Black pine syrup 125ml (Pinus nigra)

Black pine (Pinus nigra) -  the Austrian pine or black pine, is a moderately variable species of pine, occurring across southern Mediterranean Europe from Spain to the eastern Mediterranean.

Pinus nigra is a tree of the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome. The majority of the range is in Turkey. It is found in the higher elevations of the South Apennine mixed montane forests ecoregion in southern Italy and the Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed forests ecoregion in Sicily. There are remnant populations in the Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests ecoregion, and in the higher Atlas Mountains in Morocco and Algeria. It is found at elevations ranging from sea level to 2,000 metres, most commonly from 250–1,600 metres.

Pinus nigra is a large coniferous evergreen tree, growing to 20–55 metres high at maturity and spreading from 0,5 to 1 meter wide. The bark is grey to yellow-brown, and is widely split by flaking fissures into scaly plates, becoming increasingly fissured with age. The leaves ("needles") are thinner and more flexible in western populations.

 

Benefits of black pine (Pinus nigra)

 

Medicinal properties of black pine [shoots] (Pinus nigra) and its preparations, specially mother syrup (Black pine syrup) are well known for numerous  beneficial properties for human organism and its immune system;

 

• Strengthens immunity and body, brings back vitality
• First aid for bronchitis (specially children)
• Can help with common cold and influenza
• Great help in treatment of scurvy
• Anti-innflamtory properties 
• Excellent in treating sore throat, cough and catarrh throat

Among its uses are curing acne, common cold, osteomyelitis, and viral infections; acting as an oral antiseptic; treating cracked hands and feet in the winter.

 

In Turkey, this pine (subsp. pallasiana) was and is used in various ways, both topically and internally, as well as for construction and for livestock.

 

Pine in mythology and aphrodisiac use

The pine (Pinus pinea) was valud during antiquity because it was fertile. The pine cone was a symbol of repruduction and fertility. A phallus could be seen in its shape. Pine kernels or nuts were considered an excellent aphrodisiac in ancient times, which is why people call them "power nuts".

The pine played a role in the mysteries of Demeter. As preparation for Thesmophoria, which occured in the fall (October/November), people threw farrows, pine cones phallus figures and snakes fashioned out of bread dough the festival of the Skira, which was celebrated in June. The thrown objects stayed in the megara until Thesmophoria. On the third day of Thesmophoria, people removed the declay leftovers of the offering from the earth hole and laid them on the altar of Demeter. Then, they added seeds to the offering. This ritual, which was mainley celebrated by women, was thought to bring fertility to both women and the fields (cf. chaste tree).

The pine cone was also the emblem of the Attis-Cybele cult and the sign of Dionysius. Finally, the thyrsus staff, the badge of Dionysian orgies, was mistaken for a pine cone (cf. fennel). Was the pine holy to Dionysus, becuase it grew in the vicinity of the fly agaric?

The pine was also a tree of lustful herdsmen and the god Pan. 

 

Constituents of pine 

Traces of essential oil (a-pinene, β -pinene, β -caryophyllene, and germacrene D), as well as fat and carbohydrates, can be found in the seed. "Its effects are based on strong vitamin content, specially that of vitamin E".

Most pine resins are composed of terpenes. Specific components are alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, delta-3 carene, and sabinene, the monocyclic terpenes limonene and terpinolene, and smaller amounts of the tricyclic sesquiterpenes, longifolene, caryophyllene, and delta-cadinene. Some resins also contain a high proportion of resin acids. Rosins on the other hand are less volatile and consist of diterpenes among other compounds.