Pine Pollen

Introducing the Magic of Pine Pollen

There are close to 175 species of pine trees in the family pinaceae all of which produce pollen. The most commercial forms of pine pollen are from pinus sylvestris species.

In early spring the pine trees release catkins (the flowers of the tree) in order to fertilise the female cones. The pollen is the reproductive essence of the tree that produces a blanket of bright yellow pollen which covers the forest — fertilising plants, soil and bringing nutrients to the whole ecosystem. It also encourages the spring time reproductive energy of many wild animals. 

Many parts of the pine tree have numerous benefits but the pollen is the most concentrated form of medicine that the tree produces. Pine pollen is nutritious, regenerative, energising, hormone balancing, detoxifying, anti inflammatory and adaptogenic. Something from the plant kingdom with this many benefits is not only special but very rare.

Pine pollen in its powdered form is often referred to as a natural micronutrient with more than 200 bioactive ingredients. It can be consumed daily to obtain a wide range of vitamins, minerals, over 20 amino acids and all eight essential amino acids. (see chart below).

Pollen Allergies 

Even people with allergies to other pollens seem to have no problem consuming pine pollen. This is thought to be due to its relatively large-sized molecule and low antigenic effect, but before consuming please be sure to discuss it with a health care provider.

Pine pollen is one of the most nutrient dense wild foods on the planet and could be considered a natural replacement for synthetic supplements.

Pine Pollen & Hormones

We are all subject to daily exposure of man-made toxins in soft plastic packaging in food and drink, cleaning products, pesticides, all of which which produces xenoestrogen. This false (or bad) estrogen acts like female reproductive hormones binding to estrogen receptors, in both men and women. It can then mimic estrogen and block normal hormonal functions, causing many diseases and imbalances in the body like fertility issues, fibroid growths, and breast cancer.

Pine pollen is considered an adaptogenic herb, which means it restores balance to the body by adapting to whatever conditions are present, with no negative side effect.

Pine Pollen Testosterone Tincture for Androgen/Estrogen Balance 

Both men and women usually round about the age of 50 produce significantly less testosterone, this is especially true after male andropause and female menopause. It is estimated that 10 grams of pine pollen contains 0.8 micrograms of testosterone and is often used to boost testosterone levels. Pine pollen contains arginine, which improves fertility in women and men, as well as, increases growth hormone release. 

Cracked vs Non Cracked Pine Pollen 

Cracked cell wall pine pollen is a term you will see when purchasing the product. These companies claim that the reason for doing so increases the bioavailability of the nutrients because non-cracked pine pollen passes through the digestive track undigested while cracked cell wall pine pollen is digested. However, further research shows that when the pine pollen is exposed to hydrochloric acid (like in our stomachs), it effectively pokes holes in the pine pollen’s cell wall, allowing the nutrients to be extracted. The outer layer of the pine pollen is designed by Mother Nature to protect the light-sensitive enzymes, hormones, flavonoids and other growth promoting ingredients from damage by oxidation and light.  So why would we damage the cell wall? Pine pollen dates back as far the time of the Egyptians, if breaking the cell wall was necessary to gain the health benefits then this food would have been forgotten long ago.

Other Details

Refrigeration is crucial after harvesting to preserve the golden yellow colour and the shelf life. Many manufacturers keep their powder in plastic bags for months or years leading to oxidation and browning. 

Unless you harvest it yourself, most commercially available pine pollen comes from China. 

Nature, One Step Ahead 

Pine pollen is one solution to fill the nutrition gap of food grown on nutrient-deficient soil. Consuming androgenic foods like pine pollen can help to balance these higher amounts of xenoestrogen that we are often exposed to.