The Peace of Pines
Walking through an pine forest evokes a sense of deep peace and wonderment. Pine Pinus. spp., including P. sylvestris (Scotch pine), P. tabuliformis, P. strobus (white pine) P. pinaster, P. pinea, P. nigra, P. contorta (lodgepole pine) are all members of the Pinaceae (Pine Family). Spruce and fir are also in the Pinaceae Family and have many of the same uses, but here are few tips for distinguishing each one.
On pine trees, the needles soft and attached to the branches in clusters of two (red pine), three (yellow pine), or five (white pine) needles per cluster. Spruce and fir trees have their needles attached individually to the branches. To tell spruce and fir trees apart, spruce needles are sharply pointed, square and easy to roll between your fingers. Fir needles, on the other hand, are softer, flat and cannot be rolled between your fingers. Spruce needles tend to be shorter than pines: often about one inch long are very stiff and grow out of the branch on a small woody peg. Cones of the fir trees stand straight up, leaking resin, then dropping their scales at maturity, disintegrating until only the core is left on the branch.
Spruce needles are attached to small, stalk-like woody projections. When needles are shed, these projections remain.
Spruce scales are paper thin and their cones are flexible hanging down on the branch, pointing groundward. Cones of the fir trees stand straight up and exude a resin. Furthermore, fir tree cones drop their scales at maturity, literally disintegrating until only the core is left on the branch. Pine scales are noticeably thick, rigid and tough. Spruce bark typically feels rough when you run your hand across it, with a thin and scaly look that grows more furrowed as the tree ages. Pine bark in general is smooth when the tree is young but with age often develops a reddish-brown color and starts to flake.
The needles of the spruce grow from the ends of short pegs on which they are mounted, according to the “National Geographic Field Guide to the Trees of North America,” by Keith Rushforth and Charles Hollis. After the needles fall off, spruce branches remain rough to the touch. The needles on fir trees are attached directly to the twigs and when the needles fall, the twigs are smooth.
The word Pine is derived from the Latin pinea, the name for the nuts from the Pine. In Greek mythology, Pitys, was a nymph pursued by Pan, who escaped his embraces by becoming a pine tree.
Parts used of Pine are the knots in the wood, inner bark, needles, young buds, and pitch. Medicinal properties of pine include being analgesic, anti-catarrhal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, rubefaciant, stimulant, and tonic.
In the form of a tea, tincture, capsules, syrup, lozenges pine is used to improve circulation, clears phlegm and helps transport oxygen throughout the body. Pine is used as an herb tea in the treatment of acne, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, croup, emphysema, fever, laryngitis, rheumatoid arthritis, pneumonia, scurvy, sinusitis, tonsillitis, and tuberculosis.
Topically, pine can be used as a compress to treat bronchitis, nephritis, pneumonia, rheumatism, sciatica, and wounds.
As a bath herb (which can be as simple as scrunching some fresh pine needles into a clean lost sock and tying the sock closed) can be used to treat arthritic pain, athlete’s foot, fatigue, flu, insomnia, flu, muscle soreness, and nervous debility. Pine can be applied as a poultice to tumors, injuries, and joint pain. It also can be prepared as a steam inhalation to relieve respiratory congestion. The sap is often included in ointments and soaps to treat eczema and psoriasis; it also can be used as a poultice to draw out splinters and to bring boils to a head. The branches are hung over a sick bed to deter illness. The needles can be made into baskets and are dried and burned as an incense to purify an area. Pine in a mattress decreases pest problems like fleas and lice. Some people in the Alps sleep on pine needle mattresses to decrease arthritis. Pine cones make good tinder for starting a fire. In Orthodox Jewish funeral, pine boughs placed on coffin. Pine coffins . Lodgepole Pine used for teepee poles.
Pine oil, known as turpentine, is extracted by steam distillation, often from the wood chips and sawdust. Superior quality yielding pine essential oils will be from the needles, twigs and young. Trees from more northern climates are said to be the finest. Pine has a fresh, woodsy scent considered of middle notes with high notes of camphor and woodsy undertones. The essential oil is said to normalize male and female hormones.
