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Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) Herbal Monograph
Common Names: Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, Western Yellow, Blackjack Pine, Filipinus Pine, Western Red
Latin Name: Pinus ponderosa
Taste: Bitter, Pungent, Spicy, Astringent/Pungent, Resinous
Affinities: Respiratory(Lungs); Digestive(Supports liver/flow/reduces stagnation); Female Repro(Stimulates stuck menses); Immune System
Analogue/Twin to Ginger
(Zingiber officinale) in some cases*
Clinical Actions:
Internally- Circulatory(Aids ease of blood flow and improves oxygen transport; encourages blood clots to dissolve), Analgesic(Pain reliever), Antioxidant, Spasmolytic(Calms nerve spasms), Immune Stimulant, Tonic(Strengthens/tightens tissues), Expectorant, Very Mild Laxative(Due to digestive stimulation/bitter qualities), Expectorant(Helps break up phlegm for release/a full breath without restriction)
Externally- Analgesic for nerve pain(sciatica), muscle aches, arthritis, expectorant lung distress/congestion(steam/compress)
Energetics: Neutral with warming and cooling potential, Drying(Needles), Moistening(Inner Bark), Astringent, Tonifying, Stimulating Relaxant, Restoring, Solidifying, Stabilizing
Special Potency: Amazing ally for the energetic heart; Uplifting and has a tendency to enliven the Spirit, bringing in a full breath as a release of tension due to deep emotional processing and grief. Is known to transmit Wise Elder energy.
Parts interacted with: Needles, Inner Bark, Cones/Nuts/Seeds/Flowers, Pollen
To identify: 2,3, or 5 needles in one bunch/fascicle/from one tiny papery sheath (For all Pinus genus); Pinus ponderosa typically has 3 needles per bunch and is “tall, straight, thick trunks, clad in scaled, rusty-orange bark that has split into big plates. One can easily identify some trees by smelling their bark. Ponderosa Pine bark smells like vanilla or butterscotch.” (www.nps.gov/brca/learn/nature/ponderosapine)
Pinus ponderosa cones are prickly to the touch, with scales facing outwards.
(https://www.tmparksfoundation.org/plants-fungi/jeffrey-pine)
See photo at the top.
Indications:
Physical- Stagnancy in respiratory, digestive, and female reproductive systems, Pain, Immune support/Strengthening, Stuck hard scanty phlegm and/or sinuses, Bronchial pain, Pneumonia, Congestive asthma, Adrenal insufficiency, Tight chest/wheezing, Weakness/loss of endurance, Nausea/vomiting, Infection, Injuries resulting in broken tissue(Antioxidants and circulatory actions help repair tissue
Emotional- Grief or stuck sadness; depression
Flower Essence - An ally for self-blame/judgment; imbalance in perceived responsibilities; to know where “I end and you begin.”
(The Encyclopedia of Bach Flower Therapy by Mechthild Scheffer)
Medicine form, dose and dosage:
Decoction/Infusion (Tea) - 4-10g or 1Tbs:1 cup water (fresh)
Tincture - 2-4ml at 1:3 strength in 50% ethanol (higher alc % can be used for folk method tincture/fresh plant with water content)
Essential Oil - 1-2 drops in gelatin capsule topped with olive oil *never ingest essential oils without diluting and education
Flower Essence - 4 drops, 4 times a day
Topical Salves/Liniments - As needed for pain or wounds
Steam Inhalation - same as infusion, gently breathe in steam
Poultice - to draw out splinters and bring boils to a head (Brigitte Mars, iPlant app resource)
*Caution: resins may tenaciously stick onto any dishes
Contraindications:
Not recommended during pregnancy (may bring on menses/mild uterine stimulation).
Growing conditions:
“The range for ponderosa pine is USDA zones 3-7, thriving on soils from shallow to deep, and from gravelly sands to sandy clay loam throughout the mountains of the American west and up into British Columbia, Canada. It is a widespread species…
It prefers slightly acidic soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0 and rain coverage of at least 30-60 cm average annual precipitation. It has moderate to good drought tolerance, although extended drought increases susceptibility to invading insects including a variety of beetles. The ponderosa pine will survive very cold winters.” (https://ayurveda.alandiashram.org/ayurvedic-herbs/ponderosa-pine-pinus-ponderosa)
Personal Experience:
What an amazing ally! Pine is much more than a physiological medicine, she is a teacher that has spoken to me in various ways the depths of ancient Grandmother wisdom. Sitting by her side and weeping or laughing reminds me of being held in my own Grandmother’s arms, snuggled up in her big brown chair. The safest place I’ve ever known.
