Pine nuts: benefits and harms, decoction recipes

Pine nut shells are a valuable healing raw material, on the basis of which many medicinal preparations are prepared - tinctures, infusions, decoctions. Therefore, you should not throw it away after peeling the fruits, because it takes up at least half the weight of the nuts themselves. For many centuries, pine nut shells have been used in Siberian settlements in the preparation of medicines for the treatment of both internal organs and external diseases. In the article you will find everything useful - cedar shells, benefits and harms, properties and use in folk medicine.

Compound

Nut shells are considered a source of carbohydrates, minerals and organic matter. Chemical composition of pine nut peel:

2.1% proteins;
3% fat;
71% fiber, represented by carbohydrates: pentosans, hemicellulose, lignin, cellulose;
7% moisture;
4% resin;
0.2% trace elements;
essential oils in small quantities.

Important! The content of the nut shell differs from the kernels. The main part of the husk is fiber. The remaining components are represented by polysaccharides, nutrients, and essential oils.

Nut shells cannot boast of vitamins. But they contain a sufficient amount of ascorbic acid. Thanks to it, it is used to increase immunity and strengthen the walls of blood vessels.

Composition and beneficial properties of pine nuts

Not only the nut itself is healthy, but also its shell, which contains fats and carbohydrates.

Nuts are rich in vitamins, especially vitamins A, B, E. A high dose of vitamin A is necessary for people with poor vision. Vitamin E contains tannins and can speed up the process of skin restoration in case of wounds, abrasions, and bruises.

Vitamin B helps the nervous system and the entire body as a whole. Vitamin C is also present in the composition, but in smaller quantities. Don’t be afraid to use the shell, it helps the body’s cells: it contains 16 essential amino acids and other useful substances.

One of them is glutamic acid: without it, the properties of other acids will weaken.

The most important elements in the composition of pine nuts:

potassium;
magnesium;
iron;
zinc;
calcium;
copper.

Potassium and magnesium are responsible for the proper functioning of the circulatory system; they also normalize heart rhythm. If a person feels weak and lacks strength, this may indicate that the body clearly lacks iron. Also, without enough iron, mood swings, apathy or even depression often occur.

Medicinal properties

No wonder cedar is known as the king of Siberian forests. It gives people not only healthy nuts and wood for construction. People use all parts of the plant to maintain health - nut shells, cones, pine needles. The prepared remedies help cope with many diseases.

Digestive system

Walnut shells have a complex healing effect on the digestive organs:

astringent;
pain reliever;
anti-inflammatory.

Decoctions are useful to drink for stomach ulcers, colitis, enteritis, and dysbacteriosis. Medicine from the shell is used for diarrhea of various origins. Due to its choleretic effect, it is used to treat the liver and gall bladder.

Respiratory system

Medicinal forms of cedar shells exhibit healing properties for coughs and colds. Essential oils relieve inflammation of the respiratory tract during bronchitis, pharyngitis, and acute respiratory infections. Vitamin C speeds up recovery by stimulating the immune system. Alcohol tincture is used after consulting a doctor.

It is useful to rinse the mouth with a decoction of the shells for inflammation of the mucous membranes - stomatitis, gingivitis, bleeding gums.

Diseases of the spine and joints

To treat rheumatism and radiculitis, compresses or rubbing with vodka-based tincture of shells are used. For sore joints, it is also recommended to drink decoctions and infusions. After internal use, they normalize the water-salt balance in cases of gout and arthrosis. They saturate the bones with calcium, relieve inflammation, and reduce pain.

Women's diseases

Medicine knows that nut shells have anti-cancer properties. Infusions are used to treat cancer. Helps cope with adnexitis and endometriosis. Used in gynecology for benign neoplasms and cysts. Helps normalize the menstrual cycle.

Skin problems

A decoction of the shell is used to wash and wipe skin rashes - eczema, lichen, acne. They make lotions for furunculosis, herpes, burns, and allergic rashes. Children can have baths for diaper rash and diathesis.

Folk recipes

Today, as in the old days, the shell is used by healers. Many people use drugs in everyday life as a tonic and strengthening agent. Medicines are prepared in various forms.

Tincture

Perhaps the most popular home remedy made from pine nut shells is tincture. The universal form is used for internal and external treatment. Before making the tincture, the shells are first washed and dried. Then prepare according to the recipe:

Place 1.5 cups of raw materials in a glass jar.
Pour in 0.5 liters of vodka.
Place in a warm, dark place for 10 days.
Strain.

The alcohol-based liquid from the shell is suitable for the treatment of hemorrhoids and anemia. Used for tumors and diseases of the genital area. The composition of the shell regulates blood sugar in patients with diabetes. Reduces hypertension. Helps with gallbladder inflammation

A product made from nut shells with tonic properties, when used internally in doses, helps to gain strength after overexertion and recover from illness. To do this, drink half a tablespoon of nut tincture half an hour before meals for 1–2 months. After 30-day intervals, repeat 3-4 courses per year.

