Treatment with pine cones: folk recipes, home treatments, preparation of ointments, decoctions, treatment features and medical supervision

October 10, 2018
Treatment methods
Yulia Kazakova

Pine is an evergreen tall, large tree or shrub; all its species have pointed paired leaves (needles). The fruits of the coniferous tree are cones that can work wonders. They act as a storehouse of biologically active substances, they contain: tannin, phytoncides, essential oils, vitamins, magnesium, iron.

There are many folk recipes for treating various diseases with pine cones (green ones). They help slow down destructive processes in brain cells, restore vascular patency, and improve motor performance during the rehabilitation period after a stroke.

Healing properties

If you consume pine pantries in the form of honey or jam, tinctures, you can improve the immune system, reduce cholesterol levels, and alleviate the symptoms of colds, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Also, in the old days, young cones served as an excellent balsamic remedy and were used to treat scurvy.

In the second year of life, the fruits ripen. When exposed to dry, strong winds, they open and begin to spread seeds. In folk medicine, however, only young, unopened cones are used.

Pine fruits are also used as a primitive means for measuring air humidity. If, after lying in the house for about half an hour, the cones begin to open, this means that the humidity in the room is increased. But there is another reaction. If they close, this is a sign that the air is too dry.

This product is a valuable ingredient for the preparation of many medicines due to its rich chemical composition. It contains:

vitamins A, C, K, B;
astringents and tannins;
essential oils;
limonene;
bornyl acetate;
pinene;
resin acids;
monoterpene hydrocarbons;
fixed oils;
alkaloids;
phytoncides;
bioflavonoids.

Decoctions, syrups, tinctures, jams, and honey are made from pine buds and green cones.

Also, all kinds of medicinal compositions are prepared from them, which are valued due to their natural complex of minerals and vitamins, diuretic effects, antiseptic, expectorant, and analgesic effects.

How to collect young cones

The collection of young cones should be carried out in May. It is in this month that they contain the most beneficial juice and substances that will have a beneficial effect and help with diseases.

Important! If the decoction is being prepared for a person who has suffered a stroke, then it is better to collect the cones in September

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they will have substances that allow the body to recover after a serious illness.
You should go for pine cones early in the morning. It is best to collect those fruits that are covered with resin; they will be slightly sticky. And the cones themselves should be closed. They should also be inspected for damage or rot before putting them in the basket; such specimens should not be used.

It should be collected away from factories and roads. This is due to the fact that the resin that is on the cones can affect the adhesion of dust and other substances that have a detrimental effect on the body.

Young buds should be soft and easy to cut with a knife. If the fruits are already hard and begin to change their color to dark, then they should not be taken. Such fruits will contain very few useful substances and mineral compounds.

Video: Collecting green pine cones

Collection rules

In order for treatment with pine cones to be effective, they must be prepared correctly. Basic collection recommendations include:

The cones should be 1-4 cm wide. The collection period depends on the climate conditions where the trees grow.
The condition of the cones should be ideal. It is important that they are firm, but ripe, even, smooth, and have a beautiful natural green color. There should be no damage or rot on them.
You should also pay attention to the tree itself. If its needles are affected by fungal diseases or pests, there is no need to collect cones from it.
The place where the pine tree grows, in which the collection will be carried out, must belong to an ecologically clean region. Otherwise, in addition to the beneficial substances contained in the tree, you can get a sufficient portion of radionuclides and pesticides.
Only freshly collected raw materials should be used for preparing decoctions, tinctures, honey and more.

When and what kind of cones to collect

They say here that as soon as the rose hips bloom in May, you can go looking for cones.
To collect, you need to choose trees that are not too old and slightly taller than human height - they are the ones that actively produce buds and are easier to collect without any additional effort. Choose forests away from big cities, highways and highways, industrial enterprises and landfills. The most delicious are considered to be “milk” ones, that is, young green cones from 1.5 to 2.5 cm long. Just don’t expect that young cones appear on the same tree every year - a pine tree can “fruit” once every three of the year. When collecting, pay attention not only to the size: the color and quality of the bud are important! It should be green, slightly sticky (resinous) and moderately dense; cutting it, you will have to make an effort.

