Rooted with Holly

The new season is a great reason to try new things, to learn new things, to forage for new things. Eastern White Pine (Pinus Strobus) has amazing and beneficial properties for you! Pine Needle tea supports health and alleviating cold symptoms. It has a citrusy pine taste. It smells amazing. It is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, decongestant and expectorant. It has antioxidants and is rich in vitamin C. It was once used to help treat scurvy. I started drinking Pine Needle tea about 12-14 years ago. I had a Eastern White Pine tree in the yard and I did research on it. I found that indigenous people used to drink it throughout history. Pinus strobus belongs to the Pinaceae (Pine) family. It is known as the Tree of Peace among indigenous people. Eastern White Pines have had many popular uses. The inner bark was historically used for flour for baking. The inner bark, needles and sap have been used for their medicinal properties from skin issues, to coughs to colds and flus. You can make a range of poultices, salves, and teas. Eastern White Pine was a staple in Michigan's timber history. They have been used to build many homes and businesses. In colonial days, the best of the trees were set apart by the king for masts on British ships. White pines are fast growing. And it is Michigan's state tree. For my Michiganders you definitely should be able to identify an Eastern White Pine. The needles are long, and are usually in bundles. A bundle of them is a fascicle. Every fascicle should have 5 needles.