Content
Pine buds are a valuable natural raw material from a medical point of view. To get the most out of your buds, you need to know what they look like, when they are suitable for harvesting, and what properties they have.
Appearance of pine and spruce shoots
In early spring, in a coniferous pine forest, you can smell a pleasant resinous smell. It is emitted by pine buds - in late February and early March they appear on the branches of a coniferous tree. It is during this period that they contain the maximum amount of medicinal resin.
In appearance, the buds of pine and spruce differ from ordinary buds of deciduous trees. In the absence of experience, they can easily be confused with the rudiments of young branches. Coniferous buds look like short shoots no longer than 2-3 cm, tightly surrounding the so-called crown - the part of the bud covered with dry resinous scales. The color of pine and spruce buds is pinkish-brown, and at the break they are brown-green.
For medicinal purposes, very young coniferous shoots that have not yet begun to open are used.As the kidneys mature, the amount of valuable substances in them begins to decrease, and accordingly, the benefits of the raw materials become less.
Medicinal properties of pine buds
The beneficial properties of pine buds are very extensive, since the chemical composition of the raw material contains many vitamins and other valuable substances. Pine buds contain:
- vitamins B and A;
- tocopherols and ascorbic acid;
- vikasol;
- resins and essential oils;
- pinene, limonene, cadinene, borneol;
- tannins;
- bitter substance, or pinicicrin;
- phytoncides and starch;
- oleic acid.
Due to their rich composition, pine shoots have a pronounced beneficial effect on human health.
- The kidneys have a strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Pine raw materials lower the temperature and promote expectoration, soothe inflammatory processes in the throat and respiratory tract, eliminate viruses and germs.
- Pine buds are a good choleretic and diuretic. Drinks based on them not only remove excess fluids from the body, but also stimulate contractions of the smooth muscles of the biliary tract, which contributes to increased secretion of bile.
- The beneficial properties of pine buds include their ability to stop bleeding. The high content of tannins in the shoots contributes to blood thickening and the formation of blood clots; in some situations this can pose a danger to the body, but in case of bleeding it brings significant benefits.
- Pine buds disinfect any damage to the skin and mucous membranes.Vitamin C in their composition, as well as flavonoids and resinous substances, inhibit bacteria and promote rapid healing of wounds.
- Pine shoots effectively relieve internal inflammation. They are beneficial not only for the common cold, but also for very serious illnesses - such as influenza, tuberculosis or dysentery.
- Pine shoots increase the immune system's defenses. When raw materials are consumed for medicinal or preventive purposes, the body receives a huge amount of vitamins, useful resins and phytoncides. Thanks to this, overall endurance increases, blood vessels, cardiac and nervous systems are strengthened.
Products based on pine shoots not only relieve inflammation, but also eliminate swelling and pain. Due to this, they are often used for joint ailments and muscle injuries - the kidneys are beneficial both when used externally and internally.
Rules for procurement of raw materials
The collection of useful pine buds must be carried out at the very beginning of spring, in February or March, when the individual shoot scales are tightly pressed against each other. As soon as the buds begin to open, their healing power will greatly decrease, and the procurement of raw materials will simply lose its meaning. The best weather for collecting pine buds is a cloudy day without rain and without strong sun. Under such conditions, the shoots contain the maximum amount of resins.
- To conduct the collection, it is necessary to select a clean forest located far from roads, populated areas and industrial enterprises. The fresher and cleaner the air in a pine forest, the greater the benefits of coniferous buds.
- Since the shoots are cut directly from the branches of the tree, it is better to go for raw materials to a fairly young forest with low pines.
- The collection itself is carried out using a knife or sharply sharpened scissors. It is necessary to collect buds located on the side branches; it is not recommended to touch the apical shoots - this will damage the growth of the tree.
- When collecting, you need to use thick gloves, since pine resin strongly sticks to your hands, and it is very difficult to wash it off afterwards.
