BEST GUIDE FOR HOW TO MAKE WHITE PINE NEEDLE TEA AT HOME

There are many white pine needle tea recipes you can try at home. This pine leaf tea packs tons of essential nutrients and health benefits. Learn how to make white needle tea and store your Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tea here. If you are too busy to make DIY needle tea, visit the recommended supplier below. 

BEST GUIDE FOR HOW TO MAKE WHITE PINE NEEDLE TEA AT HOME

I. How to gather & dry pine needles?

The first step to making DIY needle tea is gathering its leaves. You must choose safe and edible needle leaf varieties to harvest and process tea. Check out the best species of white pine needles for family herbalists below. 

1.1. Which pine leaf variety is edible?

Though pine needles are technically edible, you should choose the pine variety with a mild flavor. These varieties are often safer than the ones with strong taste and scent, such as:

• Pinus ponderosa 
• Pinus contorta 

However, consuming large quantities of Eastern White Pine Needle tea can be harmful, particularly for pregnant women or people with certain medical conditions. 

1.2. How to gather white pine needles

You will have an excellent source of pine leaves when having a young white pine tree on your land or living near a pine wood. Then, you can gather fresh and chemical-free leaves for your herbal tea.

1. Identify a suitable pine tree for harvesting needles.
2. Choose mature, green leaves that are free from damage and pests.
3. Use scissors or pruning shears to carefully snip the leaf piles from the branch and avoid damaging the tree.

Operators had better wear gloves to protect their hands from the sharp edges of the needles. You can use fresh young leaves to make instant white pine needle tea. But mature leaves are better for dried-leaf tea. 

1.3. How to dry white pine needles

After collecting mature and healthy fascicles from pine trees, you can dry them to make herbal tea. Follow these steps to make them dry properly. 

1. Collect a sufficient quantity of needles for your desired amount of tea.
2. Rinse the needles with clean water.
3. Spread the needles on a flat surface, such as a baking sheet, and expose them to air drying in a warm, well-ventilated location.

The leaves are often dried totally after a week in the sunny and dry season. Therefore, you should make tea on summer days. 

1.4. How to store dried white pine needle tea

Store dried needle tea properly to prevent mold and fungi. After drying the leaf tea under sunlight, let it cool down for 10 minutes. Then, follow these steps to store your DIY herbal tea correctly. 

1. Store the tea in an airtight container, such as a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, to keep out moisture and air.
2. Store the tea container in a cool, dark, dry place, such as a pantry or cupboard, away from direct sunlight and heat.
3. Label the container with the date and type of tea to keep track of its freshness and prevent it from getting mixed up with other teas.
4. Use the tea within six months and ensure that it maintains its quality and flavor.

Properly storing your dried pine needle tea will help preserve its taste and aroma. You can grow some trees from Eastern white pine tree seeds for a continuous source of leaves.

II. How to make white pine needle tea?

Use DIY white pine leaf tea to make a morning drink. It provides consumers with lots of energy and health benefits. Check out the best herbal tea recipes with this plant leaf here. 

It is essential to use fresh needles as older, brown ones may have lost some of their flavors or could be harmful. Prepare the following ingredients to make a simple tea at home. 

• 1-2 cups of fresh white pine needles
• 4 cups of fresh water
• Honey or other sweeteners (optional)

These ingredients are easy to find and often available in any kitchen. Follow these steps to brew this simple tea from these dried tea leaves. 

1. Rinse the white pine needles under cold running water to remove debris or dirt.
2. Finely chop the leaves and place them in a pot with 4 cups of water.
3. Boil the water, reduce the heat, and let the tea simmer for 5-10 minutes.
4. Remove the pot from the heat, and steep the tea for another 10 minutes.
5. Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and serve hot.

To prepare a stronger or weaker brew to suit your tastes, you can change the ratio of tea leaves to water. Add sweeteners, lemon, or other herbs to make it taste better if desired. There are many other things to do with pine needles.

III. Right Uses & Precautions

White pine needle tea is generally safe for most people, but you have to use it properly and take some precautions. 

3.1. Right Uses

Follow these safety rules to use this herbal tea of pine leaves safely. 

• You can brew white pine leaf tea as a hot or cold beverage or use these leaves for their pleasant taste or potential health benefits.
• Some people use white pine bud tea as a natural remedy for respiratory issues, such as coughs, congestion, and asthma.
• This herbal tea may contain antioxidants that could help reduce inflammation in the body and support overall health.

3.2. Precautions

In addition, the four precautions below help you understand the possible risks of white pine needles consumption and how to avoid them. 

• Only use fresh, green leaves from young white pine trees, as older leaves can contain higher tannin levels and may not be as safe or palatable.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid drinking this kind of herbal tea, as it may cause uterine contractions and affect hormone levels.
• People with allergies to pine trees or pine nuts should avoid consuming this kind of tea, as they may experience an allergic reaction.
• Avoid overconsumption of white pine needle tea, as high doses of tannins can cause digestive upset, kidney damage, and even death in severe cases.

You can drink one to three cups of this herbal tea per day. Start with a moderate amount to test for allergic effects. If you experience any unexpected side effects, such as vomiting, digestive upset, and diarrhea, stop consuming and consult health professors. 

IV. Where To Buy White Pine Needle Tea

Many online shops provide dried white pine needle tea. The Rike is one of the most reliable addresses you can trust. You can purchase guaranteed pine leaf tea and this plant seed from this supplier. This shop also provides various herbal products and seasonal plant seeds for your garden. For further information and to order herbal tea, plant seeds, and other health-care products, chat with us. 

IV. Conclusion

In short, this article has shown you how to make white pine needle tea at home. Produce dried herbal tea from mature leaves in your garden. Or else, buy well-processed leaf tea from The Rike. Then, steep or brew morning herbal tea at home to enjoy valuable benefits for health.