Pine

Includes: Pinus spp. (Not including Yew, Cedar, Juniper, and other relatives)- up to 126 species in total

Folk Names:
Scientific Names: Pinus Sylvestris (Scotch Pine), Pinus Palustris (Long-Leaf Pine), Pinus Nigra (Austrian Pine), Pinus x Sondereggeri (Bastard Pine), Pinus Strobus (White Pine- formerly Pinus Albus), Pinus Echinata (Shortleaf Pine), etc

Conservation Status:

Native Regions:
Naturalized Regions:
Invasive Regions:

Physical Description:

Scent Description:

Oil Product Description:
Scent Synergies: Citrus

Wildlife and Livestock Uses:

Gardening Uses:

Handling Concerns:
Growing Concerns:

Medicinal Uses:

Compounds Known:
Concerns & Contraindications:

Culinary Uses:

Practical Uses:

Magical Uses:

Additional Notes: divider

Significant Specimen

Coniferous Evergreen; Pinaceae ⇾ Pinus ⇾ Trifoliae ⇾ Australes ⇾ Palustris.

One of the oldest and largest Coniferous tree families, Pine has developed heavy connections to wisdom, death and the Ancestors, immortality, exorcism and protection, and healing throughout the centuries. It also has significant connections to my Ancestral homelands in Ukraine (especially in relation to their Spring rituals), and several species are native to the United States as well.
The Longleaf Pine (Pinus Palustris) in particular is native to Texas in the Southern Great Plains, and can be successfully naturalized to Oklahoma with little issue. And as one of the tallest growing American pines with the largest cones, it is vigorously growing- a good symbol of healthy life and growth. Likewise, it naturally promotes an incredible level of biodiversity within its habitat range, associating it further with life on a biological and ecological level. It also had (and maintains) significant economic value to the United States in all areas where it is found, further associating it with wealth, abundance, and prosperity, and the continuation of life on a material level.
All of this makes Pine, but especially the Longleaf Pine, a natural candidate for the Tree of Life in my practice.

Local Cultus Locations

⤞ Botanical Garden

#119: Tanyosho Pine (Pinus Densiflora ‘Umbraculifera’)

⤞ Lake Swim Beach Trail

Front Loop: Austrian Pine (Pinus Nigra)
First Rest: Long-Leaf Pine (Pinus Palustris)
After Loop: Long-Leaf Pine (Pinus Palustris)
Before Second Loop: Bastard Pine (Pinus Sondereggeri; Palustris x Taeda)

I came across a section in Matthew Wood’s 'Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants' speaking on Pine's use in Aromatherapy:

A fine portrait is rendered by Dr. Dietrich Gümbel (1993, 196). It stimulates discharges from the outlets—mouth and nose—down the tubes of the lungs to the alveoli, increasing circulation in the capillary bed serving oxygen exchange. It increases oxygen uptake in the cells, and carbon dioxide release, so it is vivifying and cleansing. It clears out old mucus. He especially recommends it for the gray, oxygen-poor skin seen in a smoker.

The annoying bit is how Wood offloads his references; at the end of the section on Pine, under “Literature”, he lists only one reference for Gümbel, which tells me nothing of much good use as it stands in that specific section.

Traditional, Dietrich Gümbel (1)

In the references, however, under “Herbal Materia Medica, German” there is a listing for a full reference that may be the proper text.

Gümbel, Dietrich, PhD. Principles of Holistic Therapy with Herbal Essences . 2nd revised and expanded English ed. Brussels: Haug, 1993.

It is published at the correct time, and it’s the only proper reference for a Gümbel text- whose name only appears in the book 3 times total anyways, in all 3 instances listed above. So I have to assume it’s the correct text anyways. Which led me on a rabbit hunt to find an obscure German herbal medical text from the 90′s… Unfortunately with no luck, really.

Amazon has it listed, but has no copies for sale either new or second hand. Ebay wants over $100 for it for what few listings exist. None of my usual sites have a copy of it for free, including Archive… Though a scam site did a very good job imitating Open Library- who does have it listed but doesn’t have it in stock. WorldCat lists only 6 Libraries with it in stock, but of course my Library is currently closed at the moment as they take advantage of the pandemic to remodel and redo their website, so I can’t make ILL requests for the time being (assuming any of these participate in the ILL system and that this isn’t a rare reference text that can even be requested).