Infusion

An aqueous infusion of pine nut shells is weaker in concentration than a decoction. Cooking takes longer. This is necessary to release useful substances into the liquid. The preparation method is simple:

Pour 1 cup of dried shells into an enamel or glass container.
Pour 1 liter of hot water.
Let it brew in a closed container for 3 hours.
Then put the container in the refrigerator for 2 days.

It is recommended to take half a glass of the infusion orally before meals twice a day. Treatment lasts 2–3 weeks. After use, the medicine reduces bleeding from periodontitis and hemorrhoids. Eliminates joint and lumbar pain.

Decoction

A safe decoction prepared in water is good for inflammatory diseases and for relieving pain. Used to wash burns, eczema, herpes. Women use a decoction of nut shells for douching. The preparation of the drug is simple:

2 tbsp. l. Place the dried peel in an enamel saucepan.
Pour in 200 ml of hot water.
Boil covered for 20 minutes over low heat.
Strain.

The dosage of internal use of pine nut shell decoction varies depending on the pathology:

To treat prostatitis, drink 2 tbsp. l. before meals. With 2 doses, treatment lasts a month.
For bronchitis and tonsillitis, drink half a glass of the decoction 2 times before meals. It is enough to take 3-4 days. The benefits for the respiratory tract will increase if you also rinse your mouth with the decoction.
To cope with radiculitis, rub the painful area twice during the day and before bed. Repeat the procedure for 2-3 weeks.
For hemorrhoids, take 100 ml of shell-based liquid twice a day on an empty stomach. The therapeutic cycle takes 3–4 weeks.

After completing the course, joint pain decreases. Skin rashes go away. Bleeding from the gums stops.

Advice! In order to strengthen the immune system, it is recommended to drink a decoction of the shells by sip for 2 weeks. You can take up to 50 ml per day. For insomnia, consume in the same amount, but in the evening.

Recipe for spicy Altai tincture with moonshine

Altai, like all of Siberia, has long been famous for its unique flora. Just look at ginseng, Chinese lemongrass, and eleutherococcus. The pine nut did not get lost in such company.

In Altai, there are many recipes for tincture of moonshine on cedar shells. Try preparing a medicine using one of these. Required Products:

moonshine - 1 liter;
nut shells - 1 cup;
Rhodiola rosea root;
Echinacea purpurea root;
Schisandra chinensis fruits;
hawthorn fruits;
St. John's wort;
mint or lemon balm;
rosemary;
thyme;
sage;
honey;
lemon or orange zest.

Having collected all the necessary ingredients, start preparing the healing drink:

Combine nut shells with other additives (roots, herbs and fruits). The volume and weight of ingredients depend on whether fresh or dry raw materials are used. Take ½ teaspoon of dry herbs, 1-2 medium-sized sprigs of fresh herbs.
Pour all the ingredients into a liter jar, pour in alcohol, mix well, close with a lid and put in a dark place. Shake the bottle from time to time.
After 4 weeks, filter the tincture, add honey, 1 tbsp. l. per 1 liter, and drink to your health! In this case, this is not sarcasm, 30-50 ml before lunch will give you strength and vigor.

Cosmetology

Women widely use shells in home cosmetology to improve the condition of their hair and facial skin. And they are also used in the treatment of rashes, to get rid of body hair. The beneficial substances contained in cedar shells help with problem nails and hair.

Scrub-mask for face

Peel scrubs remove dead skin cells, moisturize the skin, and prevent the appearance of acne.

Preparing a cleanser is easy:

Crush the shells in a coffee grinder and strain through a fine sieve.
Add oat flakes processed in the same way.
Mix the ingredients, pour boiling water until you get a paste as thick as sour cream.
Apply the paste with soft circular movements and leave for a quarter of an hour. Rinse off with warm water.

Advice! Girls with dry skin should add 3 drops of oil to the mask. The cleansing effect is achieved faster after preliminary steaming of the facial skin. Repeat this action weekly.

For the beauty of hair and nails

Shells are good at strengthening thin nails. The calcium contained saturates the structure of the plates. To do this, you need to take finger baths for 15 minutes in a nut infusion or decoction. A decoction of cedar husks gives chocolate color to hair after rinsing.

Depilation

A decoction of the husk is used to painlessly destroy unnecessary hair on the arms and legs. Moisten the swab with a warm solution and wipe the problem areas. In addition to stopping hair growth, the liquid prevents the aging of the epidermis. Thanks to collagen saturation, the skin becomes elastic and smooth.

Quick depilation occurs after using a paste prepared with water from walnut shell ash. But the peel must first be air-dried for a week. The burned raw materials are mixed with water and a few drops of castor oil. The mixture is applied to the skin of the hands or feet for an hour. Gradually the hairs become thinner and break. For full effect, 10 procedures will be required.

