Although many species of pine appear to have beneficial health properties, the majority of pine bark extracts sold as herbal supplements today come from maritime pines (2, 3, 6). I spent my afternoons playing in their whorled branches, unwittingly collecting resin in my locks while leaning my head against their sturdy trunks. Despite the fact that topical pine tar has been used for the treatment of various skin diseases for over 2000 years, few clinical studies on the use of topical pine tar could be found following an extensive literature search conducted back to the 1950s. Variations in PAHs levels were not due solely to the difference in the amount of tar added to the preparation.21, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations found in topical tar products. You can return to that tree to collect pitch at a later date. Like pine, the green tips are wonderful to harvest if you can, but you can also use the needles at other times of the year too. Some have needles that are quite sour, especially in the spring. The resin, also called pitch, has many local first-aid usesits used as an antimicrobial dressing on wounds and to pull out splinters. I have never considered eating them! Medicinal Use of Pines Pine Needles The fresh needles and buds, picked in the springtime, are called "pine tops." These are boiled in water, and the tea is consumed for fevers, coughs, and colds. In the 1940s, scientist Jacques Masquelier began studying the health effects of pine bark after learning that indigenous peoples of North America were using pine bark tea to heal scurvy and wounds (1, 5). Its also boiled in water and ingested as a remedy for coughs and colds. Be aware that many species of trees with pine in their common name are not true pines and are not used in the same way, and may even be toxic. White Pine Resin Benefits Moerman (1998) describes a long list of uses for white pine by the indigenous people of North America, including use of various parts of the tree as a dermatological aid by the Chippewa, Delaware, Iroquois, Menominee, Mohegan, and Potawatomi peoples. Heat significantly improves the extraction of resinous herbs, and we recommend the heated oil method in this Calendula Oil post for these herbs. Pine Resin Uses. The liquid extract can then be used as is or further processed by freeze-drying and grinding it into a powder. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the knotty pine wood from several species of pine is infused in wine and used topically for joint pain. But these are not just of aesthetic value. It is valued for its high nutrient content, while the needles can be brewed into a popular tea that has a number of beneficial qualities. It is over 4,500 years old. The use of pine tar products available in Australia today is described in Table 1. 7 Survival Uses Of Pine Resin You Need To Know | Survival Life Primary irritation is very uncommon, except in unstable psoriasis and treatment on the face, genitalia and the flexures.7, 19 An in vitro skin irritancy study has shown that pine tar is a minimal irritant, the lowest on a scale of four categories; minimal, mild, moderate and severe (results unpublished, Ego Pharmaceuticals). Test-tube and animal studies from the past few decades have found encouraging results to support the health-promoting benefits of pine bark extract. Studies by Lavker and colleagues in volunteers with healthy skin demonstrated a transient increase in epidermal proliferation during the first 2 weeks of tar treatment, followed by a progressive thinning of the epidermis.11 Tars appear to act as keratolytic agents which inhibit excessive proliferation of epidermal cells by the suppression of DNA synthesis in hyperplastic skin, which subsequently reduces mitotic activity and protein synthesis in the basal layer of the epidermis.10, 12 This promotes a return to normal keratinisation, which is important in skin diseases such as psoriasis.13, In addition to its keratolytic action, pine tar has been shown to be antipruritic,7, 8, 12 antiinflammatory,8 antiseptic,7, 12 astringent,12 keratoplastic,8 cytostatic,6 antibacterial14 and antifungal.15 Fractionation of pine tar has revealed that the components responsible for its bacteriostatic properties are the resin acids,14 and that acetovanillone, 1,1,3,3tetraoxo2,2bicyclopentyl and its 4methyl derivative, as well as another unknown compound, are responsible for the antifungal properties of pine tar.15 This is in contrast to coal tar where it is generally considered that phenols are responsible for its biological activity.14. Just make sure it is indeed a true pine (in the Pinus genus) by checking for the identification traits listed above, and youll be good to go!. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Rinse thoroughly, pat skin dry. Pine and its various constituents are known to be possibly rich in antioxidants, which may help to protect you against diseases. We'll show you which ones are worth trying. The Medicine of Ponderosa Pine - Wild Iris Herbs This method can be used for usnea as well, which Rosalee de la Foret recommends in this article. Pine resin salve is helpful to lessen muscle aches and joint inflammation. The essential oil has potential antiseptic properties, which are used to treat wounds. (PDF) Ethnic uses of pine resin production from Pinus brutia by native The list of therapeutic uses for Pine and Spruce sap in folk medicine is truly extensive. by Juliet Blankespoor The harvest from one yellow birch branch. Most of them have straight, unbranched, cylindrical trunks, which furnish large amounts of excellent saw timber. So, its too soon to say how safe and effective pine bark extracts are for treating specific illnesses (24, 25). White Pine Medicine Milk & Honey Herbs Careers, Unable to load your collection due to an error. This spicy root is also good for mitigating obesity and relief from menstrual pain. The total amount of compounds in pine bark extract may vary depending on the type of bark used and how it was manufactured (9, 10). Nater JP. The needles of each type of conifer have their own individual tastes, and spruce tips are particularly prized for spruce tip beer, or just a simple flavorful . The potent mix of chemicals and active ingredients in pine can be dangerous for pregnant women, as it has been known in some situations to cause miscarriages. You can experience this effect for yourself upon immediate ingestion of pine - its pungent taste instantly opens up the airways, clears your mind, invigorates the senses, while warming and energizing the body. Saturate cotton wool and hold onto affected area for a few min. Pine - American Botanical Council - Herbalgram I love pine needle tea. [Internet] 2015 [accessed 18 August 2015]. Read on for a full description of this plant, harvest methods, medicinal uses and recipes. . minimum per bar. Meta-analysis studies on Pycnogenol and blood pressure have found similar results (50, 51, 52). Weaverville, NC 28787,
