other prefer to steam those young pine shoots, and serve them after just a few minute’s worth of steaming. Dipped in salad dressing or mustard, it’s delicious!
The edible portions of the pine tree are, among others:
Caution: yew is toxic, though so make sure you know your trees first!
Young stems of pine trees – especially the most tender ones – are very much appreciated in mixed salads. Collect them at the tip of branches, right at the spot where needles haven’t yet grown.
Once harvested, dry the young stems on a cloth or veil with a lot of air circulation. Keep away from moisture and light. When dry, store them in a paper bag, a cardboard box, a glass jar or a metal tin. You can also sow a cloth pouch to store them, too.
To prepare your bathwater, dip the pouch with about 18 oz (500 grams) young pine tree shoots in the water. You can also prepare a concentrated young pine shoot infusion and add that to the bathwater. 2 or 3 quarts or liters are enough to prepare the infusion.
After the bath, it is highly recommended to lay down and relax for about 30 minutes to an hour (at most). Then, resume your daily activities.
Not very long ago, pine needles were used to produce plant-based felt or wool. This went by the name wood wool, forest wool or plant wool. It makes a great stuffing for mattresses.
Pine needles are also excellent to protect plants that grow in acidic environments, like rhododendron or azaleas. Spread them around those plant’s trunks.
Important: In case of doubt, it is always useful to check with a specialist or ask your consulting physician before opting for a plant-based treatment.
Pine tree young growth has been traditionally used to treat rheumatism and slow-healing wounds (as lotions), common colds and pulmonary tract inflammation (as inhaled vapor), and diseases from nerve malfunction and neuralgic disorders. Medicinal pine baths are particularly recommended for relaxation and overall health benefits related to these conditions.
Use about 18 oz (500 grams) of young pine tree shoots in a cloth pouch dipped directly in bathwater, or prepare a concentrated infusion using 2-3 quarts or liters of water. After bathing, it is recommended to rest for 30 minutes to an hour before resuming daily activities.
The edible and medicinal parts include young tender stems and shoots (eaten raw in salads or added to cooked vegetables), pine needles, inner bark, and young male flowers. Young stems should be collected at branch tips before needles grow, then dried with good air circulation and stored in paper bags, glass jars, or metal tins away from moisture and light.
The article warns that yew is toxic and you must know your trees first to avoid confusion. Additionally, it is always recommended to check with a specialist or consulting physician before opting for any plant-based treatment.
Yes, young pine shoots can be eaten raw in mixed salads, as the Iroquois and British Columbia American Indians traditionally did. They can also be steamed for a few minutes and served with salad dressing or mustard, or added to vegetables at the end of cooking.
