former fall and winter can be a tough clock time for foragers in the majority of North America . After the fallmushroomsare gone , there is n’t a whole lot pull up stakes in the realm of wild food . The one matter that most of us have , no matter where we live , is pine or other conifer needles . They are something we see near every day , but did you know that they are eatable and medicinal ? forage for pine phonograph needle is one of those thing that you may do in the winter time to plug into you to nature and the wonderful living earth around you .
Want to save this post for later?
We ’ll transport it to your inbox , plus get update from us every week !
I hold to be sent email .
Wildcrafting Weeds
If you want to con more about the comestible and medicinal weeds that surround us and how to use them , check over out my eBook : Wildcrafting Weeds : 20 Easy to Forage Edible and Medicinal Plants ( that might be uprise in your backyard ) !
Foraging for Pine Needles
One of the best flora you’re able to utilise in late fall and winter are trees , specifically coniferous tree . Conifers are evergreen , meaning that they do n’t misplace their needle like leaf in wintertime .
The conifer division is called Pinophyta , which has eight families includingPinaceaeandCupressaceae .
These two fellowship contain the majority of what we think of as “ pine trees ” in the United States , including fir tree , spruces , hemlocks , cedarwood , pine , Retama raetam , and sequoia .
There are many different species of conifers that are edible and medicative , but pleaseconsult a scout bookto check that you are forage for the correct tree as there are a few that are toxic , most notably those in theYew family .
I also have a consummate guide onhow to identify different conifer trees .
Here are a few of the common conifer Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to scrounge on the west coast of North America .
Douglas Fir
This is the quintessential Oregon tree , and the variety that we always had as a Christmas tree growing up . smell a Doug Fir always puts me in the holiday feel !
The Douglas Fir(Pseudotsuga menziesii)is in thePinaceaefamily , and is in reality not a Fir at all .
It was a unmanageable tree diagram to classify , and so it was ultimately invest in it ’s own genus , Pseudotsuga , which means “ false Nebraska fern . ”
The backsheesh of Doug Fir branches are the Modern growth and are usually a lighter people of color of William Green . They are tender and edible , and can be made into a tea that is rich in vitamin C.
An extract of the needles may also be beneficial as a healing wash for arthritis . Or you could always make these awesome soundingDouglas Fir shortbread cookies !
Ponderosa Pine
The Ponderosa Pine(Pinus ponderosa)is also in thePinaceaefamily .
There has been some concern that Ponderosa pine is toxic and can cause abortion when used internally , but that could also a myth ( read : Foraging Myth wear out by Eat the locoweed ) .
Regardless , I would probably guide vindicated of using ponderosa true pine internally if you are pregnant .
But for everyone else , ingest ponderosa pine in small amounts should n’t be a problem . Indigenous Americans have been doing it for thousand of years !
Pines have long needles that are bundle in different turn depending on the species , which helps with identification .
Ponderosa normally has three needles per caboodle , sometimes two .
Pine tree species , such as Ponderosa , Lodgepole , Jeffery , Western and Eastern White , and Sugar Pine , have all long been used medicinally .
Pine acerate leaf are by and large used in a teatime that can be used internally for respiratory ailment , or outwardly for a multitude of skin term .
They are also high in vitamin C and A , as well as many minerals and antioxidents .
Use foraged pine needle to makepine acerate leaf cough syrupduring the fall and winter !
Blue Spruce
Can I tell you how much I love Spruce trees ? Especially the grim Spruce(Picea pungens , also inPinaceae ) , with its beautiful silver blue - green colour and sharp , barbellate needles .
You know it ’s a spruce tree if it hurts when you grab them !
Spruce trees are another usual Christmas tree , a gorgeous one at that .
They are actually native to the Rocky Mountains , but have been introduced well beyond their aboriginal range and are common in Mungo Park and public areas in much of the commonwealth .
An extract of spruce needles build a lemony tasting beverage that is used to treat colds and settle disordered stomach , and is also very mellow in vitamin C.
Pregnant women should avoid drink spruce Camellia sinensis .
you’re able to also use spruce tips in the spring time to make a deliciousspruce beer !
Coastal Redwood
The Coastal Redwood(Sequoia sempervirens)is the only one I will be spill the beans about today that is in theCupressaceaefamily .
These huge and foresightful lived trees grow along the Northern California and Southern Oregon coast . We are lucky enough to have them uprise topically !
To me the leaves and needle have a bit of a prehistoric flavour about them .
They are long and flat , green on the the top and silvery white underneath . The end of each foliage has a small bud that will eventually sour into a cone .
sequoia needles have similar properties as the others I have list : gamey in vitamin C and good as a tea for colds and grippe . It is also antimicrobial and and stimulates circulation .
Beyond that , it finger as though you are drinking a piece of history !
Here ’s my formula forConifer Needle Shortbread Cookieswhere I use redwood needles . It ’s a favorite for the holiday time of year !
Get more winter health recipe for teas , infusion , syrups , honey ferments , oxymels , and gummies in my ebookHerbal Immune Support : Homemade Recipes for Wellness !
Uses for Conifer Needles
There are many edible and medicinal the States for foraged pine tree and other conifer needles !
For a concluded guide , see my post on30 + Conifer Needle Recipes .
Pine Needle Tea
As you may have pile up , the most common way to utilize these conifer needle medicinally is to make a “ pine phonograph needle tea ” out of them .
First you will want to rifle or trim the needle off the branch , and if they are really long ( like many pines are ) , cut them in to diminished firearm .
append a spoonful of needle to a mug , pour boiling pee over them , and let steep . This will smell like a quick mug of the holiday season !
Sip on the wonderful piney taste and get a good dose of resistant boosting vitamin C. This tea was traditionally consumed throughout the winter to keep scurvy away .
Find more details on how to make pine acerate leaf tea here : Conifer Needle Tea with Pine , Fir , or Spruce
More Pine Needle Recipes
Here are some great ways to use your forage pine and other conifer needle !
There are many other great ways to utilise pine needles in this collection of30 + pine needle recipes .
Most of these tree diagram are very easy to determine and describe ( use a pathfinder book , like theseWestern RegionandEastern RegionField Guides to North American Trees ) , and are quite far-flung .
I actually found three of them right in my yard , and the other one ( Blue Spruce ) not far down the route .
You may even be able to make a tea from your own Christmas tree , as long as you have a real tree that is . Just be sure that it was n’t sprayed with chemicals first .
For more about forage in winter , delay out my post about it here :
Hope you have a felicitous tumble and winter season , and booze lots ofpine needle tea !
Join My Free Foraging & Herbalism Email Course!
Δ
