pine nut

The very concept of "pine nut" combines several types of plant varieties belonging to the genus Pine, which give such nuts as their fruits. The seeds are small and pale yellow to brown in color. The taste is pronounced, which intensifies during heat treatment (when roasting, cedar oil begins to stand out). The peel is hard, woody.

Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica) is the most widespread in Russia. Less common are Korean pine and elfin cedar.

Siberian cedar pine is found in the wild. The northeastern direction of the European part of Russia and Siberia is considered to be the place of growth. Outside the territory of the Russian Federation, this plant is also found: China, Northern Mongolia, the Carpathians and the Alps.

Korean cedar pine is widely distributed in Korea, China (eastern part) and Japan. Stlanik can be found in Russia (Kamchatka, Chukotka, Yakutia, Khabarovsk, Baikal, Amur and Magadan regions). As well as northeast Asia and Alaska.

In addition to these three varieties, there is another, rather rare, which grows only in Italy. It is called pine or cultivated pine. Its fruits are larger than those of wild-growing ones, and the taste is brighter.

Collecting pine nuts begins in August and continues until the snow falls (September-October). Cones are knocked down from trees without waiting for them to fall themselves, since birds and animals can get the harvest.

Collection can be done in two proven ways:

• manhole;
• stab.

The first method is quite dangerous, therefore it is practiced only by experienced "Lazaks". In order to get to the top of the cedar, they use special belts. This belt is their support. Having reached the right place, they remove it and begin to dump nuts.

The second way is to use a birch mallet, the weight of which reaches 2 pounds. From a few blows to the tree trunk, the cones begin to crumble. They are collected and sent to the threshing.

Since, as a rule, not all nuts are thrown off with the help of a mallet, often after the second method the first one is practiced.

On the features of collecting pine nuts, see the following video.

A mature cone from a cedar reaches 13 cm in length and 8 cm in width. The number of nuts can be equal to 140 pcs. The Siberian cedar pine is of great value not only for its fruits. The nuts themselves are of nutritional value, cedar oil is made from them, and the waste in the form of cake is used to feed livestock.

The wood is used in the manufacture of pencils, containers and other items. And even resin is valuable, it is called cedar resin.

Korean pine wood has a very beautiful texture, so it has no equal in furniture production.

On each nut in the buttocks there is a dark spot, it indicates integrity and the absence of emptiness.In the presence of a dark color, the absence of a mark, or the presence of a light coating, one can conclude that the nut is empty.

Signs of a bad nut:

• damp, wet or very damp;
• crushed, with the presence of residues from the cone;
• no label;
• size, smaller than the nail from the little finger.

In the shell, the nut is stored longer, although it also has a shelf life. In a transparent container, you can keep half a year, in an opaque container - about a year. A dry, pest-free place is ideal for storing well-dried nuts.

• contains a large amount of useful substances;
• comparable in calories to meat;
• used for a large number of diseases (intestinal tract, cardiovascular, hemorrhoids, gum disease);
• may cause a disturbance in the work of taste buds.

100 grams of pine nuts contain:

• oil up to 68%;
• polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially linoleic);
• vitamins (riboflavin, thiamine, beta-carotene, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, ascorbic acid, biotin, folic acid, tocopherol);
• macronutrients (potassium, sulfur, chlorine, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium);

Trace elements (manganese, iodine, copper, fluorine, iron, zinc).

By the amount of vitamins and other useful substances that are contained in 100 grams of pine nuts, they are superior to all other known nuts.

• an obstacle to early aging of the body;
• prevention of the development of malignant tumors;
• strengthening immunity, which is especially important during the seasonal development of respiratory diseases;
• fast recovery;
• the establishment of childbearing function in men and women;
• removal of allergic reactions and skin diseases;
• beneficial effect on the entire digestive system.

You can learn more about the beneficial properties of pine nuts from the video.

Not only the nut deserves special attention, but also the shell from it, which is not thrown away, but is used to treat a number of diseases.

