How to use pine needles for your hair, skin, and consumption as a great immune boost, available even when most other plants are not: the dead of winter! There's definitely very few, or almost no posts at all, about the benefits of pine for your hair :) So let's get stuck in!
Like everything, it goes without saying that you should always check to see if you are allergic to anything, natural or not anyone can have a reaction to anything. So please don't just spray things on your face, drink anything, or use anything, unless you are sure you won't have a reaction. I know it goes without saying but just in case
Benefits:
Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Antioxidant - very immune boosting
Other benefits are: it is also supposedly an expectorant (helps against coughs), helps with mental clarity (personally I really find that rosemary does this and can very much see pine needles doing so too), and apparently there is research that demonstrates consumption of pine needle tea is anti-ageing. Apparently Tao priests drinks pine needle tea because of their belief in its anti-ageing properties.
What I find the coolest about this: pine is one of the few trees (depending where you live) that are still green during the winter. Not only do they retain their "foliage", but it's coincidentally the exact type of boost that your body would need during the winter, and one of the only plants you can easily forage! Right when you need it, pine helps against coughs, increases your vitamin C and vitamin A, keeping your immune system strong, right as the time of year calls for it. Honestly, it just goes to show that you don't need anything but what our Earth provides for us. (This is just how I see life, and the world, you don't have to agree, but I really don't think man will ever better what nature already provides)
How Much Vitamin C? Is it Species-Specific? Does it Matter?
If you look online people will, like always, make tons of claims. Some say it has 5x the amount of vitamin C that an orange does, others say 10x the amount in lemons (......?) and others say 2x and so on. Some say it really depends on the exact type of pine needle - blah blah blah. The truth is, pine needles contain vitamin C, and a lot of it. End of story. Whether 50x as much as an orange, or 1 time the amount, or if there is some species that has more - does it really matter? Not really unless you want some type of optimal species - but don't forget that optimal vitamin C is based on absorption anyway.
So the point isn't to get all your vitamin C from pine needles; therefore, it doesn't matter exactly how much Vitamin C pine needles contain. And that's the end to another whirlwind online saga where people try and convince you of all sorts of things! If you're interested just get involved:
Sourcing:
Sourcing should be pretty easy - pine trees grow almost everywhere and they are evergreen.
Be 100% sure that what you are sourcing are pine needles. Buy a foraging book, rent a foraging book from the library if you can't afford to buy, or simply use the internet if you have access, which most people do, especially anyone reading this haha.
Don't confuse pine needles with yew because that's super toxic - there is even a plant identifier app you can download if you're interested. Please just double check this, and you are ok to proceed.
Yes you can even use the ones that fall on the floor! (If it's green, not the dried, brown tips :) )
Uses
Ok so my first use will be to show you how amazing it is for your hair. Yep, bet you didn't expect that! You may (or may not know) that some top natural hair brands include pine bark extract as an ingredient in the shampoos and conditioners. Well, did you know that pine and pine bark act as incredible moisturisers? They really help soften your hair. Here is how you can use them, easily, and for free :)
Pine Needle Hair Rinse:
A hair rinse is simply water with an added plant - such as rosemary, lavender, or in this case, pine needles. Other great plants for rinses that really help hair and scalp health - are Horsetail and even Aloe Vera. (hair rinse post coming up separately, sorry for any guys subscribed who don't care! xD)
The below photos are your only 3 steps, left to right!
Step 1: Get some pine needles (hard work eh?)
Step 2: Place them in a pot to simmer, do not allow to boil (middle photo)
Step 3: After 10 minutes or so, pour the liquid, and the pine needles, into a container of your choice (last photo). For best results, let it sit there for a few days before use
Apply:
After you have finished with the shampoo and conditioner is when you apply the hair rinse. Simply pour the liquid onto your scalp and make sure it is getting through to all your hair.
I have hip length hair so what I do is grab the lengths of my hair and soak it into the container first, before pouring onto my scalp.
You can leave the "rinse" in or you can rinse it off. If you want to rinse, remember to always rinse your hair with cold water - as cold as you can manage, the icier the better. The pine needle hair rinse should make your hair very soft, reduce frizz, and should add some shine. It really helps soften hair. Don't worry if you try it and you don't feel your hair much softer - everyone's body is different. you could try it a few more times and see.
Pine Needle Tea - The Classic Use
As above (so below ;) ), all you do is grab some pine needles, throw them into a pot, and let simmer for a few minutes, around 10.
Then, simply sieve and serve. Many drink the tea with the pine needles still inside. Because of the above mentioned vitamin content, this is a great little immune boost and the most classic and typical use for pine needles.
Use 3: Skin Toner
If you already use rose water on your face - whether as a spray or on a cotton pad to use as a cleanser/toner, then you will be pleased to know that you can use pine needles in the same way! I find they work nicely as a cleanser, and best as a spray. If you don't already use rose water as a cleanser or toner, or a facial mist, please do start, it's great for ya. I made a video a few years ago but will simply make a new post soon.
You do not need to buy anything expensive or fancy. Rose water sprays like the one seen here can go for up to 24 pounds/dollars/euros. It simply isn't worth it. Some natural products are, but rose sprays are not, because you don't need anything else inside of your rose water toner/facial spray other than rose water (unless you want something fancy)
The best way is to buy pure, organic, 100% natural rose water - where the only ingredient is Rosa Damascena. Simply use that, as is, onto a cotton pad (you can even drink it, and use it in baking, desserts, etc :D). If you want a facial spritz, do not bother buying anything expensive (unless you want to, or want to support a local business who makes it). Just take the rose water described above, and pour it into a glass spritz bottle. Rose spray, done. You should be able to buy these glass bottles in most places.
Method For Pine Needle Toner:
Prepare the pine needles the same was you would for the hair rinse or the tea: by simply sticking some into a pot, and simmering for some minutes.
Next, pour the water only, into either a glass spritz bottle - for a facial mist spray - or into a normal glass bottle/container that you can use to pour some onto a cotton pad. Use the liquid the same way you would rose water!
Simple, easy, and best of all, free and straight from nature. The longer the pine needles infuse in the water, the stronger the spray, so you can even leave some bits of pine needle in the bottle. It will look pretty and it will help strengthen the mix.
I hope you've enjoyed this and hopefully learned something cool. Thanks for reading and hope you're having an awesome day <3
