Why should you be drinking pine needle tea?
Pine needle tea is a herbal tea with many healing properties, in this article we’ll discuss the benefits of pine needle tea and why it’s essential you know that.
It is made by steeping fresh pine needles in hot water, you can also make tea from other conifer tree needles, like balsam fir or hemlock trees.
The resulting infusion has a pleasant flavor and aroma, similar to green tea but more subtle and earthy.
Some people think it tastes like orange juice, depending on the type of pine tree used.
The most common types of pine used for pine needle tea are lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), or white pine (Pinus albicaulis).
However, other species make an excellent tea as well, including Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla), Manchurian red pine (Pinus massoniana), Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia), and shikimic acid yew tree (Taxus baccata).
The inner pine bark is edible and can substitute for cinnamon or vanilla extract in recipes!
The inner bark is usually harvested from older trees after being cut down or before they shed their needles.
If you’re using a young pine tree that hasn’t yet produced buds or cones, use only the new growth tips of the needles (the green part).
These younger needles contain high levels of vitamin C than mature ones do.
Older needles are still beneficial but may have lost some potency over time.
If you’re using an older tree, pick only the inner parts of the needles where they join together at the stem.
Avoid picking brown or withered-looking needles from your collection, as these can be poisonous if ingested!
The needles are commonly gathered by hand during the winter when they are most potent, but you can also purchase dried pine needle tea at health food stores or online.
The main reason why pine needle is so good for you is that it contains many vitamins and minerals that your body needs daily.
It also contains phytonutrients that help fight off free radicals in the body and eliminate toxins from our systems.
Pine needle has been a healing tonic in traditional medicine for centuries.
Native Americans used the tea for colds, flu, and sore throat, but it also has many other health benefits.
Here are 15 powerful benefits of drinking pine needle tea:
15 benefits of pine needle tea
1. It is Rich in Antioxidants
Pine needles are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and beta-carotene.
They also contain anti-inflammatory compounds such as shikimic acid and manganese.
These compounds help protect your body against free radicals that cause oxidative stress and cell damage.
Pine needle tea is the perfect drink to enjoy in the colder months.
This herbal tea has many health benefits, including the ability to fight cancer cells and improve blood circulation.
2. Pine Needle Tea May Aid Digestion
The tannins found in pine needles may help treat digestive problems, including diarrhea, dysentery, and gastritis (stomach inflammation).
These tannins also have antiseptic properties that can help prevent bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal tract.
The infusion of pine needle tea has a pleasant flavor and aroma, similar to green tea but more subtle and earthy.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice to your cup of hot water with pine needle extract for added flavor!
3. High in Vitamin A
Pine needles are one of the highest sources of vitamin A in nature!
One cup of pine needles contains 1,500 IU (150% DV) of vitamin A, much higher than most other herbal teas on the market today.
Vitamin A supports healthy skin, vision, and immune function.
It also helps regulate hormone levels, promotes bone health, prevents inflammation, and helps fight infections such as colds or flu by boosting white blood cell activity.
4. Helps with Skin Problems and Acne
Pine needles can help fight off infections and boost your immune system, which can help clear up acne or other skin issues.
The tannins in pine needle will also help reduce inflammation.
This can be especially helpful if you have eczema or psoriasis, both inflammatory conditions that can flare up when your body is under stress.
5. Antibacterial Properties that Fight Off Infections
Pine needle is antiviral and antibacterial, so it’s an excellent cold remedy since it can help fight off infections that cause colds and flu symptoms like sore throats, runny noses, body aches, headaches, fever, etc.
It’s also an immune system booster that helps boost white blood cell production so your body can more easily fight off sickness when knocking on your door!
6. Helps Treat Bronchitis & Pneumonia
Pine tea has antibacterial properties that promote healthy respiratory function by helping clear congestion from congested sinuses, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
It also contains vitamin C, which boosts immunity by stimulating the production of white blood cells, which fight infections.
7. Supports Healthy Cardiovascular Function
Pine needles contains vitamin C, which helps support cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol levels, reducing inflammation, and helping with blood clotting.
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that combats free radicals that cause oxidative damage in the body.
This makes it a good choice for those who want to lower their heart disease or stroke risk.
8. Boosts Immune System Function
Pine needles contain heparin, an anti-inflammatory compound that can help boost your immune system to fight off infections naturally.
Pine needle also contains many vitamins and minerals that support your immunity, including vitamin C, iron, and zinc.
Research shows that people who live near a pine forest have fewer cases of pneumonia than those who live in areas with no pine trees.
9. Pine Tea Can Reduce Stress and Anxiety
The relaxing effects of pine needles can also reduce stress and anxiety in humans and animals.
This can help people who suffer from conditions like ADHD or ADD, anxiety disorders like social anxiety disorder or panic disorder, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It could also help those suffering from chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, migraines and arthritis by relieving the pain associated with these conditions.
10. Pine Tea Can Help Lower your blood pressure
High blood pressure or hypertension can lead to cardiovascular disease if left untreated.
Pine needle can help lower your blood pressure by improving circulation and reducing inflammation throughout the body.
It may also help lower cholesterol levels by preventing plaque build up on artery walls due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
11. Pine Tea is a Relaxant
Pine needles are a relaxant and can help you sleep better.
The essential oil in pine needles is known to be sedative. The scent of pine needles is also known for its calming effects.
12. Helps with Weight Loss and Blood Sugar Levels
People with diabetes or other chronic conditions can benefit from drinking pine tea because it helps reduce blood sugar levels and weight gain by lowering insulin resistance.
It also helps lower cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
The high concentration of vitamin C in pine needles can help lower high cholesterol levels by reducing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol particles.
13. Reduces Joint Pain and Arthritis Symptoms
Pine needles contains tannins that help reduce joint pain and arthritis symptoms by reducing inflammation in the body.
The tannins may also help relieve muscle spasms and stiffness in joints.
14. Pine Tea is a Natural Diuretic
Diuretics are a type of drug that helps your body eliminate excess water.
This is useful for people who have edema or high blood pressure.
Pine needle can be used as a natural diuretic to help flush out excess water and reduce swelling in your body.
The best way to use pine needles as a diuretic is by drinking pine tea regularly or taking it as a supplement.
15. Reduce Menstrual cramps
Pine needle contains ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C.
Vitamin C helps reduce menstrual cramps and prevent anaemia caused by blood loss during menses.
- Read all about the Best Tea For Menstrual Cramps
It also plays a role in healing wounds and fighting infections, which may help reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation).
Benefits of Pine Needle Tea - The Bottom Line
Pine tea has been used for centuries as a traditional herbal remedy.
The tree species used to make pine tea vary depending on where it’s grown and harvested.
Pine tea comes from the needles of pine trees.
Several species of pine trees produce edible needles, including the eastern white pine trees (Pinus strobus) and the Korean red pine tree (Pinus koraiensis).
These trees are found throughout North America and Europe.
In the United States, most people drink Pinus strobus or Pinus sylvestris pine needle tea.
Pine tea is also known as pine needle infusion, pine needle tisane, and pinon tea.
The medicinal benefits of pine needle tea are numerous, ranging from antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects to medicinal uses for treating low blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Pine tea can also be beneficial for pregnant women, people with diabetes, and those who are lactose intolerant.
There are no side effects associated with drinking commercial pine needle tea.
However, suppose you have an allergy or sensitivity to pine trees or any other members of the Pinaceae family.
In that case, it may be best to avoid drinking pine tea as it may cause an allergic reaction or irritate your respiratory system.
If you are unsure if you are sensitive, it is a good idea to start with smaller pieces and increase slowly over time until you find a comfortable amount that works for you.
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