White Pine Needle Tea

Submitted by Charlotte J

"CAUTION: Pregnant women or those planning on becoming pregnant should not consume this tea.... I found this in the Iowa Outdoors magazine...Jacques Cartier, in his book "Voyages to Canada" (1534), credited tea made from pine needles and bark as saving the lives of his ice-stranded crew. Once 110 men strong, scurvy had taken 25 sailors, with 50 more near death and the reminder too weak to bury the dead. They were cured when Quebec Indians shared the tea, and with it, the secret to obtaining Vitamin C in the depths of winter."

 

• Ready In: 25mins
• Ingredients: 3
• Serves: 2

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup fresh green white pine needles, finely chopped
• 3 cups water
• honey

directions

1. Harvest the newest, green needles at the branch tips.
2. Add needles to boiling water and simmer 20 minutes or until water is reduced by about a third.
3. Add your favorite sweetener.