Pine Needle Tea - How to make it, History, Medicinal properties & Poisonous trees to avoid

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Published 2022-03-01

Today we set forth to have a look at the famous pine needle tea. We open with a story about the scurvy riddled voyage of french explorer Jaques Cartier and how his crew were saved by pine needle tea with thanks to the Iroquois. We go on to show you how to identify the difference between spruce, fir and pine. We make some pine needle tea from the Scots pine tree and also show you which trees are poisonous and should not be used for tea! We also discuss why using the needles in combination with the inner 'cambium bark' of the tree can give the tea and extra medicinal boost. Be respectful to the trees and do not take too much from them. Why not forage for wind fallen needles instead of cutting fresh ones. As with harvesting any wild food, make sure you are 100% confident of the species you have and make sure its not poisonous. If you are in any doubt, be safe and don't ingest anything. Why not consult a local tree expert or find a group to help you if you are a beginner. Happy foraging!

00:00 - Opening
00:30 - Story of Jaques Cartier’s pine needle scurvy cure
02:20 - Pine Needle Tea intro
02:56 - Which conifer trees to use and how to identify them
04:00 - Scots Pine
05:44 - The Collie interlude
06:23 - Scots Pine Bark identification
06:39 - Scots Pine Needles
07:27 - Poisonous conifer trees to avoid
08:06 - Which needles for Vitamin C
08:41 - How to harvest needles
09:03 - Making Scots Pine needle tea
09:54 - Preserving Vitamin C
10:23 - How to collect pine inner cambium bark
11:30 - Is pine inner bark edible?
12:25 - Medicinal properties of pine needle tea
13:34 - How long to boil pine needle tea?
14:00 - What does pine needle tea taste like?

All Comments (21)

@JamieKunka 2 years ago

00:00 - Opening 00:30 - Story of Jaques Cartier’s pine needle scurvy cure 02:20 - Pine Needle Tea intro 02:56 - Which conifer trees to use and how to identify them 04:00 - Scots Pine 05:44 - The Collie interlude 06:23 - Scots Pine Bark identification 06:39 - Scots Pine Needles 07:27 - Poisonous conifer trees to avoid 08:06 - Which needles for Vitamin C 08:41 - How to harvest needles 09:03 - Making Scots Pine needle tea 09:54 - Preserving Vitamin C 10:23 - How to collect pine inner cambium bark 11:30 - Is pine inner bark edible? 12:25 - Medicinal properties of pine needle tea 13:34 - How long to boil pine needle tea? 14:00 - What does pine needle tea taste like?
@chrislee-saunders1368 2 years ago

Great viewing. Thankyou this will be part of my home schooled boys lessons this week.
@cacevedo07 1 year ago

"let's take some branches here and there, so we won't have a big impact on the photosynthesis in one spot.." that's very thoughtful. Thanks for sharing it!
@RayDAider1 5 months ago

So thankful to have an Eastern White Pine just outside my front door...I use just a little stevia to sweeten the tea.
@mattm8105 2 years ago

Return of the foraging king, always enjoy your videos. Welcome back!
@macmon3677 2 years ago

Happy to see you upload again! Great video as usual!
@pergatron 2 years ago

The sleeping giant hath awoken! Welcome back Jamie. Was wondering what you would post about next, pine needle tea wasn't in my top five guesses lol. Random thought - have you ever considered doing a video about the different amanita strains and the lore around them? That would be badass
@jul.escobar 2 years ago

I just found your page a few weeks ago and was hoping you came back to post again. Was happy to see this post today, watching now. Thanks for sharing your knowledge
@SpecialgiftsLA 1 year ago

Hi Jamie, This video is the first I have wholeheartedly connected with and enjoyed, I hope to beable to visit scotland in the next few years..Just my cup of tea😋😉, exploring and identifying trees and other things, and getting hands on while preparing a lovely warm drink that is healing. I will return and your Dog is very very sweet..he looked very curious about the tea. Take care.Lia
@highlandjournalart654 1 year ago

I’m so glad I found your channel, I nearly picked up some fallen branches yesterday to make tea but was a bit wary, shall try again today!
@lesleeclark7991 1 year ago

Just LOVELY! Thanks for the enlightening regarding pines, the breathtaking scenery, and an overall delightful "escape" 👍
@clarkl4177 1 year ago

Stunning scenery, interesting history, handsome, knowledgeable guide: what's NOT to like 👏
@Sam613306 2 years ago

Initially thought we were going to get some wild swimming from you Jamie!! Another fascinating & informative little presentation from you!
@samxamy 1 year ago

So much value from watching just two of your videos - this one and birch polypore. Heading out tomorrow and hopefully waking up without this winter head cold the day after!!
@gemma269 2 years ago

Absolutely love your videos! So pleased to see you back!
@gr8northernpike 2 months ago

I would highly recommend a fuzzy cover for your microphone to cut the wind rumble. It would make your voice much easier to understand.
@rosemaryjackson5637 2 years ago

Just discovered you a weekish ago, love the videos! Great to see you upload something new :)
@h2hcamey 1 year ago

Great informative vid! Love conifer tea!
@kelvenguard 1 year ago

As a kid in Alberta Canada I would make Wild Rose Buds and Spruce needle tea.... can make it all year round and the Rose Buds are full of V-C
@jimf671 9 months ago

My worry on this front is similarity with lodgepole and identifying between the two.