It seems it's referenced in a lot of books, but is another one of those texts that’s obnoxiously difficult to actually get your hands on yourself if you want to reverse reference. So what Gümbel actually had to say himself in regards to Pine’s oxygenation abilities when used for Aromatherapy (and whether or not any of it was actually scientifically founded), it’ll be a long time before I know.

That said, after a lot of digging, finally something has been fruitful: A site called Full Spectrum Energy Medicine links off to “his German website” while providing the below biography:

Dr. Dietrich Gümbel was born in Königsberg, East Prussia (today Kaliningrad). He studied Biology & Geography at the University of Bonn, worked at the Max- Planck-Institute for Limnology in Schlitz, Germany and received his doctorate of natural science at the University of Giessen. His painting and poetry combine the humanities with natural science.

His personal website expands further:

In his fundamental publication: “Holistic Therapy with Medicinal Herbal Essences”, Heidelberg 1984, he developed a universal key for the holistic use of herbal essential oils, called: HEALING HERBS ESSENCE THERAPY

Building on these experiences, Gümbel researched the resonance relationships between essences, colors, tones and gemstones as well as their holistic effects on people and published these findings in his book “Healing through the senses - the cosmotherapy”, Haug-Verlag, Heidelberg 1998 (Can be obtained from the author).

He discovered the key function of the sense organs, which represent the gates to the seven levels of creation (= levels of vibration) in humans and are in the closest energetic connection to the corresponding internal organs and hormonal glands. Simultaneous stimulation of all sensory organs in a single treatment through essences through the skin - touch, taste and smell - perception through hearing (ears) and sight (eyes) and through the energetic effect of the gemstones are the basic therapeutic elements of him developed COSMO-THERAPY in which holistic self-confidence as the “third eye”) = sixth sense for one’s own well-being, as well as the heart as the seventh sense and “meaning of life” are in the center.

In the meantime of my desire to throttle Woods for sending me down this nonsensical rabbit hole of bullshit, I’m curious whether or not any of the research has been corroborated in the 30-ish years it’s been since the book was published. Because while he’s that kind of idiot, apparently, sometimes even these kinds of idiots do occasionally manage to stumble onto something intelligent. So have any of Pine’s effects been corroborated in this regard?

According to Healthline:

Research suggests essential oils may be effective in treating upper respiratory infections

Unfortunately the study linked ('Treatment of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Primary Care Using') didn’t use Pine as one of the Aromatic Herbs randomly selected for the trial. So while treatment with Essential Oils inhalation for conditions like COPD broadly “shows promise”, that doesn’t really answer the question(s) I really have, and why I’m actually chasing this goddamned rabbit in the first place:

Is Gümbel’s information correct?
If so, could Pine Essential Oil specifically be a promising treatment for improving (or potentially healing) oxygen exchange (particularly in the lower Lung) after significant Covid-19 Lung damage?
More importantly, in what ways was it being applied or presented to patients during trials in order to achieve these results- how many times a day, and how long did it take before these results were achieved; and how were these results being measured?
And perhaps more importantly than that, even, did these benefits drop off after discontinued use; if they did, was it slowly or quickly. Or did the subjects see long term benefits- and after what point were those benefits seen?

In that regard, however, research for oxygenation itself seems limited; it appears most research is predominantly concerned with either 1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or 2. With increasing antibacterial resistance and infection treatment. Other concerns seemed to focus on the effects of inhaling the Pine-Sol cleaner, or inhaling Pine wood dust- neither or which were anywhere near what I was looking for.

Though I did find a smidge in one such study ('Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases') that was interesting.

Nicolato et al. [73] showed that Scotch pine EO inhalation significantly increased the surface fluid in the middle portion of the trachea while using pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging to examine the secretory response induced by certain Essential Oils in airway surface fluid.

It does seem that at least some of the points that Gümbel made are corroborated- such as it being a good respiratory expectorant. But largely, it looks like no one’s studied Pine in regards to oxygenation and CO2 exchange, which is what I’m really after… Which is annoying, but I guess it just is what it is. divider

The tree that spoke to you was a Pine. With their dark evergreen hair and dark eyes they looked at you, unbending, and said “My child you are, you have been, and you will be. I may be unchanging, but you are not. Why are you clinging to the past? Why are you so desperate for the future? Allow yourself the privilege of growth and change. What happened has happened, and what will happen will happen. You do not need to limit yourself or your own potential”. And with that you knew that your eyes shine brighter when you don’t worry about imperfections.

