White Pine For Your Congestion

One of the things I try to do is to help people find remedies that are available and free. The White Pine is both. When you are suffering from congestion, mainly in the chest area, this is a great expectorant. It aids the breakdown of mucus so the body can expel it better. But can be helpful for the head as well. The White Pine is discernable from other pines as each follicle contains five leaves. I tried to get a picture up close but it didn't work. (My sister supplied one below) For about a quart of boiled tea I use a couple of ounces of leaves. They are high in vitamin C and A..

My sister Kerry supplied this pic.

 The bark can be used as well and I scrape it from the limb with a knife. If you are allergic to the sap you'll want to be careful. I won't have a picture of the sap here but it is medicinal as well. It is the inner part of the bark you want. Spring is the best time to use the bark but I still use it in the winter because some is better than none!
   I put two or three ounces of leaves in a pan of about a quart of water and bring it to a boil. I let it boil for a couple of minutes then I put a lid on it and let it steep. It's a fairly smooth tea and not bad tasting. Especially if you put a little honey or stevia in it. I would say drink at least a quart each day until the congestion is relieved. You can also inhale it by putting it in a container and covering your head with a towel to breath in the steam. Keep in mind that natural medicines are not supposed to be used to erase symptoms; they are used to aid the body in overcoming the irritant that is causing the symptoms.
  By the way, the Ojibwe, Menominee, and Chippewa native Americans used the White Pine for lots of different issues including headaches, chest pain, and healing of scrapes and sores. It is a wonderful gift from God, medicine in a tree. In these difficult economic times it's good to know that these remedies really work. In fact, I am presently treating a friend with this tea and he is recovering nicely.