Pine Needle Tea – Easy and Good for You

For years I’ve been on a journey of exploration, learning to use all the wild abundance that’s all around us. So much knowledge has been lost about how to use wild plants for food and medicine, which is a shame. Pine needle tea is one of those remedies that everyone should know about, and it’s simple to make.

Our evergreen trees provide healing options when other foraging is limited or unavailable. Pine trees have a long history of medicinal use worldwide, for treating everything from coughs to wounds. I’ll take you through which trees to use, how to make the tea, and benefits and potential side effects.

Which Pine Needles to Use?

Not all needled evergreen trees are safe for making tea. The best choices include:

• Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
• Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
• Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana)
• Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster)
• Stone Pine (Pinus pinea)
• Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi)
• Austrian Pine or Black Pine (Pinus nigra)
• Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis)
• Japanese Red Pine (Pinus densiflora)
• Noble Fir (Abies procera)
• Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
• Spruce (Picea sp.)
• Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)

Eastern white pine is widespread and easy to recognize. The needles grow in clusters of five. The trees are tall and straight, reaching heights of 80 to 150 feet. White pine grows throughout eastern North America, particularly in the Great Lakes region, New England, and the Appalachian Mountains.

Avoid These Trees:

Some evergreen species contain toxic compounds that can be harmful. Avoid using needles from:

• Yew (Taxus spp.) – Highly toxic
• Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) – Can cause digestive distress
• Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) – can cause digestive distress
• Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) – In large amounts, it may cause toxicity
• Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta) – May have adverse effects
• Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) 

How to Make Pine Needle Tea

Young pine needles and buds collected in early spring have the mildest flavor. Vitamin C levels are likely highest between November to March in the northern hemisphere. Older needles may have more vitamin C, but they also have stronger flavor.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of fresh pine needles
• 2 cups of water
• Honey or lemon (optional, for taste)

Instructions

1. Harvest the Pine Needles: Choose pine needles from a safe, non-toxic evergreen variety. Rinse them thoroughly to remove any dirt or contaminants. (Don’t skip this step. They are messier than they look.)
2. Prepare the Needles: Remove any brown ends. Chop the needles into smaller pieces to release more of their beneficial compounds.
3. Heat the Water: Heat the water until almost boiling. Excessive heat can destroy some beneficial compounds.
4. Steep the Needles: Pour the hot water over the pine needles and let them steep for 10-15 minutes. Cover the cup or pot while steeping to preserve essential oils. The color fades some as they steep.
5. Strain and Serve: Strain out the needles and enjoy the tea. Add honey or lemon if desired for additional flavor.

For a stronger tea, use more needles. You can also let the tea steep overnight and strain and drink the next day. Chopping the needles is optional, but helps release the beneficial compounds. The tea tastes much like the trees smell – piney, with a hint of coolness on the tongue.

Don’t boil the needles, as excess heat breaks down vitamin C. It also releases terpenes that make the tea bitter. You can brew large batches of the tea to add to bath water for soothing skin irritations.

To use as an inhalant, gently simmer the needles in water until you smell pine. Pour the warm water into a basin. Cover your head with a towel so it tents over the basin, and inhale the steam for 10-15 minutes.

When drying needles for later use, freeze drying retains more nutrients than hot air drying.

Health Benefits of Pine Needle Tea

Pine needle tea is packed with beneficial compounds, including vitamins, antioxidants, and essential oils. Some of the key health benefits include:

• Rich in Vitamin C: Vitamin C boosts the immune system, promotes skin health, and supports overall wellness. Pine species are high in vitamin C and other nutrients.
• Antioxidant Properties: The tea contains antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation, as well as antitumor compounds.
• Respiratory Support: Pine needle tea helps clear mucus and acts as a decongestant.
• Improves Circulation: The natural compounds in pine needles can promote healthy blood circulation and cardiovascular function.
• Mental Clarity and Relaxation: The mild stimulant effect of pine tea can help enhance mental clarity and reduce stress.

Possible Side Effects and Precautions

While pine needle tea is generally safe, some individuals should exercise caution:

• Pregnant Women: Some pine species have been associated with miscarriages and should be avoided during pregnancy.
• Allergic Reactions: Those with plant allergies may experience irritation or allergic reactions. Always start with a small amount when trying new plants. For instance, try a half cup of tea the first time you drink it.
• Excessive Consumption: Drinking too much may lead to digestive discomfort or nausea.
• Toxic Species: Be absolutely sure of the pine species before consuming the tea to avoid toxicity.

Free Food and Medicine

Pine needle tea is just one way to use the healing power of conifers. The sap and bark are also medicinal. (Evergreens make good windbreak trees, too.)

You can also try:

Pine Cone Jam – excellent for cough and sore throats

Pinecone Soda – light and refreshing naturally fermented soda

If you want to explore more, the book “Trees and Shrubs That Heal” is an interesting read. It introduced me to medicinal uses of trees and shrubs we planted for food. (And more trees and shrubs that I now want to add to our land.) I love learning how to use our local resources wisely, instead of being dependent on remedies from far away.

This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie is a lifelong learner with a passion for natural remedies and holistic healing. She’s successfully improved her eyesight, cleared her psoriasis, and gotten off of prescription medication.