Plant Profile

Scots Pine

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026

Pinus sylvestris

Family: Pinaceae · Parts used: Bark, Leaf, Sap, Young sprouts · Also known as: Scotch pine, Baltic pine

The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 6 pharmacological actions, 12 traditional / indicated uses, with 19 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Evergreen coniferous tree (Pinaceae), 15-35 m tall, with a long, straight trunk at maturity, distinctive orange-red flaking bark in the upper crown and grey-brown fissured bark at the base. Needles are blue-green, borne in pairs (fascicles of two) with a papery basal sheath. Small yellow male cones release pollen in spring; female cones are woody and mature over two years.^[11]

Height: 15-35 m

Habit: Evergreen coniferous tree

Leaves: Needles blue-green, in pairs, with a papery basal sheath

Flowers: Small yellow male cones (pollen); separate woody female cones

Stem: Long, straight trunk; orange-red flaking bark in the upper crown, grey-brown fissured bark at the base

Root: Deep, wide-spreading root system

Fruit: Woody cone, maturing over two years

Flowering Period: May (pollen release)

Habitat & Distribution

Native across northern and central Europe and Siberia - the most widely distributed pine species in the world - forming extensive boreal and montane forests on poor, sandy or peaty, acidic soils; a pioneer species tolerant of dry, nutrient-poor ground.^[11]

Harvesting

Young shoots ('candles') and needles are gathered in spring; bark is stripped from felled or cultivated trees; resin/sap is tapped from the trunk. Needle-bearing twigs can be cut for tea and for steam distillation of the essential oil year-round.^[11]

Parts: Bark, Leaf (needles), Sap, Young sprouts

Season: Young shoots/needles in spring; bark and sap variable

Key Constituents

Essential oil (alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, limonene)^{[3, 4]}

The needle oil is dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons, chiefly alpha-pinene, giving the characteristic resinous scent and much of its antimicrobial activity.

Essential (volatile) oilTerpenes / terpenoids

Resin acids (diterpene resin acids)^[10]

The resinous sap/pitch, traditionally used topically for wounds and skin complaints.

Terpenes / terpenoids

Vitamin C and flavonoids (needles)

The needle is traditionally valued as a source of vitamin C, particularly in winter.

Flavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[2, 10, 11, 14]}

Anticancer (preclinical)^[7]

Antimicrobial^{[1, 8, 9, 11, 14]}

Antioxidant^{[5, 11, 14]}

Diuretic^{[11, 14]}

Expectorant^{[11, 14]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^[11]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0018, REF-1234

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bronchitis^[11]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0018

Evidence: 1

Label: Bronchitis

more plants for bronchitis →detailed sources →

Cancer (anticancer research)^[7]Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 2

Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →

Cough^[11]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0018

Evidence: 1

Label: Cough

more plants for cough →detailed sources →

Infection (general)^{[11, 14]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-1240

Evidence: 2

Label: Infection (general)

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^[11]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0018

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Respiratory support^{[2, 11]}Preliminary · 2/10

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0018

Evidence: 2

Label: Respiratory support

more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[10, 11]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0018, REF-1234

Evidence: 2

Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Swelling / fluid retention^[11]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from diuretic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0018

Evidence: 1

Label: Swelling / fluid retention

more plants for swelling / fluid retention →detailed sources →

Urinary support^[11]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from diuretic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0018

Evidence: 1

Label: Urinary support

more plants for urinary support →detailed sources →

Urinary tract infection (UTI)^[11]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from diuretic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0018

Evidence: 1

Label: Urinary tract infection (UTI)

more plants for urinary tract infection (uti) →detailed sources →

Wounds^{[10, 11, 14]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-1240

Evidence: 2

Label: Wounds

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Scots pine has a long northern European tradition as a source of resinous, aromatic preparations for respiratory complaints (coughs, bronchitis, catarrh) and topical rheumatic/muscular remedies, and pine-needle tea has traditionally been valued as a vitamin-C-rich winter tonic. Modern research on the needle essential oil supports antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and expectorant activity.^{[11, 14]}

Preparations

Needle infusion (tea)^[11]

Fresh or dried young needles steeped in hot water - the traditional vitamin-C-rich tonic tea. Only use needles from a certainly identified pine, never yew (see dangerous look-alikes).

