Wild-Harvesting Pine Pollen on Seattle’s City Streets

Adventures In Urban Foraging Pine Pollen

I was strolling through the urban landscape of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood when a majestic pine tree captured my attention. This happened while I was cutting across Cal Anderson Park, heading from the ZAPP zine library over to Broadway.

The tree didn't know it, but in the back of my mind, I was thinking about the book by Stephen Buhner I was reading and the ongoing conversations I was having with him about using Pine Pollen to heal and recover from Lyme disease.

As I got closer, it was clear that the tree was brimming and bursting with pollen-laden catkins—a discovery that piqued my attention. I grabbed the chance to urban forage a pound of catkins full of Pine Pollen.

Connecting with Nature and Healing—While in the City

My plan is to use the Pine Pollen that I wild-crafted in Cal Anderson Park to craft my own Pine Pollen Tinctures, to sift the catkins for RAW Pine Pollen™, and to use some of the Pine Pollen for a face cream.

The process of wild-crafting Pine Pollen and plant-medicine making brings me immense satisfaction, deepening my connection with nature, healing my mind, body, and soul, and fostering immense gratitude for the healing potential of the wild.

The experience of wild-crafting plant medicine in an urban environment serves as a powerful reminder that even amidst the concrete and the hustle, it is still possible to engage with nature and explore its healing potential.

Seattle is an interesting city: It is both a hellscape dystopia and an inspiring example of urban development and design, where natural and urban landscapes are intertwined.

Compared to larger urban landscapes like New York City, Seattle has an abundance of wild spaces and clean air that flows in from the Puget Sound. The city’s parks—like Cal Anderson Park—and abundant green spaces are home to diverse flora and fauna, making them ideal for foraging plants, mushrooms, and wild, functional foods. However, you do need to be mindful of your harvesting practices.

The Many Benefits of Pine Pollen

Traditional Uses in Classical Chinese Medicine

Pine Pollen has long been used in Classical and Traditional Chinese Medicine, appearing in the earliest written texts where it was classified as a Superior Herb.

Historically, Pine Pollen was used to address various conditions, including (Buhner, 2007):

• Acne
• Diaper rash
• Eczema
• Impetigo
• To stop bleeding
• To manage discharge (as a first-aid measure)

Nutritional and Health Benefits of Pine Pollen

Beyond its historical uses, RAW Pine Pollen™ provides an abundant source of nutritional and other health benefits.* As noted above, it is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, aiding in protection against oxidative stress and supporting the body in managing inflammation.* These qualities make Pine Pollen a valuable addition to many supportive health practices.

Skincare Benefits

Pine Pollen also offers significant benefits for skin health.* The same nutrients that support overall health when taken internally can also benefit the skin, including essential vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, along with minerals like zinc and magnesium.* In China, Pine Pollen is traditionally used as an anti-aging face mask, making it an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their skin’s health and appearance.*

The Home Apothocary

Handcrafting Pine Pollen Tinctures and Pine Pollen Face Creams

While I am eager to see how Pine Pollen aids my recovery from Lyme disease, I'm excited to see the potential of Pine Pollen in supporting skin health. I've long struggled with adult acne, and I am looking forward to seeing if the historical uses of Pine Pollen can help.

Using my own wild-harvested Pine Pollen, I plan to create several remedies for myself, friends, and family. My first project is preparing a folk tincture from this wild-crafted Pine Pollen.

Embracing Urban Foraging

Wild-crafting foods and plant medicines within the urban environment allows us to reconnect with nature. This connection is vital to healing—particularly when living within city limits. By engaging with the wild, we can nurture and nourish a deeper relationship with nature—a relationship that in itself is healing.

Safety and Sustainability

There is always a certain degree of education and best practices necessary for safe and sustainable wild-crafting, from plant identification to respecting ecology and biodiversity. It is also important to note that foraging in urban environments requires an extra level (or two) of attention to safety and sustainability:

• Ensure the area you're wild-harvesting from is free from environmental contaminants.
• Practice responsible foraging by leaving enough for wildlife.
• Allow enough of a population for plant regeneration.

Parting Thoughts

Every moment can be seen as the beginning of a journey, and this is especially true in this moment. Finding and wild-crafting this Pine Pollen has been an incredibly fulfilling experience—and a beacon of hope in my own healing journey.

By aligning with the abundance of nature in my own backyard—and the healing resources hidden in plain sight—I can honor the wisdom of traditional medicine and strengthen my connection to the natural world, all while healing.