Pine cones: medicinal properties and contraindications

Pine cones are a natural raw material that is widely used both in home medicine and in cooking. Cones have a pleasant taste and a lot of useful properties, but in order for them not to cause harm, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic rules for their use.

The size and shape of pine cones

The size of pine cones can be considered average – they usually reach no more than 3-7 cm in length and only occasionally grow even larger. The diameter of the cones usually does not exceed 2-3 cm, their shape is elongated and oblong, cylindrical with a narrowing at the end.

As you can see in the photo of pine cones, they are covered with small scales on top that cover the inner core. In young buds, the scales are bright green and tightly fitting, but as they grow older, the structure of pine cones changes, their color becomes brown, and the scales themselves become stiff.

It is customary to distinguish male and female pine cones – male ones are small in size, collected in groups and located near the base of the shoots. The female cones are larger and grow closer to the end of the shoot. At the same time, both types of kidneys have useful properties.

What are the benefits of pine cones

Pine cones contain a huge amount of valuable substances. They include:

• vitamins C, A, B and K;
• terpenes and essential oils;
• tannins and fatty oils;
• magnesium, iron and selenium;
• tannins and phytoncides;
• a small amount of alkaloids;
• bioflavonoid.

Thanks to such a rich composition, young green cones, when properly processed, bring great benefits to the human body. In particular, they:

• have an anti-inflammatory effect and fight infections;
• strengthen immune resistance to viruses and bacteria;
• liquefy sputum with a dry cough and in general have an extremely positive effect on the lungs and bronchi;
• improve the composition and movement of blood – pine cones for blood vessels increase the elasticity of the vascular walls and prevent the deposition of cholesterol plaques;
• protect the heart system from ailments, bumps can protect against ischemia, reduce the likelihood of developing a stroke or heart attack;
• have a diuretic and choleretic effect, due to which they are very useful in diseases of the kidneys and gallbladder;
• effectively eliminate edema and associated unpleasant symptoms;
• prevent the development of scurvy and anemia – the vitamin composition of the cones quickly replenishes the deficiency of nutrients in the body;
• strengthen the nervous system and help normalize sleep patterns;
• save from depression and increased anxiety;
• improve metabolism and contribute to the normalization of the stomach and intestines.

For men and women, buds can benefit from malfunctions in the reproductive system. Products based on cones stop inflammation, improve blood circulation in the small pelvis and return healthy vigor and energy. The anti-cancer properties of cones are also known, they can be used to prevent cancer.

How and when the cones are harvested

In folk medicine, the benefits of pine cones that have not yet become stiff are used, respectively, and it is necessary to collect useful raw materials immediately after the cones appear on the branches of the plant. This happens at the end of May or beginning of June.

To collect raw materials, it is necessary to choose pine forests, the age of trees in which is about 30 years. Young pines actively produce buds, but at the same time they still remain quite low, it is most convenient to collect cones from such trees. In addition, preference should be given to forests located far from major roads, factories and factories, the purer the medicinal raw material, the higher its useful properties will be.

Pine cones treatment

Young pine cones are incredibly popular in home medicine, and this is simply explained – products based on them help in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments.

• The cones have a healing effect on any colds: SARS, bronchitis, flu, lingering cough and runny nose. The vitamins in their composition, and especially vitamin C, quickly help to relieve high fever and malaise, activate the immune system to fight a viral infection.
• Pine buds are used for stomach ulcers. Means based on useful raw materials have a healing effect on erosive lesions of the mucous membranes, soothe inflammation and relieve pain.
• Cones help with gastritis, a tendency to diarrhea and metabolic failures. Useful substances in their composition accelerate the digestion and assimilation of food, improve intestinal microflora, and contribute to the rapid removal of toxins from the body.
• The choleretic and diuretic properties of raw materials are in demand in the presence of sand in the kidneys, in chronic inflammatory processes, and in violation of the outflow of bile. The use of funds based on pine buds contributes to the fact that bile begins to be produced more actively, and the fluid is quickly excreted from the body by the kidneys – accordingly, the functioning of internal organs improves, puffiness disappears.

Cones are used in complex therapy aimed at rehabilitation after a stroke. The composition of useful raw materials contains a large amount of tannins – substances that can slow down the decay of neurons in the affected areas of the brain. Thus, pine cones from a stroke do not allow the disease to develop further and help maintain maximum mental clarity and performance.

Tinctures and decoctions based on cones are good for joint ailments – arthritis, rheumatism, osteochondrosis. Rubbing and compresses are of particular benefit, acting on a sore joint through the skin, pine buds relieve inflammation, eliminate pain and reduce tissue swelling.

Also cones are used:

• in diseases of the respiratory tract – pneumonia, pneumonia, tracheitis and bronchitis, tuberculosis;
• with a deficiency of nutrients in the body – scurvy, anemia and anemia;
• with gynecological inflammation and diseases of the urogenital area – cystitis in women, urethritis and prostatitis in men;
• with skin ailments – dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis;
• with disorders of the endocrine system and ailments of the thyroid gland;
• with weak immunity, loss of strength and decreased performance;
• with atherosclerosis, hypertension and increased cholesterol levels in the blood;
• with anxiety disorders, insomnia, a tendency to depression;
• with a decrease in potency and libido in men and women.

When applied externally, pine buds not only help to cope with inflammatory skin diseases, but also contribute to the rapid healing of wounds – and in addition, they have a disinfecting effect.

Folk recipes from pine cones

Recipes from pine cones can be very different, the dosage of healing agents and the duration of treatment always depend on the specific disease. But, one way or another, only a few medicinal tinctures based on natural raw materials are used in folk medicine, they are prepared in the same ways.

