MAKING PINE NEEDLE TEA.

All Varieties of Pine, Spruce and Western Larch Contain the Same Constituents That are in Pycnogenol.®.

There's More to Pine Needle Tea Than Just Pine Needles and any time of the year is a good time for pine needle tea.

At different times of the year, the beneficial constituents found in pine, spruce and Western Larch (aka Tamarack) are found not just in the needles but also in the stem, bark and small knobs on the stem end of the needles. During the winter, the majority of the sap, which contains the highest percentages of nutrients, is found in the stem, small knobs on the stem end of the needle and the bark. During spring, summer and early fall, the buds and needles will also have large percentages. As soon as the nights are below freezing, or close to it, the tree will begin pulling the sap back inside.

You don't need to cut down an entire tree to reap the benefits and it really isn't necessary to strip the bark off the trunk. All you need is 6” to 10” of the end of a branch to provide enough material for a week or more of daily tea. Once you have your branch piece, you can pull the needles off the stem and then cut the stem, knobs and needles into short, cup sized pieces. I use a pair of kitchen shears or regular scissors. I find scissors easier and safer than trying to use a knife. Split the stem lengthwise and cut the split parts into smaller segments. Adding a few of the knobs to a cup increases the flavor, aroma and nutrient value.

Put a small handful of cut pieces in your cup, fill with water that's just come off a boil, cover and let it steep for 5-10 minutes. If you add boiling water, it will destroy the vitamin C and other boiling water sensitive constituents. Vitamin C and many other nutrients in pine aren't destroyed by temperatures below boiling as is commonly believed but they will be carried off in the steam if the cup isn't covered.

You can put the pieces in a cup sized strainer but I find it difficult to seal off the cup when steeping the brew. Once the pieces have steeped for a few minutes, most of them, except for the stem, sink to the bottom and don't interfere with drinking the tea.