Pine buds are considered a very valuable product because they are used on a fairly large scale for the treatment and prevention of many diseases. Of these, you can prepare teas, infusions, poultices, and many other healing potions that not only help from the common cold, but also fight against many diseases. But, even though also useful properties, there are some contraindications to their use. In addition, you need to know the rules for their proper preparation and use. All of this we will tell today.
Botanical description
Pine is a conifer. It grows quite high, in the wild there are specimens with a height greater than forty meters. The trunk of the trees is usually round, like the crown. If the tree is still young, then its crown will have a more pyramidal shape. 
Did you know? There is a very easy way to distinguish pine from spruce: needles. They are always arranged in pairs with her and are longer and lighter than those of spruce.
Pine needles are rather long, from 3 to 5 cm in length. Cones elongated, a little gray tint. Pine blossoms in May. Buds are usually harvested in winter or early spring, the best time for this is February and March.
Usually pine does not grow alone, therefore there are whole pine forests. But most of these forests today are artificially planted.
Pine is used not only in treatment, but also in logging, wood is very popular and is used to make furniture. The main places of industrial pine harvesting are Ukraine and Belarus. 
Pine prefers forest areas, loves sandy and ashy soil. Often grows in the valleys of large rivers.
Chemical composition
The composition of the raw material includes a large amount of essential oil, as well as various resins, starch and a large number of tannins.
Learn about the healing properties of pine essential oil.A small amount of ascorbic and pantothenic acids, B vitamins and alkaloids are also found in the conifer tree.
In the composition of the resin can be found pinene, Karen, dipentene compounds. It also contains a large amount of resin acids. Turpentine can be obtained from distillation and tar from dry distillation.
Did you know? As a percentage in the kidneys of pine is about 35-38% of essential oil.
Beneficial features
In most cases, pine shoots are used as a good expectorant. But in alternative and traditional medicine, they are also used as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.
Goldenrod, yucca, sea buckthorn leaves, purple stonecrop, clove, Phrygian cornflower, bitter wormwood, rosehip, calendula, medicinal comfrey have anti-inflammatory properties.In addition, the following properties are attributed to this remedy:
- antimicrobial and antiviral;
- deodorizing;
- diuretic and secretory;
- cleansing blood;
- immunostimulating;
- soothing.
The most useful are the acids, minerals and vitamins that are part of the kidneys. 
Use in traditional medicine
The maximum therapeutic effect can be obtained by using the shoots as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of various diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract.
Decoction or tinctures of pine buds are taken to prevent colds and cough, especially they are given to children, as infusions have no side effects. Inhalation and rinsing help with sore throat, sinus and other inflammatory processes, as well as struggling with the symptoms of acute respiratory infections.
For the prevention of colds, they use burdock, propolis tincture, cornflower, medunitsa, honey in May, cornel.As a blood-purifying agent, pine buds are used in the treatment of rheumatism, dropsy and bronchial asthma. Help to deal with the effects of old rash.
The tool is also used to cleanse the urinary organs from stones. Sometimes it is used for weight loss, as it reduces the feeling of hunger and fights appetite. 
As a sedative of the kidneys or their essential oil can be added to the bath - it eliminates depression and nervous overstrain.
Harvesting pine buds
A very important point in the use of this drug is the correct collection, preparation and drying of the kidneys themselves. There are certain rules to follow. In addition, for their storage requires the maintenance of special conditions.
Collection
It is best to collect raw materials at the end of winter or at the beginning of spring, at which time it contains the most useful substances. In addition, at this time, before flowering, the tree is gaining strength.
So the buds at this moment are the most fragrant and full of resin. Cut them to the side shoots. It is best to choose those trees in the forests that are not quite small, but not very old. 
Drying
To dry the raw material you need a warm and dry place. If you have a private house - this is the attic or veranda, if it is warm enough. Raw material is laid out in a thin layer. From time to time, the buds need to be turned over so that they dry out evenly.
Important! In dryers, ovens and other electrical appliances, it is not recommended to dry the kidneys. So they lose most of their useful substances, and, mainly, the essential oil evaporates from them.
Storage conditions and shelf life
In order to better preserve the kidneys and not lose their flavor, you need to choose a china or glass dish with lids that close tightly.
The absence of sunlight and the coolness of the place where they will be stored is obligatory, and it is also advisable to choose such places that children cannot reach. 
Dry buds can be stored for no more than two years. Use of raw materials after this period is not recommended.
Contraindications
Despite the fact that pine buds are a very useful product, there are still some contraindications to their use. These include, in particular, individual intolerance, as well as allergic reactions to this product.
Although pine buds can be used even for children, because they are considered the safest of all the remedies presented for colds in children. They are so safe and useful that even allowed for use during pregnancy and lactation.
Important! In order to use pine buds during pregnancy or feeding, consultation and a doctor's appointment are imperative.
How to make pine buds: decoction
The easiest way to make a decoction is to take a large spoonful of kidneys and pour two glasses of water. After boiling for about a minute and leave to infuse for half an hour. After that, it is recommended to strain the broth.
Drink a quarter glass three times a day after meals. Decoction helps in the prophylactic purposes of colds, in the prevention and treatment of arthritis, is used to cleanse the blood.
Learn how to purify blood using hellebore, poncirus trifoliate, a string, Pallas euphorbia, wheatgrass, European Zyuznik, mordovnik.
The broth can be prepared in milk, so it will be even more useful. To do this, you need a teaspoon of kidney and a glass of milk, which you need to boil for about three minutes over low heat.
After the broth is infused for fifteen minutes and filtered. Take a decoction of two tablespoons of three or four times a day. A beneficial effect on the lungs during bronchitis, it is a good remedy for easy sputum discharge from the lungs. Such dairy broths remarkably help with tuberculosis. 
Another useful recipe for a piggy bank: take 300 g of pine buds, 5 liters of hot water, mix all this and boil for 10-15 minutes. Then remove the broth from the heat and stand for an hour, after which it should be pressed.
The broth is used for inhalation with acute respiratory infections, inflammatory processes of the throat, respiratory tract, rinses and treatment of any skin areas with inflammation or purulent processes. The decoction can also be poured into the bath for soothing procedures.
Taking a bath, they add silver suckers, marigolds, linden, pine resin, fragrant pectrantus, rosemary, peppermint.
Recipe for kidney vodka: instructions
Many reviews indicate that alcohol tinctures are more effective than water decoctions. Therefore, they are used in the acute course of disease or to obtain a greater effect, by enhancing the properties of essential oils.
Important! Infusions on alcohol or vodka are prohibited for children, they are not recommended for use in burns, open wounds and delicate skin. Very often they cause allergic reactions.
To prepare the tincture of vodka, you need to mix one part of dry raw materials, ten parts of vodka and insist it all in a dark place for one to two weeks. It is advisable to mix or shake the contents every day. After - strain and squeeze.Drink this infusion should be very small portions, not more than one teaspoon three times a day. It is better to dissolve the tincture in warm water or tea.
Helps with diseases and inflammatory processes of the upper and lower respiratory tract, dilutes sputum and helps expectoration. Externally, you can use for massage and compresses when coughing, sprains, bruises, muscle pain.
Pine buds are a magical remedy that helps not only to fight diseases, but also to support immunity in the cold period. However, it is completely harmless, it can be given even to children. And if you follow all the above tips - you can get the maximum amount of benefit from this therapeutic drug.
