Scots Pine Benefits and Uses

Dr. Boris Wydoff

Scots pine is an evergreen coniferous tree that has long been used in herbal medicine. According to reference books, the buds, needles and resin are collected for medicinal purposes. The plant contains resinous substances, essential oil, vitamins and other natural compounds, so pine has traditionally been used as part of herbal remedies.

What kind of plant is it and how can you recognize it?

I will tell you about Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), one of the best-known coniferous plants. It is a tree from the Pine family. Herbal medicine reference books describe pine as an evergreen tree that can reach considerable height.

Scots pine has a straight trunk. It is covered with reddish-brown, cracking bark. In the upper part of the trunk and on the branches, the bark becomes yellowish and flaky. The tree's crown can be rounded or pyramidal.

The main feature of pine is its needles. They are blue-green, dense, needle-like and sharp. The needles are arranged in pairs on shortened shoots. Reference books state that they remain on the tree for several years and do not fall off in winter.

Scots pine flowers in May — June. Male and female structures appear on the same tree. The male flowers are grouped into small spikes, while the female ones develop into cones. The seeds are found inside the woody cones.

This is a widespread tree. Scots pine grows in the forests of European Russia, Siberia, Ukraine and northern Kazakhstan. It can be found on sandy and sandy-loam soils, on watersheds, in river valleys and on peat bogs.

Pine forests cover large areas. Scots pine can grow in different natural conditions, so it forms both pure pine stands and mixed forests together with other trees.

How does pine differ from other coniferous trees?

When collecting plant material, it is important to identify the plant correctly. In pine, the needles grow on shortened shoots, with two needles in each bundle. The needles are stiff, needle-like, blue-green, smooth and sharp.

You can distinguish pine from larch by the fact that its needles do not fall off for the winter. Larch needles turn yellow and fall during the cold season every year. Other coniferous plants may differ in the arrangement of their needles, the structure of their shoots and the presence of resin ducts.

The female pine cones consist of covering and seed scales. They mature over two years, and the seeds have wings and reach about 3–4 mm in length.

Scots Pine Benefits: What Does It Contain?

According to herbal medicine reference books, different parts of pine differ in composition. Pine buds are described as containing resinous and tannic substances, essential oil, vitamins and pinicycrin. The buds are the part most often considered medicinal raw material. Pine needles contain ascorbic acid, tannins, anthocyanin compounds, alkaloids and terpenes. Among the compounds in the needles are borneol, pinene, limonene and other substances. Resin is obtained from pine wood. It is rich in essential oil and terpenoids. Turpentine is obtained by distilling the resin, while tar is produced by dry distillation of the wood.

The needles of coniferous plants contain volatile substances called phytoncides. Reference books note that pine is especially rich in them. These natural compounds are one of the characteristic features of coniferous forests.

Pine provides people with more than just plant material. Its wood is used as a material and as fuel. Resins and products made from them are used in various fields.

What substances are obtained from pine?

Pine is a source of various processed products. It is used to obtain turpentine, rosin, turpentine oil, charcoal, essential oil, tar, chlorophyll paste, conifer extract and vitamin C preparations.

The resin ducts of the wood contain resin and essential oil. Resin dissolved in essential oil is called oleoresin. When the tree is damaged, it flows out and covers the damaged area.

Tar is also obtained from pine wood. Its composition is described as containing resinous substances, oils and other compounds formed during the dry distillation of wood.

How can pine benefit the respiratory system?

Herbal medicine books describe the use of preparations made from pine buds. According to reference books, they may increase the secretory activity of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. An expectorant effect is also noted, associated with stimulation of the activity of the ciliated epithelium of the mucous membranes.

In addition, reference literature states that pine bud extracts show bactericidal activity against some microorganisms of the nasopharynx and oral cavity.

How is pine used for other purposes?

Herbal medicine reference books describe pine buds as raw material to which mild diuretic and choleretic properties are attributed.

Oleoresin is traditionally known as a product that forms in the resin ducts of the tree. When the tree is damaged, the resin flows out and covers the damaged area. In folk descriptions, pine is called a tree that can protect itself thanks to its oleoresin.

Reference books also contain information about the use of oleoresin in topical preparations. At the same time, it is important to remember that topical products and internal use of plant products have different safety considerations.

Scots Pine Uses: Which Parts Are Used?

For medicinal purposes, reference books list several types of raw material: pine buds, needles and oleoresin. The buds are collected as young shoots. This material contains resinous substances, essential oil and other compounds. The needles are used as a source of ascorbic acid, tannins and terpenes. In industry, conifer extract and vitamin C preparations are obtained from the needles. Oleoresin is a resinous product of pine. Turpentine and other processed products are obtained from it.

How was pine used in the past?

