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Norway spruce, silver spruce, blue spruce - regardless of the variety, this tree is known for its healing properties. Needles and young tree shoots are valuable - they are used in natural medicine. They can be used to prepare a decoction, infusion, syrup or oil.

Norway spruce, and not only that, has been used in home medicine chests. Spruce cones are omitted, while shoots, needles, and sometimes resin are an excellent raw material for nature lovers. Diseases of the respiratory system, inflammation of the digestive and urinary systems, rheumatic pains and neuralgia - these are the indications for the use of preparations based on spruce.

Spruce in folk medicine

Spruce has been used in folk medicine for centuries, while the ancient tribes inhabiting the areas of today's Europe believed in its extraordinary spiritual power.

Thesprucewas commonly considered a sacred tree, venerated and used for many rituals. It was believed that it protects against evil, unclean forces. Often they were planted in front of the house to provide a barrier against any negative powers, charms, and spells. Spruce symbolized endurance, perseverance, but also hope and renewal. It was believed that it could add inner energy and strength.

Spruce - application

Spruce preparations are used primarily in respiratory infections (bronchitis, laryngitis, sinusitis), especially those with thick secretions, because they facilitate expectoration.

They also work well for colds accompanied by a runny nose and cough, because they not only have anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties, but also relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi. Additionally, spruce preparations show a warming and even diaphoretic effect.

Spruce is also effective in inflammation of the digestive system, because on the one hand it stimulates gastric juices, and on the other hand, it accelerates the release of bile. It also has a diuretic effect, and when applied externally, it soothes rheumatic pains and all kinds of neuralgia.

Spruce - valuable ingredients

For medicinal purposes, young shoots, needles, less often resin are used, which contain valuable ingredients, including: flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, various acids, bitter substances, tannins and vitamins (includingvitamin C and provitamin A). Thanks to them, preparations based on spruce have a strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and diuretic effect.

Worth knowing

In extreme conditions, due to lack of other foodsprucecan serve as a temporary source of food. Under the cortex, there is a relatively nutritious and edible pulp. Survival schools recommend consuming it in the spring, when there is a greater amount of resin in it. The needles containing vitamin C can be used to prepare a hot drink by pouring boiling water over it.

Spruce - preparation method

Spruce can be prepared in several ways, depending on whether you are using young spruce shoots or its needles.

  • Syrup- to make the syrup, we need dried, sliced ​​young spruce shoots, which we place in a fairly large jar alternately with sugar. Then close the jar and put it in a warm place for a dozen or so days. You can shake the jar from time to time to speed up the juicing process. After this time, pour the finished syrup into another smaller jar or bottle, keep it in a cool and dark place, drink one teaspoon twice a day.
  • Decoction- it is made as follows: 1 teaspoon of dried spruce shoots or needles should be poured with a glass of water, brought to a boil and boiled for about 5-7 minutes. Then strain, drink 2, 3 tablespoons twice a day.
  • Infusion- you can also make an infusion from the needles of spruce. It is enough to pour 1-2 teaspoons of crushed, dry pine needles over a liter of boiling water and let it brew, covered, for a quarter of an hour. Then strain and drink 2-3 tablespoons twice a day.
  • Bath- a bath with pine needles should be prepared in case of rheumatic, muscular, joint or neuralgia pains. Pour 2 teaspoons with a liter of boiling water, boil for a quarter of an hour, strain and add to the water in the bathtub. The bath should not be longer than 10-15 minutes.
  • Oil- you can also buy ready-made spruce oil in herbal shops, which has antiseptic, toning, anti-inflammatory and calming properties. It works well in the care of difficult-to-heal wounds or bedsores, and accelerates skin regeneration. The oil can be used for inhalation, massage or added to the bath, you just have to remember that it must be diluted with water in any case.

Spruce - contraindications

Despite their he alth-promoting properties, spruce-based preparations may cause allergies, so before using them, consult your first doctorcontact. They should not be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women and children.

Spruce - occurrence

The perception of spruce as a symbol of perseverance and renewal was certainly influenced by its appearance. It is a majestic tree with strong, thick bark that can reach up to 40.50 meters in height. It grows well in fertile, loamy-sandy soils, in places not too sunny, but also not too dry. It tends to acidify the soils on which it grows.

Spruce tolerates frosts quite well, but it is not too resistant to strong winds, because shallow roots make it more vulnerable than other conifers to being pulled up from the ground. In its natural environment, it occurs mainly in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere.

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