Fir Tree Tea Recipes

Are you looking for a simple, ancestral remedy to colds and coughs? Do you ever wish, in the middle of summer, that you could recapture winter and hold it close for a few days? Have you ever tried to drink a Christmas tree?

You should.

Most people think of Christmas trees when they think of fir trees, but that image doesn’t nearly match the reality of firs. In nature, these trees reach gigantic proportions, sometimes reaching as heights of 260ft! All those pictures of snow shrouded sentinels? A lot of those are, you guessed it, firs. These gentle giants are more than just beautiful. They’re safe, simple, plant allies!

These Pinaceae Family trees all have an affinity for the lungs. They are herbal expectorants and decongestants to the lungs, helping to thin mucous and clear-up coughs, especially wet and boggy coughs. They contain high concentrations of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C. They’re also analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiseptic, and antispasmodic. And that’s just the “A” benefits! You can find the complete medicinal and magickal rundown in Magickal and Medicinal Herbs: Fir 101.

You can also purchase Noble Fir Needles in my Apothecary.

So now you know why you should be incorporating Fir into your life, but how do you do it? The simplest way is a cup of tea. Of course, there is no requirement for that cup to be simple. I’m including four recipes, from Basic Medicinal to WOW, below.

Basic Fir Tea

Ingredients:

• fresh or dried fir needles (chopping the needles will result in the strongest flavor)

Instructions:

1. Put a small amount of whole needles, or 1 tablespoon of chopped, into a cup.
2. Pour in boiling water and let steep for 10 minutes.
3. Strain and drink.

For a stronger infusion:

1. Put a handful of whole needles or several tablespoons of chopped needles into a saucepan and add 2 cups water.
2. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Let sit for 5 minutes, then strain and serve.

Peppermint, Catnip, Noble Fir Tea

Try combining peppermint and catnip with noble fir needles as a tea which can be sipped throughout the day to alleviate cold symptoms. This combination is safe for the whole family.

Ingredients:

• 1 quart of water
• handful of noble fir needles
• 1 ½ tablespoons dried peppermint
• 1 tablespoon dried catnip

Instructions:

1. Boil the fir needles in the water for twenty minutes.
2. Turn off the heat and add the peppermint and catnip. Cover and steep an additional 20 minutes.
3. Strain and add honey if desired.

Sip on the tea while hot, reheating as throughout the day as necessary. Adults can drink three cups a day. Children’s dosages should be lessened proportionately.

Christmas Tree Tea Recipe

From: Nicole Nutrition

Yield: 2 cups or 32 single servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup Balsam Tree Needles (Immunity)
• 1/4 cup Schisandra berries (Immunity)
• 1/4 cup Hawthorn berries (heart health)
• 1/4 cup Lavender (nervous system relaxant)
• 1/4 cup Hibiscus (Heart Health)

Method

1. Add all herbs and berries into a bowl and mix well with a spoon.
2. Transfer to a mason jar.
3. Add 1 tbsp to a cup of boiling water.
4. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes. Make sure to cover in order to retain the medicinal volatile oils.
5. Strain and enjoy!

Fir Needle Forest Chai Tea

This foraged tea blend uses pleasant tasting fir needles and chai spices to create a delicious and festive drink. It is also good for respiratory wellness and opening the chest and sinuses. This recipe is from The Backyard Herbal Apothecarybook by Devon Young.

Equipment:

• pint sized mason jar
• fine mesh sieve

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fir needles or tips dried or fresh
• 1 tbsp dried orange peel
• 1 tbsp cinnamon chips
• 1 tbsp green cardamom pods lightly crushed
• 1 tbsp star anise pods lightly crushed
• 1 tbsp dried ginger pieces
• 1/2 tsp black peppercorns lightly crushed
• raw honey to taste (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine the fir needles, orange zest, cinnamon chips, cardamom pods, star anise pods, ginger, and peppercorns.
2. If using dried fir needles, store in a jar with a tight fitting lid in a cool, dark place and use within one year. If using fresh fir needles, leave the jar open and use within a few weeks.
3. To prepare the tea, steep one heaping tablespoon of the mixture in 8 to 10 ounces of near boiling water.
4. Infuse for 5 to 7 minutes or longer if desired, then strain in a serving mug. Sweeten with raw honey if desired.

There you go! Four fir tree tea recipes. Give them a try and leave a comment voting for your favorite cup.

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Disclaimer: Please note that I am a not medical professional and everything written here is a product of my own research. Don’t take any advice given here over that of a trained doctor. If you ingest any herbs, always make sure that you’re 100% sure that they’re safe. If you’re pregnant or giving to a child, always consult a doctor before ingesting herbs and plant you aren’t familiar with. Magickal instruction and spells are for personal entertainment purposes only. The desired result/outcome cannot be guaranteed as a result of using any magickal item, and should not be used as a replacement for medical/professional assistance.