Winter Tree Medicine
(Republished)Great to be reminded of the amazing pharmacopoeia we live in and around. Jade Mace’s Winter Tree medicine gave us yummy tasting natural whole food alternative to cough drops and decongestants. This weekend past, I went to the Tree Medicine workshop sponsored by the Herbal Community of Central Massachusetts and Tower Hill Botanical Gardens held at Tower Hill in Boylston, MA.
I got a vivid and functional reminder of how many local plants are not only edible, but also medicinally valuable. Jade Alicandro Mace came out from the pioneer valley to share her ideas on how to use our local coniferous trees to make medicine. She packed the house.
A funny and knowledgeable herbalist Jade clearly loves her life and her craft. Her exuberance for and understanding of the value of tree medicine is impressive. Jade believes in bioregional herbalism. You utilize and source plants from your own region to support your wellness. She lovingly called trees the lungs of the earth. Trees energize and cleanse our atmosphere.
Jade dipped into winter tree wellness by talking about the general properties of pine trees the Pinaceae family. The essential oils from these trees are warming and drying and have affinity for the respiratory tract and lungs. The medicine is in the new needles especially young tips and the twigs. Pine trees are our abundant local source of vitamin C and great for winter wellness.
Specific trees in our neck of the woods New England were highlighted in the discussion. The conditions for growth, soil type sun requirements and elevation were given. Favorite recipes for Eastern Hemlock, Balsam Fir, Spruce and White pine were included in the handout. Several different products were made to demystify the process and encourage us to make our own.
Simple powerful recipes based on whole local foods that are healthy and taste yummy! I am a big fan of this approach. Jade also brought all kinds of natural tree medicinal products like,White Pine oxymel and let us sample.
An oxymel is an extract in honey and vinegar. Jade used Raw Apple Cider Vinegar and local honey with dry fresh chopped white pine needles. The liquid is a tonic a great winter source of vitamin C. Oxymels are a natural fit for salad dressings.
Winter Tree Medicine White Pine Oxymel
Recipe by Jade Mace
Equipment
- Mason Jar
- Cap
- Mason Jar Funnel
- Knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- White Pine Needles and Twigs
- Raw Local Honey
- Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
- Chop White Pine Needles and Twigs. Make sure the white pine is fresh, clean, and dry.
- Fill jar leave 1 inch clearance
- Add Apple Cider Vinegar until jar is 2/3 full
- Top off with Honey
- Cap and shake to Mix.
- Be sure the plant material is covered.
- Allow to steep at room temperature for 2 – 4 weeks.
- Strain for use, the needles are edible too.
Jade also went over how to make oils, salves, steams and cordials as part of the work shop. We got to sample products made with spruce and hemlock as well. Winter Tree Medicine was a fun Saturday morning full of new awareness, flavors and ideas to support my own health.
Tweet What you do to enhance your own wellness, Pine Needle Tea?#wintertreemedicine Share on XJade Alicandro Mace is a Community Herbalist in Shutesbury, MA Connect with her through her website www.milkandhoneyherbs.com.