Essential oil (inhalation/topical)^[14]

Steam-distilled from the needles; used diluted in ointments, chest rubs or steam inhalation for respiratory complaints.

Dosage

Essential oil (topical)^{[11, 14, 15]}

Duke (2002): about 100-200 mg essential oil in an ointment or cream for topical use. Do not ingest the essential oil; avoid inhalation in severe asthma, whooping cough or laryngospasm. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[11, 14, 15]}Caution

Generally safe in normal amounts. Pine essential oil should not be ingested; topical use only in diluted form. May irritate airways in high concentrations. Allergic reactions to pine pollen and resin are common. Turpentine products are irritant and potentially toxic if ingested.

Safety note^{[11, 14, 15, 16]}Caution

Duke (2002) rates Scotch pine as + and notes antiseptic, antibacterial (score 1), and bronchospasmolytic activities. Commission E (KOM) and PhEur (PIP) approve pine needle preparations for topical use in rheumatic and neuralgic conditions and for inhalations in upper respiratory catarrh. Duke cautions that pine needle oil should not be inhaled by patients with severe asthma, whooping cough, or laryngospasm. Pine bud preparations are traditionally used for bronchitis and sinus congestion. Dose: 100–200 mg essential oil in ointment or cream for topical use (Duke, 2002).

Dangerous Lookalikes

Taxus Baccata^{[17, 18, 19]}Fatal

Confused Part: Evergreen needles and twigs gathered to brew pine-needle tea; yew's flat evergreen needles and red berry-like arils are mistaken for edible conifer.

Confusion Context: Pine needles (from Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris) are foraged to brew a vitamin-C-rich tea. Yew (Taxus baccata), one of the most poisonous trees in Europe, is a common evergreen in gardens, churchyards and hedges, and its flat evergreen needles are mistaken for edible conifer needles. The Missouri Poison Center explicitly warns to beware of a toxic pine look-alike, the yew tree or English yew (Taxus species), which holds cardiotoxic taxine alkaloids in all parts except the red flesh of the aril. Eating even a few yew leaves - or brewing them as 'pine' tea - can cause fatal heart-rhythm disturbances, seizures and cardiac arrest, with no antidote. Because pine-needle tea is popular and yew is widespread, this is a potentially fatal confusion.

Distinguishing Features: Needle attachment (decisive): pine needles grow in bundles (Scots pine in pairs of two) wrapped at the base by a papery sheath. Yew needles grow SINGLY, attached directly to the twig in two flat rows. Bundled needles = pine; single flat needles in two rows = yew., Fruit: pines bear woody cones. Yew bears no cones - instead soft red, berry-like arils each holding a single seed. A red berry-like fruit means yew, not pine., Smell: crushed pine needles smell strongly resinous and piney. Yew needles have little or no pine scent.

Key Test: Look at how the needles attach. Pine needles come in bundles (Scots pine in pairs) with a papery sheath at the base, and the tree bears woody cones and a strong piney scent. Yew needles are single, soft and flat in two rows, the tree bears red berry-like arils instead of cones and has little scent - yew is deadly, so never brew it. If the needles are single rather than bundled, or you see red berries, do not use it.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Harvest Readiness

^[12]

Part: shoot

Signals: Gather the young shoots and buds in spring, as the new growth emerges.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: They are harvested in the spring and dried for later use

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PFAF (REF-3311); the young shoots and buds are gathered in spring. Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY: pine needles/shoots must not be confused with the fatal yew (Taxus baccata); see Dangerous Lookalikes.

^[12]

Part: leaf

Signals: Gather the needles with the young spring growth (evergreen - available year-round, best from the fresh spring shoots).

