Pine pollen 99% | Pinus massoniana

Pine pollen 99% | Pinus massoniana

Properties: Trees from the Pinaceae family are present in many different countries and climate zones. They grow both in mixed and coniferous forests. You might have stumbled upon their cones while strolling in the woods. Drivers are probably more familiar with yellow pine pollen that falls on the car windshield. However, it is not common knowledge that this pollen has plenty of interesting properties. Naturally, for pine trees it serves as a mediator of reproduction. But apart from that, it has a beneficial influence on the human body and therefore is commonly used in naturopathy and herbal medicine. 

One interesting property of the pollen from the Pinus massoniana species is the improvement of male sexual functions. How is that possible? It turns out that pine pollen is one of the few natural sources of testosterone – a sex hormone especially important for man. It is proven that pine pollen contains large amounts of testosterone and its precursor. That is particularly important for male libido, as its strength depends on the amount of testosterone in the body. This hormone is also responsible for the growth of musculature, because it stimulates synthesis of proteins in the muscle tissue. Additionally, there is evidence that active compounds of pine pollen support the regeneration of muscle in chronically ill patients.  

What is more, the pollen of Pinus massoniana trees has a great influence on the general condition of the organism. It contains a lot of antioxidants that protect cells of the body from damage. On the other hand, vitamins and minerals found in pollen strengthen the functioning of the immune system.

Pine pollen is also useful for all those who aim to lose some extra pounds – it accelerates the decomposition of adipose tissue and decreases the amount of fat stored in the body. It is important to remember that not all pines produce pollen that has so many useful properties. The trees with the most efficient pollen are Pinus massoniana, and they grow only in South-East Asia. Nevertheless, we can profit from its active compounds by taking supplements that contain the extract from this precious plant.

Occurrence: The masson pine (Pinus massoniana) is an evergreen conifer that belongs to the pine family (Pinaceae). It usually grows at the heights between 1500 and 2000 m.a.s.l. in Taiwan and South Central China. This species is quite interesting because it has both female and male inflorescences. The latter produce the yellow pollen that is crucial for tree reproduction and a key resource of any herbalist. Pines are wind-pollinated, which means that pollen is delivered to female inflorescence by means of wind. After pollination female inflorescences transform into cones. 

In the millennia old system of traditional Chinese medicine, manually collected pine pollen has been considered a panacea for many ailments. Up until today it is used in multiple ways – as an expectorant, painkiller, to improve stamina, and to increase resistance and vitality of the body. Pine pollen is also applied in order to stop wounds from bleeding and to accelerate their healing.

Biochemistry: Brassinosteroids (BRs) are a class of substances to which pine pollen owes its properties. From a chemical perspective, BRs are plant steroid hormones. Moreover, pine pollen is one of the few natural sources of phytoandrogens: testosterone and its precursors – androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Additionally, it has an exceptionally high nutritional value. It contains amino acids (arginine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, cysteine, tryptophan and tyrosine), vitamins (mainly vitamin D3 and B vitamins) as well as micro- and macroelements (e.g. zinc, selenium, iron, manganese, copper, phosphorus and trace amounts of potassium). Apart from