Poetic results from a U-Quiz; Original U-Quiz has been lost

Healing, fertility, protection, exorcism, money; cones from Pines are carried to increase fertility and to revive vigor in old age; Pine needles are burned to purify the house in Winter and exorcize the area of negativity, and drive away Evil when scattered on the ground; also used in cleansing baths; Branches hung above the bed keep sickness away and aid the ill and infirm; branches above the door in Japan ensures continued joy within the home; crosses of Pine needles before the hearth heeps Evil from entering through it; the sawdust from Pine can be used in incense.

'Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs' by Scott Cunningham

Pine is an Earth aligned tree. Its wood should be one of those preferred for burning fires in ritual spaces, as part of ritual preparations- especially alongside Juniper and Cedar for Winder rites, and to purify the home; Pine branches can be used to sweep the floor before doing magic; White Pine has no precautions, but other Pine varieties may cause dermatitis and other problems. Be sure to research your Pine varieties properly before use.

'Magical Herbalism: The Secret Craft of the Wise' by Scott Cunningham

Pinus is the largest genus of the Pinaceae family, which evolved 153 million years ago- making it one of the oldest and largest Coniferous families; as one of our oldest ancestors Pine should be respected and protected and honored. It is also deeply wise and has an immortal presence that whispers down to our bones. If you are lucky enough to access a Pine grab hold of the [spiritual] wisdom that flowers out of it like a river; Pine oil is great for respiratory uses and sinus conditions. Pine Resin is easy to harvest and useful for Incense; the dreamy scent of Pine is due to the Terpenes; its white inner bark is edible, and the needles can be made into Tea; magical uses include abundance, healing, opening the door between realms, and wisdom; it Brings abundance and should be used for spells involving money, health, wealth, love, success, etc, to amplify these vibrations.

'Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants' by Juliet Diaz

Herbs for Meán Gheimhridh (Yule) include Pine, though it is also listed as an herb for Meán Samhraidh (Litha) as well; parts used include needles, twigs, and knots of wood; Needles of growing White Pine (Pinus Strobus, Pinus Albus) are used in Teas for coughs at 2 tsp per cup of water simmered for 2 minutes; knots of wood are boiled with Angelica, Quince, Mulberry Branches, and Acanthropanax to make a bath for arthritis; Pine needle oil is used for massages for external pain, Bronchitis, Sciatica, Pneumonia, and Nephritis. To make, cover needles in good quality Olive Oil and simmer on low for 20 minutes; Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris) is used instead for Bronchitis, Rheumaticism, and itchy rashes; for magical rites burn Pine to purify the home, and decorate with it to bring healing and joy; burning its needles is sad to return a spell to sender; Pine is a tree of peace and immortality.

'A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year' by Ellen Evert Hopman

Represents peace and immortality; wood is traditionally used to make coffins; Theosophy Trust notes in ‘Great Symbols’ that the Pine links the three worlds of Heaven, Earth, and ‘Hades’, making it the Tree of Life and Death, and a means of communicating with the Gods and the Dead both- or what Estonians and Finns both call the Histi )or Spirits Underground). The Votiaks of Siberia leave sacrificial offerings to Pines to communicate with the Spirits of the Earth and Ancestral Heroes; the Branches are believed to transmit the offerings to the Roots, which transmit them to the Spirits; the scent of evergreen Fir, Pine, and White Cedar in Scotland is sad to drive out Evil and bought of Pine are often placed on graves. Their needles are burnt to comfort the bereaved; lit Pine staves are carried into a room to drive out ghosts; Purify a property by walking the boundary in a clockwise direction carrying a burning or smoking Pine branch; find a dark Pine forest and bring an offering of Fruit and Flowers and meditate beneath a Pine, listening for the wound of woodland Spirits; in Celtic lands, offerings to Holly Wells often included Pine Cones; gathered fresh or dry it can be used in Salves; simmered Pine needles and shoots in water make a good wound wash and antiseptic; Pine needles also make a massage oil, or for conditions where there is need to stimulate blood flow, it can decrease swelling, tenderness, inflammation, and pain- especially in sore muscles and joints.

