Pine

Family

Pinaceae

Chinese Medicine Name

Song Hua Fen

Ayurvedic Name

Chir pine (Sarala) 

Parts Used

Leaves (needles), inner bark, resin (sap), pollen

Actions 

Analgesic, anti-cholesterolaemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, expectorant, alterative, diuretic, male tonic, nutritive, respiratory tonic, and antitumor properties

Energetics

Stimulating, warming, astringent

Edible Uses

The inner bark of pine is considered edible as well as pine needles, however, the leaves tend to be a bit harder to digest as they mature. Spring needles have known to be 'candied' with syrup. The inner bark can be ground up and used as flour. Survivalists consider the pinecones edible, as well as the pine nuts, although they can be difficult to harvest because of their small size. Pine pollen is also considered edible and often eaten by natives as a powdered addition to other foods.

Native To

Northern hemisphere temperate regions 

Geographic Distribution

Temperate forests worldwide

Botanical Description & Identification 

The pine tree is an evergreen tree as well as a conifer. As an evergreen it keeps most of its needles throughout the year, losing only its older parts in the fall with other tree species. As a conifer it contains cones which encase the seeds (pignoli nuts) of the plant as well as cones which receive the pollen in the spring/summer.  There are about 115 variations of the pine tree, some classified as 'soft woods', and other 'hard woods'. Depending on their wood classification their needles will come in bunches of 5 or more (soft woods), or 1-3 (hard woods). The younger and older trees are slightly different in appearance outside of their obvious size. Younger trees will have more conical, horizontal branches, while the older trees will have 'round, flat, or spreading crowns' (Britannica, 2024). The shoots of these trees will last anywhere from 2-17 years. The male cones of the pine tree contain scales with two pollen filled sacs which releases when it is time for fertilization. The pine tree also contains spiral-shaped female cones with ovules that open in time to receive the pollen and close after it has been collected. Pine tree varieties come in several shapes and sizes and grow to equally varying heights which can range anywhere from 10-260 feet, with most growing on average between 50-150 feet tall. 

Key Constituents

A-terpenol, linalool, caryophyllene, eugenol 

Sustainability Issues

None known.

Harvesting Guidelines

Pine Pollen releases during the early spring or early summer, depending on the region. When the pollen is released it is easy to spot because it will be seemingly everywhere near the trees. To collect the pollen it is best to place a bag over the catkins (the male cones) before the pollen is released gently shake it for collection. Pine needles can be collected at any time of the year however it is typically preferred to collect the younger needles as they have more medicinal concentrations of terpene, contain higher levels of vitamin C, and they also less bitter in taste. Pine bark can be harvested all year depending upon personal preference though it may be easier during the spring and summer due to freezing. It is best to use the inner bark of the tree from a smaller branch (rather than the main trunk) as it is easier to work with and will also ensure that the tree continues to thrive and survive. The resin of the tree can also be collected throughout the year although the winter is ideal as the sap will come out in chunks and may be easier to collect over its runny, more liquified, version.