, Just like food these days, your herbs could come from anywhere, and may very likely be produced on a mass scale. Pinon & Herbal Medicine | The Foragers Path | Flagstaff, Arizona The cadmium is safe and the needles are safe as long as they are not taken internally. Some studies suggest that certain nutritional supplements may help manage ADHD symptoms. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Add 10 mL to 2L tepid water and bathe for 10 min, pat skin dry. The oldest known pine tree in the world is in California. Pine is essential commercially for its lumber and pulp, which is used to make paper and related products. You can alternatively collect a three-to-four-inch diameter branch from a tree, which leaves only one wound on the tree. These include: That said, theres not yet enough evidence to fully support these uses. John Staughton is a traveling writer, editor, publisher and photographer with English and Integrative Biology degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (USA). Lovely! The excess can be blotted out gently using a tissue. Its essential oil is also highly valued. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. On a trip to the southwest, I learned another way to apply pine pitch medicinally from Arizona herbalist Doug Simmons: Take a piece of pitch that's semi-hard but still pliable and form it into a flat bandage over the afflicted area. No changes to blood pressure were noted (49). 8600 Rockville Pike Topically, pine is used to address skin infections and to lessen joint inflammation in arthritic conditions. Yew produces a red fleshy fruit (technically a cone), unlike the familiar hard brown cones you see growing on other conifers. To accurately identify pine, look for the characteristic two to five needles growing together in a little bundle (called a fascicle), coupled with the familiar pinecones. Cultures around the globe have used the needles, inner bark, and resin for similar ailments. Pine resin is essentially impervious to water so it can be used to treat objects to make them resistant to the damages caused by moisture. Dry on a screen or in a loose-weave basket. Uses of Pine. I am trying to learn about herbalism and foraging and natural ways to take care of health instead of using big pharma. Harvesting Medicinals from Pine Trees - Joybilee Farm Pine offers relief in sinus and lung congestion through its stimulating expectorant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory qualities. While its parts like bark and pollen are more extensively researched, the benefits of pine needle tea are less known. The measurements in this recipe neednt be exact, but following the general proportions by volume (using a measuring cup) is useful for achieving the desired consistency. The resin is well-known for its antimicrobial properties. What is Pine | Organic Facts There are 43 different reported species in India, Arabian Peninsula and North Africa. Hopefully we wont have to experience an intense survival situation, but you never know. As a library, NLM provides access to scientific literature. She's a professional plant-human matchmaker and bonafide plant geek, with a degree in botany and over 30 years of experience teaching and writing about herbalism, medicine making, and organic herb cultivation. It is denoted by E number E915. the contents by NLM or the National Institutes of Health. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help The importance of these plants is related to the use of extracts and essential oils of resin in traditional . . Your email address will not be published. A recipe for making pine resin salve is here. . Pycnogenol is one of the most common pine bark extracts on the market. Assessment and comparison with some commercial formulations, LangeveldWildschut EG, Riedl H, Thepen T, Modulation of the atopy patch test reaction by topical corticosteroids and tar, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial, http://www.pinetarworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/KILNBURNEPINETAR773.pdf, http://mims.com.au/index.php/products/emims, Pruritus (anal and genital), pruritus and inflammation associated with dermatitis, eczema, heat rash, hives, nappy rash, chickenpox, insect bites, and sunburn, May be used as often as required, especially after bathing showering, shaving (underarms and legs) and at night, Pruritus (anal and genital), generalised pruritus and inflammation associated with psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, urticaria, sunburn, insect bites, heat rash, nappy rash and chickenpox, Wet skin, lather bar and apply to affected area. Rosin is an ingredient in printing inks, photocopying and laser printing paper, varnishes, adhesives (glues), soap, paper sizing, soda, soldering fluxes, and sealing wax . It is used extensively for its antibacterial properties. I applied a pliable piece of pitch and left it on overnight. Pour into jars and let cool before adding lids. The sloping branches have been immortalized in art and been part of our holiday traditions. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Do not rub, Pruritus (anal and genital), generalised pruritus and inflammation associated with psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, urticaria, sunburn, insect bites, industrial contact dermatitis, shaving rash and intertriginous inflammation (particularly of the groin area), Apply to wet skin and smooth gently over the affected area. Its pollen is available as a powder and can be taken with drinks or added in baked goods. Ive been making it from scratch for several months now, and those of us in the family who take it daily (we do have resistors!) Please consult your medical care provider before using herbal medicine. You can post photos for identification here. That said, its important to know that no pine is harmful and the medicinal uses overlap between species, so if you cant find any information about your local pines, they are still medicinal. