Edible Evergreens
Most Evergreen trees are edible, but for safety and simplicity, stick to the Pine, Fir and Spruce family.
It was discovered back in the days of scurvy that these trees are extremely high in Vitamin C, as well as vitamin A, quercetin, flavonoids, anthocyanins and volitile oils that are beneficial for respiratory conditions,coughs, colds and flus as well as being anti inflamatory.
Pine Power
The pine has been revered and used all over the world. It was used as a traditional remedy by the Native American Indians, and there is a Taoist practice of surviving only on pine needles to gain supernatural powers that has its roots in the pine tree’s symbolism of integrity and honour. The Scandinavians used pine branches in saunas, and many cultures stuffed mattresses with pine needles to repel lice, fleas, and other insects. In fact, pine-needle mattresses are still used today in the Swiss Alps, as a remedy for rheumatism.
A cup of pine needle tea may supply five times as much vitamin C as in a lemon.
Studies in both China and Russia have also found it to be Anti-Fungal, Anti-Bacterial & Anti-Viral, AntiOxidant & Anti-Aging, Helpful for Weight, Cholesterol & High blood pressure, Relieves Sore, Aching Muscles, Stimulating to the Liver, Astringent for the Bladder, Relaxing to the Mind and Stress Relieving, AND Helpful in Restoring Overall Balance to The Body!
Identification
Pine trees usually have quite long needles, sometimes up to 8 inches.
Spruce and fir have much shorter needles, with the fir being more sparse.
Pine Needle Tea
- ½ cup of pine needles
(or other needles from fir or spruce trees)
Crush the needles slightly & add to a pot of boiling water (3-4 cups). Simmer for 15-20 mins. I love making a lunar infusion when I go backpacking:
You can add a spoon of honey or other liquid sweetener (maple syrup, agave, etc), as well as herbs such as rosemary or green tea, to this wonderfully aromatic brew.
Left over tea can be added to a bath, poured over the stones in a sauna, or used as a rinse for the hair to combat dandruff!
Douglas Fir Green Smoothie Recipe
- 10 Tips of Douglas Fir
(gather the fresh young tips in spring)
- 2 cups of spinach or your favourite green
- 2 bananas
- 2 cups of water
Simply blend and Enjoy!
Swap recipes around with different young green tips of either Spruce or Pine. Use some foraged Wild Edibles instead of Spinach, and add in some berries to boost the Vitamin C content for Winter Wellness. For example, add in freshly foraged rosehips!
The fresh green spring tips are also great to add to salads. You can also run a few needles through your juicer to add extra oompf to your juices.
Alternatively, take 10-15 fresh pine needles and chew them thoroughly. Swallow the juice, but spit what is left of the needles!
Pine Needle Vinegar or Oil
- 500ml Glass Jar
- 500ml of either Cyder Vinegar or Organic Cold Pressed Oil
- Several handfuls of Pine Needles
Make sure the jar is very clean and dry. Slightly crush the pine needles with a rolling pin and pack them into the jar. Pour on as much vinegar or oil to fill and cover the jar. Allow to infuse for up to 6 weeks. Strain and use or if you wanted a stronger infusion, or pack in more fresh crushed needles. For a more balsamic tasting vinegar, add a tablespoon of coconut sugar.
Both are wonderful aditions to salad dressings. The vinegar is also great to take in a cup of warm lemon and honey to ward of colds and flus, while the oil is great to massage tired aching limbs.
Pine is also reputed to relieve skin conditions, such as psoriasis. You can use the oil or make an ointment to rub on irritated skin or fungal infections.
Spruce Butter
Melt a pound of coconut oil gently over a bain marie, then add ¼ cup of young fresh spruce tips.
Allow to infuse for a couple of hours or overnight. Melt the oil again and strain out the needles.
Use as a flavoursome butter or to add an interesting twist to your recipes. Good as a tonic for the hair and skin as well!
Pine Needle Sugar or Honey
Place crushed pine needles into a jar of honey or coconut sugar and leave for several weeks or months.
Use in teas, desserts or other creative concoctions.
Pine Bouquet Garnish
Make a little bunch out of sprigs of pine, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves and tie together with a little hemp or organic cotton string.
Drop it into the pot if you’re making a stew, soup or grain based cooked dish and allow the flavours to permeate the dish before removing.
Preserving your Needles
To freeze, just snip the needles into smaller pieces and place in a zip lock bag in the freezer until ready to use.
You can also dehydrate them, or dry out over a stove or in an airing cupboard.
When dry, you can store in a jar, or more interestingly you can process them to a powder in your blender and use to add an aromatic flavor to various recipes.
