Our Beautiful Evergreen Scots Pine
Pinus Sylvestris or Scots Pine is perhaps our most familiar pine tree. Its evergreen needles give us winter cheer visually but can also be made into a traditional and long-cherished Winter and Spring tea. Its uses are widespread, it will ease coughs, colds, help sluggish circulation (heart), reinforce immunity and provide adrenal support.
There are many recipes from syrups onwards, but the quickest is to make a tea.
To retain its innate Vit C, the trick is not to boil the chopped needles. Use 2 tablespoons freshly chopped needles.
500mls preboiled water, add needles at the simmering level. Leave for 15 mins and drink immediately for high Vit C levels.
CAUTION.Do be sure you only use this species of pine, some others can be toxic.
The joy of Pines is that they photosynthesize year-round, keeping their biochemistry pretty active. Their needles posses antioxidant-rich flavonoids, and are highly antimicrobial, partly due to their essential oils. Equally, their Vit C content is significant and if made into the tea above correctly and drunk quickly, will provide good amounts, just like early US settlers discovered when they had Scurvy.
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