Few people know, but there are male and female cones. The male cones produce pollen and bloom in early summer; the female cones are the ones to be collected. They are easy to distinguish. Male ones are small, oval, slightly yellowish and collected in close groups.

Male pine cones

General rules

Do not forget about the general rules when treating with traditional medicine:

it is necessary to consult with your doctor;
you need to learn about the benefits and contraindications;
during acute periods of the disease you should not use folk remedies;
Treatment of people over 60 years of age and children should be carried out with caution;
the use of medicinal products should be started with small doses, then slightly increased and observed how the body reacts;
You should not take the same medications for a long time, you should take breaks;
It is worth remembering the dangers that can result from self-treatment of blood vessels with pine cones, the consequences of a stroke, infectious diseases, etc.

Pine cones - benefits and harm

The healing properties of young pine cones were known to ancient healers. They harvested these gifts of the forest along with resin and pine needles, and then used them to treat the stomach, joints, and respiratory organs. Modern research has shown that pine cones actually have a number of beneficial qualities. No wonder they are increasingly used in alternative medicine for the treatment and prevention of a wide variety of diseases.

The cones contain phytoncides - biologically active substances that destroy or inhibit the growth of dangerous bacteria and increase immunity. However, this is natural, because we all know how useful it is to breathe the air in a pine forest. Therefore, it is especially popular to use pine cones for coughs and at the first signs of a cold. They will also be a good tonic for people suffering from bronchitis or tuberculosis.

the tannin they contain . This astringent fights inflammation, bleeding and toxins. Ascorbic acid in the composition strengthens the immune system and calms the nervous system. Young pine cones also contain vitamins B, K and P, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and other useful macro- and microelements.

In folk medicine, pine cones are also used to treat:

anemia;
gastritis and stomach ulcers;
insomnia;
acne;
asthma;
bleeding gums;
dandruff, etc.

There is evidence that pine cones can be used against strokes. But here we are not talking about the treatment itself, but about prevention and the recovery period.

So, we figured out why pine cones are useful, and now we’ll learn about their harm.

Pine cones - contraindications

Taking pine cones may also come with some restrictions. So, it is not recommended to use products based on cones:

pregnant and lactating women;
children under 7 years old;
persons dependent on alcohol;
people suffering from liver and kidney diseases, in particular hepatitis;
for allergy sufferers.

Persons over 60 years of age should use green pine cone tincture and other products based on them with caution. With individual intolerance, even healthy people may experience headaches and stomach pains.

Pine cone jam also has certain contraindications, in addition to those indicated. If you eat more than 1-2 tbsp per day. treats, kidney problems may occur.

If you have chronic diseases, treat with pine cones only after consultation with a specialist.

Medicines from pine cones to prevent stroke

Pine cones can protect against stroke - a “quick disease” that is characterized by a pathological disturbance of blood circulation in the brain, which leads to neurological changes.

Products infused with alcohol are especially valuable because it helps to reveal the properties of tannins. And treatment with tinctures of pine cones in vodka and alcohol helps strengthen the heart muscle and the walls of blood vessels, eliminate arrhythmia and ringing in the ears. The use of herbal products can improve memory and the functioning of the visual organs.

There are several recipes for pine cone tinctures for the treatment and prevention of stroke:

Recipe No. 1. Alcohol tincture. To prepare the tincture, you should take 4-5 medium-sized cones, after washing them with running water, chop them into small pieces with a knife and pour two glasses of vodka or 70 percent alcohol. Then the container with the composition must be covered with a lid and placed in a dark, dry place for 13-14 days. It is necessary to shake the container daily (more than once), the more often this is done, the better quality the tincture will be. After time, the infusion should be filtered, poured into another container and put in the refrigerator. To prevent stroke, in the morning on an empty stomach, twenty-five to thirty minutes before meals, take one teaspoon, to treat the disease - three such servings.

Recipe No. 2. Tincture on water. There is the same recipe, but without the use of alcohol. You need to wash 5-6 cones, cut them, add drinking water (you will need half a liter) and put them on the stove, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for six minutes. After the liquid has cooled, it must be filtered and poured into a container with a closing lid. You should take this remedy in the morning after meals, no more than forty-five milliliters.

