How to Boil Pine Needles

Overview

Pine needles have been used for years for their rich nutrients and medicinal qualities. According to Practical Primitive, pine needles have four times the amount of vitamin C that is found in the average orange. They also contain a large dose of vitamin A. Pine needles can be boiled to create pine-needle tea. You can drink this tea for its nutritional benefit as well as use it as a decongestant if you are sick.

Step 1

Put on a pair of garden gloves to protect your hands from the sharp pine needles. Collect a bunch of pine needles and bring them in the house. Many people prefer white pine, but other types such as pitch and balsam work just as well.

Step 2

Place the pine needles in a colander and rinse them off under a faucet of running water.

Step 3

Examine each of the pine needles and remove any pieces that have turned brown. You only want to use young, green pine needles.

Step 4

Chop up the needles into small bits until you have 1/2 cup. Then place the chopped pine needles in a tea or coffee cup.

Step 5

Bring 2/3 cup of water to a boil and pour it over the pine needles in the tea cup. The water will still be boiling and will draw out the nutrients from the pine needles.

Step 6

Wait 10 minutes and then drink your pine-needle tea.