PINE NEEDLE TEA........

Pine needle tea: Fortify yourself with this unusual cancer-killer and all-around health tonic

Friday, May 22, 2015 by: Carolanne Wright

Tags: pine needles, foraging tea, anti-cancer properties

(NaturalNews) Although used for centuries by Native Americans, pine needle tea is not well known by the general public today. But it's certainly worth becoming acquainted with this unconventional brew if you would like to increase mental clarity, defeat infectious disease and knock out cancer. Interestingly, pine needles sport several times more vitamin C than fresh orange juice and were used by the early settlers of North America to avoid scurvy -- a disease associated with vitamin C deficiency. Due to their high concentration of antioxidants, pine needles are also recognized as a potent immunity booster by researchers.

Healing merits
The oil in pine needles, like that found in eucalyptus, protects against a number of health issues and harmful organisms. Dr. Edward F. Group III, founder of the Global Healing Center, lists the following benefits:

Strengthens immunity
Relieves bronchial and sinus infections
Disinfects mildew, yeast spores and Escherichia coli
Protects against the common cold and flu
Neutralizes free radicals
Guards against muscle degeneration, eye diseases and nervous system disorders
Useful for treating eczema, Athlete's foot, psoriasis, dandruff, acne and boils

Moreover, Rural Survival adds that pine is a good source of vitamin A and helps improve mental clarity, whereas Doug Wallace notes in the article "Another Cancer Killer? Pine Needles" that the plant addresses sclerosis, allergies, kidney stones, hypertension, obesity, depression and tumors.

In fact, research published in Nutrition and Cancer discovered that pine needles exhibit "strong antioxidant, antimutagenic, and antiproliferative effects on cancer cells and also antitumor effects in vivo and point to their potential usefulness in cancer prevention."

And this study found that pine needles are an exceptional source of proanthocyanidin, a compound that demonstrates strong antioxidant characteristics.

How to (safely) make pine needle tea
The first -- and most important -- step in brewing a health-enhancing pine needle tea is to identify a safe species. White pine is widely considered the best choice. Next, harvest a handful of young needles with a bright green color. Make sure to only source from trees that haven't been sprayed and are situated well away from roadways. Strip the brown papery sheath from the ends and roughly chop. Place in a heat-proof container and pour boiling water over the needles. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain, sweeten to taste and drink immediately.

For further information about the wonders of pine, Eat The Weeds offers a compelling and educational video here.

Poisonous evergreens

DO NOT harvest from the following trees since the needles are toxic:

Ponderosa Pine (also known as Blackjack, Western Yellow, Yellow and Bull Pine),
Lodgepole or Shore Pine,
Common Juniper,
Monterey Cypress,
Common Yew,
Norfolk Pine and
Australian Pine.

A final word of caution: Women who are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, should NOT ingest pine needle tea due to the risk of abortion.

Sources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

https://www.ruralsurvival.info[PDF]

http://www.gaiahealthblog.com

http://www.phytochemicals.info

About the author:
Carolanne believes if we want to see change in the world, we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, wellness coach and natural foods chef, she has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle of green living for over 13 years. Through her website www.Thrive-Living.net she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded people who share a similar vision.

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