Pine Needle Tea: How to Forage and Prepare Pine Needle Tea

Pine needle tea, a type of tisane or herbal tea, is a preparation of fresh pine needles steeped in hot water. This hot-water infusion is straightforward to prepare and only requires pine needles and hot water. Pine needles contain various compounds and nutrients that can have therapeutic effects. Native cultures have long prepared pine needle tea for ailments such as coughs, fevers, and other infections. Early settlers in the Americas also drank this herbal tea to ward off scurvy.

Pine needles from pine trees in the family Pinaceae are generally safe for consumption. This includes white pine (Pinus monticola), eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), and Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) throughout North America.

Needles from the lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) are toxic. Some species of coniferous trees—relatives of pines—are also poisonous, so avoid needles from the yew tree (Taxus spp.), Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla), hemlock tree (genus Tsuga), and cypress tree (genus Cupressus).

Evergreen trees have nourishing properties. Some of the nutrients and purported health benefits of pine needles include:

1. 1. Vitamin C: The most significant nutrient in pine needles is vitamin C, a free-radicals-fighting antioxidant. Amounts of vitamin C vary depending on the age and variety of pine trees.
2. 2. Vitamin A: Pine needles also contain vitamin A, which helps with the eyes, skin, and hair.
3. 3. Flavonoids: These compounds, a type of beneficial polyphenol, can help strengthen memory and the immune system and reduce inflammation. In addition to these anthocyanins, pine needles also contain α-pinene, which may help with mood stabilization.
4. 4. Shikimic acid: This compound can help fight influenza and cold viruses.

To correctly identify pine trees—as opposed to fir, spruce, cedar, hemlock, and other conifers—follow these tips:

1. 1. Check the needle size and shape. Pine needles grow in clusters known as fascicles, which resemble small bunches. They are usually found in groups of two to five needles, which tend to be long, from an inch to several inches in length.
2. 2. Pick bright green needles. For best results, it’s good to use pine needles that are fresh and bright green; dried pine needles are unlikely to have significant nutrient content and will not taste good.
3. 3. Reference a guidebook. Field guides can help you correctly identify tree species. Some are written specifically with foragers in mind and contain helpful hints for identification. Do not use pine needles from the lodgepole pine or ponderosa pine.
4. 4. Consult with a live guide. The best way to ensure you correctly identify a tree is to use the expertise of a genuine expert. If you live in an area with significant stands of conifer trees, it should be possible to find an expert to consult.

When you’re out in nature and you have suitable pine trees to make pine needle tea, follow these steps to make a quick infusion:

1. 1. Chop: Chopping the pine needles into smaller pieces can help release the medicinal compounds. For two cups (sixteen ounces) of pine needle tea, chop one-third cup of needles.
2. 2. Boil: Using a camp kettle or teapot, bring some water to a boil. Then, pour the boiling water over your cup of needles.
3. 3. Steep: Let the needles sit and steep in the cup for ten to fifteen minutes. You should be able to see a change in the color of the water, and the tea will have a distinctly piney, somewhat citrusy flavor. You can strain the tea with a strainer.
4. 4. Sweeten: You can add sweetener, like honey, to the infusion to make it more flavorful.

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