Recipe No. 3. Puree of cones with alcohol. In medical books you can find this recipe for pine cone tincture: ten greenish fruits must be pureed using a meat grinder, then they are poured with alcohol or vodka and the resulting composition is left in a dark place. After ten days, it should be filtered and an alcohol tincture of verbena or sweet clover should be added to it (the ratio is one to one). You need to take this medicine one teaspoon three times a day.

Not just for crafts. What diseases can pine cones cure?

Almost everyone likes the smell of pine needles, and it is no coincidence that many sanatoriums and holiday homes are located in pine forests. What is so valuable about pine cones, needles and pine resin?

The composition of ordinary pine cones includes phytoncides, lipids, tinins, resins, iron, magnesium, carotene, oils and aromatic compounds. In practice, this means the ability of buds to kill bacteria and viruses, control hypertension and have a general strengthening effect on the body. The needles have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract.

What do pine cones help with?

Pine cone jam and tea with the addition of pine needles will help cure coughs and relieve inflammation of the respiratory tract. For sore throat and throat diseases, you can do pine inhalations and rinse with a decoction of green cones. It is also important that this remedy can be used not only by adults, but also by children over 7 years old. They say that when they drink decoction and tea from pine cones, their cough goes away much faster than usual.

Decoctions of pine cones are used in recovery from strokes. The tannins they contain are believed to help neutralize neuronal breakdown and prevent paralysis. In addition, with their help you can strengthen the walls of blood vessels and eliminate tinnitus, improve memory and the condition of the heart muscle.

Pine cones (and spruce cones too, but to a slightly lesser extent) perfectly calm the nervous system and strengthen the immune system. And all because young pine fruits contain vitamins B, K and P, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and ascorbic acid.

The anti-inflammatory properties of pine shoots have proven themselves in gastroenterology. Decoctions relieve gastritis and also help with problems with the pancreas and intestinal infections.

Pine cones can also be used in the treatment of varicose veins. For venous nodes and damage to the veins, thin walls of blood vessels, herbalists advise not only drinking pine tinctures, but also taking medicinal baths, adding pine extract from pine cones.

Phytoncides will restore your strength not only if you drink tinctures from pine cones, but also if you simply walk through a pine forest and inhale the smell of pine needles. It has been proven that even the air of a pine forest is replete with phytoncides, and there are 10 times fewer bacteria in it than in a deciduous forest.

Who are pine cones contraindicated for?

Despite all the enormous health benefits of pine cones, like any medicinal and herbal medicine, they also have contraindications.

First of all, doctors do not recommend experimenting with the use of buds for those who suffer from kidney problems. Medicines based on pine needles should be used with caution for those who have liver problems - for example, hepatitis.

Allergy sufferers, pregnant and lactating women, children under 7 years of age and people over 60 need to assess the degree of risk and benefit together with a doctor. There is also evidence of the adverse effects of pine cone resins on people suffering from alcohol addiction.

When and how to collect cones yourself?

It’s easy to collect cones yourself by going to the pine forest. It is best to collect cones in June, when the flowering time has passed, and the gifts of the coniferous forest themselves are green and soft. The most valuable in terms of the content of useful substances are the cones of young trees.

You can check the maturity of the buds with your fingernail. When you press on the bump you should feel it soft.

The cones are resinous, and the needles of pine trees are prickly, so when going into the forest for cones, be sure to wear gloves.

When collecting cones, you need to pay attention to the condition of the tree on which they grow. If the pine tree is damaged by insects or affected by diseases, then cones should not be collected from it.

What to cook from pine cones?

June pine cones are very rarely dried. Usually alcohol and honey tinctures, syrups, preserves, and compotes are prepared from them. You can also freeze young pine cones and use them as needed throughout the year.

Infusion of pine needles for baths.

Brew 0.5-1 kg of pine needles or buds with three liters of boiling water, leave for 4 hours.

Infusion of cough cones.

Pour 50 grams of young pine cones with 2 cups of boiling water and leave for 2 hours in a warm place. Then strain through a gauze filter.

