MEDICINAL APPLICATIONS OF PINE
Hepburn Regional Park, Dja Dja Wurrung VIC, Australia
Traditional Use
Many species of pine have been used traditionally since at least the Middle Ages in Europe and likely in the preceding years throughout indigenous cultures across continents, with most species of the genus sharing similar medicinal qualities.
Matthew Wood (2009) describes white pine (Pinus strobus) in particular, to be a “stimulating antiseptic indicated when there is inflammation with tendencies to poor oxygenation and tissue depression – [clearing] viscid, hardened, green phlegm” that often resides deep within the lungs or sinuses. Typically, pine has been used at the onset of infection as either a preventative for further setting in or to alleviate symptoms of cold and flu whilst working on the digestive tract, kidneys, and skin as an antiseptic/antimicrobial and mild laxative (dried young needles and twigs) (Wood, 2009).
Modern Research
Pine facilitates increased circulation of oxygen supply in the blood and tissue perfusion via its polyphenol and high vitamin C content, thereby improving capillary fragility/permeability and collagen secretion, antioxidant status and mitochondrial function and reduced catabolic stress and susceptibility to illness (Durzan, 2009; Dziedziński, Kobus-Cisowska & Stachowiak, 2021). The synergistic matrix of compounds contained in pine compounds the latter mechanisms, evoking adrenal stimulation of both the medulla and cortex which has shown particularly positive results in asthma caused by adrenal insufficiency, circulatory issues, chronic inflammation (Dziedziński et al., 2021), soothing irritated/inflamed bronchial and respiratory tissues and softening hard sputum whilst facilitating its expulsion (Holmes, 2007). Regarding pathogenic microbial colonisation, numerous studies on extracts and volatile oil of Pinus spp. have shown to inhibit the spread/replication, prevent epithelial destruction and facilitate eradication of several polypathogens (e.g., Staphyloccocus aureus, M. luteus, Proteus vulgaris, Shigella flexneri & Streptococcus faecalis) (Dziedziński et al., 2021).
A comprehensive list of traditional and modern uses of Pinus spp. include:
Degenerative diseases (type II diabetes, dementia), preventative for heart disease, circulation issues (bark); coughing, expectoration of hard scanty sputum, cheat pain (lung phlegm-dryness), cough, expectoration of copious sputum, chest pain, wheeze (lung phlegm-damp w/ pneuma accumulation), bronchitis (acute & chronic), pneumonia, congestive asthma, painful congested sinuses, frontal lobe headache, colds, sinusitis w/ headache (head damp-cold); mental/physical/sexual fatigue, loss of endurance, chilliness, asthmatic breathing, tight chest, chronic cough, adrenal insufficiency, chronic fatigue, exhaustion, loss of endurance; swollen, painful abdomen, sour regurgitation, nausea, vomiting; infections (respiratory, urinary, genital, incl. flu, sinusitis, bronchitis, prostatitis, pyelitis, nephritis), scabies, lice, injuries, cholecystitis, gallstones, rheumatic & gouty conditions, sinus pain, toothache, backache, excessive foot perspiration (Holmes, 2007).
Harvest & Preservation
As a general rule to obtain the best medicinal effect from pine, the needles are best used fresh, and preparations may be preserved with alcohol (tincturing at 1:3 50% EtOH) or freezing water extractions (for no longer than one season). Other more creative preparations are bountiful and may include lozenges, oxymels, liqueurs, oils, balms, creams etc. Dried needles may be added to salts for seasoning purposes with slight medicinal value.
· Leaves (needles) / bark: can harvest all year round, however the taste, texture and vitamin C content can ebb and flow as well as vary from species to species and bioregional locations. It is generally recommended to gather them from recently fallen branches, otherwise pruning, or picking by hand from the newer growth at the tips of the branches (De La Floret & Han, 2020). Mindfulness of overharvesting from one tree is important and is easily avoided due to commonality of pine plantations/forests in Australia and throughout the world.
· Resin: may be harvested all year round whenever it is available. Utilities to bring with you upon harvest include a dedicated butter knife (or similar tool) and a jar to catch the sticky resin (De La Floret & Han, 2020). Like the needles, it is ideal to harvest from recently fallen branches – never remove resin from wounds on the tree, however if the resin has dripped below the wound, this is fine to gently scrape off and harvest. It is a lot easier to harvest the resin in the cold weather once it has hardened to avoid a sticky mess.