Now I am blessed with seemingly infinite Pine trees pervading my view as I step outside my home, my sanctuary, in the forest.
In my heart space, this friend of mine lifts the heaviness away and I can breathe fully again. Especially in times of grief, a deeper realization of our human condition and this illusion of separateness we are caught in.
We have been fragmented and interwoven in chaos. We are We but really we are each all the Isness, together. The mush of it all. Including Pine.
A tiny bite of a needle is all it takes to feel Pine circulate through me and I feel I am safe again, rooted in assurance.
What a wonderful wise friend that so gracefully and willingly holds me, Us. For this ally is capable of holding so much because she understands where her responsibility ends, and another’s begins.
There is no one to blame for the pain we are oh so readily able to feel. It all simply flows and Is, and is freely energy being exchanged with integrity in knowing what is what, when we are attuned.
Knowing that what is behind all the whatness is pure, ineffable love.
Kaelie’s note on her experience with Pine in various locations as well as the Flower Essence
How to Make a Folk Method Tincture:
Folk method aka Wise Woman Method are traditional, intuitive ways of working with the plants and making medicine in the wild without precise measuring tools.
Supplies-
Intention
Fresh or dry plant (in this case, Pinus ponderosa needles)
Jar with lid
Scissors
High proof alcohol (190 proof or 80 proof vodka)
Spring water (if using 190 proof)
Cheesecloth
Sharpie or Sticker and Pen to label
Bowl
Cleaning cloth
Empty dropper bottle
Patience
Intuition
Love
Presence
Gratitude
Directions-
Gather all supplies and go sit with your chosen tree. Invite in a gentle meditation and let the tree know your intention, what the purpose of this harvest will be (ex. to create a tincture for the health and well-being of my community).
Begin to gather the needles, spacing out your harvest so one area is not totally debilitated. If cutting any small branches for a bigger harvest, always make a clean cut.
Wipe scissors clean with a clean cloth and alcohol. Cut up the needles into small bits, about 1-2cm long. Place them in the jar, filling it up and leaving about an inch at the top for shake-ability.
Add the alcohol, filling roughly 60-80% of the jar.
Add the water until the jar is nearly full.
If using 80 proof vodka, skip the water and fill using vodka.
Seal the jar. Label with Genus, Species, location of harvest, alcohol and water % estimate, and the date of initiation.
Place in a cool, dark space and shake once a day or as often as possible for about 4 weeks, with love and gratitude.
Open the jar after 2-6 weeks. Strain with cheesecloth into a bowl or pitcher. Pour into a dropper bottle. Label the bottle with the same information, adding on the date of straining.
Follow dosage protocol.
*Always return old plant matter back to the Earth, with gratitude!
Where to Harvest (Mindfully Safe & Legal)-
For collection permits in some areas - https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/ethics/permit.shtml
From the Colorado Native Plant Society:
https://conps.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/guidelinesforcollection.pdf
*Private land via your own home or a friend’s land is perfect. Be mindful of your impact and who is around you. Never harvest where the plant is limited or sprayed with any pesticides. For specificity on permits and areas of access, check with your forestry service.
Rocky Mountain Forest Service:
1617 Cole building 17
Lakewood CO 80401
Phone: 303-275-5350
TTD / TTY: 303-275-5367
Resources:
The Energetics of Western Herbs by Peter Holmes Vol.1.
Brigitte Mars, iPlant app resource
https://ayurveda.alandiashram.org/ayurvedic-herbs/ponderosa-pine-pinus-ponderosa
The Encyclopedia of Bach Flower Therapy by Mechthild Scheffer
Kat Mackinnon featured on the Herbs with Rosalee Podcast speaking Pine wisdom (Search “Kat Mackinnon Pine Rosalee”)- https://youtu.be/5PxbJey4rdA?si=UPGGLkmmuwsrOEPT
https://www.tmparksfoundation.org/plants-fungi/jeffrey-pine
https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/contact-us/regional-offices
https://blog.southernexposure.com/2022/11/herbal-tinctures-the-folk-method/
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