For long-term storage, the shoots must be dried immediately after collection. You cannot use an oven, dryer or even a radiator for this - the raw materials must dry exclusively naturally, at room temperature and with sufficient ventilation. Drying time takes about 2 weeks; as soon as the shoots no longer seem wet when squeezed in your hand, they can be stored.
Use of pine buds
The valuable properties of pine buds are used in the treatment of many ailments. Traditional and official medicine recommends using raw materials:
- for colds and bronchopulmonary diseases - a decoction of kidneys will help well against bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung abscess;
- for diseases of the oral cavity - for stomatitis, gingivitis, caries, as well as for sore throat, ARVI and tonsillitis, rinsing with decoctions and infusions of shoots will be beneficial;
- for ailments of the genitourinary system - for cystitis, prostatitis, gynecological inflammation, as well as for problems with the secretion of bile, water decoctions will be beneficial;
- for vitamin deficiency, scurvy and anemia - a decoction of the kidneys orally will replenish the deficiency of vitamins in the body;
- with increased bleeding of the gums, both internal decoctions and rinses will benefit;
- with high blood pressure - kidney decoctions are especially useful for hypertensive patients;
- for joint and muscle pain - pine shoots have a good antispasmodic effect and relieve pain and inflammation when used internally and when rubbed;
- if blood clotting is poor, drinking teas and decoctions of pine shoots will improve blood composition;
- for migraines, sleep disorders and increased anxiety - if you regularly drink tea with buds shortly before bed or consume syrup, this will have a beneficial effect on the nervous system;
- if you have a tendency to gain excess weight, kidney drinks have a good effect on weight loss;
- with decreased libido in men and women, both teas and decoctions based on shoots, as well as sweet treats made from pine buds, help;
- for poor blood circulation, decoctions based on pine shoots accelerate blood flow and improve brain function.
For a wide range of skin diseases, it is customary to use an alcohol tincture of pine buds or a homemade ointment. The products have not only an antiseptic, but also a restorative effect, so damage and irritation go away much faster.
Pine bud recipes
The benefits of pine buds in folk medicine are used in several main ways. Proven recipes offer easy-to-prepare, but very effective healing remedies.
Pine shoot tea
Tea made from pine buds has a strengthening, soothing and anti-cold effect. It's very easy to prepare:
- 10 g of dry shoots are poured with a glass of boiling water;
- cover with a lid and wait about 20 minutes for the liquid to infuse.
You can drink tea on a daily basis three times a day, but in small volumes, just a teaspoon per dose.The same amount of the product can be added to regular tea; pine shoots will give the drink a pleasant resinous taste and aroma.
Medicinal tincture
For rheumatism, arthritis, radiculitis, as well as inflammation of the genitourinary tract, a tincture of shoots with alcohol has a good effect. It is prepared as follows:
- half a liter jar is filled with dried pine buds;
- the raw materials are filled to the top with alcohol or high-quality vodka;
- The jar is tightly closed and put away in a dark place for 12 days.
From time to time the container must be taken out and shaken. After the expiration date, the tincture must be strained and then poured into a clean glass vessel.
You need to take the tincture orally four times a day on an empty stomach, only 20 drops, and continue therapy for no longer than 2 weeks in a row. The tincture can also be used externally - to rub sore joints and disinfect lesions on the skin.
Decoction of pine buds
For colds, inflammatory processes in the body, sore throat and diseases of the oral cavity, pine shoots boiled in water are beneficial. To prepare a healing decoction you need:
- pour 1 large spoon of finely chopped pine shoots into an enamel pan;
- pour 200 ml of water into the raw material;
- put the shoots in a water bath and cover with a lid, and then cook for half an hour.
When the broth is ready, it will need to be cooled completely, then filtered and topped up with clean water to the initial volume.
You can boil pine shoots in another way - simply pour 500 ml of water into a large spoon of the raw material and boil for 15 minutes, and then leave for another half hour.
According to both recipes, the decoction is taken orally in very small quantities - 2 large spoons three times a day. The drink is highly concentrated, so dosage should not be exceeded, otherwise it will harm the body.
