Content
Coniferous trees have long been known as useful plants that are actively used in folk medicine. All varieties have a similar structure and chemical composition and can be used for treatment. The beneficial properties and contraindications of spruce needles are something that you should definitely familiarize yourself with so as not to harm the body.
Chemical composition of needles
Spruce is popular due to the rich chemical composition of its needles, which makes it useful. The needles contain vitamins of groups C, E, B3. A high percentage of mineral salts and trace elements: copper, iron, chromium, manganese, cobalt. Spruce needles contain beneficial acids. Among them are abietic acid, hydroxypalmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, and benzoic acid.
What makes spruce needles useful is the content of carotenoids in their composition. In addition, there are resins, essential oils and tannins. According to chemical analysis, there are many useful components not only in pine needles. They are found in pollen and cones. Therefore, walks in parks with spruce trees are equally beneficial for the body, as well as being in pine forests.
The components contained in spruce needles have a beneficial effect on trees and shrubs growing nearby.
The benefits of spruce needles for the human body
The benefits of spruce needles for the human body are explained by their rich chemical composition. Due to their vitamin C content, they have bactericidal properties. Needles are used to improve immunity. The essential compounds found in spruce benefit the body during colds and diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
In addition, spruce needles can have diuretic, diaphoretic, choleretic, antiscorbutic, analgesic and wound-healing effects. Needles are considered beneficial for many systems in the human body. With its help you can relieve fatigue, stimulate brain activity, normalize the nervous system, and solve sleep problems. In addition, pine needles promote wound healing, help with the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and improve digestion.
Spruce needles contain essential oils. They act as broad-spectrum phytoncides. The higher the air temperature, the more substances are released. They destroy harmful bacteria, putrefactive fungi and their parts, and fight pathogenic microbes. Thanks to this, they help the development of beneficial microflora in the body.
Contraindications and harm to spruce needles
Spruce needles have many beneficial properties, but they can also cause harm. Their use is contraindicated for people with kidney disease, hepatitis and pregnant women. The use of spruce needles should be avoided if you have gastritis and individual intolerance.
For asthma or migraine, excessive inhalation of spruce aroma and consumption of pine needles can aggravate the situation. In some cases, problems with the gastrointestinal tract are observed.
Alcohol infusions based on spruce needles will not benefit children under 12 years of age or people after a heart attack or stroke. You should avoid them if you have existing liver and kidney diseases. Negative consequences of consuming pine needles can include nausea, rashes, redness and peeling of the skin.
Use in folk medicine
Spruce needles are most popular in folk medicine. Infusions, decoctions, and ointments are made on its basis. They are actively used for various diseases.
Pine bath
Young spruce needles have beneficial properties. It can be used to prepare baths. They help well with rheumatism and osteochondrosis. For them you need to use young spruce needles. Adding cones is allowed. Such a bath will help relieve fatigue and nervous excitement.
You need to take pine needles (you can add cones) and chop them. Pour the resulting mixture with cold water. For 1 kg of needles you need 5 liters of water. The resulting mixture must be boiled for 20-30 minutes.
The brown broth needs to be filtered and poured into the bath. The water temperature should not exceed 40 OC. You should spend no more than 15 minutes in the bath. You need to pour so much water so that it does not rise to the level of your heart. It is recommended to take such a bath once every two days.
It is allowed to use needles from trees of different species
Pine tea
Tea made from fir needles is useful for colds. It helps improve immunity and relieve cough.In addition, it can help cleanse blood vessels and reduce cholesterol levels.
To make tea from spruce needles, you need to take fresh or dried needles. Grind them. It is convenient to use scissors for this. Fresh pine needles have a brighter taste and aroma, so they don’t need to be chopped.
A tablespoon of needles should be poured with a glass of boiling water. Let it brew for 2-3 hours. You can simmer for 20 minutes and drink immediately. Before drinking, the tea should be strained through cheesecloth. If desired, you can add honey, sugar, herbs, citrus peels. It is recommended to drink tea from spruce needles 1-2 times a day.
Decoction of pine needles
A decoction based on fir needles will help relieve inflammation of the urinary tract, cleanse the blood and help fight vitamin deficiency. To prepare it you will need two tablespoons of pine needles and 200 g of boiling water.
Spruce needles need to be chopped. To do this, you can use a sharp knife or scissors. The crushed needles are placed in a saucepan and filled with boiled water. Cook the mixture over low heat for about 20 minutes. Then pour into a thermos and leave for three hours.
The infused liquid must be filtered through cheesecloth and poured into a clean bottle. Keep the decoction in the refrigerator. The shelf life is three days. For the decoction to benefit the body, you need to drink it twice a day, 50 g each. If desired, you can add sugar or honey.
Alcohol tincture
To prepare an alcohol tincture, you need to take 250 g of pine needles and 0.5 liters of vodka. Rinse the spruce needles and dry well with a towel. Cut the pine needles with scissors or a knife into arbitrary pieces. Place the needles in a saucepan, add vodka and close the lid tightly. Keep the tincture for two weeks in a dark room at room temperature.After 14 days, it must be strained through cheesecloth and poured into a clean bottle.
The finished tincture is kept in the refrigerator or in any dark and cool room. The shelf life is one year. This tincture is useful for colds, vitamin deficiency, and insomnia. It should be taken three times a day, a tablespoon.
You can prepare alcohol tinctures from different parts of spruce
Spruce needle infusion
For bronchitis, colds, and flu, it is useful to use an infusion of spruce needles, which is rich in vitamin C. To prepare, you need to chop the needles and put them in a liter jar. Pour boiling water over it. After cooling, add two teaspoons of citric acid to the spruce water.
The resulting liquid must be removed for three days so that it can infuse. After this, strain through cheesecloth and pour into a clean container. A useful infusion based on spruce needles is ready for use.
When to collect and how to store
The benefits of spruce needles for the human body are undeniable. However, in order for the needles to retain their medicinal properties longer, it is necessary to follow the recommendations for their collection and further storage. You can start harvesting needles at any time of the year. However, it is best to do this in late fall or early winter. After all, it is then that the needles contain the most substances beneficial to the body.
It is worth collecting spruce needles in places located away from residential areas and roads. Branches should be carefully cut at a slight angle.
At home, the needles need to be washed and dried thoroughly. After which they should be finely chopped. Can be ground in a meat grinder.
Spruce harvest is best kept in cardboard or wooden boxes or paper bags.They must be left in dry but well-ventilated areas. The shelf life of harvested spruce needles is two years.
Conclusion
The beneficial properties and contraindications of spruce needles are what any tree has, regardless of its variety. When used correctly, needles can improve your health. But in some situations they can be harmful, so it is recommended to consult a doctor before use.