• tinctures and decoctions;
• vitamin supplement in animal feed;
• soil fertilizer;
• indispensable raw material for the production of acetone and even acetic acid, the production of wood alcohol, painting materials for leather products;
• production of building and finishing materials.

The unique composition of the pine nut shell provides astringent, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Decoctions are added to the bath for a soothing and tonic effect. In some cases, oral administration is recommended.

In addition to the fact that in isolated cases, taking pine nuts can disrupt the functioning of taste buds, there is no harm.

There are no contraindications for the use of pine nuts, as well as for their use for medicinal purposes.

• individual intolerance, which is extremely rare;
• small children without adult supervision, since there is a possibility of the nut getting into the respiratory tract;
• with obesity, and then only in large quantities.

• independent dish;
• with honey;
• additive to meat, fish, salads and desserts;
• pesto sauce with pinoli nuts;
• milk production.

The first dish with which associations arise at the mention of pine nuts is cheese sauce under the amazing name "pesto".

For him you will need to take:

• cheese of any hard varieties 125 g;
• a couple of cloves of garlic;
• a third of a glass of pine nuts;
• fresh basil;
• olive oil half a glass.

All components must be mixed in a combine or using a blender, adding them in turn. The mass should acquire a homogeneous, thick consistency. This sauce is perfect for pasta.

Pine nuts are fully revealed in desserts. For example, cookies with pine nuts in corn flakes. You will need 1 medium-sized egg, 80 gr. sugar, 100 gr. butter, 140 gr. flour, 50 gr. cedar nuts and corn flakes for decoration.

Beat the egg with all the sugar, add pre-melted butter. Mix everything, add flour and nuts. Refrigerate the resulting dough for 15 minutes. Roll into balls, roll them in corn flakes and bake in the oven for at least 20 minutes at 180 degrees.

Even for vegetarians, there is a suitable recipe in which pine nuts will be an indispensable ingredient - green beans in a fragrant sauce.

For this dish you need to use:

• half a kilogram of green beans;
• 2 tbsp. tablespoons of vegetable oil;
• 1 st. spoons of flour;
• 2 tbsp. a spoonful of pine nuts.

Boil the beans a little, drain the water and leave for a while. Fry the flour in butter, pour in ¾ cup of water. When this mixture boils, you can pour nuts and add beans. Pepper to taste, salt and sprinkle with the herbs that are preferred.

• normalization of fat balance;
• prevention of development of predisposition to atherosclerosis;
• any disturbances in the digestive tract;
• anemia;
• atherosclerosis;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• rheumatism;
• any skin disease.

In general, pine nuts are a unique product that can be considered a panacea for all diseases.

Crushed nuts are applied to the site of the abscess in the form of a night compress.

The use of a walnut daily and rubbing problem areas of the body with cedar oil.

A glass of boiling water must be poured over 2 tbsp. tablespoons of crushed cedar shells and put in a water bath for half an hour. Strained broth can be used to rinse the mouth and throat. Removes stomatitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and other troubles.

In addition, it is with this decoction that other diseases are also cured:

• on the skin (eczema, psoriasis, burns, acne);
• hemorrhoids through microclysters;
• gynecological diseases through douching;
• diarrhea, arthritis, rheumatism, gout, osteochondrosis, sciatica (take orally 1 tablespoon before meals 3 times a day);
• lotions for herpes.

For water infusion, you need to take 1 tbsp. l. chopped nuts and pour 1 cup of very hot water. Let stand for about 45 minutes, then take up to 5 times 2 tablespoons each day.

Chopped nuts with peel in the amount of 1 tbsp. spoons are poured with a glass of boiling water. All this is wrapped up and infused for about half an hour. Taking 50 ml of this infusion up to 5 times a day cleanses the kidneys and bladder. Hemorrhoids are treated in the same way.

For 1 liter of water, a glass of cedar shell is taken, put on fire and brought to a boil.After the fire is reduced, and for three hours this whole mixture languishes. 100 ml of this decoction three times a day will completely stop bleeding and improve women's health.