Cough cone syrup.

The cough infusion prepared above can be turned into a sweet syrup. To do this, add 0.5 kg of sugar to it and boil it until a viscous syrup is obtained. You can also add another 50 grams of honey to the finished strained syrup, stir thoroughly and take 5-6 tablespoons daily.

Pine cone jam.

Soak 1 kg of green cones in water for a day to reduce bitterness. Then place in a saucepan, pour in 1 liter of water and bring to a boil. Remove the foam and debris and wipe the resin off the spoon. This procedure must be repeated during the cooking process. Add 1 kg of sugar and cook the mixture over low heat for 1.5-2 hours until it turns reddish. Pour the finished jam into sterilized jars.

Alcohol tincture of pine cones.

Pour 1 liter of 70% alcohol into 12 mature pine cones and let them sit for two weeks in a dark place. Strain. Take 1 teaspoon per day after meals.

Apple cider vinegar tincture.

Clear 10-11 pine cones of debris, add 0.5 liters of alcohol and place in a dark place for 10 days. Then strain and add 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar. This tincture can be stored for up to 1.5 years. It is recommended to add a teaspoon of this infusion to a glass of weak warm tea every day before bed.

Honey from pine cones.

Bring 70 green pine cones covered in water to a boil. Skim off the dirty foam and simmer the mixture over low heat for 30 minutes. Then cool and leave for a day for the buds to infuse. Afterwards, strain the broth through cheesecloth, add 800 g. sugar and simmer the mixture over low heat for another 2-2.5 hours. When the liquid thickens and looks like honey, add the juice of one lemon, mix the mixture thoroughly and pour into jars.

Stroke: treatment with pine cones. Folk recipes

There are a large number of recipes used for stroke. It is known that cell destruction in such a serious illness does not stop even during the recovery period. Tannins, which are present in buds, can perfectly solve this problem, significantly reducing the number of affected structural units. Preparations that were prepared on the basis of the fruits of a coniferous tree are well used in rehabilitation therapy, as they help restore speech, have a beneficial effect on the condition of the body in general, and improve impaired coordination of movements. Such tinctures are prepared without the use of alcohol and vodka.

Use of pine buds

Other recipes are no less popular, in particular those using pine buds. Their medicinal properties are due to the beneficial components they contain. In most cases, the use of pine buds in folk medicine is associated with the treatment of cough. Pine buds are included in breast teas and various teas, as they produce a noticeable expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect. They are also used to treat other diseases. Kidneys are also used for the treatment and prevention of stroke, because they contain a large amount of tannins. But still, cones are more often used for this purpose.

However, it is important to consider that they contain a large amount of turpentine. Therefore, when treated with kidney-based products, digestive disorders, allergic manifestations and headaches are possible. Decoctions of water and milk and tinctures of alcohol are prepared from pine buds. Decoctions are also used to prepare baths.

The healing properties of pine resin are widely known in folk medicine. This resin is mainly processed into turpentine and rosin. These components are included in painkillers, warmers and other products. Resin has anti-inflammatory, healing, antiseptic properties. Therefore, its local use is widespread.

In its pure form, cedar resin is most often used. Also, many sources describe the benefits of cedar vodka tincture, which is made from pine nuts. It has a positive effect on the functions of the reproductive and digestive systems, and also effectively affects the immune system.

Pine cone jam for stroke

To make jam you will need green cones (eighty pieces). They need to be filled with a liter of a little warm water and put on fire for twenty minutes. Then the composition must be left for two days. Afterwards, the future delicacy is covered with a kilogram of sugar and cooked for another hour and a half, until the mixture thickens. You should add a few more drops of lemon juice to the mixture and pour the resulting jam into sterilized jars. It is better to store in the basement.

Treatment after a stroke with pine cones lasts about six months. For prevention, according to patients, such drugs are very helpful in complex therapy during the recovery period.

