Botanical atlas

Siberian Pine (Siberian Cedar)

Pinus sibirica

For the peoples of the Siberian taiga, this towering pine was less a tree than a pantry and a pharmacy standing in the snow. Its oil-rich nuts, gathered from the heavy cones each autumn, were pressed for oil, eaten raw, or ground into a nourishing paste that helped families through brutal winters when little else grew. The needles were steeped into a sharp, resinous tea that Siberian hunters and travelers relied on for warmth and vitality on long journeys, while the sticky golden resin was pressed onto cuts and sores as a traditional field remedy. Village healers also passed down the practice of breathing the steam from simmered needles to ease winter chest troubles.

Safety.

Siberian pine needles and resin are generally safe when correctly identified, but the tree can be confused with toxic conifers like yew, so be certain before foraging. Resin can irritate sensitive skin, and pine needle tea has traditionally been avoided during pregnancy.