Tree resin: use and how you can collect it

Tree resin is a tried and tested remedy for tree and people. In this article you will learn how to use the resin and what you should pay attention to when collecting.

What is tree resin?

(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / ajoheyho)

Resin does not only serve as a remedy for the trees themselves. Humans have also used the sticky resin for a long time in various ailments. The trees seal their wounds with the sticky secretion and protect themselves from pathogens such as bacteria or fungi. But the scent of the resin also works effectively against parasites and predators.

Because of its valued properties, tree resin is also known as the “gold of the forest”.

Depending on the type of tree, the resin also differs in color, consistency and exact composition. The most important ingredients from Baumharz are:

• resin
• turpentine
• volatile oil

The best known resins are incense and myrrh. Both resins are found in Africa and the Arab region. Due to the long transport routes, they are questionable from a climatic point of view. The resins of native trees are also very popular: the resin of spruces and pines is often used in this country.

Incidentally, amber is also resin: millions of years ago the resin was sealed off from air and thus petrified. Strictly speaking, amber is not a stone, but fossil tree resin.

Tree resin for wound healing

(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / ArtTower)

In folk medicine, tree resin is used to treat wounds. For this purpose, an ointment is usually made from the resin, which is popularly called “Pechalbe”. The ointment is said to have the following effects:

• faster wound healing
• reduced scarring
• protects against germs and bacteria
• prevents and fights inflammation

You can easily make pitch albums yourself. For this you need the following ingredients:

• 30 g tree resin
• 80 ml of olive oil
• 10 g Beeswax

You also need a pot that can get dirty because the resin is difficult to remove completely later.

How to make the ointment:

1. Put the olive oil in a jar and heat it in a water bath.
2. Then dissolve the tree resin in the oil.
3. Then filter the oil with a clean, fine tea towel.
4. Also dissolve the beeswax in the resin-oil mixture.
5. Put the ointment in a suitable disinfected container.

The effect of tree resin on wound healing has now also been scientifically investigated, for example in one study to spruce resin: Treating wounds with the resin strengthened the cell walls while at the same time reducing the number of bacteria. Another study could also do one antifungal effect of spruce resin.

Tree resin is so diverse

Tree resin plays an important role not only in folk medicine. The resin is used in many ways:

• Rosin is made from tree resin. Among other things, it serves as a natural adhesive and is contained in adhesive plasters, for example. But musicians also use it to treat the bows of string instruments.
• Different colors and varnishes can also be obtained from tree resin.
• In Greece, Aleppo pine resin is used to flavor retsina, a traditional wine.
• Natural resins are also a popular incense. The best way to do this is to use dried resin.

Because tree resin is not water-soluble, removing resin stains can be challenging. You can read how this works best here: Resin removal: these tips and home remedies will help.

Collect tree sap

(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / ArtTower)

In the meantime, you can buy tree resin in online shops. At the To go for a walk in the forest you can also find the useful resin collect yourself. You should note the following points:

• The resin of conifers has a more intense aroma and a firmer consistency. This makes it more suitable for collecting than the resin from deciduous trees.
• You will find tree resin in injured areas of the trees. They use it to close their wounds. Therefore, you should only remove the resin superficially so that the wound does not start to bleed again.
• The resin is also a valuable substance for the trees themselves. So be careful not to take too many trees.
• You can easily collect plenty of resin from felled trees, as they no longer need it.
• To prevent your fingers from becoming sticky with the resin, you can use a wooden scraper, gloves and a glass jar (e.g. a Screw jar) to be useful. A metal scraper is not suitable, however, as you could injure the tree with it.
• Never deliberately inflict wounds on the tree to collect resin. Because you take away the valuable resin, it is more susceptible to diseases, fungi and bacteria.
• Many forests in Germany are privately owned. This means that the trees and their resin also belong to the owner. If you want to collect tree resin, you should ask for permission beforehand.
• You can keep an eye out for tree sap all year round. It is easier to discover in autumn and winter because the view is not covered by leaves. In addition, birds no longer breed at this time and you disturb them and other forest dwellers less.

Read more on Techzle.com:

• Native medicinal plants: the strongest plants and their effects
• Make marigold ointment yourself: recipe for your own calendula cream
• Palo Santo – Incense from the sacred tree