Pine has accompanied people for many generations. Old herbal books described the use of various parts of the tree: buds, needles, cones, pollen and oleoresin. Oleoresin was of particular interest because of the tree's ability to seal its own injuries. In Russia, the resin of coniferous trees was traditionally chewed for dental and gum care. Pine forests were also valued for their air and natural volatile compounds. Reference literature noted that coniferous plants are especially rich in phytoncides.

How to brew Scots pine?

Reference books describe ways of preparing remedies from pine material. Some folk recipes call for using buds or other parts of the plant, but the exact preparation methods depend on the intended use and the composition of the remedy.

For homemade herbal drinks, it is important to use only properly collected raw material and to be cautious. Highly concentrated conifer preparations may act differently from an ordinary infusion made from dried plant material.

How to Collect and Store Pine Material?

Collecting pine material requires careful treatment of the tree. In herbal medicine, buds, needles and oleoresin are used. Pine buds are collected as medicinal raw material. They are gathered from young branches before active growth begins. After collection, the material must be properly dried and stored. Needles are collected with consideration for preserving the plant. They are used to make herbal preparations and extracts. Oleoresin is released from the resin ducts of the wood. Various processed products are obtained from it.

When are pine buds collected?

Pine buds are young shoots. Reference books state that they develop in the second year. They are collected as medicinal raw material before active growth begins.

When collecting them, it is important not to damage the tree extensively, since the buds are part of future shoots. After harvesting, the material should be cleaned and dried under suitable conditions.

Where is the best place to look for pine?

Pine is a light-loving tree and often forms pure stands. It grows on sandy and sandy-loam soils and can be found on dry hills, in river valleys and on peat bogs.

In forests, pine may grow together with spruce and other tree species, forming mixed forests. The variety of habitats is related to this tree's ability to adapt to different conditions.

Pine is considered one of the oldest tree groups. Its ancestral forms appeared on Earth about 150 million years ago and survived several ice ages. Dried plant material should be stored in a dry place protected from moisture. The quality of the plant material depends on proper harvesting and storage.

How to Find Scots Pine Abroad

Look for the plant by its name and Latin designation *Pinus sylvestris*:

• USA: Scots pine or Scotch pine.
• Germany: Waldkiefer or Kiefer.
• France: Pin sylvestre.
• Latin: *Pinus sylvestris*.

In What Form Is It Sold?

The most common forms are dried needles and buds, including loose plant material for teas and inhalations. Alcohol tinctures or liquid extracts made from buds or needles and essential oil are also sold. Standard capsules and tea bags specifically for this plant are uncommon.

Where to Look

• USA: health food stores, online herbal stores and specialized herbal pharmacies.
• Germany: *Apotheke*, *Reformhaus* and online pharmacies.
• France: *Pharmacie*, *herboristerie*, specialized organic and health food stores.

What to Check on the Package

Look for *Pinus sylvestris* and an indication of the plant part: *Pini sylvestris folium* (needles) or *Turiones* (buds). In Germany, it is also important to distinguish medicinal tea (*Arzneitee*) from an ordinary beverage. For organic products, look for USDA Organic, EU Bio or AB labels.

Rules differ by country: for example, in the USA, these products are sold as dietary supplements and are not approved by the FDA to treat, prevent or cure diseases, while in Germany, medicinal products made from pine material are mainly sold in pharmacies.

Scots Pine Precautions and Contraindications

Pine preparations differ in composition. Needles, bark, oleoresin and concentrated extracts may have different properties. Therefore, all forms of the plant should not be treated in the same way.

According to current safety information, pine products should not be used by people with a known allergy or increased sensitivity to pine, its needles, pollen, bark, oleoresin or other plant products.

Concentrated preparations, especially essential oils, are not intended for internal use without specific medical supervision. Essential oil has a different safety profile compared with tea or dried plant material.

Caution is needed when taking medications. Some pine extracts are described as potentially affecting blood clotting, so people taking medications that affect this process should discuss the use of herbal products with a healthcare professional.

Possible interactions with medications that affect blood sugar or blood pressure have also been described, although data on such interactions are limited. The safety of using pine products during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been adequately studied. During this period, the use of such preparations should be discussed with a doctor.

Safety data on concentrated pine products in children are limited. Particular caution is needed with essential oil: internal use is not suitable for children because of possible toxicity.

Possible adverse reactions include abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, gas, headache, dizziness, skin reactions and rash in sensitive people. Large amounts of products containing pine essential oil or resinous preparations may be dangerous. If a large amount of such a product is accidentally swallowed, medical advice is necessary.

When to See a Doctor

Herbal remedies do not replace diagnosis and treatment prescribed by a doctor. It is important to seek medical care if symptoms are severe, the condition worsens or unusual reactions occur.

It is especially important to consult a doctor:

• if signs of an allergic reaction appear after using pine products;
• during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• if herbal preparations are being used in a child;
• if you have chronic diseases;
• if you take medications regularly.

If a person takes medications that affect blood clotting, blood pressure or metabolic processes, it is best to discuss the use of new herbal products with a healthcare professional in advance.

Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →

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