Infusion of pine cones

The simplest remedy based on fresh pine buds is an ordinary water infusion. Prepare it like this:

• about 50 g of green cones are thoroughly washed in cold water, dried and finely chopped with a knife;
• pour 500 ml of freshly boiled water in a small container;
• cover with a lid and leave to infuse for 2 hours in a shaded place.

The finished infusion will need to be passed through folded cheesecloth to filter out the sediment.

You need to drink the remedy 100 ml twice or thrice a day, and the infusion brings the maximum benefit for anemia, weakened immunity and a cold cough. The valuable properties of the drink will also be in demand for gastrointestinal diseases – the infusion will soothe irritated mucous membranes and contribute to a quick recovery.

Pine cone tea

Pine buds are suitable for making a healing tea, it is especially convenient because it can be taken in the same quantities as regular tea, along with honey or other sweets. For cooking you will need:

• wash in cold water, and then properly chop the pine cones in the amount of 10-12 pieces;
• pour raw materials with a liter of water and put on the stove, and when the cones boil, reduce the heat to the weakest and cook for another 5 minutes;
• remove from heat, leave for about an hour and strain.

The resulting infusion is added to the usual tea leaves – 3-4 small spoons.

The finished drink turns out to be very aromatic and healthy, it helps well with anemia, colds, high blood pressure. Drinking tea is recommended if you have a predisposition to heart disease, the drink will strengthen blood vessels and heart muscle and prevent the development of dangerous conditions.

Pine cone tincture

For arthritis, rheumatism and sciatica, it is recommended to use a tincture of cones prepared with alcohol. Such a tool has especially strong warming and analgesic properties, and after a stroke, it prevents the breakdown of brain cells.

Healing broth

Green pine cones are beneficial in the form of a water decoction. Prepare it like this:

• fresh pine cones are taken in such quantity as to fill a third liter pan with them;
• the raw materials are thoroughly washed, but not cut, but immediately poured into a prepared container;
• the pot is filled with water and the cones are sent to the stove – they only need to be cooked for 5-7 minutes, because too many valuable substances are destroyed during long heat treatment.

The finished broth is covered with a lid and left for an hour. The infused and cooled agent is filtered with gauze, and then only 3-4 sips are taken in the morning. The remedy is of particular benefit in atherosclerosis and high cholesterol, in gastric diseases and intestinal disorders.

Since the decoction has an increased concentration of useful components, it is impossible to take it in large volumes – this will cause harm. But if desired, the product can be diluted with natural honey – the taste of the drink will become richer and more interesting, and the beneficial properties will only increase.

pine syrup

Pine cones are used not only for making drinks, but also for creating tasty and healthy delicacies. One of them is pine syrup – its unusual refreshing taste will appeal to both adults and children.

The syrup recipe is as follows:

• young cones are thoroughly washed, put in a saucepan and poured with water in a ratio of 1 to 3;
• for 20 minutes, the raw materials are boiled, then removed from the heat and left to infuse for a day in a closed form;
• after that, the boiled cones are removed from the infusion and discarded, and the remaining liquid is filtered through tightly folded gauze.

In equal proportions, sugar is added to the resulting infusion, stirred well and put on fire again. At the lowest temperature, the syrup is boiled for another 1,5-2 hours until it acquires a raspberry hue, and then immediately poured into sterile hot jars.

Delicious and healthy syrup helps with colds and anemia – just use it with tea to feel better. The syrup also benefits the stomach and intestines, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and helps to get rid of insomnia.

Fragrant jam from green cones

Young pine cones bring benefits as part of sweet jam; a large amount of vitamins and valuable natural substances are concentrated in such a delicacy. There are as many as 2 ways to prepare the product, but in both cases it takes very little time.

• According to the first method, cleanly washed green cones are poured with water in equal amounts, after which they are boiled over moderate heat for only 20 minutes. After that, the resulting broth is filtered and mixed with 2 kg of granulated sugar in the amount of 1 glasses. From the mixture obtained, ordinary sweet syrup is made, after which the remaining cones are again placed in it and boiled until completely softened for about half an hour.
• According to the second method, 1 kg of cones is poured with cold water and left to infuse for a day to soften. The next day, the usual sweet syrup is boiled from sugar and water in a ratio of 1 to 2. When the syrup is ready, water is drained from under the infused pine cones, and the cones themselves are boiled in the prepared syrup until they become completely soft.

Fragrant cone-based jam is used as a remedy for any ailments or simply eaten with tea for general health promotion. Suitable for eating, including whole cones remaining in jam.

Safety measures

The benefits and harms of pine cones depend on many factors. First of all, it is necessary to control the dosage of a healthy product – drinks and treats based on pine buds can be harmful if they exceed the norms indicated in the recipes. An overdose of pine cones can lead to stomach upset, skin rashes, and headaches.

In some cases, pine cones can provoke allergies. Since you can rarely meet them on an ordinary table, for the first time you need to use medicines, syrups and jams in minimal quantities. If the body does not respond with a negative reaction, the dosage can be increased.

Contraindications for pine cones

The beneficial properties of pine cones are very high, and they do harm infrequently. And yet the natural product has a number of contraindications, which include:

• hepatitis and severe liver damage;
• chronic renal failure and nephritis;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• children’s age up to 7 years.

Pine cones should be used with caution by people over 60 years of age. The body in old age is particularly sensitive and may not be able to cope with the absorption of medicines based on raw materials.

Conclusion

Pine cones are beneficial for a wide range of ailments, they are used in the treatment of even the most serious diseases. But when using cones, it is important to pay attention to dosages and make sure that the raw materials are completely clean.

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