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This incredible pine needle cough syrup is made by making a super concentrated pine tea and then mixing it with good quality raw, local honey. So very simple and easy to make at home! This homemade remedy can be used for both adults and children. The benefit of making it yourself is that you know exactly what’s going into your medicine, so you can avoid additives.
Pine needles are so common that almost everyone knows about them and where to find them. As it turns out, pine needles are rich in vitamin C and have nearly four times as much as an orange!
Cough syrup made with pine needles is so good that you’ll have no trouble getting your family to take some; in fact, you may see them demand it! It’s sweet and pine-y without being acrid or turpentine-y. I sometimes mix this syrup into my herbal teas just to give it a little extra pine flavor boost because I enjoy it. Pine needles assist with thinning and moving mucous congestion in the lungs. They are warming, somewhat drying, and have a sweet and sour flavor blend that can only be described as piney.
Medicinal Benefits of Pine Needles
Pine needles offer various potential benefits that have been observed anecdotally and traditionally:
- Pine needles may be soothing for coughs and congestion, possibly aiding in making coughs more productive.
- Some believe pine supports the immune system’s natural functions.
- Pine is rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins, which are beneficial compounds.
In indigenous practices, Algonquin tribes reportedly brewed tea from pine bark, sourced from tree wounds, as a traditional remedy for sore throats, colds, and other ailments.
Pine needles, like those of other conifer species, are associated with a range of qualities, including being:
- Analgesic (pain-relieving)
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
- Antioxidant
- Antiseptic
- Antitumor
- Antitussive (cough-suppressing)
- Antiviral
- Aromatic
- Astringent
- Decongestant
- Detoxifying
- Disinfectant
- Diuretic
- Expectorant
- Immuno-modulating (supporting immune function)
- Improving circulation
- Invigorating
- Supporting lymphatic system health
- Relaxing
- Easing nervous exhaustion and fatigue
- Alleviating sore muscles
- Providing restorative effects
ARE ALL PINES SUITABLE FOR Medicine?
The short answer is no. Although most pine trees can be used for pine needle tea, some are not safe for consumption. There are some that are poisonous or toxic, so it’s extremely important to know which pines are safe and to be able to positively identify the tree before collecting.
Those you want to avoid include Lodgepole Pine, Monterey Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Norfolk Pine (Australian Pine), Loblolly Pine, Common Juniper, and although not a pine, Yew. A good rule of thumb is to avoid flat needles.
As stated in my bio, I’m a collector of field guides. I highly recommend the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees.
Is Pine Needle Cough Syrup Safe for kids?
This syrup is safe for children ages 2 and older to take, but be sure to give them a smaller dose. Pine Needle syrup should not be given to children under one year of age because there is raw honey in the recipe.
HOW TO MAKE PINE NEEDLE COUGH SYRUP
Making pine needle cough syrup is super easy and essentially no more work than making a very strong pine tea and then mixing it with good quality raw, local honey.
1 cup (0.24 l) chopped fresh green pine needles
1¼ cup filtered or spring water
½ cup of raw honey, to taste
Gather a fresh pine branch, shake it off to get rid of any insects, and pick the needles clean off the branch. If you’re working with long needles, like those of an eastern white pine (my preferred variety due to its abundance where I live), cut them up into half an inch to one inch pieces. There’s no need to chop up smaller conifer needles.
I like to pull the needles off the twig until I have a little bundle in my hand. I hold the bundle at the bottom, where there is a little brown sheath covering the ends. This sheath is where the needles were attached to the twig. I don’t want to include this papery sheath in my syrup, so when I cut my needles up, I discard the ends. I have found that the easiest way to cut the needles is to use clean, sharp scissors.
Next, place 1 cup (0.24 l) of your roughly chopped pine needles in a small pot and cover with 1 ¼ cups of boiling water. Cover your pot and remove it from the heat. You never want to boil your pine needle tea as this tends to break down the vitamin C.
Allow your pine needles to steep in the hot water until it cools to room temperature. Strain the needles out using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer and mix the remaining liquid into the ½ cup of honey. You’ll find that your pine needle syrup has a pleasant, citrus-y and woodsy flavor and smells absolutely wonderful.
I like to add pine syrup to blends of my favorite respiratory herbs: mullein, plantain, goldenrod, and violet. The honey in the syrup acts as a natural preservative and keeps the syrup fresh for up to one month in the refrigerator.
Dosage of PINE NEEDLE COUGH SYRUP
To ease a cough, chest congestion, or a dry, scratchy throat, consider taking one tablespoon (15ml) every two hours as required. For younger children, I recommend starting with about 1 teaspoon every 2 hours as needed. It’s important to note that raw honey should never be given to children under 1 year old. There’s a rare chance that honey might contain bacteria that could potentially produce toxins in a baby’s intestines, possibly leading to infant botulism, which is a serious concern. It’s best to wait until your child is over 1 year old before introducing honey into their diet.
More Pine Recipes
As a bioregional herbalist, I like to work with the herbs that grow locally. I truly believe that we are largely given all the plants we need for health and wellbeing right where we live. One of the plants I especially love is Eastern White Pine, which is abundant in Northeastern Connecticut, where I live.
This type of pine is a great choice for medicine making because it is so easy to identify. You can see from the photo that the needles on the twigs grow in clusters of five. Learn more about the Eastern White Pine, or watch this pine tree identification video.
Here are a couple of my other favorite ways to use White Pine:
Other Recipes for Immune Support
If you’re looking for other recipes to support the immune system during the cold and flu months. Here are a few that can be helpful:
- Fire Cider for Incredible Seasonal Immune Support
- Delicious Pine Needle Tea for Health and Simple Pleasure
- Usnea Tincture Recipe: Discover How this Medicine Can Stop a Cold in Its Tracks
- Brew this Amazing Immune Boosting Tea for Winter Wellness
- Elderberry Syrup for Incredible Immune Support
- 10 Powerful Immune Boosting Herbs for Staying Healthy
- 10 Simple Herbal Tea Recipes for Wintertime Support
- Uses for Rose Hips: Nature’s Seasonal Offerings + 4 Easy Recipes
Pine Needle Cough Syrup
Materials
- 1 cup chopped fresh green pine needles
- 1¼ cup filtered or spring water
- ½ cup of raw honey
Instructions
- Gather a fresh pine branch, shake it off to get rid of any insects, and pick the needles clean off the branch. If you’re working with long needles, like those of an eastern white pine, cut them up into half an inch to one inch pieces. There’s no need to chop up smaller conifer needles.
- Place 1 cup of your roughly chopped pine needles in a small pot and cover with 1 ¼ cups of boiling water.
- Put a cover on your pot and remove it from the heat. You never want to boil your pine needle tea as this tends to break down the vitamin C.
- Allow your pine needles to steep in the hot water until it cools to room temperature. Around 30 minutes.
- Strain the needles out using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer.
- Mix the remaining liquid into the ½ cup of honey.
Notes
Disclaimer:
The Outdoor Apothecary website is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is the reader’s responsibility to ensure proper plant identification and usage.
Please be aware that some plants are poisonous or can have serious adverse health effects. We are not health professionals, medical doctors, or nutritionists. It is essential to consult with qualified professionals for verification of nutritional information, health benefits, and any potential risks associated with edible and medicinal plants mentioned on this website.
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