Pine pollen...one of the top superfoods for increasing libido is seen by most as a nuisance. Abundance...literally right on your doorstep. 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Pine pollen...an annoyance to some...a badass superfood to the health savvy!!!

Unfortunately, in the United States, this is just seen as a nuisance, another example of plants having unrestrained sex with no regard for the needs or sensibilities of the people who live around them. So, the pollen is almost never used as either medicine or food. It merely remains a source of complaint, and, unbeknownst to the millions who sweep it up and throw it away, one of the most healthful foods and medicines that exists.

~Stephen Buhner

What are the benefits of pine pollen?

In a nutshell (pun intended) it is a natural way to raise testosterone for men and women. Pine pollen is widely known for its power in resurrecting the ol' mojo!!!

For women, testosterone plays a vital role in bone strength, brain function and the overall development of lean muscle mass and strength. It also helps contribute to a general sense of well-being and higher energy levels. And perhaps most crucial is its effect on a woman's libido or sex drive.

And for the plant geeks...

In its own metabolism it produces androgens like testoster-one and DHEA, in which, each spring, it bathes the animals and plants of its ecosystem like a king showering golden coins upon his subjects. Its nutritional richness is seldom matched not just in quality, but even more so in quantity. Pine pollen is produced in such staggering abundance that it dwarfs the yields typical of most other wild foods and medicines.

Pine’s abundantly wealthy personality and androgenic physi- ology demonstrates a way and means by which a man can develop and age with grace, physical strength, and reproduc- tive integrity, supplying so much of what he needs to main- tain healthy hormone levels as he approaches, moves into, and moves beyond andropause.

~Daniel Vitalis

Heres a great video on the protective benefits:

Tonic, nutritive, adaptogen, androgen, antioxidant (among other things it increases superoxide dismutase levels, aka SOD—a potent antioxidant—in heart, liver and brain), enhances immune function, enhances endocrine function, antinociceptive (reduces sensitivity to pain), anti-in ammatory, antiarthritic, antitumor cytostatic (kills tumor cells without affecting normal cells), anticholesteremic (lowers cholesterol levels), hepato-tonic (stimulates liver regeneration).

Basically: potent overall tonic to the body and its function- ing, powerful nutritive, and exceptionally effective androgen which raises testosterone levels in the blood and balances the androgen/estrogen ratio.

~Stephen Buhner

Primary Species Used

The primary species of trees used for their pollen are: in the United States, Pinus sylvestris and Pinus nigra; in Korea, Pinus koraiensis; in China, Pinus massonia and Pinus tabulaeformis. However, any species will do.

How to harvest

First, here's an in depth video on harvesting:

And a simple one of us harvesting a few years ago:

There are a few complicated ways to have best pine pollen. Here's what we've found to be the easiest way.

When the catkins are just starting to put off pollen, or even just prior...careful cut them off with scissors and put them in a paper sack. Next spread the catkins evenly, on a cardboard box or cookie sheet like so...

How to process

Leave them on the counter for a few days out of direct sunlight until they open up completely.

If you want to make a tincture just place the whole catkins in a glass jar and cover with ethanol of choice. Some people go through a process of cracking the cell wall in the freezer first...and some people combine the pollen with nettle root or passion flower for added hormonal regulating benefits.

If you want to save the pollen for smoothies, teas, or capsules...place the catkins into a colander while holding it over a large bowl. Crush the catkins carefully until all the pollen is sifted through.

Collect the powder in a jar and store in a cool, dry, dark place.

Voila!!! Pure Pine Pollen JOY!!!!

Let us know...if you try it!!! We'd love to hear from you and see pictures of your pine pollen adventures!!!

Aloha,

Pachee and Ohana

P.S. If you're really wanting to dive more into pine pollen and how to use it for various health issues...check out Stephen Harrod Buhner's interview here...
https://oneradionetwork.com/diet-and-nutrition/stephen-buhner-the-pure-potency-of-nutrient-dense-pine-pollen-may-28-2012/