Effective Antiviral and Immune-Boosting Remedy | Spruce Tips - Young Spruce Needles, Benefits
Advice from a herbalist. What are the benefits of young spruce needles—spruce branches? At the end of May, young needles begin to grow on spruce branches. These needles contain a huge amount of vitamins, biologically active substances, and essential oils that have a tonic and immunomodulatory effect on the human body. Herbalist Ekaterina Makhonina explains how to properly harvest, store, and use spruce branches.
How to Collect and Store Young Spruce Needles
Young needles are collected by hand. Young shoots are carefully separated from the main branch. It is best to collect young needles from several trees to avoid damaging the spruce's growth.
The collected spruce branches are spread in a thin layer on paper or fabric and dried at room temperature. The dried material is then collected in glass or ceramic jars, tightly sealed with lids to preserve the essential oils. They can be stored for up to a year.
Uses of spruce branches
Spruce branches from young needles are an effective antiviral and tonic during epidemics of acute respiratory infections, flu, fungal, and bacterial infections. They can be simply chewed, added to food, added to the family teapot, or added to common herbal teas.
Be healthy!