Pines and other evergreen trees have long been symbols of eternal life. During the cold winter months, when all other plant life is still, Pine shines green.
As such, it has long had a holy place in cultures around the world.
In Noord -America under the Rio Grande Pueblos in the early winter were taken out of the forest and brought in the dance area, one placed in each of the four directions. The Pine Tree Dance was then celebrated as an offer of Thanksgiving and prayers for the winter. After the ceremony was completed, the trees were returned to the forest or insisted on a river.
During the winter solstice, the Arikara would bring a pine tree, mostly pines or cedar, to the middle of their village. Gifts were offered to De Boomgeest. It was decorated with paint and feathers and moved to stand on a holy stone pillar where it would stay until spring.
Similarly, in the Celtic tradition in Europe, sparring and spar represent eternal life. During the winter solstice, gifts of fruit, cloth and other offers were placed on and on the trees. During this dark time of the year, people would ask for blessings of renewing life, fertility and abundance while offering the offer. Christianity later adopted this tradition, which has evolved into our current tradition of the Christmas tree.
Pine is also incredibly useful. In addition to the clear use of its beautiful wood, the resin of some species is a valuable source of turpentine.
It is also food and medicines. Pine is one of the highest sources of vitamin C and was used historically to treat scurvy (Hatfield, 2004). It was also traditionally used to relieve cough and other symptoms related to seasonal challenges and external to skin conditions and to accelerate the healing of wounds.
Research has focused on the role of Pine as a support herb to alleviate swelling and his antioxidant properties (Tunon et al., 1995; Kronen et al., 2004; Rauha et al., 2000). Traditionally, a tea of syrup was made of the needles, although nowadays extracts are also made of pine bark.
All approximately 115 species of pines produce edible seeds or “nuts”, although only about 20 types of seeds produce large enough to be worth the effort. Nordly bound are an excellent source of proteins and high in magnesium, potassium, iron and vitamin K. The trick is there before the squirrels do. Harvest the unopened cones and save in a paper bag until they release their seeds.
Pine -sturdy
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of water
- 1 cup of pines (you can also use sparring) needles
- 2 cups of sugar or honey (if you use honey, start with 1 cup)
- ¼ to ½ cup of brandy
- 1 tablespoon of elderberries (optional)
Route description:
- Place the water in a stainless steel saucepan.
- Add the needles (minced), cover, lower the heat and simmer for thirty minutes.
- Add the elderberries if desired.
- Let stand for two to three hours.
- Sieve and return to heat and let it simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. Remove from the fire.
- Measure the liquid. You should have about 2 cups. Add an equal amount of sugar and stir until dissolved. If you use honey, it’s sweeter, so you want to use less. Start with half the amount of liquid (about 1 cup) and then add slowly until you reach the desired taste and consistency.
- Once cool, add Brandy.
- Bottle and store in the fridge.
Take a tablespoon if necessary for cough or become creative and use in winter desserts.
References
- Hatfield, G (2004) Encyclopedia or folk medicine: old world and new world traditions. ABC Clio Publishing: Oxford.
- Karonen M, Hamalainen M, Nieminen R, Klika KD, Loponen J, Ovarenko VV, Moilans E, Pihlaja K (2004) Fenolic extractives for the bark of the bark of Pinus Sylvestris and their effects on inflammatory mediators nitrogen oxide and prostaglandin E2” Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry52 (25), 7532-7540.
- Rauha JP, Remes S, Heinonen M, Hopia A, Kahkonen M, Kujala T, Pihlaja K, Vuorela H, Vuorela P (2000) Effects of Finnish plant extracts with flavonoids and other phenolic connections, International Journal of Food Microbiology56 (1), 3-12.
- Tunon H, Olavsdotter C, Bohlin L (1995) Evaluation of activity in some Swedish medicinal plants: inhibition of prostaglandin-biosynthesis and exocytosis induced by PAF, Journal of Ethnopharmacology48 (2), 61-76.
Erin Smith has been working with plants for 25 years and is a medical herbalist and ethnobotanist. She is the maker of Plant Passionate Living, an interactive program designed to help people find more health and vitality through a deeper relationship with plants. Erin is the founder and director of the Center for Integrative Botanical Studies.
Only for educational purposes. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease or to sell a product.
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