Respiratory Benefits Of Pine Needle Tea

Pine needles are a great source of vitamin C, which is essential for healthy immune function. They also contain a variety of other nutrients that can benefit your health. However, not all pine trees make good tea and some conifers are toxic. Be sure to check your tree identification guides and consult a local cooperative extension expert before making any pine needle tea.

A Ton Of Positive Effects On The Body

• Pine Needle Tea has a calming effect on your brain, reducing stress, and preventing the release of cortisol, a hormone that keeps your body in a state of fight or flight. Chronically high levels of cortisol are linked to impaired memory, anxiety, and depression.

• The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of pine needles can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidants can slow the aging process and reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and painful arthritis.

• Another benefit of drinking pine needle tea is its ability to increase your metabolism and help you lose weight. In addition, it can rebalance your flora in your digestive tract and lower bad cholesterol, while increasing good cholesterol.

• The liver is responsible for removing toxins from your body, breaking down proteins, making bile and cholesterol, synthesizing Vitamin D, and maintaining blood glucose levels. Not only can pine needle tea help to prevent heart disease and strokes, but it can also help to decrease high blood pressure and increase circulation, which is especially helpful for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes.

• Pine needle tea relieves sore throat, and the tea also has expectorant properties that can ease congestion. It contains vitamin C (up to four times the amount found in a cup of orange juice), as well as vitamin A, which is good for eyesight and immunity.

How To Brew

Historically, Native Americans and sailors drank this tea to prevent sickness and treat coughs and colds. Taoist priests also drank this brew to keep scurvy at bay, and many cultures have been enjoying it for centuries. Ideally, pine needles should be harvested from an eastern white pine tree. Other trees, such as yew (Taxus) and Norfolk Island pine (Araucana heterophylla), are toxic to ingest. To make a cup of pine needle tea, simply brew 2-3g of fresh pine needles in boiled water for 5-10 minutes. The length of time you let the tea steep will determine how strong it is and the flavor of the drink. And in just minutes, you’ll have an aromatic and healthy beverage that will leave your home with the fresh scent of pine trees.

Categorised in: Herbal Teas