Pine Needle Tincture
About Pine Needle Tincture
Pine, specifically white pine, has a long history of use by many Indigenous groups in North America—as a food and herb, and for shelter, decoration, and canoes. From the bark, sap, resin, and pine cones to the pollen, leaves, and twigs, just about every part of the white pine has been used.
Pines are distinguished from other conifers by their needles. They are bundled in clusters of 1-6, most commonly 2-5. Many pines have long needles, but there are some varieties with shorter needles.
It’s important to note that not all conifers are considered pines. While many conifer needles have useful properties similar to that of pine, there are a few that are toxic, such as the yew tree (Deane, n.d.b.). Most true pines are safe to use, with the possible exception of the Ponderosa pine, which should be avoided in pregnancy
Tinctures uses aromatics and botanicals that can include any combination of herbs, roots, bark, fruit, seeds, or flowers and alcohol. You can also use vinegar or glycerin, but alcohol is best because it acts as a universal solvent, so it’s able to extract essential oils from herbs, roots, and mushrooms, as well as most of the other beneficial compounds. It also makes the tinctures last virtually forever. The alcohol is fatal to any microorganisms, so there is little possibility for the tincture to decompose. Using tinctures allows easier and faster absorption of healing plant compounds. This is because it starts absorbing through the stomach wall, or your mouth when taken orally, so rather than being digested, like the rest of the things you drink or eat, the medicinal substances go directly into your bloodstream. Not only that, but the large concentration of medicinal properties you find in a tincture makes them more potent than most remedies.
Tinctures are created by steeping plants in alcohol, for weeks before you filter off the plant material. This solvent leaves you with a liquid that contains the active ingredients of the plant, which can be used as medicine. It’s a very powerful remedy that you can usually use without worrying about any side effects. The serum helps to ease stress, protect your heart, and boost energy. It cleanses the toxins from the blood and fights off infection. Get a strong, healthy immune system and face anything without fear today! Gluten free. Vegan. Non GMO. Unfiltered. Unrefined. Shake well before use. Made in the USA
- 100% natural
- Strengthens immune system
- Promotes overall wellness
- Flavonoids high in antioxidants
- Removes toxins from blood
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- Non GMO
- Halal
- Made in USA
Other Uses:
Pine Needle Tea
Pine needles are high in vitamin C and have been known in the past to keep scurvy away (Deane, n.d.a.).
One of the best ways to utilize pine needles in this way is to make a refreshing pine needle tea. Simply pour boiling water over the gently crushed needles and enjoy. Perfect for a chilly day!
2. Pine Needle Syrup
Pine needles are a natural decongestant and expectorant. They are also antiseptic and are great for coughs and congestion (Wood, 2009). Making a pine needle syrup is a good way to get the benefits of pine needles while also coating and soothing the throat. It’s easy to make and has a delicious flavor as well.
3. Pine Needle Vinegar
Making a pine needle infused vinegar is another wonderful way to use pine needles. Simply chop up pine needles and place them in a glass canning jar, cover completely with vinegar. Make sure to place parchment paper or natural wax paper between lid and the vinegar to thwart corrosion. Macerate for two weeks, strain, and enjoy!
Pine Needle Salve
Pine needles have some analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that make it perfect for using in salves. They are also antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal (Walker, 2015). Try making this peppermint pine headache stick for headache pain, and this evergreen lip balm will keep your lips nourished and protected from the harsh winter weather.
5. Pine Needle Cookies
This may come as a bit of a surprise, but pine needles are the perfect addition to fall and winter treats, particularly cookies! These pine needle shortbread cookies sound especially tasty. Plus, you still get all the health benefits that pine needles have to offer!
6. Pine Needle Household Cleaner
You can also use pine needles to make an effective natural household cleaner with a lovely scent.
A good way to start is to use pine needle infused vinegar with baking soda and castile soap for cleaning projects. Or you can make this homemade pine sol below: recipe for wood surfaces.
Pine Needle Crafts
Feeling crafty? There are many different seasonal projects and crafts that can be made using pine needles. Handwoven coiled pine needle baskets are traditional and beautiful. Make a pine needle wreath or these decorative pine needle tassels for the holiday season. Perhaps my favorite crafty way to use pine needles are these paintbrushes made with natural materials.
8. Pine Needle Mulch
If you have a lot of pine needles on the ground in your yard, use them in your compost pile or as mulch around your plants. They are on the acidic side, so if your soil is already acidic you may want to mix the pine needles with some other material to offset that. The best part about using pine needles in the garden is that they are free and usually very easy to come by.
Bonus: Conifer & Gin Bubbles
Looking for a delicious drink that’s a fit for any season of the year? Look no further than this conifer and gin bubbles recipe, perfect for entertaining or enjoying by yourself!
Happy pine needle foraging, and don’t forget to pin this post to your Pinterest boards so you can come back to it again and again!
- Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and cleaner. You can easily make an all-purpose cleaner using a combination of vinegar and water.
- Baking soda is another natural cleaner. It’s great for getting rust off of faucets or cleaning stoves that are loaded with food and spills from preparing dinner.
- Essential oils are your best friend when it comes to making your own cleaners! Make your home cleaner smell like Pine Sol by adding a few drops of essential pine oil to your homemade concoction.
- Castile Soap is a natural cleaner for toilets, showers, and other porcelain surfaces. It’s also great for wood surfaces, making it a prime Pine Sole ingredient.
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Making Homemade Pine Sol
To make a toxin-free Pine Sol at home for a fraction of the cost, try this recipe:
- 1 tablespoon unscented liquid castile soap
- 4 cups warm water
- 10 to 15 drops pine essential oil
- Sprig of rosemary (optional)
Pine Needle Tincture