Pine

The genus Pinus is one of the largest and most important of the coniferous genera. It comprises about 95 species and numerous varieties and hybrids. Pines are widely distributed, mostly in the Northern Hemisphere, from sea level to timberline. They range from Alaska to Nicaragua, from Scandinavia to North Africa, and from Siberia to Sumatra. Some species, such as Scotch pine, are widely distributed from Scotland to Siberia, while others have very restricted ranges. Canary Island pine is found growing naturally only in the Canary Islands, and Torrey pine numbers only a few thousand individuals in two California localities.

There are 42 species of Pinus native to America. Artificial planting has extended the range of several of these.

The pines are evergreen trees of various heights, often tall but occasionally shrubby. Some species such as sugar pine, western and eastern white pine, and ponderosa pine, grow to more than 210 feet tall. On the other hand, the Mexican pinyon and Japanese stone pine may not exceed 33 feet in height.

Since about 1992 an extract obtained from the outer covering of conifer trees has been making headlines nationwide and has virtually revolutionized the whole antioxidant movement within the health food industry. The substance is called pycnogenol (pronounced pick-naw-jen-all) and comes mostly from the pine bark which coats the maritime pine found in the Canadian province of Quebec and along the Atlantic seacoast of southern France.

Pinus sylvestris

Scotch Fir Scotch Pine Scots Pine Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation Constituents How much to take

Americans know Scotch pine best as an ornamental tree, either in the garden or in the house at Christmas. But the tree is also used in reforestation projects because it matures rapidly and will endure extremes of temperature, rainfall, and soil conditions.

Scotch pine has an impressive history as a useful medicinal plant too. In 19th-century North America it was employed as a diuretic and to induce perspiration and thus help break a fever. It was also specified for constipation and chronic bronchitis. Externally, the tar was incorporated into an ointment, or tar water, employed as a remedy for such chronic skin diseases as psoriasis and eczema and for open sores. Scotch pine pitch, the result of distilling the tar, also yielded medicinal preparations for eczema and similar skin problems, and it was recommended internally for skin diseases and hemorrhoids as well.

In Europe, where Scotch pine is native, it serves as a light and durable building material. At one time in North America, the needles of Scotch pine were made into a mattress stuffing known as pine wool, which was said to ward off lice and fleas.

PARTS USED

Leaves, branches, sterns, seeds, essential oil.

USES

The leaves of Scots pine, taken internally, have a mildly antiseptic effect within the chest, and may also be used for arthritic and rheumatic problems. Essential oil from the leaves may be taken for asthma, respiratory infections, and digestive disorders such as gas. Scots pine branches and stems yield a thick resin, which is also antiseptic within the respiratory tract. The seeds yield an essential oil with diuretic and respiratory-stimulant properties; The seeds are used for bronchitis, tuberculosis, and bladder infections. A decoction of the seeds may be applied to suppress excessive vaginal discharge.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Native to mountainous regions of Europe and north and west Asia, Scots pine is now widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. The leaves are gathered in summer. The sterns are usually harvested when the tree is felled.

CONSTITUENTS

The leaves of Scots pine contain a volatile oil (consisting mainly of alpha-pinene, but also including beta-pinene, delta-limonene, and other constituents).

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1/2 teaspoonful of the twigs and leave to infuse for 10 - 15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Inhalant: bring 2 - 3 handfuls of the twigs to the boil in 2 liters (4 pints) of water, simmer for 5 minutes and then use as an inhalant by covering the head with a towel and inhaling the steam for 15 minutes. This should be repeated often.
Bath: leave 3 handfuls of twigs to stand in 750ml (1 1/2 pints) of water for half an hour, then bring to the boil, simmer for 10 minutes, strain and add to the hot bath.
Tincture: take 1 - 2 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Pinus strobus

New England Pine Northern Pine Pumpkin Pine Soft Pine White Pine Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation

So vast were the native white pine forests in northeastern America that pioneers claimed a squirrel could travel all its life without coming down from the trees. The strong, light wood was unrivaled as a building material, and the colonists exported huge quantities to Europe. After the British crown declared that the largest trees had to be reserved for mast wood for its navy, the colonists poached the pine at night for their own use. When the American Revolution erupted, the tree was the emblem on the first flag of the Revolutionary forces.

To the Indians, the tree was a source of medicine. They drank a boiled extract of the inner bark, which contains some tannin, as an astringent for diarrhea, but mainly they soaked the bark and applied it to wounds as a soothing plaster. They also used the inner bark in cough remedies. It contains considerable mucilage, which soothes the mucous membranes lining the repiratory tract and may help loosen phlegm so that it can be coughed up. A boiled extract of the gum was also given as a pain reliever for rheumatism, and a syrup made from the resin for colds. Settlers adopted the Indians' medicinal uses of white pine.

PARTS USED

Leaves, branches, sterns, seeds, essential oil.

USES

The inner bark of white pine is an ingredient in some cough medicines. Research by pharmacologists indicates that it may be an expectorant and that it does soothe irritated mucous membranes of the throat and so is of some benefit in cough preparations. Since white pine is no longer commonly used as an astringent, there is no modern research on the validity of this use.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Many different types of soil but prefers well-drained soils in a cool climate. Native to eastern North America, white pine is found from Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to northern Georgia and Illinois.