Pine needles

Pine needle tea has been used as a natural tonic in Northern European and Asian folk traditions for centuries. Made from the fresh needles of Pinus sylvestris and related species, it provides a simple, caffeine-free daily drink with a clean, slightly resinous flavour.

Key Nutritional Properties

Pine needles are one of the richest natural plant sources of Vitamin C, containing up to four times more than an equivalent weight of oranges. Vitamin C supports immune function, collagen synthesis, and iron absorption. Pine needles also provide Vitamin A, which is important for vision, skin integrity, hair health, and the production of red blood cells. Antioxidant compounds in pine needles, particularly flavonoids and terpenes, contribute to anti-inflammatory and oxidative-stress-reducing properties observed in both traditional use and early scientific studies.

Health Benefits

Pine needle tea is commonly used to support immunity during cold and flu season, soothe respiratory discomfort, and reduce sore throat symptoms. The tea may help support healthy blood pressure and cardiovascular function. Anti-inflammatory terpene compounds are associated with post-exercise recovery and may contribute to reduced oxidative stress over time. Pollen content in pine needles may help the immune system develop tolerance to seasonal pollens, potentially reducing hayfever sensitivity with regular use.

How to Prepare

Add a small handful of clean, fresh pine needles to 250 ml of hot water (not boiling — boiling breaks down heat-sensitive vitamins). Steep for 5–10 minutes, strain, and enjoy. You may add honey or lemon to taste. Start with one cup per day and increase gradually if well tolerated. Not recommended during pregnancy.

Sourcing and Storage

Our pine needles are harvested from Pinus sylvestris trees in clean natural forest environments, carefully dried at low temperatures to preserve vitamin C content and aromatic compounds. They are packaged in sealed, light-protective bags to prevent oxidation and maintain freshness. Store in a cool, dry cupboard and use within 12–18 months of purchase. Properly dried and stored pine needles retain most of their vitamin C and aromatic oil content throughout this period.

How to Prepare Pine Needle Tea

Pine needle tea is best prepared from young, fresh-tasting dried needles. Rinse a small handful (5–10 g) briefly under cool water, then steep in hot water at 80–90°C for 10–15 minutes — do not boil, as heat above 95°C can break down vitamin C and release potentially irritating resins. The resulting tea has a fresh, piney, slightly citrusy flavour. Sweeten with honey if desired. Drink 1–2 cups daily for vitamin C and antioxidant support. Pine needle tea is traditionally used to support respiratory health, immune function, and as a natural source of vitamin C during winter months. Storage: keep dried pine needles in a sealed, breathable bag or container away from humidity and direct light. Properly stored, they retain aroma and potency for 12–18 months. Not recommended for pregnant women.

Quality Assurance and Sourcing

All Pine needles wholesale and retail products at our store are carefully sourced, tested for quality, and stored under controlled conditions to ensure maximum potency and safety. We work exclusively with verified suppliers and apply rigorous quality controls at every stage from sourcing to dispatch.

Shelf life: As indicated on packaging. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture to maintain quality throughout the stated shelf life period.

Returns and satisfaction: If you have any concerns about product quality or condition on arrival, contact our customer service team for prompt assistance.

How to Brew Pine Needle Tea

Use roughly a small handful of needles — about 3–5 g — per cup. Rinse them, then chop or snip them into shorter lengths to expose more surface area, which noticeably improves extraction.
Pour water that is hot but just off the boil over the needles and steep, covered, for 10–20 minutes until the liquid turns pale gold-green. Do not boil hard: vitamin C degrades rapidly at sustained high heat, and boiling largely destroys the nutrient the tea is best known for. Covering the cup also keeps the volatile aromatic oils in the liquid rather than in the air.
The flavour is resinous, citrusy and distinctly forest-like, with a slight astringency. A little honey and lemon suits it well — and lemon does more than flavour, since vitamin C is more stable in an acidic environment.

Species Identification — Read This First

This is the section that matters most, because "pine needle tea" is one of the few herbal preparations where misidentification is genuinely dangerous.
Not every conifer is safe. Yew (Taxus) is highly toxic and potentially fatal — it is an evergreen with flat needles and red berry-like arils, and it has been mistaken for pine. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), Norfolk Island pine and common yew should all be avoided. Ponderosa pine in particular is documented to cause abortion in cattle and is not safe in pregnancy.
Our needles are harvested from identified Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) from clean forest areas. If you ever forage your own, be certain of the species — and if you are not certain, do not brew it.

Storage

Store dried needles in a sealed container in a cool, dry, dark place, where they keep for around a year. Fresh needles can be refrigerated in a sealed bag for a few weeks. Dried needles retain the aromatic oils reasonably well but lose vitamin C over time, so fresher material makes a better tea for that purpose.
Any mustiness or visible mould means the material has taken up moisture and should be discarded.

Safety and Contraindications

Do not use if pregnant. Several pine species are documented abortifacients, and pine needle tea is traditionally contraindicated in pregnancy. This is the most important caution with the product. It is also not recommended while breastfeeding.
Pine needle tea is astringent and can cause digestive upset in larger amounts. People with a history of allergy to conifers or pine pollen should be cautious. Anyone with a kidney condition should seek medical advice first, as pine oils are excreted renally.
Moderate intake is sensible rather than large volumes daily. This product is a herbal food, not a medicine, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all pine needles safe to use for tea? No — this product is specifically Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) and related safe species. Some conifers, including yew (Taxus) and certain pine varieties, are toxic and must never be substituted. Always confirm the species before foraging your own.

How do I brew pine needle tea? Steep a small handful of dried needles in freshly boiled water for 8–10 minutes, then strain. A longer steep gives a stronger, more resinous flavour; a shorter one is milder.

Why is pine needle tea valued for its Vitamin C content? Fresh pine needles contain significantly more Vitamin C by weight than citrus fruit, a property documented in Nordic and Siberian folk medicine long before citrus was widely available in those regions — drying reduces but doesn't eliminate this content.

Explore related products: Blue Lotus flowers, Spirulina powder.