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The medicinal properties of pine resin are used in dozens of folk recipes. To evaluate the healing properties of resin, you need to carefully study its chemical composition and understand what properties it has for the human body.
What is pine resin?
In folk medicine, resin is called ordinary pine resin - a viscous aromatic substance that is released in places where the bark is damaged and hardens into translucent droplets. It’s not for nothing that oleoresin has such an expressive name; it actually contains a lot of life-giving substances with powerful antibacterial and protective properties.
The composition of pine resin primarily includes fatty acids and resin esters of retinol. In addition, it contains:
- vitamins A, E and K;
- vitamin D and ascorbic acid;
- vitamin PP;
- iodine, cobalt, zinc and iron;
- chromium, copper and barium.
In nature, pine resin, which has such a rich composition, clogs wounds on the surface of the tree and does not allow insects, fungi and harmful microorganisms to penetrate under the bark.Despite its viscosity, resin moves quite easily inside the pine trunk; it contains natural solvents that prevent premature hardening.
Pine resin has increased value not only for the coniferous tree itself, but also for humans. When used correctly, its beneficial properties help in the treatment of a huge number of ailments.
Benefits of pine resin
The valuable properties of pine resin have been known for many centuries - the resin was used to treat internal diseases and external injuries in ancient times. The benefits of pine resin are that it:
- has a pronounced antibacterial effect and prevents the proliferation of viruses, bacteria and fungal microorganisms;
- helps fight any inflammation, as it is a powerful natural antiseptic;
- is beneficial for any damage and inflammatory diseases of the skin - oleoresin not only cleanses wounds and ulcers, but also relieves irritation, promotes healing and tissue restoration;
- has an analgesic effect; if you treat a scratch, burn, boil or abrasion with resin, the slight swelling at the site of injury will quickly disappear and the pain will subside;
- strengthens immune resistance when used internally - it is useful to take oleoresin in small quantities as a preventative against colds, in case of any infectious and bacterial processes in the body;
- effectively warms up joints and soft tissues, relieving inflammation and swelling - using pine resin is useful for joint ailments, bruises and sprains;
- rejuvenates the body and serves as a prevention of malignant neoplasms - pine resin contains many antioxidants that promote cell renewal;
- has a beneficial effect in the fight against ailments of the respiratory system - helps with bronchitis, cold coughs and pneumonia, as it promotes the productive discharge of sputum.
In addition to the listed properties, pine resin provides other beneficial effects. In particular, if you regularly chew small pieces of resin, the resin will not only freshen your breath, but also help strengthen your teeth and prevent the development of caries and periodontal disease.
Preparation of pine resin
Despite the fact that pine resin is sold in specialized stores, you can collect it yourself. The main condition is the presence of an ecologically clean pine forest in relative proximity, located at least 20-30 km from major roads, industrial facilities and cities.
It is best to collect resin from young pines with thin trunks no more than 30 cm in diameter. Although pine trees produce resin from spring until late autumn, the best time to collect fresh resin is summer, or rather, the hottest part of it. At high temperatures, the resin moves faster under the bark and flows more easily into the collection container.
The resin collection process is as follows:
- the selected tree must be mentally divided into two parts by a straight vertical line;
- in the central part, right along this line, hang a container for collecting resin using a cord, trying to attach it so that it is pressed tightly against the surface of the bark;
- on both sides of the imaginary vertical line, make about 20 oblique cuts on the bark - 10 on each side;
- The cuts should be at an angle of approximately 45°, with the lower ends toward the collection container.
After this, all that remains is to wait the required time - fresh pine resin from the cuts will flow into the fixed container in small transparent droplets.
One pine tree can produce quite a lot of resin, but it is recommended to collect no more than 2 kg of resin from an individual plant. Too much loss of resin will weaken or even kill the useful tree.
You can collect pine resin not only in summer, but also in the cold season. True, to do this you will have to stock up on a sharp, clean knife and look for trees with natural damage to the bark, on which leaked resin has already frozen. The growths of pine resin are cut off after wiping the knife blade with oil to prevent sticking.
The use of pine resin for medicinal purposes
Pine resin is used to treat a wide range of inflammatory, colds and infectious diseases. Among the indications for its use are:
- inflammatory diseases of the gums and oral mucosa;
- influenza, ARVI, sore throat;
- toothache caused by caries;
- varicose veins in the legs;
- skin damage - scratches and cuts, purulent wounds and burns, boils and ulcers;
- herpes and fungal diseases;
- mastopathy;
- inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system in women and men;
- joint ailments - rheumatism, radiculitis, arthrosis;
- fractures - during the recovery period, oleoresin has an additional healing effect;
- muscle pain - bruises and sprains;
- ailments of the digestive system - gastritis and heartburn;
- dermatitis and other inflammatory skin diseases.
Pine resin also helps with insect bites - when the resin is applied to the sore spot, swelling and itching quickly go away. Resin can be used to treat insomnia.
Healing recipes
Traditional medicine offers many effective ways to combat illnesses using pine resin resin. Conventionally, all recipes can be divided into 2 categories - external and for internal use.
Among external recipes, the most popular are balms and ointments based on pine resin.
- Balm for varicose veins. Enlarged veins in the legs can lead to serious complications, but in the early stages they respond well to treatment. To prepare a healing balm based on pine resin, you need to mix oleoresin and olive oil in a ratio of 1 to 10, and then put on low heat and cook for about 2 minutes after the product boils. Remove the finished balm from the stove, cool completely and treat problem areas on the legs with it in the evenings, leaving the beneficial mixture on the skin until the morning.
