Im currently working with a Cherokee elder who has a deep connection to the trees, she makes many tree teas that Im going to start exploring myself.
I regret not making notes each night after being with her, and plan to make up for it via phone calls.. Monica laughs at me and calls me Carlos with my notebook sometimes..
I found a nice article online about Pine tea.. one her favorites.
All species of pine tree are sacred to the Cherokee, and pine needles and inner bark are used in traditional ceremonial as well as medicinal teas. Pine wood and its ashes are used in sacred fires, along with other woods and roots.
Cherokee Creation Story
From James Mooney's History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees
When all was water, the animals lived above in Galunlati but it was very crowded and they wanted more room. Dayunisi, the little Water-beetle, offered to go see what was below the water. It repeatedly dived to the bottom and came up with soft mud eventually forming the island we call earth. The island was suspended by cords at each of the cardinal points to the sky vault, which is solid rock.
Birds were sent down to find a dry place to live but none could be found. The Great Buzzard, the father of all buzzards we see now, flew down close to the earth while it was still soft. He became tired and his wings began to strike the ground. Where they struck the earth became a valley and where they rose up again became a mountain and thus the Cherokee country was created.
The animals came down after the earth dried but all was dark so they set the sun in a track to go every day across the island from east to west. At first the sun was too close to the island and too hot. They raised the sun again and again, seven times, until it was the right height just under the sky arch. The highest place, Gulkwagine Digalunlatiyun, is 'the seventh height'.
The animals and plants were told to keep watch for seven nights but as the days passed many begin to fall asleep until on the seventh night only the owl, panther, and a couple of others were still awake. These were given the power to see in the dark and prey on the birds and animals that sleep at night. Of the plants, only the cedar, the pine, the spruce, the holly, and the laurel were awake to the end and were therefore given the power to be always green and to be the greatest medicine, but to the others it was said: 'Because you have not endured to the end you shall lose your hair every winter.'
Men came after animals and plants. At first there were only a brother and sister until he struck her with a fish and told her to multiply, and so it was. In seven days a child was born to her and thereafter every seven days another until there was danger that the world could not keep up with them. Then it was made that a woman should have only one child in a year, and it has been so ever since.
In the Far East, pine needle tea was used by Taoist priests to promote longevity.
Today we know that it contains significant amounts of vitamin A and C, as well as tannin. Tannin is an antioxidant. Pine needle tea has been used all over the world to prevent scurvy in the winter.
Wherever you live, this can be a fruitful addition to a holiday walk in the country:
Any species of pine or fir tree needle will make a good tea, and they each have a distinctive flavor. Take fresh pine needles from near the tree trunk. Some recipes use the fresh green needles at the ends of branches--if you do this, be sparing--this may impair the tree's growth.
Do not collect from trees situated near busy roads, as they may have picked up exhaust chemicals. Also: be aware that pines sold as Christmas trees may have been sprayed with pesticides and/or flame retardants.
Gather pine needles in sacred manner. Center yourself in the moment, be attentive. Ask permission, be respectful. Say a prayer of thanks to the tree, for its sacrifice for your healing and well being, then pick only what you need. Leave a tobacco offering if it seems appropriate. We all know from popular literature (and physics!) how important attention and intention is; collecting pine needles in a good way will affect the quality of your tea--and your actions affect all. When I was teaching art in college, I always stressed the importance of process over product; quality comes from being fully engaged in process--not from focus on the end product.
Pine needle tea has a mild taste, and is a soothing drink, it is also good cold. To prepare it, chop pine needles and add a few tablespoons to a pot of boiling water. Let steep, covered, for an hour. The tea can also be boiled, but loses Vitamin C content. If you like a stronger flavored tea, mix it with any other tea. Honey and lemon can be added for a throat soothing cold remedy.
Its traditional uses are for relief of cold and flu symptoms, and as a mild diuretic. As with any herbal preparation, employ common sense and moderation.