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: They are harvested in the spring and dried for later use

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PFAF (REF-3311); the needles are gathered with the spring young growth (evergreen). Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY: do not confuse pine needles (in bundles of two) with fatal yew (Taxus baccata) needles (flat, single); see Dangerous Lookalikes.

^[13]

Part: bark

Signals: Take the inner bark in spring, lifting it in large sheets or vertical strips from a living tree.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: Large sheets of bark were taken from trees in the spring, prepared and stored as a staple food resource.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Zackrisson, Ostlund, Korhonen & Bergman, Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 2000 (REF-3382) - a dendroecological and ethnobotanical study of Sami inner-bark use of Pinus sylvestris L. across 313 bark-peeled-tree sites in northern Sweden, documenting continuous use from A.D. 1450 to 1890. NOTE: the source states the SEASON only. The common assertion that pine bark is taken 'when the sap rises and the bark slips' is NOT claimed here, because no source found states that mechanism for this species. Single lineage -> provisional.

Part: sap

Notes: GAP (documented dead end, re-searched 2026-08-15). No source states a resin/sap collection stage for Pinus sylvestris specifically. PFAF gives no timing. Resin-tapping literature that does tie tapping to the growing season concerns other pines (Pinus pinaster, P. pinea, P. merkusii, P. elliottii), and that timing must not be inherited across species. The inner bark of this species IS now sourced (spring, REF-3382), but that is a different organ. Next seam: a Nordic or Baltic naval-stores / oleoresin-tapping source that names Pinus sylvestris.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

