How to Juice Pine Needles

Pine needles, bark and sap are excellent sources of vitamins A and C. For centuries people have chewed pine needles to prevent scurvy and other vitamin-deficiency related diseases. Chewing is the most efficient way to ingest the juice, but not everyone has a tree in their yard and can just reach up to pull some fresh needles. Pine needles can not be juiced efficiently like wheat-grass juice. The best option to extract the beneficial juice is to make a tea out of them.

Things You'll Need

• Pine Needles (about a handful)
• Water
• Cooking Pot
• Strainer

Instructions

1. Bring about a quart of water to a boil in a cooking pot.

2. Crush and chop the pine needles and place them in the pot.

3. Set the pot to the side and steep for at least twenty minutes. Don't simmer the tea. The longer it boils, the less vitamin C it will have.

4. Strain the needles from the tea, sweeten or spice, and drink immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• Pine needle tea can be sweetened with sugar, honey, molasses, or syrup. Other spices work well, such as orange peel, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

• Try to make only the amount of tea you intend to drink immediately. It loses vitamin C if it sits for any length of time.

• Evergreen tea should be consumed in moderation. Drinking too much can cause stomach discomfort.

• Pregnant women should not drink evergreen tea.

• Refrigerate unused portions of the tea.

References

• Troubled Times

Resources

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