Benefits of the Pine Tree

Over the years, it has been proven that in order to move forward, the best way to go is back. Yeah, back to nature. Everything we need is in nature. While some people might wish to contest that fact, it is important to note that everything created by science today is composed of things found on earth. Need I say more?

Now, in this article, we shall be studying just one of the precious gifts nature has given to us and the gift is the PINE TREE.

Pine trees are North America’s most familiar and successful conifer (a cone-bearing seed plant with vascular tissue, usually a tree). They are softwood evergreens that have the ability to grow in compact groupings. It is also important to note that there are about 110 species of pine trees.

Pine trees are usually found in the Northern Hemisphere and in a few parts of the Southern Hemisphere. These trees flourish in temperate and tropical climates and are known to grow to an altitude of almost 13,000 feet and a height ranging from 10 to 245 feet.

The pine trees also have outrageous lifespans. Some of them span to a thousand years and currently, the oldest pine tree in the world is over 4,500 years old and can be found in the White Mountains of California.

We must also identify the different parts of the pine tree. As we all know, every part of the pine tree is of significant value and is processed and applied differently to achieve the desired results.

Some parts of the Pine tree include;

• THE BARK

The bark of the pine tree which is the exterior covering of the trunk and branches of the pine tree comes in two forms. Some of these barks have thick and scaly but some species have thin and flaky barks. The branches of the tree are arranged in a whorl-like structure around the bark.

• THE PINE NEEDLES

As we all know, a pine tree is an evergreen. This means that the pine tree retains its leaves throughout the year and the leaves of pine trees are called needles because of their thin and sharp structure. The mature leaves of the pine tree are needle-shaped and these needles are clustered together in small numbers (usually two to five) with a base covered by a sheath of bud scales. Pine needles are also very narrow.

• THE CONES

The pine tree is popularly referred to as a conifer. A conifer in botany is a plant belonging to the conifers, that is, a cone-bearing seed plant with vascular tissue, usually a tree and one of the best examples of a conifer is the pine tree. This is because it produces cones which in turn, yields seeds instead of fruits.

These cones which generally mature in their second year are mostly monoecious which means they have mostly the male and female cones on the same tree. When the cones become mature, they usually open up of their own accord to release the seeds but other times, birds have to break the cones to ensure that the seeds are released. These seeds are usually eaten by these birds. Some of these birds include grouse, crossbills, jays, nuthatches, siskins, woodpeckers, and even squirrels.

Now, that we are done with all the background knowledge surrounding this fine piece of nature, let’s move on to the crux of this article.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE PINE TREE?

The benefits of the pine tree are so numerous that it is almost ridiculous. It’s almost like these trees can do anything if processed and applied properly. However, most prominent among the various applications of the pine tree is in the area of healing which is why we shall be dealing with it first.

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MEDICAL BENEFITS OF THE PINE TREE.

The importance of the pine tree in the treatment of medical conditions cannot be overstated. Every part of the pine tree is known to possess the ability to cure various illnesses and we shall be assessing these benefits.

• The pollen of the pine tree supports the body’s ability to navigate stress, it balances hormones, promotes better sleep and also supports the immune system.

• The innermost bark of the pine tree is also very useful. Usually, trying to remove a patch of the bark of a tree will definitely cause damage to the tree so it is advised that with a pine tree, all you have to do is to take off the bark on the branches you wish to prune.

When boiled, the bark can be used to cure constipation or hemorrhoids. When the inner bark is well soaked and pounded, it can also be applied to the skin to cure burns, sores and also hemorrhoids. Amazing!

• The needles of a pine tree can be used either fresh or dry. The pine needle tea is of great importance as when taken internally, it can help break up stubborn congestion in the upper respiratory tract. It also supports healthy digestion and calms the nervous system. Going further, the pine needles can also be soaked in a bath and it helps ease exhaustion and arthritic joints.

• The buds of the pine tree when properly prepared are also used to relieve bronchitis and tuberculosis and it is also very useful in baths. When added, they could cure skin ailments and arthritis.

• Vitamin C is a very crucial part of our diet and it is an essential element of our immune system. This is because it stimulates the production of white blood cells and it also has antioxidant features that help prevent chronic diseases and illnesses. This is why our bodies need a healthy dose and these trees provide a considerable amount of this vitamin. When we take in the dried bark peels or drink the tea gotten from the pine needle tea, we access this vitamin that helps to create new cells, tissues, muscles and blood vessels.

• Vitamin C is not the only vitamin present in the bark and needles of the pine tree. There is also a high level of vitamin A concentration in these components. This vitamin acts as an antioxidant to the body, particularly the eyes thereby increasing the strength of vision and preventing the development of cataracts. Constantly drinking the pine needle tea is said to be able to keep vision strong even till a good old age.

• The pine needle tea also helps in shielding the body from pathogens – disease causing organisms. This can be done in two ways. It is either internally or externally. Usually, we discover that some of these pathogens and microbes have taken resident in our bodies. In this case, the tea is taken directly and it goes on to eliminate these pathogens.

Externally, the pine needle tea can be used as a wash on the skin directly. In cases of injury that leaves the skin open, the tea is added to the surface of the wound to prevent disease causing organisms from penetrating the wound and entering the body.

• Guess what? The pine tree is also good for your skin! The vitamins A and C received from the pine tree go a long way in solving a lot of skin problems. For example, the vitamin A found in pine needle tea and the barks of these pine trees prevents oxidative stress in your sound which helps your skin look young and wrinkle free!

Vitamin A even goes on to reduce the visibility of blemishes and scars in our bodies. The vitamin C also helps to speed up the healing process, thereby making injuries last a lot less longer.

AESTHETIC BENEFITS OF THE PINE TREE

• One major aesthetic use of the pine tree is in Christmas decorations! You know that lovely Christmas tree, decorated with various ornaments? Well, that’s a good old pine tree! Not only are they commercially grown for Christmas, pine trees are also grown in parks and gardens to add to the aesthetic quality of the environment.

• Pine cones are also craft favorites. This is because they are hard and durable, hence are used in decorations and also in the creation of several other artistic productions.

• Pine needles are also used to weave baskets, trays, pots and so on. These handicrafts are mainly found in places like Canada, India, Mexico, Nicaragua and the USA.

CONSTRUCTIVE BENEFITS OF THE PINE TREE

• Pine trees are softwood evergreens grown in temperate and tropical regions, hence they are one of the most valued species for their timber and wood-pulp all around the world. After due processing, they are used in the making of long lasting furniture, floors, roofing and window frames.

• We also find a high concentration of resin in pine trees. This resin is called the high-terpene resin ​and when it is steam distilled, turpentine is extracted from it. Turpentine is an essential oil which is used as a solvent and even a paint thinner. It is turpentine that is also used in the manufacturing of varnish.

You see how thoughtful Mother Nature is? And this is just one tree. What a beauty.

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