Nature’s Secrets to Stronger Immunity - White Pine Needles
White Pine Needle Elixir
History of Pine Needle Benefits and Their Compounds
Indigenous humans have long used pine needles and various compounds from certain pine trees for at least hundreds of years, and possibly even longer. The consumption of certain pine needles impacts the immune, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems of us humans.In more recent times, pine needles and tea from pine needles have garnered a tremendous amount of attention from scientists, doctors, and those within the health and wellness fields, due to the many different compounds found naturally within certain pine species.
Pine needles, especially those from Eastern white pines (Pinus strobus) many different compounds and nutrients, including antioxidants, vitamin C, essential oils, amino acids, and flavonoids.
One of the most fascinating compounds scientists began rediscussing in 2021 is the naturally-occurring shikimic acid found within some pine species, such as eastern white pines (Pinus strobus).
Pine Needles and Shikimic Acid
Some might be familiar with the term shikimic acid as it is the main constituent within the antiviral drug Oseltamivir, also known commercially as Tamiflu. While pine needles shouldn’t be confused with Tamiflu, shikimic acid as a naturally occurring compound is known to induce several different physiological effects within the human body.Shikimic acid also is known in biology as the Shikimate Pathway and was discovered first by Dutch chemist Johan Fredrik Eykman in 1885.
The Shikimate Pathway is crucial for life and is a seven-step pathway used by bacteria, fungi, archaea, algae, some protozoans, and plants for the biosynthesis of vitamins, folates, and the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. These amino acids help produce neurotransmitters and compounds like serotonin, melatonin, epinephrine, dopamine, CoQ10, and thyroid hormone—specifically through the help of beneficial gut bacteria.
First, shikimic acid has been shown to support healthy platelet function and support healthy cardiovascular function in humans.
It has also been shown to help support the function of the gut and digestive system, as well as the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath is the fatty substance that surrounds neurons and acts as “insulation” for all of the electrical communication that takes place between these neurons.
Shikimic acid is also known to promote healthy and normal bacterial, fungal, and viral levels and support healthy inflammatory response, amongst other important properties.
Borrowed from Epoch Times