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Pine needles may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of natural herbal medicine, but they actually do have a lot of benefits! This pine needle cough syrup is easy to make and is helpful for calming coughs and soothing sore throats.
Medicinal Benefits of Pine Needles
What better way to make natural medicine than with the trees around us?
The needles of most species of pine trees have both edible and medicinal properties. They are aromatic and have antibacterial and pain relieving properties.
Pine needles, along with most other conifer needles, are high in vitamin C and can be used as an expectorant for coughs and for relieving chest congestion.
When pine needle tea is combined with honey to make a syrup, it is highly beneficial for soothing a dry and scratchy throat and helping to tame coughs.
This recipe is from my book Healing Herbal Infusions, be sure to check it out if you are interested in more herbal remedies like this one!
Which Pine Needles are Safe to Use?
Most pine and other conifer needles are edible and have medicinal uses. Just be certain of your conifer tree identification, as there are a few species that you want to steer clear from. Do not use Yew as it is toxic!
Pregnant women should avoid using needles from Ponderosa Pine.
Besides pine, other conifer needles you can use in this recipe are fir, spruce, or hemlock (the coniferous tree, not the toxic herbaceous plant).
The best part is that conifer needles are easy to forage year round. They are perfect for fall foraging and winter foraging!
Related:
How to Make Pine Needle Cough Syrup
This recipe comes together very quickly and easily!
First, bring the water to a boil then pour it over the pine needles in a pint mason jar. You are essentially making pine needle tea.
For a stronger pine needle flavor, you can boil the pine needles in the water for a few minutes before taking off the heat. Just be aware that this does diminish some of the vitamin C content.
Let the infusion steep until the water has cooled to room temperature, then strain out the pine needles and stir in the honey.
Store the syrup in a covered jar in the refrigerator and it will keep for 2-4 weeks. If you’d like to increase the shelf life of this syrup, freeze it in baggies or ice cube trays and then thaw it as needed before use.
Related: Pine Needle Infused Honey
How to Use Pine Needle Cough Syrup
Take one tablespoon (15ml) every two hours as needed to ease a cough, relieve chest congestion, or to soothe a dry and scratchy throat.
This syrup is safe for children ages 2 and older, but be sure to give the little ones a smaller dose. I have a handy dosing guide for children based on their ages in my book Healing Herbal Infusions.
Pine Needle syrup should not be given to children under the age of one due to the raw honey.
Beyond being medicinal, this syrup is very tasty and is nice to have around for the holiday season for mixing into co*cktails or mocktails!
I’m definitely going to do that this season, maybe mixed with some infused winter gin? Yes please!
Healing Herbal Infusions
This pine needle cough syrup is one of the recipes in my book Healing Herbal Infusions, which is packed full of herbal remedies for everyday ailments.
It includes infusion recipes in seven different categories:
- boosting immunity
- soothing aches and pains
- relieving what ails you
- easing digestion
- embracing inner well being
- nourishing skin, lips, and hair
- supporting mother and child
The recipes I’ve created for Healing Herbal Infusions are simple. They are easy enough for a beginner to understand and carry out, yet accessible to herbalists of every level.
Take control of your health naturally with this guide to natural herbal medicine!
More Immune Support Remedies
These are some of my other favorite herbal remedies to support our bodies during cold and flu season.
- Elderberry Syrup
- Rose Hip Syrup
- Fermented Honey Garlic
- Fermented Elderberry Honey
- Immune Boosting Herbal Tea
- Fire Cider
- Thyme Cough Syrup
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4.38 from 27 votes
Pine Needle Cough Syrup
This pine needle cough syrup is beneficial for soothing for a dry and scratchy throat and helping to tame coughs.
Course Condiment
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Active Time 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes
Yield 1 serving
Cost $1.50
Calories 26kcal
Author Colleen @ Grow Forage Cook Ferment
Ingredients
US Customary – Metric
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup fresh pine needles or other edible conifer needles
- 1/2 cup raw honey
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil then pour it over the pine needles in a pint mason jar. For a stronger pine needle flavor you can boil the pine needles in the water for a few minutes before taking off the heat. (Just be aware that this does diminish some of the vitamin C content).
Let the infusion steep until the water has cooled to room temperature, then strain out the pine needles and stir in the honey.
Store the syrup in a covered jar in the refrigerator and it will keep for 2-4 weeks. If you’d like to increase the shelf life of this syrup, freeze it in baggies or ice cube trays and then thaw as needed before use.
Notes
- Most pine and other conifer species are edible and have medicinal uses. Just be certain of your conifer tree identification, as there are a few species that you want to steer clear from. Do not use Yew as it is toxic!
- Take one tablespoon (15ml) every two hours as needed to ease a cough, relieve chest congestion, or to soothe a dry and scratchy throat.
- This syrup is safe for children ages 2 and older, but be sure to give the little ones a smaller dose. I have a handy dosing guide for children based on their ages in my book Healing Herbal Infusions.
- Pine Needle syrup should not be given to children under the age of one due to the raw honey.
- Reprinted with permission from Healing Herbal Infusions by Colleen Codekas, Page Street Publishing Co. 2018. Photo credit: Colleen Codekas.
Nutrition
Serving: 1Tablespoon | Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Potassium: 5mg | Calcium: 1mg
