Photo credit: Ani
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SPRUCE NEEDLES
Spruce Needles are very high in Vitamin C. VC is an essential water soluble vitamin, needed for the growth and repair of all parts of the body. It is used to form an important protein used to make skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels; to heal wounds and form scar tissue; to repair and maintain cartilage, bones, and teeth; and to aid in the absorption of iron. VC is one of many antioxidants, that block the damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, they contain VA and carotenoids found in pine needle tea and bark. Carotenoids act as antioxidants in the body, particularly for reducing oxidative stress in the eyes, preventing cataracts, increasing vision strength, and slowing the onset of macular degeneration. VA prevents oxidative stress in skin, help keep skin young and wrinkle free eliminating free radicals. |
They are also rich in potassium and magnesium, and contain chlorophyll.
The needles also have antiseptic qualities. A wash can be made with a strong infusion or decoction of needles (and twigs / cones). This wash helps to prevent infections and pathogens. Spruce needle / twig tea is wonderful in the prevention or treatment of respiratory conditions, to relieve coughing, sore throats, help to eliminate excess mucus and phlegm.
I’ve not yet made this recipe from The Boreal Herbal by Beverly Gray, but I will this spring once the fresh shoots emerge. I offer it here, as Her discovery; I will alter the recipe slightly in the spring, as VC is destroyed with excessive heat. I’ll update you soon!
BLACK SPRUCE JELLY
Makes 3-8 oz jars of jelly
4 cups spruce tips
4 cups water
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 pkg pectin
1-1/2 cups sugar
1) Add spruce tips to the water, simmer 5 minutes. Set infusion aside to steep until it reaches room temperature.
2) Strain the tips from the infusion. There should be 3 cups of infusion.
3) Combine spruce tip infusion, lemon juice, pectin. stir until dissolved.
4) Bring to hard boil for 1 minute. Add sugar. Stir until dissolved, then bring mixture to hard boil for 1 minute, until mixture is ready to preserve.
5) Process ingredients in jars according to fresh preserving instructions.
There are lots of recipes on-line for spruce beer. I’ve made Stephen Buhner’s spruce tip beer with molasses, but had to dump it in the garden for the molasses flavor was too overwhelming for me. I’m looking forwards to a new round this spring. I'll keep you updated.
Here's some wonderful resources: check this npr article;and spruceontap.com.
For delicious spruce tip vinegar, find a recipe here.
The needles also have antiseptic qualities. A wash can be made with a strong infusion or decoction of needles (and twigs / cones). This wash helps to prevent infections and pathogens. Spruce needle / twig tea is wonderful in the prevention or treatment of respiratory conditions, to relieve coughing, sore throats, help to eliminate excess mucus and phlegm.
I’ve not yet made this recipe from The Boreal Herbal by Beverly Gray, but I will this spring once the fresh shoots emerge. I offer it here, as Her discovery; I will alter the recipe slightly in the spring, as VC is destroyed with excessive heat. I’ll update you soon!
BLACK SPRUCE JELLY
Makes 3-8 oz jars of jelly
4 cups spruce tips
4 cups water
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 pkg pectin
1-1/2 cups sugar
1) Add spruce tips to the water, simmer 5 minutes. Set infusion aside to steep until it reaches room temperature.
2) Strain the tips from the infusion. There should be 3 cups of infusion.
3) Combine spruce tip infusion, lemon juice, pectin. stir until dissolved.
4) Bring to hard boil for 1 minute. Add sugar. Stir until dissolved, then bring mixture to hard boil for 1 minute, until mixture is ready to preserve.
5) Process ingredients in jars according to fresh preserving instructions.
There are lots of recipes on-line for spruce beer. I’ve made Stephen Buhner’s spruce tip beer with molasses, but had to dump it in the garden for the molasses flavor was too overwhelming for me. I’m looking forwards to a new round this spring. I'll keep you updated.
Here's some wonderful resources: check this npr article;and spruceontap.com.
For delicious spruce tip vinegar, find a recipe here.