'The Sacred Herbs of Samhain: Plants to Contact the Spirits of the Dead' by Ellen Evert Hopman

Evergreen Pine is home to Spirits of the forest; bringing its boughs indoors invites these Spirits inside, informing them our homes are a haven for them; a tree of peace and protection a round wreath of its boughs represents the sun; crossed fresh Pine boughs before the hearth keeps Evil from entering the home; incense made with Pine cleanses and brings peace to any area. To make, mix Pine, Juniper, and Cedar needles together; Burn Pine wood as part of your ritual fires; use Pine tea as part of pre-ritual cleansing baths, or to bring peace to tattered emotions, or for Asperging; Fill a jar packed tightly with Pine needles and top with water before allowing to charge for a full day and night cycle; a sacred Pine libation can be made with 1 cup Raw sugar, 1 cup water, and 1 cup White Pine needles. Combine Sugar and Water over heat until incorporated. Remove and steep needles for 1 hour. Strain, and bottle the syrup; in parts of Europe the inner bark and soft shoots of Scots Pine are used to treat fever and cough, while the resin is applied to wounds, and a plaster of Pine to boils and sores. To make Pine Plaster, use 1 tsp powdered resin to 1 / 4 cup Olive Oil and ½ cup beeswax heated in a double boiler; those with sensitive skin may find Pine Resin irritating; contains high quantities of Vitamin C; Long term use of Pine for periods greater than 2 weeks should be avoided; exposure to Pine Pollen may trigger asthma; do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding.

'The Sacred Herbs of Spring: Magical, Healing, and Edible Plants to Celebrate Beltaine' by Ellen Evert Hopman

Pines are magical all year round; used for prosperity, abundance, and fertility; healing and protection; if you have a yard, plant a pine to access its magic all the time.

'A Year and a Day of Everyday Witchcraft: 366 Ways to Witchify Your Life' by Deborah Blake

Native to the southern Atlantic coastline in America, it is a Conifer that grows throughout the Southeastern US and reproduces via Pinecones. It prefers dry, sandy soil; needles grow in spirals; famed for its beauty, strength, and fragrance, and importance to the lumber industrial among the most sought after trees of the 18th century and largest export of New England; Powerful ingredient in love spells, Pinecones can be used as a herbal talisman (for what ???) and make beautiful aromatic additions for Potpourri blends. Flower Essences, developed by Dr Edward Bach in the 1930’s, suggest that Pine Essences can address feelings of guilt; the scent of Pine also evokes feelings of warmth, home gatherings, good will, and familial love; use Pine during smoke cleansing methods to purify a space.

'The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs: Your Complete Guide to the Hidden Powers of Herbs' by Judy Ann Nock

White Pine (Pinus Strobus) was widely used by American indians and adapted into use by early settlers. Indians typically used the bark but the needles may be used for tea or tincture; in Europe, Pine oil and other Pine products have been used since the Middle Ages; Pine Sap from almost any Pine will have almost the same properties (as the rest of the tree, or the other species ??); Pine is stimulating and anti-inflammatory, coincident with use as a topical application for putrid wounds, and to prevent putrefaction; White Pine’s stimulating antiseptic properties make it useful for inflammation with tissue depression and poor oxygenation; A needle tea is sufficient especially in respiratory infections with viscous, hardened green, hard to raise mucus- or similarly in the sinuses; Pine pitch and sap was used by American Indians to keep wounds clean, disinfect them, and pull impurities to the surface of the wound, allowing good skin to form after; the resins stimulate topical circulation and speed up foreign body response; Pinus Montana buds are used in Gemmotherapy and are trophorestorative to bones and joints, cutting down wear and tear, and preventing fractures in the elderly. Pine oil in Aromatherapy stimulates oral discharge from the nose and mouth to the lungs, increases capillary circulation, and improves oxygen exchange and uptake in the cells, plus CO2 release; Promotes urination; aids rheumatism and neuralgia, bones and joints, wounds, gangrene, and putrefaction, and scurvy; needles are collected any time, buds when fresh and green in spring, inner bark from a young tree collected in May or June for use in decoctions or soaked, or in poultices; boil and the soft inner part stripped and beaten in mortar before sufficiently moistened with liquor and applied.

'The Earthwise Herbal, Volume II: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants' by Matthew Wood

Mugolio is a dark, aromatic syrup imbued with the flavor of pine cones. If you look around you’ll often see mugolio usually refers to a syrup made from the young cones of mugo pine under specific conditions, at a specific time of the year. I’ve made all kinds of similar sugar based products from all kinds of conifer parts, however, and it isn’t some difficult, arcane thing you can only do in the light of a full moon. Making mugolio is easy, and there’s a very forgiving time window for harvest. And one of the most fascinating things about mugolio is that every species of tree you harvest unripe cones from will impart a noticeably different flavor unique to the finished product.