Jurado, P., Uruen, C., Martinez, S., Lain, E. and others (2023) 'Essential oils of Pinus sylvestris, Citrus limon and Origanum vulgare exhibit high bactericidal and anti-biofilm activities against Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Streptococcus suis', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 168, pp. 115703. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115703 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115703
Csikos, E., Cseko, K., Kemeny, A., Draskoczi, L. and others (2022) 'Pinus sylvestris L. and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L. M. Perry Essential Oils Inhibit Endotoxin-Induced Airway Hyperreactivity despite Aggravated Inflammatory Mechanisms in Mice', Molecules, 27(12), pp. 3868. doi:10.3390/molecules27123868 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27123868
Allenspach, M., Valder, C., Flamm, D., Grisoni, F. and others (2020) 'Verification of Chromatographic Profile of Primary Essential Oil of Pinus sylvestris L. Combined with Chemometric Analysis', Molecules, 25(13), pp. 2973. doi:10.3390/molecules25132973 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25132973
Allenspach, M., Valder, C., Flamm, D. and Steuer, C (2021) 'Authenticity control of Pinus sylvestris essential oil by chiral gas chromatographic analysis of alpha-pinene', Scientific Reports, 11(1), pp. 16923. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-96356-x Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96356-x
Rodrigues, A.M., Mendes, M.D., Lima, A.S., Barbosa, P.M. and others (2017) 'Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea and Pinus sylvestris Essential Oils Chemotypes and Monoterpene Hydrocarbon Enantiomers', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 14(1), pp. e1600153. doi:10.1002/cbdv.201600153 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.201600153
Judzentiene, A., Stikliene, A. and Kupcinskiene, E (2007) 'Changes in the essential oil composition in the needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) under anthropogenic stress', The Scientific World Journal, 7(Suppl 1), pp. 141-150. doi:10.1100/tsw.2007.36 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2007.36
Hoai, N.T., Duc, H.V., Thao, D.T., Orav, A. and others (2015) 'Selectivity of Pinus sylvestris extract and essential oil to estrogen-insensitive breast cancer cells', Pharmacognosy Magazine, 11(Suppl 2), pp. S290-S295. doi:10.4103/0973-1296.166052 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1296.166052
Fayemiwo, K.A., Adeleke, M.A., Okoro, O.P., Awojide, S.H. and others (2014) 'Larvicidal efficacies and chemical composition of essential oils of Pinus sylvestris and Syzygium aromaticum against mosquitoes', Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 4(1), pp. 30-34. doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(14)60204-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(14)60204-5
Scalas, D., Mandras, N., Roana, J., Tardugno, R. and others (2018) 'Use of Pinus sylvestris L. (Pinaceae), Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae), and Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) essential oils and their main components to enhance itraconazole activity against azole susceptible/not-susceptible Cryptococcus neoformans strains', BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 18(1), pp. 143. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2219-4 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2219-4
Suntar, I., Tumen, I., Ustun, O., Keles, H. and others (2012) 'Appraisal on the wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oils obtained from the cones and needles of Pinus species by in vivo and in vitro experimental models', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 139(2), pp. 533-540. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.11.045 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.11.045
Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal
Plants For A Future 'Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Pinus+sylvestris Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Pinus+sylvestris
Zackrisson, Olle and Ostlund, Lars and Korhonen, Olavi and Bergman, Ingela (2000) 'The ancient use of Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) inner bark by Sami people in northern Sweden, related to cultural and ecological factors', Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 9(2), pp. 99--109. Available at: https://www.frames.gov/catalog/38283 Traditional / reference
https://www.frames.gov/catalog/38283
Bakkali, F. et al (2008) 'Biological effects of essential oils — a review', 46(2), pp. 446--475. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2007.09.106 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2007.09.106
Sousa, A. et al (2010) 'Proanthocyanidins from Pinus pinaster bark', 71(1), pp. 64--72. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Proanthocyanidins%20from%20Pinus%20pinaster%20bark
Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
Missouri Poison Center 'Pine Needles'. Available at: https://missouripoisoncenter.org/is-this-a-poison/pine-needles/ Traditional / reference
https://missouripoisoncenter.org/is-this-a-poison/pine-needles/
Arens, A.M. and Anaebere, T.C. and Horng, H. and Olson, K (2016) 'Fatal Taxus baccata ingestion with perimortem serum taxine B quantification', Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 54(9), pp. 878-880. doi:10.1080/15563650.2016.1209765 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2016.1209765
Froldi, R. and Croci, P.F. and Dell'Acqua, L. and Fare, F. and Tassoni, G. and Gambaro, V (2010) 'Preliminary gas chromatography with mass spectrometry determination of 3,5-dimethoxyphenol in biological specimens as evidence of taxus poisoning', Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 34(1), pp. 53-6. doi:10.1093/jat/34.1.53 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/34.1.53

Selected studies & references

PreclinicalEssential oils of Pinus sylvestris, Citrus limon and Origanum vulgare exhibit high bactericidal and anti-biofilm activities against Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Streptococcus suis source↗ (2023)

PreclinicalPinus sylvestris L. and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L. M. Perry Essential Oils Inhibit Endotoxin-Induced Airway Hyperreactivity despite Aggravated Inflammatory Mechanisms in Mice source↗ (2022)

PreclinicalAuthenticity control of Pinus sylvestris essential oil by chiral gas chromatographic analysis of alpha-pinene source↗ (2021)

PreclinicalVerification of Chromatographic Profile of Primary Essential Oil of Pinus sylvestris L. Combined with Chemometric Analysis source↗ (2020)

PreclinicalUse of Pinus sylvestris L. (Pinaceae), Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae), and Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) essential oils and their main components to enhance itraconazole activity against azole susceptible/not-susceptible Cryptococcus neoformans strains source↗ (2018)

PreclinicalPinus halepensis, Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea and Pinus sylvestris Essential Oils Chemotypes and Monoterpene Hydrocarbon Enantiomers source↗ (2017)

PreclinicalSelectivity of Pinus sylvestris extract and essential oil to estrogen-insensitive breast cancer cells source↗ (2015)

PreclinicalLarvicidal efficacies and chemical composition of essential oils of Pinus sylvestris and Syzygium aromaticum against mosquitoes source↗ (2014)

All 14 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

← Explore plants by symptom

← Browse all plants