Pine Needles: Human Health and Nature’s Ancient Ally

Humans have long been captivated by pine trees and their significance in the natural world. These trees are mysterious, stunning and ancient, with lifespans that can extend into the hundreds and even thousands of years. 

There are approximately 125 recognized species of pine, some of which rank among the longest-living organisms on the planet. For example, certain Bristlecone Pines (Pinus longaeva) have been known to live up to 5,000 years. (1)

While the human genome contains over three billion base pairs, the genome of the Loblolly pine species boasts a staggering 22 billion base pairs—more than 7X the genetic material found in humans. (2)

History of Pine Needle Benefits and Compounds

For centuries, Indigenous peoples have utilized pine needles and other components from various pine trees for their health benefits. The use of specific pine needles is known to positively support our immune, respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological systems. 

In 1536, the Iroquois used the bark and needles of pine trees to treat Jacques Cartier’s crew, who were suffering from scurvy, providing the much-needed vitamin C. (3)

In modern times, pine needles and pine needle tea have gained considerable attention from scientists, medical professionals, and health enthusiasts due to the diverse compounds found in certain pine species.

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) needles are rich in nutrients, antioxidants, vitamin C, essential oils, amino acids and flavonoids. (4)

Shikimic acid, a naturally occurring compound, is known for its various physiological effects on the body. It is widely recognized as the primary component in Oseltamivir, commonly known as Tamiflu. Shikimic acid is a metabolite that plays a critical role in the shikimate pathway, which was first discovered by Dutch chemist Johan Fredrik Eykman in 1885. (5)

This pathway is essential for life and involves a seven-step process utilized by bacteria, fungi, archaea, algae, some protozoans and plants to synthesize vitamins, folates and the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine. Phenylalanine and tryptophan are essential amino acids, meaning humans cannot produce them and must obtain them from the diet.(6)

These amino acids are vital for humans, contributing to the production of neurotransmitters and other compounds like serotonin, melatonin, epinephrine, dopamine, CoQ10, and others, with the help of beneficial gut bacteria.

In essence, shikimic acid is a crucial player in a complex biochemical process that supports human health and longevity. It has been shown to promote healthy platelet function and cardiovascular health in humans. (7)

Additionally, it supports gut and digestive health and the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that insulates neurons, facilitating electrical communication between them. (8)

Shikimic acid also exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, among other benefits. Research has demonstrated its effectiveness in relation to food bacteria. (9)

Shikimic Acid, Herbicides and Digestive Health

As mentioned earlier, shikimic acid is the final product of the seven-step shikimate pathway. This pathway is adversely affected by various herbicides, such as glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup.

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides globally, and its use has sparked considerable debate over recent years, with the World Health Organization classifying it as a probable human carcinogen (class 2A). (10)

The herbicide has several harmful effects, such as inhibiting the critical cytochrome p450 enzymes and suppressing the p53 gene, which scientists often refer to as the “Guardian of the Genome.” Regarding the shikimate pathway, glyphosate disrupts this process by inhibiting an essential enzyme known as EPSPS (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase). When EPSPS is inhibited, the production of the amino acids required for protein synthesis is blocked, leading to the plant’s death. (11)

Although humans do not possess the shikimate pathway, glyphosate can still affect us due to its harmful impact on beneficial gut bacteria. In 2021, a novel bioinformatics approach classified sequences from about 90% of eukaryotes and over 80% of prokaryotes in the human microbiome. The researchers found that at least 54% of the species in the human gut microbiome are sensitive to glyphosate, with that number likely being much higher. (12)

Given that glyphosate damages numerous beneficial gut bacteria, it is not surprising that major health conditions have increased in prevalence and have been linked to the widespread use of glyphosate. (13) (14)

Pine Needles and Synthetic Pesticide-Free Farming

The significance of shikimic acid and the shikimate pathway is because of their fundamental role in sustaining life and their impact on the human microbiome and overall health. Synthetic pesticides and herbicides like glyphosate have had profound effects on humans and pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. 

With our food, water, lawns and grasslands having been increasingly contaminated by glyphosate over the years, it is important to identify its effects beyond its intended use as a weed control agent. Choosing organic or sustainably wild-harvested foods when possible is one way to reduce exposure to synthetic herbicides and support microbiome health. Another method to promote gut, immune, and respiratory health is through the consumption of pine needles and the beneficial compounds they contain like shikimic acid. 

Ascent Nutrition, proudly seen here at American Thinker, is the first company to market an extracted form of wild-harvested Eastern white pine needles in organic glycerin. 

Tens of thousands of people around the world have benefited from Ascent Nutrition’s Pine Needle Extract and it’s the perfect fit in supporting immune, respiratory, brain, and overall health for us humans—especially during the upcoming colder months.

Click here to get your Pine Needle Extract from Ascent Nutrition today and see why this ancient ally is making a huge revival and difference in people’s health. 

About The Author

Lance Schuttler is the CEO and owner of Ascent Nutrition, a unique holistic nutrition company. He also writes articles on the topics of public health and wellness at The Epoch Times. His work also includes the topics of regenerative agriculture, resource-based economies and quantum technologies. You can find him on Truth Social, Rumble, X, YouTube, IG and on his website, LanceSchuttler.com

References

1. https://www.nps.gov/grba/learn/historyculture/the-prometheus-story.htm
2. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/longest-genome-ever-sequenced-belongs-to-the-loblolly-pine-tree/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7827367/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647905/
5. https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-to-know-pine-needle-tea
6. https://umaine.edu/news/blog/2010/09/22/tamiflu-ingredient-in-pine-needles-umaine-researchers-find/
7. https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.0707388105
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27480079/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6527532/
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33825313/
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8883356/
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8177816/
13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33243645/
14. https://usrtk.org/pesticides/glyphosate-health-concerns/

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