Another blog post about what I’m picking in the forest to eat and heal this week! Another marvel of nature that is available to us in the spring is spruce tips – often called ‘Nature’s Green Gold’! A tiny but mighty healer… brimming with medicinal benefits.
Spruce tips are fairly predictable and no matter the weather they are always available in the spring as the spruce trees embrace what trees do best – grow! The tender shoots that appear at the end of the spruce boughs are a vibrant light green colour and you will often see a brown husk on the end of them which will eventually fall off as the spruce tip gets bigger and starts to unfurl.
If you are new to spruce tips and want to give them a try… please make sure you know your trees and are picking from the right species. And also, PLEASE pick ethically! Take only what you need and do not over pick any one branch. The general rule of thumb when foraging wild treats is to take no more than 30% from any one plant or branch. We need to sustain this natural resource for generations to come as well as for the health of our forests and planet.
So other than being absolutely beautiful and a sure sign of spring and new growth… spruce tips are packed with nutrients, minerals and antioxidants. Spruce tips are loaded with Vitamin C, which makes them fantastic for boosting your immune system and helping your body fend off those pesky colds. These tips are also a great source of essential minerals like potassium and magnesium. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, while magnesium is crucial for muscle and nerve function. And… they have antioxidants galore which we all know help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.
You will never look at a spruce tip again without knowing what an incredible powerhouse it is! Just as good for you as blueberries!!!
Spruce tips also have a long history of medicinal use, particularly among Indigenous peoples and those living in northern climates. Here are a few things that spruce tips can help support us with:
Respiratory Relief Spruce tips are known for their ability to soothe respiratory issues. Whether you’re dealing with a stubborn cough or a sore throat, spruce tip tea can provide much-needed relief. Their expectorant properties help clear out mucus and make breathing easier.
Anti-inflammatory Wonders If you’ve got achy joints or muscles, spruce tips can help. Their anti-inflammatory properties can reduce swelling and alleviate pain, making them a natural remedy for conditions like arthritis.
Digestive Aid Spruce tips can also support your digestive health. They’re known to relieve digestive discomfort and stimulate appetite. A cup of spruce tip tea after a meal can aid digestion and keep your tummy happy.
Natural Antimicrobial Spruce tips have antimicrobial properties that can help prevent and treat minor infections. They’re particularly useful for respiratory infections, making them a go-to during cold and flu season.
Skin Savior Got a cut, burn, or skin irritation? Spruce tips can help. Their antiseptic and soothing properties make them perfect for treating minor wounds and skin conditions like eczema.
Impressive right?!?!?! Here is how I use spruce tips…
First off, the taste is not for everyone but it isn’t terrible either. I find spruce tips to have strong citrus notes with a hint of resin flavour. You can eat them raw in salads or throw them in a soup or other baked dish. We generally pick them and dehydrate or freeze dry them and use as an herb to add to dishes like pork roast or baked chicken. I have tasted spruce tip beer and ice cream but didn’t really like it enough to want to attempt to make it myself.
I have also pickled them in a vinegar brine which I find to be quite a delightful treat and puts a little special pizzazz into a charcuterie board! I also enjoy brewing a cup of tea on a cold winter day if I feel a bit of a sore throat coming on. My new endeavour this year is to make a sugar and spruce tip concoction to be used as a cough syrup for this coming winter.
Making a syrup is pretty simple… you can use raw honey or organic brown sugar. The natural wild yeasts on the fresh spruce tips trigger a fermentation process whether you use honey or sugar. I don’t have much honey left from last year so I am making it with organic brown sugar. It has been very interesting to see the jar transform from dry sugar and spruce tips into a liquified thick yumminess! It still has several weeks to go but I am willing to wait patiently and know I am going to be thankful to have it this winter!
So next time you are in the forest or even your back yard, appreciate the power of the spectacular spruce tip and all it has to offer to our health and culinary delights! Harvest responsibly, enjoy their benefits, and let nature’s green gold work its magic!
Happy foraging!
Comments