Pine essential oil is included in aftershaves and can evoke memories of woodsy walks. Used in hair products pine improves oily scalp and dandruff. As an inhalation, massage or bath oil pine oil is excellent for sore joints and muscles. Pine makes an excellent room freshener or room spray during convalescence, to reduce anxiety and calm mental stress. Pine essential oil is used in diffusers to improve respiratory health. Pine increases psychic awareness, and is associated with the pineal gland which resembles a pinecone) as well as insight. Pine helps one learn from past mistakes. Its association with green, makes pine also a good choice when focused on finance and prosperity.
Pine is a Bach flower remedy for those filled with guilt and self-blame and for those who are never satisfied with their success. It helps bring about true understanding, forgiveness and releases over responsibility.
Pine needles contain borneol, monoterpene hydrocarbons camphene, limonene, phellandrene, pinene, and sylvestrene. Aldehyde also contributes to pine’s scent.
In Chinese tradition pine trees are planted at gravesites to bring positive chi to the area and represents immortality. In Orthodox Jewish tradition, pine boughs are placed on coffins to signify immortality The Iroquois believe the pine tree to symbolize a balanced life, as its shape resembles praying hands reaching for the sky. Small pines are often decorated as Christmas trees, a practice that is thought to have originated in Germany in the 700s.
According to traditional folklore pine increases fertility and is regarded as a symbol or serenity.
Flavor: bitter, pungent
Temperature: warm
Moisture: dry
Polarity: yang
Planet: Mars/Pluto
Element: air/earth
Pine is also a useful material. Pine wood is a common building material and used in carpentry and construction for boats and furniture. Much pine is used in paint thinners, and varnishes. Pinecones make good tinder for starting a fire. Pine needles can be made into baskets. The needles yield a tan or green dye. The pitch is applied to make things waterproof. Lodge pole pine is ideal for teepee poles.
Some may experience contact dermatitis if in contact with pinewood, resins or sawdust of some species. Pine can increase blood pressure, so is not the best choice for those that have this concern. The needles are high in terpenes and can inhibit the germination of other plants that grow where its needles fall. Dwarf pine (P. pumillo, P. migo) is considered hazardous.
Pine thrives in a range of temperatures, rainfall, and soil conditions, often growing on dry mountain slopes, in poor soils and often face north. Pine has low water requirements, yet are evergreen. The needles have sharp points. The flowers are either male or female and appear as red and yellow clusters. There are about ninety species of pine. Some of the trees can live as long as 1,200 years.
Topical applications: Compress for bronchitis, rheumatism, pneumonia, nephritis and sciatica. Bath for sore muscles, arthritic limbs, insomnia and nervous debility. Compress for wounds. Inhalant for respiratory congestion. Sap used in ointments for eczema and psoriasis also used as a poultice to draw out splinters and to bring boils to a head Culinary applications: Pine nuts, though are a delicacy. Inner bark is edible in emergency situations. Pine needles can be chewed then spit out to extract vitamin C and simple sugars.
Important constituents: lingan, coniferin, triterpenes, pinipricin, tannins, resin
Comments: Pines, being an evergreen are a symbol of eternal life. As Christmas tree thought to have originated in early 700's in Germany. offerings were once left to tree. Tannenbaum translated as Christmas tree, Tannen referred Gaelic "tinne" or holy. Was once prohibited until QuennVictora in 1841 decorated a fir tree at Windsor castle. Pinecones are stiff and woody. In 1534, when the French explorer, Jacques Cartier landed in the Saint Lawrence, many of his crew had died of scurvy. It was the local Indians that saved the survivors with a tea made from pine needles, which contains vitamin C. The Iroquois believed the pine trees to symbolize a balanced life as their shape reminds one of praying hands reaching for the sky. Chinese plant pines at grave sites to infuse life force and deter decay. Scotch Pine used in reforestation as it matures rapidly, endures extreme temperatures, rainfall and soil conditions. Ponderosa pine smells like vanilla and has reddish plates that flake off in the shape of animals (dogs, owls, skunks, etc.).
Needles in bunches of two or more with a papery sheath around the base.
Pine is a Bach flower remedy for those filled with guilt and self blame. For those never satisfied with their success. Essential oil said to normalize male hormones. Needle infusion was used as contraceptive.