· Cones / seeds: The cones will be forming over summer and ripen in autumn where they open up to expose and drop their seed. To harvest the seeds, gather the cones when they are still closed, or just barely open, and store them in a warm, dry place until they open. Alternatively, you can lay a tarp under the tree, shake the branches and catch the fallen seed. The seeds require deshelling for eating (De La Floret & Han, 2020).
· Pollen: Typically collected towards the end of winter into spring, pine pollen is known for its high levels of vitamins (e.g., C, B1, and B3), minerals, amino acids (e.g., arginine), and particularly pycnogenol and sterols (e.g., phytoandrogens), which contribute to its action on testosterone and nitric oxide (NO) (Stanislavov & Nikolova, 2003). Fresh pollen should be refrigerated to reduce chance of contamination and deterioration, alternatively tinctured for long-term preservation.
Application
Volatile oil: steam distillation of pounded needles ("fir wool") & turpentine VO from trunk/bark - used w/ base oil for massage, liniments & internally (incl. in syrups). Strengthening, invigorating whole body baths can be prepared for exhaustion, while steam inhalations for sinus & bronchial infections w/ congestion (Holmes, 2007).
Capsules: 1 - 2 drops of volatile oil in a gelatine/vegetable capsule topped w/ olive oil (Holmes, 2007).
The inner bark, buds and cones may also be used but are less effective medicinally.
Decoction: 4 - 10g of bark or inner bark to slowly extract the resinous and phenolic compounds (Holmes, 2007) – heating the fresh needles will deteriorate some amount of the vitamin C content, however will enhance pine’s expectorant qualities (De La Floret & Han, 2020).
Long cold infusion: of fresh needles for highest vitamin C content (add good quality honey for added medicinal benefits and taste).
Tincture: 2 - 4mL (1:3 50%EtOH) per day (Holmes, 2007) OR 5 – 10mL/week (1:1 60% EtOH). The resin is best infused/extracted in high-proof alcohol.
Infused oil: Harvest tips and/or resins in early spring, allow to partially dry for 24hrs, then infuse in choice of oil (e.g., olive, avocado, etc.) for 4 – 6months out of direct sunlight. Use in salves (50% resin: 50% beeswax), balms, ointments etc.
Other: syrups, vinegars & baked goods or infused salts are other ways to prepare and consume pine.
Safety
No known cautions or contraindications when used within the recommended guidelines. However, the strong tea and pitch (resin) should not be taken if kidney inflammation is present, as they stimulate the kidneys. Long-term use can potentially irritate the kidneys (Wood, 2009).
Safe wildcrafting means properly identifying a pine from other toxic conifer species (e.g., yew tree or Taxus spp.) – one reliable way to do this is looking at the needle structure (pines will always have rounded needles without berry formations.
References
De La Floret, R., & Han, E. (2020). Wild Remedies. Hay House Australia Pty Ltd.
Durzan, D. J. (2009). Arginine, scurvy and Cartier’s “tree of life.” Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 5, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-5-5
Dziedziński, M., Kobus-Cisowska, J., & Stachowiak, B. (2021). Pinus species as prospective reserves of bioactive compounds with potential use in functional food—current state of knowledge. Plants, 10(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10071306
Holmes, P. (2007). The Energetics of Western Herbs (vol. 1). Snow Lotus Press, Cotati, CA.
Park, Y. S., Jeon, M. H., Hwang, H. J., Park, M. R., Lee, S. H., Kim, S. G., & Kim, M. (2011). Antioxidant activity and analysis of proanthocyanidins from pine (Pinus densiflora) needles. Nutrition Research and Practice, 5(4), 281–287. https://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2011.5.4.281
Stanislavov, R., & Nikolova, V. (2003). Treatment of erectile dysfunction with pycnogenol and L-arginine. Journal of sex & marital therapy, 29(3), 207–213. https://doi.org/10.1080/00926230390155104
Wood, M. (2009). The Earthwise Herbal vol. II. North Atlantic Books: Berkley, USA.