The current situation with the incidence of stroke

Currently, the prevention of stroke and other vascular and heart diseases is a very important link in the fight for the health of the nation. After all, diseases of the cardiovascular system are widespread among people of all ages. According to statistics, strokes are recorded in 450 thousand Russian residents of different ages every year. About a third of patients die a month after a stroke. A third of people who survive this dangerous disease require extensive additional care and remain dependent on others. Another 9% experience another stroke within a year. If we evaluate the overall picture of the rehabilitation process after a stroke, the severity of this disease is clearly demonstrated by the fact that only 8% of patients after a stroke do not need additional help.

For coughs and colds

Also, the gifts of the forest help to cope with prolonged cough and bronchitis. To prepare the medicine, you will need forty-five to fifty grams of crushed cones, which must be poured with boiling water (half a liter) and allowed to brew in a warm place. After this, the liquid is filtered, and that’s it - the medicine is ready. To improve the taste of the tincture, you can add two glasses of sugar and cook until it takes on the consistency of thick syrup. You can also add honey to the finished product. The resulting medicine is taken daily after meals, six tablespoons.

To recover from colds and viral diseases, as well as strengthen your immune system, you can make honey or jam from pine cones.

Honey for colds

To prepare honey, you need to wash half a glass of cones, pour them into an enamel pan, add water so that it barely covers the contents. All this needs to be boiled and sugar added (you need to take one kilogram of sugar per liter of water). When the sugar has completely dissolved, reduce the heat and then simmer the syrup for 90 minutes. The foam should be skimmed periodically during the cooking process. Thanks to these manipulations, the unusual honey will be transparent. This medicinal delicacy can be eaten simply, adding it to compote, tea, etc.

Jam for colds

How to make jam: for a half-liter jar of young fruits you need 200 ml of water and 0.5 kg of sugar. The cones must be washed, then filled with water (it is better to use spring water or bottled water). Then everything is boiled for 15-20 minutes. The apical shoots should become softer, but retain their shape. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cones from the boiling syrup. Then add sugar to it and cook for about 25 minutes. The resulting fragrant composition is poured hot into glass containers and tightly sealed.

Second method: this recipe involves using buds that are more ripe, but not yet opened. First, prepare syrup (a kilogram of sugar per 10 cups of water). Then 2.1 kg of green cones are placed in a boiling sweet liquid and boiled until the fruits themselves begin to open and the composition begins to thicken. There is no need to remove the foam that forms. You can cook this jam in 3-4 steps: first, bring it to a boil, boil for 45 minutes, leave for five to six hours, and the process is repeated again.

It is important to remember that the resulting jam has a pleasant aftertaste and amazing aroma, but it is not a delicacy and is a fairly strong medicine.

It is important not to overdo it with the dosage: to improve the condition of any ailment, you need to take two tablespoons per day, to prevent diseases - one. For children, the dose should be halved.

We looked at the most common types of products made from coniferous plants. However, there are other folk recipes for treatment with pine cones. With the help of all kinds of tinctures it will be possible to cure a number of diseases.

Goiter treatment

To prepare the medicine, the cones are crushed, placed in the required glass container and completely filled with alcohol or vodka. Then all this is infused for 90 days. The infusion should be shaken constantly, then filtered and taken according to the scheme: for the first three days - one drop 3 times a day, then for three weeks - five drops three times a day.

Another medicine that is used for nodules on the thyroid gland: fifteen pine buds must be crushed with a knife, pour half a glass of good vodka, then leave for 10 days. You need to take 5 drops 3 times a day.

Use of ointment for skin diseases

Pine bud ointment is good for skin irritation. To prepare it, use one beaten egg white, tincture of pine buds (15 drops). Everything is thoroughly mixed and applied to the affected areas of the body until the problem disappears.

To prepare ointments from pine trees, the needles of the plant are used. You need to take 20 g of raw material, crush it in a mortar and pour one glass of boiling water. Then you need to boil a little for 10 minutes, cool, strain. Then you need to evaporate half the liquid by placing the container with the broth on low heat. While the medicine has not cooled down, add a small piece of lard to it and put it in a cold place. The ointment can be used for ulcers, abrasions and other lesions of the skin.

Useful properties of tincture of pine cones with vodka

Healing vodka tincture is especially effective.

For its preparation, both young and mature pine cones are used.

