A step-by-step guide to harvesting pine pollen and its uses.

1. What is pine pollen and why dense wholefood sources in the world. Loaded with
over 20 amino acids, including all of the essential
should I consume it?
ones, rich in vitamins A, D, E, vitamins of the B
complex, abundant in a wide range of minerals, in-
Pine pollen is a fine yellow powder that is produced
cluding copper, iron, calcium, manganese, magne-
by the male cones of pine trees. The cones contain
sium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, selenium,
the sperm cells that are required for pine reproduc-
ormus and zinc, as well as a natural source of
tion. The common representation of a pine cone is
TESTOSTERONE! - pine pollen is a natural miracle
actually its female cone, as male cones are thinner,
unto itself.
longer, and of a lighter color than female cones.
Male cones also go by the name of catkins, and
Pine pollen has so
are much softer than female cones.
many health bene-
fits that it is prob-
Unlike female cones that
ably impossible to
grow anywhere on the
recount them all in
branch, male cones are to
this guide. It is
be found mostly at the end
part of a very spe-
of branches, where they are
cial class of herbal
more exposed and their
tonics called adap-
seeds can easily be dis-
togens, which have the ability to identify and target
persed by the wind. As its
very specific health and fitness problems that affect
purpose is to be carried over
each individual. Moreover, it is completely nontoxic
to and pollinate a female
and safe to consume on a regular basis and for pro-
cone, the tiny pollen grains
longed periods of time. Similar to ginseng in its
can settle on almost any
scope, very few other plant products are known to
surface, including clean, vertical windows.
possess such universal applicability. Adaptogens are
Interestingly, although too small to be seen in detail
able to rejuvenate the entire body, relieve stress,
by the naked eye, magnifi-
anxiety, speed up trauma recovery, fight depres-
cation of a pine pollen grain
sion, regulate metabolism, and help with disease
reveals that they are shaped
management. Pine pollen is also a wonderful
like Mickey Mouse's head.
plant source of androgens, stimulating male en-
docrine activity and working as a natural aphro-
Pine pollen is viewed by
disiac.
many nutritionists and nat-
ural health experts as one
of the most potent nutrient-
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2. Scientific claims fine, yellow layer on the ground and other nearby sur-
faces. To collect pine pollen, different individuals may
Scientists have also turned their gaze toward this use different methods.
natural remedy, and have so far been able to
determine the following benefits of pine pollen: What tools do I need to collect pine pollen?
• can increase the levels of a class of enzymes The collection of pine pollen does not require the use
known as superoxide dismutase, which work as of any fancy equipment. However, and especially if you
powerful antioxidants within all cells of the body. are prone to developing allergies, you will need the fol-
lowing tools:
• inhibits lipid peroxidation (the degenration of fats • plastic bag
into free-radicals). • disposable gloves
• a thin scarf or dust mask, to wear around
• increases glutathione transferases (proteins that the mouth and nose
works as catalysts in metabolic processes) and • a ladder, to reach the higher branches
removes pollutants. of the pine tree.
• baking sheets, to dry out the pollen
• helps reduce lipofuscin deposits, which cause the • an air-tight container, in which to
appearance of age spots on internal organs. store the dry pollen
• can provide bio-available testosterone, as well as Where do I find pine pollen and how do I collect it?
other natural steroids that promote the health of
the reproductive system in both males and females, First and foremost, you should look for pine trees in
as well as encouraging muscle health your area. People who are not experienced with nature
might have trouble spotting pine trees among other
• promotes the production of collagen and elastin coniferous trees. While there are about 115 known
- the two main constituents of the skin that ensure species of trees in the pinus genus, most individuals
its youthful appearance will be able to identify pines by their long, clustered
needles. Some species of pine trees are tall and trian-
gular, while others are shorter and more spread out.
When do I harvest pine pollen? They are widely distributed across the globe and can
be found in most of the Northern hemisphere. They
Male pine cones begin releasing pollen during the are found in Eurasia, ranging across the Iberian Penin-
spring, when the cycle of life begins once again. As sula and Scotland, Russia, Northern parts of Africa, to
the pollen drops from the cones, it usually forms a Southeast Asia, as well as spreading across to the
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3. equator. In North America, different pine tree species courage it to release its seed. The pollen should easily
can be found from Canada to Nicaragua. The most collect inside the bag. Repeat this process with multi-
common varieties to be found in Canada are the Jack ple catkins until a decent amount of pollen is col-
Pine and Red Pine. lected. At this point, the pollen can be consumed in
its pure form, or dried out for later consumption.
Jack Pine Red Pine
Note: Some individuals prefer to leave a bag or bucket
under the catkins and wait for time to work its magic,
To harvest the pollen, however the amount of pollen you collect this way is a
look for the light-col- lot harder to control. Others who want to obtain very
ored catkins on the tips large amounts of pollen can simply crush the entire
of branches. You will be catkin inside the bag; however, the resulting powder
able to easily tell them will then have to be sifted, to separate the pollen from
apart from female the crushed catkin bits.
cones, since female
cones are a lot thicker • If you decide to dry the collected pollen, spread it
and darker colored than into a fine layer on a baking sheet and let it dry out
their male counterparts. in the hot sun. While sun drying foods provides many
health benefits, you can also use a dehydrator to dry
The fastest way to harvest out the pollen.
pine pollen without dam-
aging the catkins is to in- • After the pollen is dried, store it an air-tight
sert the catkin into a container and place it in the refrigerator.
plastic bag, then pinch it
slightly to check for
pollen. Due to its natural That's all it takes to collect pine pollen!
resins, the catkin may be-
come sticky, especially
when squeezed too
much. If pollen is pres-
ent, you can shake the
cone very gently, to en-
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