Today’s walk through Mother Earth’s Medicine Cabinet will lead us down a path to check out Pine Pollen. All pine trees produce this magnificent pollen that can be harvested or purchased at a health food store. The pollen is not actually pollen -- it is technically considered to be a form of seed. It isn’t packed with flavor but it has a light nutty taste.
Pine pollen can be collected from any pine tree in the very early spring. The pollen is a beautiful golden color and blows down from the trees, coating the ground with the dust. It is an ancient medicine but it is also an ancient superfood. There are so many incredible health benefits packed in those little golden granules.
Pine pollen is full of antioxidants and over 250 different minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals. The golden goodness of the pine pollen is rich in vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and E. It also contains minerals such as copper, zinc, selenium, and magnesium, just to name a few. This pollen is packed full of everything we need to help rejuvenate our entire body.
7 Health Benefits of Pine Pollen
- Anti-inflammatory: Not only does pine pollen reduce inflammation, but it works for your whole entire body!
- Antioxidants: Pine pollen contains pretty high levels of antioxidants that are extremely beneficial to ridding the body of free radicals that cause damage to your health.
- Joint Health: Pine pollen contains MSM, a compound also known as DMSO2. This compound is extremely beneficial for naturally improving flexibility and restoring collagen. It is often used in beauty products that help remove wrinkles and signs of aging.
- Heart Health: The pollen of pine trees is considered to be an adaptogen. Adaptogens allow the body to better handle and deal with natural and physical stressors. This, in turn, helps protect the heart from overworking due to physical activity or emotional upset.
- Androgenic: A pine tree’s pollen contains a natural supply of testosterone and androsterone. This makes it great for men over the age of 25, especially those who work out. It isn’t just for males though -- women also have certain levels of testosterone and can become deficient, especially closer to the age of fifty. These lower levels of testosterone in both men and women can cause fatigue, moodiness, sleep issues, and loss of sex drive.
- Aphrodisiac: This golden powder is known to naturally increase the libido, as well as improve sexual function.
- Shen: Pine pollen is an ancient medicine for the whole body. It is believed that it increases our spiritual energy and also quiets the mind.
This is a rather short list of a very long list of healing and health benefits. With all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients packed into those tiny little granules of gold, one has to ask oneself: how couldn’t it be good for you? Pine pollen is a well-known superfood and with some pretty good reasons, as you can see.
Pine pollen has been used for centuries to help heal the body, mind, and spirit. It has so many great benefits. You can find pine pollen supplements at most natural food and health stores. It can be added to your morning smoothies, milkshakes, and even to soups and stews. It has a slightly nutty flavor to it -- it’s delicious. Oh, did I mention that it’s a great source of protein for vegans and vegetarians as it contains around 30% protein?
If you know where there are some pine trees in your neighborhood you could try to harvest some of the tree’s pollen on your own. Just take a brown paper bag or something similar and fit it around the branches where the pollen is. Give the tree branch a really good shake and before you know it you’ll have some pollen. The pollen can be harvested in early spring, so keep a watch for the yellow powder. As always, I hope this walk finds you in a good way! Happy Healing!
