Pine needles have a long history of aromatic use. For this guide, pine is kept simple as a topical infused oil rather than an internal tea.
The needles are used here for a fragrant topical oil that can also become the base of a salve.
Medicinal plant
Pine
Pinus spp.
An aromatic evergreen for topical oil. Also called Eastern White Pine.
Properties
Aromatic — Rich in aromatic oils that often support digestion or breathing
Energetics
Warming — Encourages warmth, movement, or circulation. Drying — Reduces excess moisture or secretions. Stimulating — Encourages activity, movement, or circulation.
Similar herbs: Basil, Bee Balm, Dill
Growing and using it
Life cycle
Evergreen perennial tree.
Hardiness
Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), the New England reference for this entry, is hardy in USDA Zones 3–8.
How to start
Nursery sapling. For New England, eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is the simplest local reference.
Starting from seed
Seed is possible but slow; a sapling is more practical.
Harvesting
Gather small amounts of needles from established trees; collect naturally exuded resin when available.
Grow in zone
Plant out — Move a started plant into its final spot outdoorsPlant out: AprilPlant out: MayHarvest needles — Gather needles in these monthsHarvest needles: JanuaryHarvest needles: FebruaryHarvest needles: MarchHarvest needles: AprilHarvest needles: MayHarvest needles: JuneHarvest needles: JulyHarvest needles: AugustHarvest needles: SeptemberHarvest needles: OctoberHarvest needles: NovemberHarvest needles: DecemberHarvest resin — Gather resin in these monthsHarvest resin: AprilHarvest resin: MayHarvest resin: JuneHarvest resin: JulyHarvest resin: AugustHarvest resin: SeptemberHarvest resin: October
Do not heavily harvest young trees. Plant seedlings in early spring; fall planting has lower survival in New England.
Gardening tools
(Paid links)
Infuse pine into a carrier oil for topical use in body oils, salves, and balms. A simple aromatic topical preparation.
Parts used
LeafPrepare
- Gather clean green pine needles
- Chop the needles and wilt or dry them well so excess moisture does not enter the oil
- Fill a clean, dry jar loosely with the needles
- Cover completely with olive oil or another stable carrier oil
- Infuse 3–4 weeks
- Strain thoroughly
- Store cool and dark