Wellness Encyclopedia: Pine Pollen & Raw Lemon Rose Truffles

Working with your body to heal, detoxify and balance…

There are so many ways to celebrate love throughout the year, but I love that February has a day devoted solely to showing those around us how much we care. Valentine’s Day is a reminder to slow down and be mindful of the ways those around us enrich our lives, but it should serve as an opportunity to show ourselves some tenderness too, don’t you think? Far too often, when it comes to allocating our affection, we often give ourselves the very least. We ensure those around us have everything they need, we give our time and thoughts and energy, and then we get really good at ignoring our own needs. But if we’re not at the top of our game, feeling nourished, strong and sharp, we can’t really go all in for those we love, can we? To put it simply, in the words of RuPaul, “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell are you gonna love anybody else?”

Can I get an “amen”?

Whether it’s February 14th or October 10th, your body deserves to be nourished and cared for and loved. Sometimes it can take awhile to get there, but the right ingredients can go a long way in the journey towards self-care. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day and to encourage us all to invest a bit more in ourselves, this week I’m focusing on a special ingredient that not only boasts powerful detoxifying benefits but also might help you feel a little extra sexy, too. And it comes from a rather unexpected source: Masson’s pine trees. Yes, we’re talking pine pollen this week, and if you thought the silky golden powder was only good for making you sneeze and blanketing your car, read on, there’s a lot to learn and a lot to love about this wildcrafted powder.

What is pine pollen? Yes, we’re talking about the same stuff that floats down from pine trees every spring, dusting everything in sight with a thin golden veil (I grew up in “The Pine Tree State”… for the uninitiated, pollen season is no joke). But don’t go scooping it off your car! Sun Potion’s Pine Pollen is wildcrafted from pollen collected from Masson’s pine trees (Pinus massoniana) in Yunnan Province in China, where pine pollen has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine. Pine pollen is unique in that it’s very similar to a seed, containing all the vital nutrients it takes to grow a big, healthy tree. When we ingest that same pollen, the nutrients that make trees grow strong and quick benefit our bodies in a similar way, promoting strength, vitality and hormonal balance. When choosing a pine pollen, it’s important to always choose the best available to avoid contamination and ensure purity.

Benefits of pine pollen… Pine pollen contains a host of micronutrients, vitamins, minerals and adaptogenic properties, meaning it works with your body to heal, detoxify and balance. It contains particularly potent levels of vitamin D3, a difficult-to-get vitamin found mostly in fish, eggs and the sun (so if you’re vegan and living in a cloudy environment, pine pollen might just do some wonders!), as well as amino acids and B vitamins, which make pine pollen popular in the fitness community for its ability to increase stamina and fitness levels. Pine pollen has also been revered for centuries for its use as an aphrodisiac, which makes Valentine’s Day the perfect time to introduce this silky powder to your routine! A powerful androgen, pine pollen stimulates testosterone production and it contains DHEA, which stimulates estrogen and progesterone. While anyone can use pine pollen, its hormone-balancing properties are thought to be especially useful for aging adults because DHEA production decreases as we age. Boosting DHEA leads to better immunity, better moods, and yes, potentially a better sex life, too.

How do I use it? Harnessing the benefits of pine pollen is as simple as adding ½ teaspoon to your daily coffee, tea, smoothie, granola or bowl of oats. It also easily mixes into raw treats like the recipe below — just bear in mind you may want to add a larger measurement depending on the yield of your chosen recipe.

These raw lemon rose truffles are the perfect treat to make yourself or someone you love. Not too sweet, with the tang of fresh lemon and floral hint of rose, they’re super quick to throw together — no soaking! — so you can whip up a batch at a moment’s notice. A sweet, sunny yellow way to bring a little love to your February or any time of year.

Raw Lemon Rose Truffles

{makes approx. 9 truffles}

Ingredients

2 tsp pine pollen

1 cup raw unsweetened shredded coconut

1 cup raw macadamia nuts

1 tsp rosewater

Zest from ½ lemon

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp raw honey, agave, or maple syrup

¼ tsp grated fresh ginger

Pinch fine Himalayan pink salt

Unsweetened shredded coconut and/or hemp hearts for rolling

Method

Combine all ingredients, except extra coconut and hemp hearts, in a food processor or high speed blender and pulse until sticky and well combined but still granular, about 5 minutes.

Scoop mixture out by approx. 2 tbsp and roll into 9 rounds — feel free to go smaller or larger! Pop in the freezer to firm up, about 10 minutes. Once hardened, roll each truffle in extra shredded coconut or hemp hearts to cover.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Enjoy!

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This information is not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease or issue. 
Please seek your doctor’s advice for any questions regarding a specific condition and before beginning any exercise, diet or health-related regimen.

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I love the smell of pine wood, hope I like pine pollen just as much.

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

7 years ago

Great tips! I had no idea there were benefits to these things! :)

-Emily http://www.coatandcoffee.com

Diana Freeman
7 years ago

Wow, I’ve never heard of pine pollen, but it sounds very beneficial.

7 years ago

Beautiful Post, It is one of the best way and thanks for sharing such a great tips.