You can use the decoction to reduce fever and eliminate vitamin deficiency. Also, pine decoction is used to rinse the mouth and throat for dental diseases and sore throat. If you have a runny nose, you can inhale a healing agent; to do this, you need to bend over the hot broth for a few minutes and carefully breathe in the rising steam.
Pine bud honey
Pine buds for cough can be taken in the form of honey - the product has not only medicinal properties, but also an unusual pleasant taste. In addition to water and dried buds, to make honey you will need sugar and a little lemon juice, and the recipe itself looks like this:
- 2 cups of shoots are cleaned of possible excess debris and filled with 2 liters of hot water;
- Boil the kidneys over low heat until exactly half of the original volume of water remains;
- remove the pan from the stove and mash the buds into a paste with a wooden masher, and then strain the broth;
- pour 1 kg of granulated sugar into the pan and place it on the stove again;
- Boil until the mixture thickens, and 5 minutes before it is fully cooked, add 1 small spoon of fresh lemon juice.
The resulting pine honey can be consumed both for colds and coughs, and as a preventive measure during the cold season.
Pine syrup
Another tasty and healthy delicacy based on pine shoots is bud simple syrup. It is especially beneficial for joint ailments and nervous system disorders, migraines, insomnia, and increased anxiety.
To prepare the syrup, you need to pour 2 large spoons of dry buds into a glass jar, and pour 300 ml of natural liquid honey on top of the raw material. The raw materials are mixed and placed in a cool place under a closed lid for 2 weeks. During this time, the beneficial substances of the kidneys and honey will mix with each other, and the syrup will acquire a uniform consistency.
It is necessary to use the remedy little by little, three times a day on an empty stomach, half a large spoon. The total course of therapy takes 3 weeks; if you take the syrup longer, side effects are possible.
Cream
For skin irritations, scratches and burns, as well as inflammatory diseases of the epidermis, homemade pine bud cream has a healing effect. To prepare it you will need:
- take alcohol tincture of pine shoots and 1 chicken egg;
- separate the egg white and beat well;
- mix with 10 drops of tincture and bring until smooth.
The finished cream is very light in consistency and has a strong soothing and healing effect. It is applied to the sore spot for a couple of hours and then washed off with clean warm water. The cream helps with injuries of any kind, with dermatitis, eczema and lichen, as well as with swelling and itching after insect bites.
Is it possible to give pine buds to children?
The beneficial properties of pine shoots can be used for treatment not only by adults, but also by children.Decoctions, syrups and honey from pine buds are good for children’s coughs, strengthen children’s immunity and help quickly cure colds or sore throats.
At the same time, parents should remember that pine components can cause severe allergies and harm the body. You can offer a child pine buds for internal use no earlier than 7 years of age, halving the dosage compared to adults.
Contraindications to pine buds
The health benefits and harms of pine buds depend on the individual state of the body. In some cases, pine shoots can cause severe damage. Contraindications for their use are:
- heart failure;
- severe hepatitis;
- serious kidney diseases - nephritis and glomerulonephritis;
- hypotension;
- tendency to form blood clots;
- gastritis, gastric ulcer and pancreatitis in the acute stage of the disease.
Pregnant women should not use medicinal products from pine shoots; the potential harm from such treatment outweighs the possible benefits. The danger is an overdose of products based on pine buds; excessive consumption of raw materials leads to migraines, arrhythmia and discomfort in the stomach.
Terms and conditions of storage
Dried pine buds should be stored in a paper bag away from sunlight. You can keep the raw materials at room temperature, but air humidity is of great importance.The formation of condensation inside the bag will be detrimental to the useful raw material, so it is recommended to stir the kidneys regularly and even transfer them to another bag.
If the conditions are met, the shoots can retain their benefits for up to 2 years, after which the collection will need to be done again.
Conclusion
Pine buds can benefit the body, since they contain a lot of vitamins and resinous substances with a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. At the same time, you need to use buds very carefully, strictly following proven recipes.