The use of pine nut husks in cosmetology

The valuable properties of the husk allow it to be used in cosmetology. Decoctions, pastes and scrubs are used externally. They refresh the skin, making it smooth and velvety.

Recipe for decoction of pine nut shells for hair removal

To remove ingrown hairs, use the most concentrated decoction. You can get it in two ways:

Take 2 tbsp. l. husks, grind in a coffee grinder, then pour a glass of boiling water and cook over low heat for 15–20 minutes.
2 kg of raw materials are brewed with two liters of warm water. Place in the oven for 1 hour (temperature 150–160 °C).

The broth needs to be strained and cooled slightly. The water should remain hot enough - it is in this form that it gives the maximum healing effect. Soak a clean swab in the liquid and carefully wipe the problem areas of the skin.

In this case, the second recipe is considered the most effective.

The cedar composition allows you to get rid of hair on any part of the body - on the arms, legs, neck and even on the face

Drops should not fall on eyebrows and eyelashes, since in this case hair growth on them will completely stop.

Important! The first recipe is also suitable for the treatment of varicose veins. In this case, you need to thoroughly wipe your feet.

Ash depilatory paste

For home depilation, ash is prepared from the shell. Take 300 g of thoroughly dried raw material, pour it into a fireproof container and burn it until ash is obtained. Then add a little olive oil or water and mix until a thick paste is obtained. Apply to the problem area and leave for 20 minutes, then wipe with a cloth and water or a damp cloth. Usually this procedure is carried out 3 times. The effect is noticeable immediately.

Scrub recipe

To prepare the scrub, the raw materials are first ground in a coffee grinder, then boiling water is poured in to cover the surface a little, and oatmeal is added, which also needs to be ground in a blender first. Mix until the consistency of rich sour cream is obtained. Then apply the composition to the face, as well as to the skin of the hands for 15–20 minutes, after which it is washed off. It is best to do this after taking a bath, and only once a week is enough.

Baths for nails and hair

For baths, get a rich decoction according to any of the recipes. For example, 3 tbsp. l. raw materials per glass of boiling water, incubate for 20 minutes over low heat (water bath). Wash your hair or dip your fingers in a warm decoction to improve the health of your nails.

Alcoholic drinks

The uses of nut shells are varied. The raw materials are used for moonshine brewing. The drink, aged for 2–4 weeks, acquires a golden brown color. In addition, it gets rid of unpleasant odors and harmful fusel oils. Such properties are due to tannins and coloring substances in the shell.

A tincture is prepared for medicinal purposes. Take 300 grams of shells and pour in 400 ml of moonshine. The mixture is infused for 24 days. After straining it is poured into bottles. The tincture on the shells is used to rub the lower back and gout area.

Contraindications

Cedar husk, despite its beneficial properties, can cause harm. For sensitive people, it is an allergen, like all nuts. If a person has an inadequate reaction to food, using shells for medicinal purposes is also dangerous. Contraindications are:

allergic reaction to nut protein;
vascular thrombosis;
severe liver and kidney diseases with impaired function;
varicose veins

Attention! Pregnant women and nursing mothers should not take homemade medicines from the shell. The components can harm the baby in the womb, as well as the newborn.

In gardening

The shell helps to successfully fight fungi and insects in the garden. Phytoncides and flavonoids of raw materials destroy pests around plantings. The shell promotes the reproduction of beneficial microflora of the earth.

The raw material is used as fertilizer, as a natural catalyst for soil alkali. Mulch remains in garden areas for many years. To increase the benefits in floriculture, it is necessary to periodically add new portions of crushed shells.

Landscape design cannot do without shells. Garden paths are covered with raw materials. First, paths are dug to a depth of 15 cm. The laid first layer of gravel is compacted. A 10 cm high nut shell is poured on top of it.

Cedar shells are useful in many areas of human activity. If you have nuts available for consumption, do not throw away the shells. Dry and prepare an alcohol tincture. It can be stored for a long time and is used to enhance immunity and treat diseases.

Use of pine nut shells in gardening

Pine nut shells are prized by gardeners because they make excellent mulch. The protective layer on the soil surface performs several functions at once:

The soil remains moist longer, so the volume and number of waterings can be reduced.
Mulch prevents weeds from actively developing - you can weed the beds less often.
The layer protects the plantings from sudden temperature changes.
Pine nut shells enrich the soil with mineral elements and organic compounds, which serve as natural fertilizer.

Application of pine nut shells in floriculture

Walnut shells are also used for mulching flower plantings. It performs the same functions - protecting plants from temperature changes, moisture loss, and weed germination. In addition, the shell looks very beautiful, which allows you to decorate a flowerbed, creating a pleasant brown background.

Against the backdrop of cedar shells, even nondescript plants look attractive