- Compresses for boils. Pine resin in its pure form is a good remedy for purulent abscesses under the skin.A small amount of resin should be applied to a small piece of sterile bandage, applied to the sore spot and secured with a medical plaster overnight. You need to repeat the procedure for 3-4 days; after this time, the boil should completely resolve and not leave any scars.
- Ointment for purulent wounds and trophic ulcers. Pine resin can heal even the most severe skin lesions, and the medicinal ointment is prepared as follows: 50 g of pure resin is mixed with 100 g of animal fat and the same amount of beeswax. The product, thoroughly mixed until smooth, is applied as compresses to the sore spots overnight, after pre-treating the open wound with hydrogen peroxide for disinfection.
- Alcohol tincture for joints. For rheumatism and radiculitis, this remedy helps well - resin, high-quality water and olive oil are mixed together in equal parts. In a small glass container, the mixture is kept in a dark and cool place for a week, and then used for compresses and warming rubs.
In addition to recipes for external use, there are ways to treat with pine resin internally. The natural composition of pure resin is completely harmless to health, although, of course, resin should be consumed in small quantities.
A recipe based on oleoresin to strengthen the immune system is very popular:
- pine resin in a volume of 30-40 g is put in the refrigerator for an hour so that the resin hardens properly;
- after this, the hardened piece is taken out and crushed to a homogeneous powder - using a mortar or fine grater;
- The resulting powder is taken in full on an empty stomach three times a day - it can be pre-diluted in a glass of water, or you can simply wash down the taken oleoresin with liquid.
Traditional medicine suggests taking pine resin orally during exacerbation of gastritis.
- For heartburn, stomach pain and a feeling of heaviness, you can dissolve a small piece of fresh resin daily if unpleasant symptoms occur.
- Usually, pain and discomfort go away almost immediately after taking the product - it only takes 5-10 minutes to feel better.
Pine resin taken internally has an excellent effect against colds.
- The dosage of natural medicine is approximately half a teaspoon; the resin should be absorbed in the morning and evening.
- Since oleoresin contains a huge amount of vitamins, when it is taken, the body’s protective functions quickly wake up, and the cold recedes.
The recipes given are the main ways to use pine resin. You can use oleoresin for many other ailments, but they use the same means for external and internal use.
Contraindications to pine resin
The medicinal properties and contraindications of pine resin depend on many factors. For most people, pine resin in small quantities is very useful, since the vitamins, acids and minerals in its composition have a healing effect on most ailments.
But in rare cases, pine resin can cause harm. First of all, the resin can cause individual allergies, which are manifested by redness of the skin, the appearance of a rash, and when used internally leads to nausea and headaches.When using pine resin for the first time, you must definitely carry out a kind of allergy test - apply a little resin to the sensitive skin of the wrist and wait about a day to see if a negative reaction appears. At first, you also need to use the resin internally in minimal portions.
In addition to allergies, pine resin has the following contraindications:
- pregnancy;
- period of breastfeeding in women;
- children under 7 years of age;
- severe kidney disease.
Use in agriculture and industry
The valuable properties of pine resin are used not only for the treatment of ailments. Resin is actively used on the farm, in village and taiga life, and in production.
- First of all, pine resin is an excellent natural sealant. In ancient times, resin was used to treat cracks in wooden frames and window frames, and even now in villages, resin is used to fill minor voids in wooden buildings. Pine resin can be used for urgent repairs of boats or rafts if the plug cut out of wood has nothing else to secure it to the hole.
- Fresh resin can act as a natural lubricant. Pine resin is used to cover wooden parts that rub against each other as they move, and ropes that constantly slide over a hard surface.
- Resin is an excellent natural glue - anyone who has ever picked it up knows that resin is very difficult to wipe off from your fingers.Pine resin adheres just as well to any other surfaces - wood, fabric and leather, allowing them to be bonded together. In camping conditions, resin is used in the construction of huts; for example, branches and spruce branches can be tied much stronger and more reliably if you use a rope impregnated with resin.
- Pine resin contains alcohol compounds and turpentine. Therefore, tarred wood is the best material for making a fire; it ignites easily and burns brightly and well. It is especially important that you can use pine resin to make a fire even in the rain - high humidity does not in any way affect the flammable properties of the resin.
As for the industrial use of pine resin, in its pure form it is used to create ski mastics and sealing wax, and in small quantities it is added to ink and printing inks.
In processed form, pine resin is used to create valuable products - turpentine and rosin. Turpentine is often used in medicine, as well as in paint and varnish production; it is part of paints and varnishes, drying oils and mastics, and wax. Turpentine is used to make insecticidal products against garden pests, and in small quantities it is added to lubricants for vehicle engines.
Rosin, obtained by processing pine resin, is used mainly in the paper industry for sizing paper and cardboard. It is also used in the oil and chemical industries, and in the manufacture of paints and varnishes.
And of course, one cannot fail to mention the natural jewel made from frozen pine resin - amber.Real amber is highly valued - jewelry and small sculptures, mosaics and carved wall panels are made from it.
Conclusion
The medicinal properties of pine resin are in demand for most diseases, and there are very few contraindications for natural raw materials. Pure pine resin not only strengthens the body, but also finds its use in everyday life and industry - its importance is difficult to overestimate.
