pine needle tea

Pine Needle Tea

Pine needle tea has been around for a long time and offers great health benefits. Want to know what some of these are? Read on to find out.

Pine needle tea might not be something that is as well-known as some other types of teas―Indian tea, herbal tea or green tea, for that matter. But that does not mean it isn't just as beneficial for our health or that it does not taste as nice. Quite the contrary, actually. In case you're wondering, pine needle tea does not mean crushing the pine needles and brewing a recipe like thus. No. There are different ways to do it and come up with some great concoctions. We'll get to that later. But first, let's talk about some benefits of this form of tea. Health Benefits Rich in Nutrients Pine needle tea is a rich source of vitamin C and vitamin A. It is said that it is packed with so much goodness of the C vitamin that it surpasses the lemon's bounty by a whopping 5-6 times. Promotes Heart Health This tea is also very effective in maintaining great heart health. It fights several ailments of the heart. It lowers the levels of cholesterol and the chances of developing high blood pressure. Rich in Antioxidants This tea is packed with antioxidants in the form of flavonoids. Antioxidants are very important to us because they help to negate the effect that free radicals have on our system. (Free radicals are unstable molecules, which damage the cell components and DNA and lead to cancer.) Fights Cancer It has been found that pine needle tea has strong antimutagenic, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties, which help in preventing cancer-producing cells. Along with that, they also have anti-tumor effects on the body. Helps Asthma It has been shown that ingesting this tea regularly has reduced the levels of leukotrine that leads to asthma in children. So also, the presence of shikimic acid (Tami-flu base) makes it a preventive measure for swine flu. Relieves Menopause Symptoms It has been studied that women who are going through menopause and have consumed this tea have exhibited less fatigue and tiredness. Other Conditions It is also beneficial to fight ailments like fatigue, allergies, depression, kidney stone, varicose veins, sinus symptoms, phlegm reduction, sore throats, ulcers, headaches, scurvy, and sclerosis. So also, it helps in promoting better eyesight. WARNING: Even though pine needle tea has many benefits, as we've seen above, it is not recommended for woman who are pregnant. It should be avoided by women who are planning to have a baby or are already pregnant. Recipe
  1. Make sure that you choose the right pine tree. There are some which can be poisonous. The white pine is considered to be the best choice for this.
  2. Choose pine needles which are fresh and slightly greener than the others.
  3. Get hold of these and wash them thoroughly to get rid of all the dirt.
  4. Chop them till you have about ½ - ¾ cup.
  5. Now, keep some water for boiling and add the pine to it.
  6. Let it simmer for 5 minutes and take it down from the stove.
  7. Let sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
  8. The more you boil it, the stronger it'll be. So if you want a mild taste, bring it down after 5 minutes.
  9. Alternately, one could also boil the water and then soak the leaves in it after and let sit.
  10. After steeping it, strain the leaves (they can get quite sharp) and you'll be left with a reddish liquid that is mild and a little tangy to taste.
  11. You could also refrigerate it if you prefer cooler healthy drinks.
That right there is how you stay healthy the fun way. Sip some pine needle tea and score on health. Good combination, wouldn't you say?

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