Pine - a unique tree, the benefits of which many know. But when they talk about its favorable qualities, they often mean the use of needles, cones and buds of the specified plant. Pine bark is characterized by no less unique healing and beneficial properties for humans.

Chemical composition

By its biochemical composition, pine bark is characterized by a combination of many elements with a high level of biological activity. These are proteins, vitamins, trace elements, enzymes, fats, essential and other components. A distinctive feature of the pine bark is the presence of a large number of tannins in it.

The composition of this wood element also includes phenols, readily soluble sugars, and in addition to:

• ash - 0.7%;
• extractive substances - 19.9%;
• lignin - 46%;
• holocellulose - 41.7%.

Among the mineral components stand out:

• potassium - 2%;
• sulfur - 2%;
• phosphorus - 2%;
• calcium - 13%;
• magnesium - 3%;
• zinc - 5%.

Important! The amount of all mineral elements in the pine bark increases approximately 2 times with every 1.5 meters of the height of the tree trunk.

Also, the composition of the pine bark includes other substances:

• tannins;
• vitamins K, B1, B2, P;
• D-hyaluronic acid;
• vitamin C;
• pycnogenol;
• carotene;
• resveratrol.

The use of pine bark

It is the unusual composition of pine bark that makes it a unique tool that is successfully used in traditional and traditional medicine, cosmetology, gardening, and landscape design.

Pine bark has a number of healing properties. It is resistant to putrefactive processes, phytoncides present in its composition contribute to the elimination of dangerous microorganisms, wherever this tool is used.

In folk medicine

The complex of useful substances that fill the pine bark significantly expands the range of possibilities for using it in traditional medicine for medicinal purposes. This applies both to health problems in which this raw material is useful, as well as to various other forms of its use.

What helps

In folk medicine, the use of this element of coniferous tree as a medicine is possible for the treatment and prevention of many ailments, namely:

• diabetes mellitus;
• arterial hypertension;
• disturbances in the work of the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
• urolithiasis;
• rheumatism;
• osteoporosis;
• arthritis, arthrosis and other joint diseases;
• bleeding gums;
• adenomas, prostatitis, erection problems.

Important! Funds based on pine bark become necessary when eliminating the consequences of such a serious disease as a stroke.

• Pine bark can be used for:
• elimination of symptoms of chronic fatigue;
• memory improvement, especially after head injuries;
• vascular strengthening;
• normalization of the heart;
• strengthening tooth enamel;
• lower cholesterol.

This substance is a powerful immunostimulant, it is able to anesthetize and relieve inflammatory processes in the body.

How to cook

Pine bark can be prepared in the form of infusion, broth, tincture, powder, extract, ointment, cream. It all depends on the specific health problem with which the remedy must cope.

Did you know? From pine wood, people have learned to produce artificial silk and leather.

If it is necessary to lower the cholesterol levels in the blood, it is best to convert dry galtovanny bark to a powder. After that, the resulting substance is taken ½ teaspoon before meals once a day, washed down with water. Duration of admission is up to 1 month.

To improve vessels, strengthen them, the powder should also be consumed by ½ teaspoon 1 time per day, after mixing with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of honey.

For diseases joints for anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, the obtained powdery substance is mixed with willow bark powder in equal proportions and consumed ½ teaspoon 1 hour before a meal.

To improve the condition when hypertension help alcohol tincture of 2 cups of powdered raw materials, filled with 1 liter of vodka. The mixture should be placed in a dark place for 20 days, occasionally shaking the contents. The strained product is taken twice a day for a teaspoon for 1-2 months.

In order to strengthen heart work An infusion is prepared from 1 cup of chopped pine bark, filled with two liters of boiling water. The mixture is infused until completely cooled, filtered and poured into the bathroom. The course consists of 12-14 baths, the duration of which should last no more than a quarter of an hour.

At urolithiasis and rheumatism benefit can bring a decoction of 20 g of powdered raw materials, filled with half a liter of water. After that, the mixture is cooked on low heat for half an hour. The broth cools, filtered and taken 50 g 3-4 times a day.

Important! Pine bark for consumption in the form of powder should have a uniform color. The presence of darkened areas on it indicates an alarming sign — fungal infection.

A mixture of crushed pine, linden, aspen, juniper, willow, alder, fir, birch, poplar, oak, larch, apple, spruce bark, crushed as a result of tumbling, can help with many male health problems (adenoma, prostatitis, impotence).

All the components of the mixture should be collected before March 15, when the intensive movement of the sap along the trees begins.

To get the tincture you need:

1. Place a glass of well mixed raw materials in a container with three liters of water and boil over low heat for half an hour.
2. The fire must be turned off, and the remedy insisted for half a day. At the same time, the container must be warmly wrapped.
3. At the end of 12 hours, the mixture is filtered, ½ liter of vodka is added and placed in the refrigerator, where it should be stored.

