The Outdoor Apothecary is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
There’s something truly magical about wandering through the woods of New England and discovering all the medicines of the Earth it has to offer. One of my absolute favorites has to be the majestic white pine (Pinus strobus). This evergreen isn’t just a pretty face; it’s a veritable medicine chest! From its bark to its needles, and yes, even those sticky pine cones, there’s so much to love and use.
I’ve talked about the wonders of pine needles before and how I love to use them in both crafts and as an immune boosting tea, but the resin is another gift from our evergreen friends that deserves a special mention. This resin is not just a sticky substance you’d rather avoid; it’s a key ingredient for making pine resin salve, a must-have in any herbal first aid kit. So the next time you find yourself wandering amongst the evergreens, take a moment to get acquainted with them. Harvest some resin and consider crafting your own pine resin salve. Believe me, your first aid kit will thank you!
The Sacred Medicine of Pine Resin
In many indigenous cultures and ancient traditions, pine resin has been revered for its medicinal and spiritual properties. It’s often used in rituals and ceremonies to purify spaces and connect with the earth’s energy.Â
Using pine resin in a salve or any herbal concoction isn’t just about creating a skin-soothing remedy. It’s an intimate way to connect with the ancient wisdom of both the Earth and our ancestors. When you craft with pine resin, you’re stepping into a long lineage of herbalists, healers, and wisdom-keepers who recognized the vital importance of coexisting peacefully with nature. This isn’t just physical healing we’re talking about; it’s a form of plant spirit medicine that nourishes the soul.
Infused with the sacred essence of pine and crafted with love, this salve is a versatile healer. It’s your go-to for everything from calming insect bites and mending minor wounds to easing sore muscles. Keep reading to discover how to create your own healing Earth medicine salve, blending the potent power of pine resin with other therapeutic ingredients. Trust me, it’s a soul-soothing experience you won’t want to miss.
What is Pine Resin?
Pine resin is a natural substance created by pine trees in response to injury. It’s known for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, aiding the tree’s defense against disease. For generations, it has been valued in traditional practices for its potential benefits in supporting wellness. Harvesting pine resin responsibly, you can create a simple Earth-friendly salve, perfect for your first aid kit.
The Health Benefits of Pine Resin
As someone who has explored the world of natural remedies, I’m always fascinated by the healing powers of plants. White pine resin, in particular, offers a wide range of health benefits that I find quite remarkable. One of the first things that caught my eye is its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Having a natural way to combat harmful bacteria can be quite helpful in treating minor cuts, burns, and possibly even infections.
White pine resin is celebrated for its potential to support circulation, which can offer relief for discomfort in joints. Crafting a salve with this resin often brings me relief from tired muscles and achy joints. Moreover, its natural properties can be soothing for different areas of the body where inflammation occurs.
Beyond addressing physical discomfort, I’ve noticed that white pine resin may contribute positively to immune function. Especially during colder months when immune support is crucial, incorporating white pine resin into my daily routine feels like a proactive step towards overall well-being.
I also value the soothing and healing effects of white pine resin, which can be beneficial for addressing skin sensitivities like rashes and insect bites. Witnessing the natural remedy’s ability to calm and nourish the skin is truly remarkable.
Based on my own experiences and exploration, I firmly believe that white pine resin deserves a spot in any natural wellness collection. Its diverse range of properties makes it a versatile ally for addressing various concerns that may arise. Embracing this natural gift has enriched my life in numerous ways, and I’m grateful for the healing potential it offers.
Harvesting Pine Resin Sustainably
When sustainably harvesting anything in the wild, it is important to only take what is abundant, and to harvest sparingly—leaving as much as possible for the ecosystem to maintain balance. Because pine trees produce resin to heal itself and protect its vitality, it’s essential not to over-harvest the sap that remains on the tree.
If you must harvest pine resin, do so with reverence and always think of the health of the tree. Resin is like a bandage over a tree wound, protecting the tree from infection and decay. It is a critical part of a tree’s healing process, so do not rip or dig it off of the tree; instead harvest resin when chunks of it have fallen to the ground or if you find some dripping further down the trunk, past the wounded area. Better still, harvest the pine resin from fallen trees and branches whenever possible.
A butter knife is an excellent tool for scraping off cold chunks of sap or removing softer bits from a fallen tree. Place the collected resin in a paper cup, piece of parchment paper, or jar dedicated to resin collecting.
