Have you ever wondered how long you’d survive off the land with little to no help while camping? What would you eat? How would you stay warm? How would you treat an injury? Believe it or not, there are many plants and resources in the wild that can help you survive. Today, we’re diving into the many survival uses of pine sap.
Did you know that the word "pine" or "pinus" means resin in Latin?
Pine trees secrete resin (pine sap) in their bark as a defense mechanism to close wounds caused by insects and environmental factors. This resin acts as a hard sealant that protects the tree, allowing it to heal with minimal external interference.
Think of Pine Sap as Mother Nature’s Band-Aid
Pine sap is a sticky amber substance that hardens to form a protective layer. When applied to open wounds, it helps keep germs out, boosts cell immunity, and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Just be sure to clean the wound thoroughly before applying the pine sap to ensure proper healing.
Cough Medicine & Chewing Gum
Due to its natural antibacterial properties, pine sap can help suppress coughing, kill bacterial infections, and improve breathing during illness. It has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for respiratory issues.
Did you know that physicians in colonial America recommended pine resin mixed with water as a remedy for ulcers, smallpox, and syphilis?
Pine sap is also edible and has been used as a form of chewing gum for hundreds of years. To make your own, mix pine sap with beeswax and honey, and voilà! You now have a natural, chewy survival food.
Pine Sap as a Fire Starter
Pine trees are some of the best trees to find in the wilderness for survival, as they provide a variety of resources. Not only are dried pine needles excellent for starting fires, but pine sap (also known as pine pitch) is highly flammable and burns well, making it perfect for lighting fires.
Waterproofing & Repairing with Pine Sap
Pine sap is naturally water-resistant, which makes it ideal for patching holes in tents, tarps, boots, canoes, and containers. To use it for repairs, you must first heat the sap (but never directly over a fire, as it is highly flammable) and mix it with powdered charcoal before applying it to the damaged area.
Our ancestors have been utilizing pine trees for thousands of years, repurposing the sap for survival, medicinal uses, and personal applications. As we continue to use these natural resources, it’s important to be mindful and generous with what we take from the land. When extracting pine sap, always look for damaged or broken limbs. If none are available, take care when harvesting sap from the tree.
Resources: Survival Sherpa - 16 Uses of Sticky Pine Sap, Medical Uses for Pine Resin Pitch
