Here’s a little share on something new that may inspire you to consider medicine in a different way.

Let’s begin with a Haudenosaunee Iroquois legend.

There was a terrible conflict between five different nations of people. This conflict was rooted in cycles of pain, revenge, and chaos. A messenger of peace sent from the Great Spirit, the “Peacemaker,” sought to unite the five warring tribes. After convincing them to unite, they came together to make peace, but they still carried their weapons. The Peacemaker uprooted a White Pine tree and had them throw all of their weapons into the hole. He then replanted the tree, and the underground waters carried away the weapons. On the tree, the needles grew in clusters of five, to represent the five nations who came to find peace. The roots of the tree spread out in four directions, to the north, south, east and west; the roots are called the roots of peace. An eagle perched on top of the tree to watch over the roots of peace. Under the tree, the branches spread wide for all to gather.

It is from this Native American story that we can understand why the White Pine, Pinus strobus, is called the “Tree of Peace” and why the White Pine carries such power here through our landscape where it thrives.

Here we explore White Pine's peaceful energy, medicine preparations, and archived talk on all the good things White Pine can help with condition-wise, plus a different kind of preparation that you can make fresh, and a few other archived helpful items that seemed to fit.

I learned how to make this from a friend and healer from Japan. To keep privacy intact I will share a truncated version of a shared story that sparked my interest deeply.

​A patient with stage 4 lung cancer and in treatment was in their 50s and ended up hospitalized for a stroke. While in the hospital their family spoke with an older, trusted, and very wise traditional herbalist healer who taught them how to make this and said to bring into the hospital for them to sip 2oz. per day. The plan was to help with the stroke. BUT … to the medical staffs surprise (and everyone else) in 2 weeks the patient's lung cancer disappeared AND their stroke symptoms were improving twice as fast as usual. So my friend started taking this intermittently for themself and noticed marked improvement in a static condition they were working with that was not nearly as intense as a stroke or stage 4 lung cancer, but definitely a chronic stubborn condition of the skin and connective tissue deep in their body.

So naturally I LOVE White Pine and I trust this tree deeply. I would climb 60 feet into the top of one to take naps away from the traumatic childhood events I was enduring as a five year old. I learned to see things differently up there. I also learned to hang out with the birds and would bring them homemade bread so the parents didn't work so hard to feed their big family of hungry babies. We would eat together up there and enjoy the sway from the breeze and the sun warming us.

​So I decided to start taking this myself for no other reason than I trusted this tree so deeply and the tonic effects that it can deliver systemically to build resilience, resistance, and a generalized clearing of the body, mind, and spirit. I also was asking for guidance for if this would help two family members. One has lingering long covid lung issues and the other is working with a large 4.41 cubic cm pineal gland growth per MRI serial studies and is currently considered operable but the docs have decided to stay in surveillance mode. The main symptoms are affecting them cognitively with no seizure, debilitating pain, or vomiting at this time. I'm grateful for less intense symptoms and yet it's incredibly strange for me. The neurologist docs and surgeons and psychiatrists do not sit at the same table and yet they work in the same system of the body. There is a generalized fear and lack of understanding between them and they often refuse to share with each other in the care. We have more work to do for this grand canyon gap to be bridged for the sake of healing via modern medicine.  We have found a tiny number of dual certified MDs in Neurology and Psychiatry we are moving towards. Having this gap somewhat bridged within a single human looks like the direction we will move in. 

​It's a story for another time as more unfolding is achieved.

So White pine as tincture is already in my family's care regime but a fresh non-heated, non-alcohol based remedy was intriguing for the enzymatic possibilities along with other unknown compounds that may be sensitive to temperature or solvent chemistry.
Both family members are open to taking this so we began a few weeks ago and I will report back as things shift. As for me, and them as well, we all love the clinking of our little glasses as we swig together and feel the incredible opening from all the essential oils captured well in this process. The fresh aromatic pine smell wafts up and down the airways as it gives a tingling and opening sensation to the throat and belly. It’s pleasant and not hard to take.

The plan is to take daily for a few months and then pause and re-evaluate. An update will be posted for you in this on-going journey with White Pine tending my family.

My suggestion is the same. Pulse it with a period of taking and a period of rest without it. The body loves this. I also feel the oils are potent and to be safe we pulse small amounts.

Thanks for traveling here. Let me know if you try this process with White Pine, or maybe you decide to juice another plant you know you need that lends itself to safe administration this way. If you are unsure, shoot me a message and we will figure it from all angles in order to make safety a top priority for you.