To prepare this unique product, you will need to take the kernels of well-dried nuts, free from the film, and grind with the gradual addition of hot water. A wooden (porcelain) mortar is suitable for this process. Then the resulting mixture is poured into ceramic dishes and brought to a boil in the oven. In this way, nut cream is obtained, and when water is added, cedar milk is obtained. This product has a chemical composition close to human milk, so it can replace cow's milk for infants. In terms of fat content and nutritional properties, cream from nuts is superior to milk cream, so the introduction of this product is mandatory for pregnant and lactating women, children of any age.

In medicine, this product has found wide application:

• the whole range of diseases associated with the respiratory system, including tuberculosis;
• gastritis, accompanied by high acidity;
• stomach ulcer;
• nervous disorders;
• blood diseases.

Sugar, water and crushed young cedar needles are taken in the same proportion. Everything is mixed and sent to the oven at a low temperature for two hours. The result is a syrup that should be taken 3 times daily according to Art. spoon.

We advise you to watch the following video of the program "Live great!" about pine nuts.

Cough is treated in several ways, each of which has shown excellent results.

With a wet cough. To prepare the syrup, you need to take all the ingredients in a teaspoon:

• coltsfoot leaves;
• plantain leaves;
• mint leaves;
• anise seeds;
• marshmallow root;
• liquorice root;
• sage leaves;
• young cedar buds.

The crushed and mixed components are transferred to bottles and covered with sugar, which, if desired, is replaced with honey. 5 days in a dark, warm place will be enough to prepare the syrup, 1 tbsp. spoons of which will relieve any, even a very strong cough.

Inhalations. For the medicinal mixture, you will need to mix the components in equal proportions: cedar needles, eucalyptus leaves, oak leaves, birch leaves, mint, lavender, wormwood, lime blossom, chamomile.

For one tablespoon of this mixture, half a liter of boiling water will be enough. Inhalations take place within 15-20 minutes a couple of times a day.

Syrup. Pine buds are taken in equal proportions and sprinkled with sugar. A week later we get a syrup that can be used as a medicine or added to tea.

Mix. Helps not only with coughs, but with colds. You will need: rose hips, yarrow, chaga powder, cedar buds, wormwood.

All these ingredients must be dried and ground. The proportions are the same - only half a glass is taken. The entire mixture will require 2 liters. boiling water. Bring to a boil, wrap and insist 20 minutes. Then we filter and add 100 ml of cognac and the same amount of aloe juice, 200 g of honey. It is infused for only a day and the medicine is ready for use.

Balm. For all older people, it is recommended to take a balm, which includes pine nuts. In its composition and effect on the body, the balm surpasses all pharmaceutical products. So, we take a liter of high-quality vodka, 100 gr. honey, the same number of chopped nuts, not separated from the peel. We add chamomile flowers, white mistletoe, clary sage, thyme, calamus root - all in a teaspoon.Everything is added in crushed form, poured into a glass vessel, corked and sent for a couple of months in a dark place. The course of treatment lasts until the end of the balm, take a tablespoon 3 times every day. Treatment is repeated annually.

Pine bath It draws out all ailments from the body and fills the body with strength and energy. It is very easy to prepare: half a kilogram of cedar buds (preferably fresh, but also dried) must be boiled in 5 liters of water. 15 minutes after boiling is enough. Strain and add to bath. This procedure is best done before a night's sleep, so that you can immediately go to bed.

Pine nuts, just like any other, are nutritious and high in calories. But for those who want to lose weight, the intake of this particular product is recommended even by nutritionists. They serve as an ideal snack, as even a small part of them satisfies hunger and reduces appetite.

In fact, the Siberian cedar pine is a wild plant, but cases of its cultivation are not uncommon. Even in conditions far from Siberia, enthusiastic gardeners have learned to breed this valuable tree. Now cedar can be found in the Moscow region, the Leningrad region, in Altai, the Urals and even the Arctic.

Cedar pine does not like dry sandy places and will not grow, but sandy, loamy fertile soils with proper moisture are what you need.

Reproduction can occur in two scenarios:

• vegetative, when the grafting of a cutting from a cedar pine takes root on an ordinary one;
• seed.