Vitamin C content in Pine Needles, etc.

nao57

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So, I ran into the idea that there's MORE Vitamin C in pine Needles than there is in oranges and lemons. They used to have this thing where pioneers used to make pine needle tea.

The Eastern white pine needles of this USDA Forest Service study had between 0.72 mg and 1.87 mg of ascorbic acid per gram of pine needles. New needles had the lower concentration, while 1 year old needles had 1.18 mg of vitamin C per gram of needles, and 2 year old needles had as much as 1.87 mg. Source; Wildedible.com



Pines that can be used for pine needle tea;



  • White Pine (Pinus strobus): This tree's needles are long, thin and flexible, typically appearing in clusters or bundles of five. They are known for their mild flavor which makes for a subtly fragrant and pleasant tea. Majority of white pine needle tea benefits come from its vitamin C content; the Eastern white pine needles have between 0.72 mg and 1.87 mg of ascorbic acid.
  • Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis): Not to be confused with the poisonous plant of a similar name, the Eastern Hemlock is a tree with flat and short needles that are less than an inch long. They're great for a more robust and earthy brew.
  • Yellow Pine (Pinus subgenus Diploxylon): Yellow Pine needles are arranged in bundles of three, adding a unique texture to the tea-making process. They tend to have a stronger, more resinous flavor.
  • Red Pine (Pinus resinosa): Red Pine needles are arranged in bundles of two, and they lend a slightly sweet taste to the tea.
  • Spruce (Picea): Unlike pines, spruce trees have single needles that attach to the branches. They have a sharp point and roll easily between fingers. Spruce needle tea is known for its refreshing and slightly citrusy flavor.
  • Firs (Abies): Firs have flat and friendly needles that do not roll between your fingers. Fir needle tea has a mildly sweet flavor, almost like a hint of citrus or orange in your cup.
  • Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara): Although not a pine tree, Himalayan Cedar's needles are also used for making tea. They offer a unique flavor profile that's distinct from that of pines, firs or spruces.
Where this gets tricky is... it says that NOT ALL pine trees can be used (some you shouldn't; which is why I posted the list).

What I'm not sure about is how accurate this list is? Are there others that aren't there that should be on this list?

And what I most wanted to ask about, are there harmful side effects to pine needle tea or tinctures? (Besides harmful to pregnancies.)

Would you also agree that anything you can make into a tea, could also be made into a storable tincture?
 
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Meadowlark

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There are probably more varieties that should NOT be used than those that are suitable for human use. We have a lot of long leaf and loblolly pine...both NOT suitable. Also NOT suitable lodgepole, monterey, ponderosa, norfolk, juniper, and not pine Yew.

Some potential harmful effects in addition to pregnancy risks that are listed include allergic reactions from mild to severe, medical interactions interfering with medications, and gastrointestinal issues.
 

roadrunner

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I think there are a lot of things that probably have more Vit C than oranges. Somehow oranges have become synonymous with Vit C.

I eat a lot of things out of my yard that have plenty of Vit C. Example Moringa leaves, which have about 2.2mg of Vit C in a gram of fresh leaves.

BTW, I think why oranges are such a popular choice for getting one's fill of Vit C dates back to the days when Sailors discovered that citrus fruits prevented scurvy.
 

nao57

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There are probably more varieties that should NOT be used than those that are suitable for human use. We have a lot of long leaf and loblolly pine...both NOT suitable. Also NOT suitable lodgepole, monterey, ponderosa, norfolk, juniper, and not pine Yew.

Some potential harmful effects in addition to pregnancy risks that are listed include allergic reactions from mild to severe, medical interactions interfering with medications, and gastrointestinal issues.
Thanks. That's interesting. And there aren't very many lists of the pine needles you shouldn't use, and that leaves questions.
 

nao57

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I think there are a lot of things that probably have more Vit C than oranges. Somehow oranges have become synonymous with Vit C.

I eat a lot of things out of my yard that have plenty of Vit C. Example Moringa leaves, which have about 2.2mg of Vit C in a gram of fresh leaves.

BTW, I think why oranges are such a popular choice for getting one's fill of Vit C dates back to the days when Sailors discovered that citrus fruits prevented scurvy.
When I get to heaven I'd love to live in an orange grove... with beehives. :p

Can Moringas endure cold winter areas?
 

roadrunner

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Can Moringas endure cold winter areas?
No, moringa tree (Moringa oleifera ) is a tropical tree from Asia. Here in NE Florida, it can die during the winter, but since our ground doesn't freeze it always grows back. And the larger trees don't die completely if we have a mild winter (short freeze) and if it's mild enough with no freezing, the tree will survive the winter.

It's a fast growing tree, so I imagine you could plant it in a large pot.
 

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