In German-speaking countries, the Christmas tree is part of the pre-Christian tradition of the "12 Rauhnachte" (12 harsh or wild nights), which later became the "Twelve Nights of Christmas." On the thirteenth night, traditionally the tree would be brought to a public place and set ablaze in a big bonfire. This year, January 7th 2005 may usher in a new reason to preserve the Ol' Tannenbaum rather than set it out on the curb or burn it. The old folk remedy that pine bark heals various health problems, from wounds to coughs, has researchers suggesting there is merit in these old claims, specifically in the bark of Scottish pines.

After studying several different preparations of pine bark extract taken from the Scotch pine (pinus sylvestris), Dr. Kalevi Pihlaja, a chemistry professor at the University of Turku in Finland, who led the study, said:

Our preliminary study showed that highly purified preparations of pine bark extract have potent anti-inflammatory effects. In the future, this may mean that people with arthritis may ease their pain by eating food supplements made from Christmas trees.

While a dietary supplement already exists and anti-inflammatory compounds have already been found in a wide variety of plant species, this is believed to be the first time that they’ve been identified in a species that is used commonly for Christmas trees, the researchers say.

Co-author, Maarit Karonen said the compounds identified are phenolics, a class of highly-active plant chemicals that have been increasingly tied to beneficial health effects.

While the University of Turku's study has not yet been tested in animals or humans, recent research by others, including some human studies, shows that the pine tree extract has the potential to relieve high blood pressure, asthma, heart disease and skin cancer.

The new study is scheduled to be published in the December 29th 2004 issue of the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Pihlaja does not define out how the compounds in the extract compare to anti-inflammatory agents that are already on the market.

While some of the phenolic compounds identified in the extract are already familiar to scientists as potent disease-fighting antioxidants, the researchers say there are other compounds present in the extract that have not yet been characterized by others.

Of the 28 compounds called "phenolics" that were identified in Finland, the most highly purified extract tested had the most potent anti-inflammatory activity.

All of the chemicals had been noted before, but not much was known about them.

Eight compounds were zeroed in on to identify the pine bark's potent antioxidants.

Next, the researchers pitted the extracts against inflammatory cells called macrophages from mice.

They tested several versions of the extracts.

The most purified brew drastically reduced the cells' ability to produce chemicals that trigger inflammation.

One of the chemicals that was blocked, called Cox-2, is the same chemical blocked by a group of prescription medications, such as Bextra and Celebrex, that fight inflammation and ease pain.

However, they said, much more research is needed to determine how much of this extract is required to be effective and whether it causes any side effects.

In James A. Duke's book The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook, published in 2002, he says, "pine bark and peanut husks have an anti-inflammatory phytochemical that speeds wound healing, stimulates the growth of new skin cells, and gives the immune system a lift." In fact, you can find pine bark extract today in health food stores under the name - Pycnogenol.

In "the olden days" in Germany, only a few trees stayed alive after Christmas, the evergreens. The evergreens became a symbol of immortality.

Good spirits and the magic power of the evergreen were believed to resist the life-threatening powers of darkness and cold. They believed in the special powers of these trees and wherever they were, evil spirits could not go, so they brought the greenery into their homes.

First reports of people bringing holly and pine branches into their homes at Christmas-time date from the late Middle Ages.

Live green branches, symbols of life in the cold and dead of winter, were placed on windows, mirrors, and in vases, and may have served to keep evil spirits away. Over time, this mythical function of the greens became simply decorative. Evergreen ropes (garlands) were draped over staircase railings, mantels, picture frames and along ceilings. Fearful that dry branches would catch fire from oil lamps or sparks from the fireplace or heating stove, families waited until almost Christmas eve to hang the garlands.

The Christmas tree brings an aroma and joy to every home whose owner indulges in this annual tradition. Hopefully, someday the Christmas tree will soon bring joy to many suffering from pain, as well.

Inspire & Be Inspired (R).

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful "new discoveries already under your own nose" healing!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King