2 cups (8 oz) young pine cones (soft enough to be cut with a knife); any size Pine cone will make a fine syrup, but the smaller and greener the cone will make a syrup with a much stronger flavor- strong enough that some people may not like it. Larger green cones hold more water in them which makes syrup making much easier, and also allows for some fermentation in the process, which adds fun flavors. Most importantly, though, you are simply looking for unripe pine cones in the spring and early summer, not the fall, not the winter. Open cones are never to be used.

Combine with 2 cups (16 oz) organic brown sugar or other brown sugar- just not white which is dry and makes a clear syrup. Pack into a quart jar, then allow to macerate in a cool dark place for at least 2 months. During the first few weeks of maceration, open the jar occasionally to release carbon dioxide as the mixture will ferment vigorously. Shake it occasionally to help it on it's journey.

After the maceration is complete, scrape the sugar slush and pine cones into a pot, bring to a boil; similar to maple syrup it will begin to froth and foam at the top and will double in size quickly. Some cones seem to create more foam than others. When you notice foam, skim it off with a spoon and discard. After you bring the syrup to a simmer and strain, put it back in the pot and bring it to a simmer again, then let it rest for a minute or two so the syrup can settle and return to its original volume. If you don’t do this, you run the risk of having jars that are half full after settling.

Strain and bottle with 1/8th inch headspace. screw on the lids tight and turn the jars upside down. It can also be water bath processed. You don’t have to water bath-process this, however, as it’s basically the same sugar concentration as maple syrup. Just make sure your jars are clean. The jars will seal naturally but should be refrigerated after opening; the syrup is stable at room temperature since the fermentation lowers the pH, but will keep the best flavor in the fridge.

'How To Make Traditional Mugolio (Pine Cone Syrup)' from The Forager Chef blog

Speaking on Pinus Sylvestris (Scotch Pine), it originated in Russia, Canada, and Australia. It may be found growing out of scraggly mountain tops and cliff faces, where other plants fear to tread; the oldest Scots Pine is 210 years old and 150 feet tall, in Estonia, but they can live up to 300+ years; Its Rich green scent relieves anxiety; used for healing, vitality, purification, and friendship; avoid cheap Pine essential oils, which are usually cut with Turpentine; Pine essential oil expires after 2 years; can cause photosensitivity and dermatitis; to erase your mistakes write them on a paper anointed with Pine oil and light them on fire; to make Pine Sugar take 16 oz raw sugar and 4 oz fresh Pine needles. Gentle roll needles to release scent oils then layer in a jar alternating with sugar. Cap for 2 weeks at least.

'Blackthorn's Botanical Brews: Herbal Potions, Magical Teas, and Spirited Libations' by Amy Blackthorn

Note that Pine essential oils can irritate the skin if used topically after their use-by dates even if they still smell good.

'Blackthorn's Botanical Magic: The Green Witch’s Guide to Essential Oils for Spellcraft, Ritual, and Healing' by Amy Blackthorn

Pinus Virginiana and other species of Pine were considered sacred among the earlier Cherokee. Bark was generally used for treating swollen testicals and std’s; Primary uses in Eastern medicine were ceremonial and regarded the treatment of swollen breasts; a Pine branch in a bundle of needles would be placed under the Hearth and used to rekindle the hearthfire after a death in the family. The inner bark of White Pine from an East-facing side of the tree was used in the Sacred fire on the 7th day of the Green Corn Ceremony. White Pine was also used in a Friends-Making Ceremony held each year; The Great One gifted the Cherokee the Pine that is used for everything in the physical circle, including the Universal Circle.

'The Cherokee Herbal: Native Plant Medicine from the Four Directions' by JT Garrett

A large part of Pine's symbology is associated with fertility [… But] Pine was also a funerary tree, being as it is evergreen and [thus] symbolic of everlasting life and immortality. The Pine tree was believed to give birth to Wood Spirits in Germany [where] they were born […] of every hole and knot in the trunk. [Pine] holds secrets that only the Wind has heard […] Imagine the golden medicine sap that runs all throughout its trunk and branches. Its cleansing powers bring smoke and water; bring prayers and healing to the lands of the dead. [And] its branches dance in ceremony. It was thought [by whom?] that mental problems of any sort could be improved by walking through a wood of Pine and inhaling the refreshing smell.

'Under the Witching Tree: A Folk Grimoire of Tree Lore and Practicum' by Corinne Boyer