As the name suggests, pine pollen comes from pine trees. Beautiful pine forests can be found throughout the world and pine trees are identifiable as coniferous trees with needle-like leaves. The family of trees to which pine trees belong is called Pinaceae and includes just over 260 different species. Among these species are fir, larch, spruce, hemlock, and cedar.

Instead of producing enclosed seeds, such as those found in tomatoes or zinnias, the wonderful pine tree produces exposed seeds. These seeds are made by male or female pinecones, and it is the male pinecones that produce the seeds known to us as pollen.

If you observe a pinecone, you will see that it consists of scales on the outside; these are simply modified leaves, and each ‘leaf’ is connected to two vestibules of pollen. When the season is right (generally spring or summer time), the pollen is released from the male pinecones and drifts through the air to find its way to the female pinecones. The pollen falls into the ovules of the female pinecones and fertilizes the seeds that are found there. And the rest is history (whereby baby pine trees ultimately grow!).

Pine pollen is harvested for use in various items. To harvest it, one must simply shake or sift the pollen out of ripe male pinecones. You can tell they are ready for harvesting by tapping them and seeing if any of the pollen dust falls out. Another less time-consuming option is to purchase pre-harvested pine pollen.

What is Pine Pollen Used For?

To begin with, pine pollen can be taken orally, either as a dietary supplement or added as an ingredient to a meal or baked item. The nutritive properties of pine pollen include protein, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and countless minerals and vitamins such as calcium and B vitamins. One study done in pigs also found that pine pollen might be a good source of fiber. In a world where processed and denatured foods are ever prevalent, natural products such as pine pollen exist that can provide our bodies with the nutrients they need while imparting benefits to our health.

Pine Pollen for Women

It is part of the human condition that our bodies age. With age comes some welcome features, such as wisdom and wonderful memories and stories. But many of us seek to avoid the other features of age, such as wrinkles, memory loss, and increased inflammation in the body.

Research in animal models and human cells indicates that pine pollen may have some anti-aging capabilities, helping to slow down or reverse processes that lead to aging in our bodies. Normal healthy cells in our bodies have a limited number of times they are able to replicate; after a period of time, replication slows down, leading to the aging process. This is known as replicative senescence.

One study showed that pine pollen can delay the onset of replicative senescence by increasing cell proliferation and interrupting the expression of markers that cue for deterioration. This study also showed that pine pollen fought against and reversed the effects that aging has on memory and markers for inflammation in the body.

The Scots pine has been found to contain testosterone, and accordingly, this species of pine pollen has been used to increase levels of the hormone in men and women alike. Testosterone may be more strongly associated with the male species of humans, making us think of things such as aggression and strength. But we must remember that women also have small amounts of testosterone in their systems. If our balance of hormones is off, we can suffer a bevy of effects.

As women age, they are prone to testosterone deficiency, which can concomitantly lead to decreased libido, increased proclivity for depression and mood swings, muscle deterioration or replacement with fat and thus increased weakness, disturbed sleep cycles, and signs of aging that come on more quickly. With all of this being said, pine pollen has the potential to help keep testosterone levels normal in women and delay the onset of these less-than-desirable occurrences.

Final Note

Pine pollen is a substance found in nature that has the potential to imbibe health benefits on women of all ages. From helping to prevent aging and memory loss to helping maintain a healthy hormonal balance, pine pollen can be a beneficial addition to a woman’s dietary regimen.

However, women who are allergic to pollen may suffer reactions if they ingest pine pollen, which can include congestion, a runny nose, watering eyes, and breathing problems (things you may experience during springtime if you suffer from allergies). If you are not allergic to pollen, consider using this product to help fight aging and promote a healthy balance of hormones in your body!