Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

In the past decade beta-sitosterol, which occurs naturally in many plants, has been developed as an approved additive to many foods, including certain margarines and yoghurts, because it reduces the blood cholesterol and its ‘bad’ form, LDL, which are associated with the development of atheromatous plaques. Much beta-sitosterol, a plant stanol, is obtained from waste wood a by-product of the paper and other timber industries in Finland and other countries. The commonest sources are varieties of Birch and Pine trees. Many other health claims have been made for beta-sitosterol but none has been substantiated.
Forchem- Green gold from tall oil https://www.forchem.com/news/archive/2005/world_class_sterol_facility_to_rauma.149.news

Other use

Pinus mugo Turra, Pinaceae Mountain pine. Distribution: Mountain regions in south and central Europe. Source of pine cone syrup used in cooking. Pine trees in general have a small edible pine nut in the pine cone, which Lyte (1578) writes are 'good for the lungs, they cleanse the breast, and cause the fleme to be spit out: also they nourish well and engender good blood, and for this cause they are good for such as have the cough.' He wrote that it was used for burns, wounds, dysentery, and as a diuretic. Quincy says of fir (Pinus) cones that they strengthen the genital parts, and increase the quantity of seed, or increase Desire without adding to Ability or Performance.
Oakeley, Dr. Henry F. (2013). Wellcome Library notes. link

Geographical distribution

  • Europe, Eastern Europe, Ukraine
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Austria
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Germany
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Hungary
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Poland
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Slovakia
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Switzerland
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Albania
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Czech Republic
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Italy
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Romania
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Yugoslavia
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, France

Pinus mugo Turra

Family: PINACEAE
Genus: Pinus
Species: mugo Turra
Common names: Dwarf Mountain Pine
Distribution summary: C Europe, Balkan Peninsula
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Habitat: Woodlands
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Plants of the World (C)
Reason for growing: Medicinal


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