Take a long deep breath and let go...
Imagine walking into a quiet forest where you are safe, sheltered by ancient pine trees. Sunlight streams through their needle-covered branches and the air is filled with their earthy, resinous scent. You breathe them in and offer breath in return. Now, if you have a moment, close your eyes and picture it all over again. How do you feel?
With a spiraling growth of branches, needles, and cone scales, pine offers year-round medicine that can clear our lungs, strengthen our immunity, relieve our stress, and cleanse our environment. An evergreen, pine has the ability to transform the energy of the sun year-round and invites us into the present moment through our exchange of breath.
Pine trees have a long and rich history, with their symbolism and medicinal properties deeply embedded in cultures around the world. In the Celtic “tree alphabet” known as Ogham, alim is pine or conifer and is associated with contemplation, finding one’s purpose, and finding home. To Haudenosaunee First Nations, white pine is the Great Tree of Peace, representing harmony and unity.
By keeping their leaves through the winter, pine forests are an oasis for wildlife, providing food and shelter for animals that face increased scarcity in cold, harsh weather. Owls, squirrels, and other animals find shelter in their sturdy trunks and branches, while deer and bears browse on their bark. Pine pollen, carried by the wind, helps fertilize other plants toward the continued health of forests for generations to come.
Beyond their symbolic and ecological significance, pine trees offer a wealth of physical benefits. Their needle-like leaves release volatile organic compounds called phytoncides, which have been shown to boost our immune systems and reduce stress levels. One study found that inhaling phytoncides from forests significantly decreases blood pressure, heart rate, and salivary cortisol levels; markers of stress and anxiety. This is attributed to the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and a "rest and digest" response.1 Further research by Seo et al. (2014) using electroencephalography found that alpha waves, associated with calmness and meditation, increased in the brains of subjects exposed to pine scent, suggesting enhanced relaxation and stress reduction.2
I like to collect branches and needles of White Pine (Pinus strobus) from the forest floor after strong winds or a storm. A tincture or fresh tea from young green pine needles is extremely high in vitamin C, perfect for fighting the common cold or to boost our immune systems in winter. The needles and twigs can be used for a revitalizing, clearing steam for congestion or a warming circulatory-stimulant bath for a winter chill or general aches and pains.
Every species of Pinus contains edible seeds that we call pine nuts. Harvested from cones, they can be used as a wildcrafted ingredient in pesto, but the seeds of most species are small and take time and patience to shell. Red squirrels love them and are skilled at shelling, and as they feast on them, they help spread the seeds. Their nickname, “pine squirrels,” reflects their strong symbiotic relationship and devotion to these evergreens.
In environments where fires are frequent, some pine species have evolved thick, hard, serotinous cones that are glued shut with a strong resin. They hang on a pine tree for years, long after the enclosed seeds mature. Only when a fire sweeps through and melts the resin do these heat-dependent cones open up, releasing seeds in huge numbers that are then distributed by wind and wildlife to repopulate desolate ground. While these seeds have adapted to fire to break their dormancy, unnaturally severe fires are destroying forests, even those where controlled fire existed historically.
Pine trees are thought to have evolved from now-extinct ancient evergreens about 95 million years ago. They were on this planet long before we were and there is much we can learn by spending time with these elders that can live for thousands of years. Estimated to be 5,067 years old, a Great Basin bristlecone pine in California's White Mountains is the oldest living tree on Earth.
Symbols of strength, wisdom, and interconnectedness, pine trees offer us a wealth of benefits, from their medicinal properties to their role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Planting new trees, supporting sustainable forestry practices, and preserving existing forests are all important actions we can take to ensure the survival of forest ecosystems, and this generous ancient relative.
White Pine Elixir:
Designed to clear the lungs, boost immunity, and soothe your animal body, the recipe below is a potent blend of fresh pine needles, warming spices, and citrusy honey. If you drink whiskey and like a hot toddy, this is crazy good as a base.
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