UPDATE 9/28/25: Both family members have experienced improvements. The breathing issues of one has near disappeared for him. The pineal gland growth of my other family member has reduced to 2.07 cubic cm per MRI scan this month. I'm happy as we continue to move forward.  

Ingredients:

• 1 small handful white pine needles stripped from the branches - you can add or reduce the amount once you get the hang of this preparation.
• 1 cup water (or coconut water)

Instructions:
1. Place needles and water in a blender and blast on high for a good minute. Let sit 5 minutes and do again.
2. Strain using a fine mesh strainer. Compost needle remains and drink this juice 1-2 ounces / 30-60ml per day in a pulsed rhythm.
3. Store the remainder in frig. for next day or see below for freezing suggestions.


NOTE: To be honest I like to finish it the day I make it for I believe it is most potent in the first day. And yes, sometimes we offer to visiting friends who are interested in trying it. Yes, I freeze in ice cube trays to send off to my family’s freezers for daily dosing. They defrost 2 cubes in a little more water and drink that per day. We all get a swig of it fresh before the cubes are made.
​
Can we make with other pines? Yes, as long as they are safe medicine species so do your homework please. If unsure then DO NOT ingest until you know what tree you have.

White Pine has no look-a-likes and has easy to count 5 soft long needles that are arranged in clusters of along the branch.
Enjoy considering a new way and maybe try for a week as good spring or fall seasonal  tonic. 

EMS Harvesting Tree Bark Article
Recipe: White Pine Cough Drops


Archived Monthly Herbal Council #61 White Pine Medicine - 1 hr talk

• RECORDING HERE
• PASSWORD: whitepinetree

And A Few ElderMoon Apothecary Products:
WHITE PINE - Fresh Needle & Bark TINCTURE
White Pine & Elderberry Immune Elixir

For every pot of bone, vegetable, or mushroom broth, I often add 2-3 tablespoons of this blend to enhance the immune support. This was inspired by being a mom of three sons and making so much broth to keep five of us well fed immunity-wise. I've made this for years and sold many, many bags to customers and clients in deep need of simple, bone-deep healing medicine.

Now I share the recipe and have returned to just making my own for family and friends.
A jar of this makes the very best gift for the holidays as we need extra support to finish out each winter season strong. 

This is one to know and have in your home apothecary. Adjust ingredients as you are called to. Make it your recipe, and by all means, share it with your people! I find I usually only have to make one batch a year. Store in a glass jar ready for use.

Jen's Deep Immune Broth Dried Herb Blend

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 parts Astragalus root, dried
• 3 parts Burdock root, dried
• 3 parts Ginger root, dried
• 2 parts Siberian ginseng root, dried
• 1 part Angelica root, dried - Dong Quai works well too.
• 2 parts Shiitake mushroom, dried (you can slice and dry fresh ones or purchase dried.)
• 2 parts Turkey Tails mushroom, dried (cut to slices with scissors if dried whole.)
• 2 parts Reishi mushroom, dried (shave dried whole reishi with a wood rasp.)
• 1/2 part Garlic, granulated dried
• 1/2 part Thyme, dried
• 1/2 part Rosemary, dried
• 3 Star Anise
• 1 teaspoon whole Cloves
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

INSTRUCTIONS:
- Grind (in a dedicated coffee grinder or mortar and pestle) the hard aromatics of star anise, clove, and fennel seeds to small pieces like coffee grinds. These aromatics are optional but add immune and gut support, and great flavor. 
- Add to bowl with all other ingredients and mix gently to keep the dust down. Fill jars with tight fitting lids. Label with ingredients and instructions, and the date. Store in a cabinet or dark pantry.


TO BREW:
Add 2 tablespoons to a pot of stock you're making and simmer as usual.

Simply simmer 2-3 TB plus some salt and pepper and tablespoon of ghee, coconut oil or butter (we need the fat and it tastes good too!) - add all of this to 8 cups of water for a slow covered simmer of 30m. Let sit another 30-60m to infuse and cool a bit. Strain, adjust the seasoning of salt/pepper, or more water if too strong tasting. Sip and enjoy! 

TO DOSE AS MEDICINE:
Drink 3-4 mugs. 1 every few hours while awake. Or have 2 bowls of soup using this as your base for when you feel sickness coming on, lingering or resisting leaving your body. 
​
Here's my original article with my recipe for Deep Immune Broth that inspired the making of this dried herb one. We all need a few tricks in the kitchen. One is having many ways to get to a big pot of healing broth to sip.

​Enjoy my friend. Much Love, Jen