Pine Needle Tea

Making Pine Needle Tea:

Collect the youngest pine needles available from an area free of pesticide. Wash the needles.

Then you can either steep them whole in a cup and drink when they get a bit pale, or you can boil water, add the chopped needles, and simmer for 20 minutes. (Heating any longer may diminish the effects of the high amounts of vitamin C.) The tea should get a red tinge to it.

Taste the tea before adding your favorite sweetener: The younger needles have a sweetness of their own.

Please note before making this tea: It has been observed that pregnant cows who eat pine needles have spontaneous miscarriages. As with all herbs, check with your naturopath if you are pregnant.

Photo credit: Tia Ohm