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. There has only been one case of adverse reactions to topical products containing pine tar reported in the literature by Iorizzo and colleagues6 A 61yearold woman with a 3year history of vesicular foot eczema presented with an acute dermatitis following the use of pine tar. Yes, spruce has many overlapping medicinal uses with pine! She talks about heat, prescription pain, Did you know pine pollen is used for food and medicinal reasons? The bark of maritime pines is thick and grows in various shades of brown, orange, and red. Harvest Medicinal Trees in Your Backyard - Mother Earth News [8], Pine bark and essential oil have shown efficacy in dealing with various skin conditions in different studies. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Be sure you have correctly identified pine and not a look-alike or a sound-alike (see the notes in the identification section). You can find its species in most of the Northern hemisphere, but there is only one that is native to the southern hemisphere. Cover it with a Band-Aid or clean bandage and leave it on overnight. The needle extract, on the other hand, can lower blood cholesterol and improve blood circulation. See my article on longleaf pine. The Iroquois and Micmac tribes used it as a panacea, finding its inner bark and resins to be a healing wonder for coughs, bronchitis, laryngitis and chest congestion. A few older studies including humans found similar effects of Pycnogenols ability to alleviate asthma symptoms though these studies were too small to make definitive conclusions about pine barks effectiveness as an herbal supplement (31, 32, 33). Average rating 3.7 out of 5.0 based on 283 user(s). It is important to note that the number of positive reactions for wood tars was not significantly greater than those for other common allergens. Dates are sweet fruitsof the date palm tree. Pinus pinaster is a type of pine tree native to areas of the Mediterranean including Portugal, Spain, France, and Morocco. There are a few species of pine in North America and a handful of species in Eurasia that yield the familiar edible pine nuts. Another small 2012 study including 23 adults with coronary heart disease associated taking 200 mg of Pycnogenol per day with improved blood flow through the arteries and lower levels of isoprostane a measure of oxidative stress. On this same trip, I had a chance to see the resin in action. Juliet and her family reside in a home overrun with houseplants and books in Asheville, North Carolina. These include limiting the buildup of fat, reducing oxidative stress and the likelihood of blood clots, and improving venous function (42, 43, 44, 45). They are also used in many forms, from pine needle tea, essential oil, to its pollen. I use pine pitch, prepared as a salve, to draw out splinters, glass, and the toxins left from poisonous insect bites. An extensive literature search was conducted back to the 1950s for this review. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. #herbs #herbalist #herbalism #herbalmedicine #plantmedicine #herbalremedies #plantremedies #naturalremedies #selfreliance #clover #redclover, The difference between boxed tea bag herbs and the ones you harvest fresh from your garden is astounding! As more research is conducted, well gain a better understanding of the best ways to use pine bark extract. Renowned Alabama herbalist Tommie Bass used the needles in a steam inhalation to break up tenacious phlegm in the lungs. Styptic. Its also a common ingredient in other supplement blends. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". As well as pine tar lotion, which contains a very low concentration of 0.1% pine tar, the pine tar formulations described in Table 1 are designed as washoff products that are quick and easy to use, are less messy than other tar products which need to be left on for many hours, do not stain and any odour is minimised.4 These attributes may increase patients compliance. Renowned Alabama herbalist Tommie Bass used the needles in a steam inhalation to break up tenacious phlegm in the lungs. It is a valuable remedy used internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints and is used both internally and as a rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatic affections. Just make sure it is indeed a true pine (in the Pinus genus) by checking for the identification traits listed above, and youll be good to go! Becoming An Herbalist: Juliet Blankespoors Dance With The Plants, Stinging Nettles Medicinal Benefits & My Famous Nettles Pat Recipe. French green clay, Spearmint and Patchouli Essential Oils, The Bar Facts: I hand cut the bars and aim for 5 oz. The local population is familiar with the medicinal uses of pine tree fluid, but modern medical specialists have yet to confirm the medicinal benefits of pine resin. Further, its been tolerated well by most patients in clinical trials (31, 69, 82). I have used both in salve. 2023 Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. The innermost bark can be dried and eaten. This simple forest first-aid has excellent drawing power, as well as being anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. (Note: a few species of pine only have one needle; however, this is an anomaly, and most species bear two to five needles in a bundle.). She's a professional plant-human matchmaker and bonafide plant geek, with a degree in botany and over 30 years of experience teaching and writing about herbalism, medicine making, and organic herb cultivation. Pine resin has a variety of survival and economic applications and medical benefits. Its antibacterial effects can help to treat inflammation or infection. grated beeswax; Directions: Heat oil in a double-boiler. However, there isnt enough evidence at this time to support specific health claims on the extract. Light and Heat 1.8 4. I find it has a somewhat milder flavor. Colloidal silver is a popular but controversial alternative therapy. Still, rigorous research on the effectiveness of pine bark extract in humans is lacking, and more randomized controlled-trial studies are needed.