Pine needle tea benefits: Pine tea has been used for many years as a natural remedy for respiratory diseases.

Although little is heard about pine tea, it is a natural remedy used for many years among indigenous people and explorers in North America, where a cold climate and pine trees abound. This tea is used to obtain energy and strengthen the immune system because it has a high amount of vitamin C and iron.

Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant that helps fight free radicals and various diseases and cell oxidation, preventing premature aging and strengthening defenses. Added to this, pine tea has a powerful antiseptic and expectorant effect; it is an antiviral and immunostimulant.

It has also been used as a natural remedy to combat respiratory tract congestion and other conditions, such as sinusitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis, flu, and asthma. With other plants, it can work for detoxifying and diuretic purposes or to treat inflammatory problems. Here we tell you how to prepare it to combat respiratory problems.

Pine tea for the respiratory tract

Ingredients:

• 500 ml of water
• 1 handful of pine leaves and buds
• 1/2 teaspoon marshmallow leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon white horehound
• 1/2 teaspoon of lungwort
• honey (optional)

Wash the leaves or pine needles and their buds very well under a stream of cold water, taking care only to use those that look fresh.

Place the water in a pot over high heat and add the pine needles and buds, the marshmallow leaves, white horehound, and lungwort and wait for it to heat up for approximately 4 minutes, then turn off the heat, cover, and let them concentrate for 10 minutes.

Strain and serve hot; if you prefer, add honey to sweeten.

It is advisable to drink a cup to decongest the respiratory tract or to help combat problems in these tracts, such as rhinitis, lung congestion, bronchitis, asthma, and for smokers. What remains of the drink can be stored in the refrigerator.

This tea can also be prepared only with pine needles and buds, water, and honey, although its effect will be more potent if the other ingredients are used.

This drink should not be abused, as it could cause intestinal irritation or nerve disturbances. It should be avoided in pregnant women and during the lactation period. It is best to listen to the opinion of a specialist.