Wild Harvesting Pine Pollen on Seattle's City Streets

Urban Foraging Pine Pollen

While strolling through the urban landscape of Seattle, a majestic pine tree caught my attention. This was in Cal Anderson Park in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. The tree didn’t know it, but in the back of my mind, I was thinking about that book by Stephen Buhner and my conversations with him about using Pine Pollen to heal and recover from Lyme disease.

Upon closer inspection, I realized that the tree was brimming with pollen-laden catkins—a discovery that piqued my curiosity and attention. I grabbed the chance to wild-harvest well over a pound of these catkins.

Connecting with Nature and With Healing in the City

My goal is to use the Pine Pollen collected from these catkins to craft my own Pine Pollen Tincture, sift it for RAW Pine Pollen™, and make a Pine Pollen face cream. The process of wild-crafting and medicine-making brings me immense satisfaction while deepening my bond with nature and fostering gratitude for the Earth’s healing offerings.

The experience of wild-crafting in an urban environment serves as a powerful reminder that even amidst the concrete and the hustle, it is still possible to engage with nature and explore the richness of its plants.

Seattle is unique compared to larger urban landscapes like New York in that the city has an abundance of wild spaces and clean air flowing in from the Puget Sound. The city’s parks and green spaces are home to diverse flora and fauna, making them ideal for foraging medicinal plants, mushrooms, and wild, functional foods. However, you still need to be mindful of your harvesting practices.

The Many Benefits of Pine Pollen

Traditional Uses in Chinese Medicine

Pine Pollen has long been celebrated as a versatile natural remedy in Classical and Traditional Chinese medicine, appearing in the earliest written texts. Historically, it has been applied to address various conditions, including (Buhner, 2007):

• Acne
• Diaper rash
• Eczema
• Impetigo
• To stop bleeding
• To manage discharge (as a first-aid measure)

Nutritional and Health Benefits of Pine Pollen

Beyond its historical uses, RAW Pine Pollen™ offers a deep source of nutritional and health benefits.* It is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which provide protection against oxidative stress and support the body in managing inflammation.* These qualities make Pine Pollen a valuable addition to holistic health practices.

Skincare Benefits

Pine Pollen also offers significant benefits for skin health.* Brimming with essential nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, along with minerals like zinc and magnesium, Pine Pollen supports skin vitality.* In China, it is commonly used as an anti-aging mask, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to enhance their skin’s health and appearance.

Creating Plant-Based Remedies

Crafting Pine Pollen Tinctures and Face Creams

I am enthusiastic about the potential of Pine Pollen in supporting skin health—not just in supporting my recovery from Lyme disease. Using my own wild-harvested Pine Pollen, I plan to create several remedies for myself, friends, and family. My first project is preparing a folk tincture from this wild-crafted Pine Pollen.

Embracing Urban Foraging

Urban foraging and wild-crafting allow us to discover and utilize natural resources around us—even within city limits. By engaging with the wild plant world, it is possible to nurture a deeper relationship with nature while enhancing our well-being through traditional practices.

Safety and Sustainability

It is important to note that foraging in urban environments requires careful attention to safety and sustainability. Always ensure that harvested plants come from clean, uncontaminated areas. Practice responsible foraging by leaving enough for wildlife and allowing for plant regeneration to preserve these resources for the future.

Parting Thoughts

Finding and wild-crafting this Pine Pollen has been an incredibly fulfilling experience—and a beacon of hope in my own healing journey. By aligning with the abundance of nature in my own backyard—and the healing resources hidden in plain sight—I can honor the wisdom of traditional medicine and strengthen my connection to the natural world, all while healing.