Winter Herbs: The Mighty Pine

I'm hanging on my last leg with technology, but our health doesn't have to. If you're fighting a cold or the winter sniffles and snots, pine is a great winter herb for you then!

There are plenty of pine trees on the trails at The Nook that I like to run or hike the ridge to gather their needles to make pine needle tea when I feel my body starting to fight an illness.

Some gorgeous pines at graveyard by where we're staying at right now.

Now although the constituents of the pine (Pinus sylvestrus) are more prevelant in the plant around the warmer seasons, it can still be used in the winter. Just remember: the more green the needles, the better the tea.

Instead of tea, you can add just a few drops of Pinus sylvestrus essential oil to 8 oz of water and drink it that way. The pine essential oil virtually leaves no taste and may be easier to handle than the tea itself.

Pine has been proven to help fight viruses active within the body. You can add drops of the essential oil in a steam bath to help fight off respiratory illnesses, or to a footbath to help kill off any fungal or bacterial infections.

It is also full of vitamin C, so its great for winter illnesses and depression. So while it's helping your body fight viruses and providing some good ol' vitamin C, it's helping build your immune system.

When I first met my husband, it was to give him his order of lavender essential oil and loose horehound herb. He surprised me with pine, but not in the form of tea! Though he does drink the tea, he makes the needles into coasters! Talk about ecco houseware.

So while pine is pretty great to use, it should be advised that if you are pregnant or nursing you consult with a medical physician prior to use and be aware of any allergies you might have.

​I wish I could get you some pictures of the pines on the trails behind The Nook, however its been a while since we've been able to return to The Nook. Thanks to some friends though we'll be adding some insulation to The Nook soon and our goal is to finally move in before summer.

Back to The Nook...

​Back to discovering all the herbs I left behind, waiting for me on the trails...