When to harvest
Pine resin can be harvested year-round. However, the cold of winter is the best time for harvesting it. During the winter, one can find many fallen branches and trees that have been broken by snowfall or strong winds. These fallen trees and branches are the preferred source for collecting pine resin because taking it from them does not harm the tree in any way. The cold weather also helps the resin to harden and become easier to collect.
Basic Pine Resin Salve
This is the basic pine resin salve recipe, but you could substitute herb-infused oils such as plantain, calendula, comfrey, or yarrow for the plain oil in order to incorporate more vulnerary and antimicrobial herbs to support the body’s wound healing process. Feel free to tweak this formula to meet your own needs!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup powdered pine resin (Place the chunks of resin on a sheet of parchment or freezer paper and freeze them until hardened. Then fold the paper around the pieces and hammer the chunks on a sidewalk or hard surface until it’s powdered)
- ½ cup oil of your choice (I prefer fast absorbing oils such as rice bran oil, sweet almond, apricot kernel oil, safflower oil, or jojoba oil over olive or sunflower oil)
- ¼ to ½ cup beeswax, grated
- 17 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil
*Note: Spruce or Fir resin are acceptable substitutes for pine resin
Directions:
- Add pine resin to oil in the top pan of a simmering double boiler.Â
- Heat together on low heat until pine resin melts. This may require stirring, or simmering for several hours.
- Strain the mixture through a coffee filter or fine mesh strainer. Clean the strainer with oil, then soap.
- Return to double boiler and add grated beeswax. For every cup of resin/oil mixture, add ¼ – ½ cup of grated beeswax or beeswax pellets. The more beeswax, the firmer the salve or balm will be when it solidifies.
- Gently heat until mixture is melted.Â
- Add the essential oil and pour into tins or jars and store in a cool, dark place.
Uses for this Salve
This homemade wild-foraged pine resin salve can be used directly on the skin to heal and soothe minor skin irritations. It can also be used as an overnight facial moisturizer, lip balm, or skin healing hand salve.
Pine Resin Salve
Ingredients
- ½ cup powdered pine resin Place the chunks of resin on a sheet of parchment or freezer paper and freeze them until hardened. Then fold the paper around the pieces and hammer the chunks on a sidewalk or hard surface until it's powdered
- ½ cup oil of your choice I prefer fast absorbing oils such as rice bran oil, sweet almond, apricot kernel oil, safflower oil, or jojoba oil over olive or sunflower oil
- ¼ to ½ cup beeswax grated
- 17 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil
Instructions
- Add pine resin to oil in the top pan of a simmering double boiler.
- Heat together on low heat until pine resin melts. This may require stirring, or simmering for several hours. (2-4 hours)
- Strain the mixture through a coffee filter or fine mesh strainer. Clean the strainer with oil, then soap.
- Return to double boiler and add grated beeswax. For every cup of resin/oil mixture, add ¼ - ½ cup of grated beeswax or beeswax pellets. The more beeswax, the firmer the salve or balm will be when it solidifies.
- Gently heat until mixture is melted.
- Add the essential oil and pour into tins or jars and store in a cool, dark place.
Notes
For other healing remedies from the Earth, check out this page:Â Herbalism & Herbs
Sources
- Jokinen JJ, Sipponen A. Refined Spruce Resin to Treat Chronic Wounds: Rebirth of an Old Folkloristic Therapy. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2016 May 1;5(5):198-207. doi: 10.1089/wound.2013.0492. PMID: 27134764; PMCID: PMC4827294.
- Koutsaviti A, Toutoungy S, Saliba R, Loupassaki S, Tzakou O, Roussis V, Ioannou E. Antioxidant Potential of Pine Needles: A Systematic Study on the Essential Oils and Extracts of 46 Species of the Genus Pinus. Foods. 2021 Jan 12;10(1):142. doi: 10.3390/foods10010142. PMID: 33445574; PMCID: PMC7827367.
- Legault J, Girard-Lalancette K, Dufour D, Pichette A. Antioxidant Potential of Bark Extracts from Boreal Forest Conifers. Antioxidants (Basel). 2013 Jul 11;2(3):77-89. doi: 10.3390/antiox2030077. PMID: 26784337; PMCID: PMC4665433.
Disclaimer-Â I am not a medical professional. All information shared here is for information and entertainment only. Do your own research and consult your health care provider before treating yourself with any product, plant or mixture.Â
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