A mandatory ingredient is alcohol or vodka.

How and when to collect cones?

In order for the medicine to have a healing effect, the raw materials must be properly collected and prepared. To do this, you should follow these recommendations:

It is best to collect cones in the depths of a coniferous forest, away from highways, railways, and factories. In this case, the fruits will not be poisoned by harmful substances (exhaust gases, resins) and will only bring benefits to humans.
Both young and ripe fruits are used to prepare medicines. Young cones are collected from late spring to early summer (May to June). When choosing them, you should pay attention to the size - the length of the fruit should not exceed 4 cm. Such cones should be soft. This is easy to understand - just pierce the fruit with your fingernail or try cutting it with a knife. Mature buds contain a large amount of tannins, which is why they are used in stroke medication recipes. They are collected throughout July, August and September.
Fruits should be chosen that are dense and beautiful. The presence of dark spots on them indicates the unsuitability of such raw materials.
It is best to use female cones for preparing tinctures and decoctions. They are characterized by increased stickiness and have ribbed scales, which contain seeds inside.

Fruits should be chosen dense and beautiful

When collecting fruits, it is very important to pay attention to the condition of the tree itself. If it has a lot of insects and looks sickly, then its buds will also be infested. Therefore, such fruits should not be collected.

Cooking recipes

The most effective and most used remedy from cones is vodka tincture. Most often, the drug is used internally. It is important to know when to stop. The product should not be drunk like regular alcohol. First of all, it is a medicine. Therefore, it is taken in limited quantities - 1-2 spoons. The tincture can also be used externally. It is rubbed on the affected areas to relieve inflammation and pain. Such rubbing helps with skin lesions and joint diseases.

You can prepare the medicine at home. The main ingredients are vodka with a strength of at least 40 degrees and young pine fruits:

Recipe No. 1: To prepare you will need 5 young cones, 250 mg of medical alcohol or vodka. The raw materials are first cleaned of dirt, thoroughly washed with water and crushed. Next, it is placed in a container with a lid and filled with alcohol. The liquid should be infused for about 2-3 weeks in a dark place, tightly closed with a lid. The tincture needs to be shaken periodically. After the specified time, the product is filtered. The product is ready to use.
Recipe No. 2: The tincture according to this recipe is prepared in a 0.5 liter glass bottle. Prepared raw materials (about 100 g) are placed in it and filled to the brim with vodka. The holding time depends on the strength of the alcohol - the higher it is, the less time it takes to infuse.
This product should not be drunk like regular alcohol.
Recipe No. 3: Place cleaned and washed young cones to the brim in a glass jar of any size. Afterwards everything is poured with vodka. This medicine should be infused for at least a week. Afterwards, the product is filtered and honey is added to taste (if there are no contraindications).
Recipe No. 4: Cones are placed in any container and filled with alcohol. In this case, the proportion is 1:10. Cover the dish with a lid and place in a dark place for 3 weeks. After standing for the prescribed time and straining, the product is ready for use.
Recipe No. 5: For this recipe, in addition to pine cones and vodka, you will need apple or grape vinegar. 5 cones are placed in a glass container and filled with 200 ml of alcohol or good vodka. The product is allowed to brew in a dark place at room temperature for about 10 days. Next, the resulting liquid is filtered and 1 teaspoon of vinegar is added to it.

Application options

A tincture of alcohol and pine cones can be used in a variety of ways. It is most often used:

Inside. The tincture is most often used for internal use to treat various pathologies (stroke, anemia, hypertension, acute respiratory diseases). But this medicine should not be taken uncontrolled. You need to drink it if necessary, strictly following the dosage regimen.
In the form of inhalations. At the same time, it effectively helps against persistent cough and runny nose.
Inhalations are effective for coughs and colds
Externally. This treatment is effective for joint diseases (arthritis and arthrosis). In this case, the sore spot is rubbed with a small amount of tincture or a cloth soaked in medicine is applied to it.
The tincture is also suitable for gargling. It has antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, it will help with sore throat due to sore throat and other infectious diseases, and will relieve pain and inflammation due to diseases of the oral cavity (stomatitis, gingivitis and others).