The resulting tincture should be taken in half a glass 3 times a day for 20-30 minutes before eating.

Also on the basis of a hexane extract from pine bark, obtained on an industrial scale, dietary supplements are produced to increase immunity and eliminate signs of chronic fatigue. The resulting product is actively used in pharmacology.

Italian scientists, however, forced the whole world to take a fresh look at the pine bark, because their studies showed that the extract, made on the basis of this raw material, can strengthen, improve and restore memory to a person even after serious head injuries, help with heart failure.

Important! To effectively alleviate the symptoms of angina, you can absorb the dried pine resin, as well as chew the bark of this tree.

Possible harm and contraindications

Before taking any other medicine, or before starting to use pine bark-based products, you should get a doctor’s prior consultation.

After such coordination, it is necessary to follow the recommendations for dosages and duration of use. A significant concentration of active ingredients can sometimes cause side effects, which can be harmful to health and cause contraindications.

Possible side effects may include: headache, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, allergic rhinitis, skin rashes.

• The main contraindications include:
• allergic reactions to conifers;
• individual intolerance;
• kidney problems
• viral hepatitis;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• the presence of benign or malignant tumors.

However, it should be noted that drugs based on pine bark in most cases are tolerated favorably and do not harm the human body.

In cosmetology

Scientists from Italy have proved that a cream based on pine bark extract can rejuvenate human skin, slow down the aging process and the formation of age-related wrinkles. Regular use of this cream helps to improve skin elasticity by 10-30%, skin elasticity even after 50 years - by 20-25%, moisturizing - by 10%, wrinkle reduction - by 3%, smoothness - by 6%.

It's all about pycnogenol, which is part of the cortex and is a very powerful antioxidant. It is this component that helps to produce hyaluronic acid, which is the reason for all the miraculous results that make it possible to reveal the secret of eternal youth.

Powder, independently prepared from pine bark, can be added to the mask, scrub, cream. In finished form, such powder can be purchased at places where dietary supplements are sold. It is a fine powder formed by hot grinding of pieces of pine bark. It has the smell of needles and a taste with astringent bitterness. This powder is recommended for the care of any skin.

Did you know? The oldest tree in the world, known to scientists, is a little less than 5 thousand years old, and it is a pine tree.

• It contributes to:
• rejuvenation, wrinkle reduction;
• toning up;
• equalization of complexion;
• UV protection
• cleansing and tightening pores;
• decrease in sebum;
• activation of blood supply to the skin;
• smoothness and velvety skin;
• eliminate acne and manifestations of dermatitis.

Powder can also be used for hair care., after which they acquire beauty, healthy shine, softness, obedience, strength. Hair becomes less brittle, easier to comb, split ends disappear. After regular use of hair care products with the addition of powder, the scalp is cleansed of rashes of various etiologies, dandruff, psoriasis, and oily seborrhea disappear.

In the garden mulching

The unique properties of pine bark have become the main reason why gardeners have paid attention to it as an excellent assistant in mulching:

• differs in ecological purity and absolute naturalness;
• when decomposed, it does not become a hotbed of release of substances that can harm plants and humans;
• characterized by durability;
• does not require a complete replacement, but only a slight update of the top layer;
• its structure does not allow to fly apart with gusts of wind;
• is an obstacle to the evaporation of moisture from the soil, which saves the gardener and does not require irrigation once again;
• does not delay the flow of water to the root system of plants during irrigation;
• It is an excellent protector of the root system of plants from low and very high temperature conditions;
• becomes an obstacle to the growth of weeds;
• decomposition is an excellent fertilizer and soil oxidizer;
• is a harmonious element of landscape design.

How to make mulch

Mulch bark can be purchased at a specialist store.

However, for those who would like to make mulch on their own, you need to follow some rules:

• it is recommended to harvest raw materials for mulching in spring or autumn;
• it is categorically impossible to peel the trunks of living trees, since this can cause the death of the plant;
• also it is impossible to procure raw materials from young specimens;
• for mulching, the best option is the bark of trees felled no more than six months ago;
• before using for mulching, the raw materials must be dried;
• raw materials for mulch should not be attacked by pests, fungal infections;
• it is better not to collect the bark lying directly on the ground;
• before drying, the collected raw materials should be treated with insecticides and antibacterial drugs, possibly heating in the oven for a quarter of an hour;
• in the absence of a garden shredder, the bark can be placed in a bag of cloth and crushed with a hammer.

Amber is in the vast majority of cases the petrified resin of pines, not other trees. In ancient times, it was believed that it was pine amber that was able to attract wealth.

Pine from time immemorial is a source of longevity and strength. The bark of this tree is able to strengthen health, fight age-related problems, make a person's life more comfortable in some of its aspects.