“Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. “
Colossians 3:2
LEARN
I love the forest. Wondering through a fairyland of ferns and moss is my idea of a perfect day. It’s a known fact in our home that for any holiday, I will always be thrilled with receiving pinecones. Or really any cone from the many variety of conifer trees we have in North America. I am also smitten with acorns as well as seashells due to my love of Oak trees and the ocean. But it’s those majestic conifers that definitely have my heart. Maybe because of growing up near the giant Sequoias, Hemlock and Spruces in Central California they remind me of home or the Pines I remember being surrounded by when I first gave my life over to the Lord. It could possibly be the coastal Redwood trees I lived nearby when I fell in love with and married my husband.
For whatever the reason may be I have a deep appreciation for those beautiful ancient trees that remove my eyes away from all that is happening around me and transfer my gaze right up into the heavens. In those moments I can’t help but be reminded of Colossians 3:2, set your mind on things above. It may just be me being sentimental but when I walk amongst those towering trees I feel like they were made for that very purpose. To draw my eyes in wonder away from this earth and up to the heavens to remind me of my creator, whom my heart and mind should always be set upon. And the only one who can bring the peace that is so needed within this broken world. What a wonderful gift our Lord gave us in his creation. That it can draw us closer in worship to him. And what a wonderful gift that many of the conifer trees that fill me with awe and that we all love to fill our homes with during the Holiday season are actually also both edible and medicinal!
KNOW
The use of conifer trees for medicinal purposes can be traced as far back as the Middle Ages and it is well known that the Indigenous people of North America used the needles, bark and sap of conifer trees in a variety of ways and passed this knowledge on to the early settlers. I have enjoyed foraging then creating salves, cleaning products & even cookies from the forest and woods.
A cup of tea made from the freshly gathered tips of Redwood or Pine can be calming as well as healing. High in Vitamin C and useful for coughs where phlegm is present, chest congestion or for soothing a dry scratchy throat, a honey based syrup made with Pine (or even Fir, Hemlock or Spruce) is a wonderful natural remedy to have on hand during the winter. And for those who may wish to use Pine in a more fun and festive way can instead make a simple syrup with Pine needles and sugar to add to cocktails or to create a delicious homemade soda…a very fun treat! It should be noted that either of these variations would make a wonderful homemade holiday or hostess gift!
DO
Forest Syrup Two Ways
Pine & Honey:
1 c pine needles
1/2 c honey
1 c water
Pine & Sugar:
1 c pine needles
1 c sugar
1 c water
Directions:
For both variations in a medium pot add water and bring to a boil. Add pine needles, turn off pot, cover and let sit until the water has completely cooled or as long as over night. Depending on how strong you want the flavor. Once it has cooled completely strain the water to remove the pine needles. Add the water back into the pot with the sweetener of your choice and heat until the sweetener has dissolved. Keep refrigerated, for 2-4weeks.
Uses:
Both varieties are delicious and make wonderful additions to holiday cocktails & mocktails.
For homemade soda- Add 2-3 Tbsp. of either variety to a 12oz glass and fill the rest with sparkling water
As a honey cough syrup:
- 1Tbsp every 2 hours for a cough soar throat or chest congestion (ages 2 & up)
*Keeping in mind that although foraging is both fun and at the moment very popular it’s necessary to use precaution and be very informed before you go. Something to note is that any tree in the Yew family is highly toxic and should be avoided and also that women who are pregnant should not consume Pine. So making sure you can properly identify trees in your area is very important. And please do not use any needles from a tree you purchased at a Christmas tree lot!
