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Picea abies
CautionGemeine Fichte · (Picea abies)
Pine family (Pinaceae)
Description
Picea abies, the Norway spruce, Norway fir or European spruce, is a species of spruce native to Northern, Central and Eastern Europe.
- TeaAerial partsInternalFolk medicine
Tea from fresh spring shoots (Maiwipferl): finely chopped young shoot tips are steeped in hot water for 5 minutes. The tea contains essential oils and vitamin C and is used in folk medicine for coughs, bronchitis, and colds.
Preparation & dosage
Add 1 tsp fresh, finely chopped spring shoots to 250 ml hot (not boiling) water, steep 5 minutes, strain.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- InhalationAerial partsExternalFolk medicine
Steam inhalation using Norway spruce needle oil: the essential oil from needles and shoot tips contains bornyl acetate, borneol, α-pinene, and myrcene, acting as a mucolytic and antiseptic. Used in folk medicine for nasal congestion and respiratory infections.
Preparation & dosage
- BathAerial partsExternalFolk medicine
Spruce needle bath: needles and shoot tips are boiled and the decoction added to bathwater. Used in folk medicine for rheumatism, muscle pain, and colds. The essential oil stimulates circulation.
Preparation & dosage
- SalveWhole plantExternalFolk medicine
Spruce resin salve: the resin (pitch) is dissolved in fat or oil and used as a wound salve, furuncle poultice, or rubefacient for back and joint pain. Monographed in the Austrian Pharmacopoeia as Emplastrum.
Preparation & dosage
- TeaFruitInternalFolk medicine
Cone syrup: young green spruce cones are macerated with sugar or honey for several weeks to produce a syrup. Used in folk medicine for asthma, coughs, and sore throats.
Preparation & dosage
- RawAerial partsInternalFolk medicine
Fresh spring shoots as food: young shoots can be eaten raw or used as an ingredient in desserts and dishes. They are exceptionally rich in vitamin C (up to 407 mg/100 g dry weight), flavonoids, and condensed tannins.
- TinctureBarkExternalTraditional use
Spruce bark extract: the bark contains stilbenes (astringin, piceatannol, piceasides), flavonoids (taxifolin), and condensed tannins. Extracts are applied topically for their antioxidant and cytoprotective effects.